BRUSH, METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH BRUSHES

Abstract: Brush mainly composed of a brush body, which is equipped with fibre bundle gates and fibre bundles which are introduced into the fibre bundle gates whereby a tightening product is applied mainly at the height of the brush body between and around the fibres.

Description: This invention concerns brushes, a method for the manufacture thereof and brush-making machines using this method. More particularly, but not necessarily, the invention concerns brushes which, owing to their use, are normally coming into contact with liquid as, for instance, tooth brushes, scouring brushes, nail brushes and so on. According to the well-known brush-making method, e.g. as disclosed in DE 3 016 791, several fibre bundle holes are foreseen in a brush body and the fibre bundels are fastened afterwards by means of fastening devices as for instance a securing plate or a staple. Tacking into account, on the one hand, the shape of the fibres which have generally a circular cross section, and the shape of the fastening devices and, on the other hand, the shape of the fibre bundle holes, it is obvious that gaps are remaining between the fibres. These gaps are existing between the various fibres, between the fibres and the inside wall of the fibre bundle holes, between the fibres and their fastening devices as well as between the fastening devices and the brush body. Although the existing gaps are tentatively made as small as possible for esthetic reasons , by adequate choice of the fastening devices, of the fibre diameters, and of the number of fibres in each fibre bundle hole, it is impossible to achieve perfect tightening this way. It is quite obvious that such gaps are an ideal location for the accumulation of all kinds of dirt (for instance, organic and other matters in the case of tooth brushes). This results in the disadvantage that (and more specifically for brushes which are coming into contact with water and other liquids), these soiled voids offer an adequate location for the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. This circumstance can obviously result in unhygienic conditions which should be avoided, specially for tooth brushes, nail brushes and similar. Quite obviously, this problem should be preferably avoided also in the case of other brushes as it results in still other disadvantages. In the case of scouring brushes, for instance, with a wooden brush body, water is likely to remain after use in the open cavities which will only dry out very slowly, whereby water remaining for a long time in these holes will damage their walls in such a way that the securing strength of the fibre bundles will be reduced. In order to offer a solution to the hereabove mentioned disadvantages and other ones, the invention foresees a brush which does not show the deleterious effect caused by the gaps existing between the fibres, the fastening devices and the walls of the fibre bundle holes. To this end, the present invention relates to a brush body provided on at least one surface thereof with fibre bundle holes in which are located fibre bundles, characterised in that a tightening product is applied between and around the fibres of the bundles, said tightening product extending at least partially into the holes from the surface of the body. Secondly, the invention is concerning a method for manufacturing these brushes and more specially a method in order to place the tightening product mentioned hereabove, between and around the fibres and, possibly, around the fastening devices. Finally, the invention is also concerning brush-making machines and devices designed to put the tightening product between the fibres in accordance with the methods of the invention. In order to explain more in detail the characteristics of the invention, a few preferable execution methods are described without any limitating character for the brushes as well as for the brush-making machines, whereby reference is made to the figures in appendix, which are respectively: figure 1, a cross section of part of a brush according to the invention; figure 2, a cross section along line II-II of figure 1; figure 3, an alternative execution of figure 1; figure 4, still another alternative solution of the execution according to figure 1; figure 5, a cross section of a tooth brush, which is carried out according to still another one possible method according to the invention; figure 6, a schematic illustration of a brush-making machine according to the invention; figure 7, an alternative solution for the brush-making machine in accordance with the invention; figure 8, a still very schematic view of a device in accordance with the invention; figure 9, a schematic illustration of the manufacturing method of the tooth brush as shown on figure 5. As illustrated on figures 1 to 5, the brushes 1 are composed of brush bodies 2 wherein fibre bundle holes 3 are made and are containing each a fibre bundle 4. The fibres 5 of each fibre bundle 4 are fastened in the fibre bundle holes 3 by means of fastening devices, as for instance the securing plate 6. In order to achieve tight closing of the gaps referred to hereabove, a tightening product 7 is applied between and around the fibres, according to the invention. As illustrated by figures 1 to 4, the tightening product 7 is located preferentially mainly in the fibre bundle holes 3. In the embodiment of figure 1, the fibre bundle holes are completely filled with product 7, while in the embodiment according to figure 3, the tightening product 7 is present only over a limited depth D. In order to achieve good tighteness, the tightening product 7 must be present over the full section of each fibre bundle hole 3. The work is preferably carried out with a tightening product 7 which is applied in liquid condition and which has a limited surface tension. This is specially important, in order that the tightening product 7 be able to penetrate suitably between the fibres 5. Secondly, this is important for brushes, whereby the tightening product 7 is applied somewhat above the edge 8 of the fibre bundle holes 3 as illustrated by figure 4. If a tightening product 7, having a small surface tension, is used, this does not only result in a good contact of this product with the fibres 5, but also in that an attractive hollow ridge 9 round the fibre bundle 4 is achieved at the height of the edge 8. Figure 5 illustrates still another alternative solution of the invention, which is applied, by way of example to a tooth brush. The tightening product 7 has, in this case, the shape of a layer 10 applied on the full surface of the brush site 11 of the brush body 2. The layer 10 is present on the full surface of the site 11, and is penetrating between the fibres 5. The tightening product 7 is preferably composed of a liquid or a viscous massa, which can be hardened like, for instance, an adhesive, a resin, silicones, or any similar product. The material used as tightening product is obviously resistant to liquids which are normally coming into contact with the brushes 1. Moreover, this tightening product 7 is chosen as far as the adhesion properties are concerned, as a function of the materials of the fibres, on the one hand, and, the materials of the brush body 2, on the other hand. According to the invention, it is also possible to used as tightening product 7 a product wich is able to harden under irradiation, for instance, with ultraviolet light. According to the alternative solutions, which are not illustrated by the figures, the fibres 5 are secured in the fibre bundle holes 3 with a tightening product 7. This way, the advantage of avoiding additional fastening devices like the securing plates 6 is obtained. The method in accordance with the invention for the manufacture of the brushes 1 already discussed and illustrated by figures 1 to 4, includes the steps of making the fibre bundle holes 3 in the brush bodies 2, applying the tightening product 7 into the respective fibre bundle holes 3, and then filling the brush body 2 with fibre bundles 4, according to any known technique, whereby fastening devices like the securing plates 6 or staples may or may not be resorted to. When the fibre bundles 4 are filled in, the tightening product 7 is penetrating between the various fibres 5. Hereafter, by way of example, a few alternative solutions of this method and of the devices and brush making machines used to this end are described and are illustrated by figure 6 to 8. In figure 6, the brushes 1 are manufactured by supplying brush bodies 2 already provided of fibre bundle holes 3 Afterwards, these brush bodies 2 are introduced by means of a loading device 12 or similar equipment on a drum shaped brush body holder 13, more particularly in the jaws 14. While the brush bodies 2 are located on the stepwise rotating brush body holder 13, these are fitted with the fibre bundles 4 by means of a filling device 15. According to this embodiment of the invention, the supply device 16 for the brush bodies 2 is also foreseen in order to achieve the supply of the tightening product 7. To this end, the brush-making machine includes a tank 17 for the tightening product 7, a supply pipe or flexible tube 18 and a metering machine 19 in order to introduce the tightening product 7 into the fibre bundle holes 3. The metering mechanism 19 is composed in this case of several individual metering elements 20 which are mounted together according to a pattern which is corresponding to the pattern of the fibre bundle holes 3 in the brush bodies 2. If now another brush body 2 is moved under the metering elements 20, the metering mechanism 19 will supply a defined quantity of tightening product 7 by means of this metering elements 20. According to figure 7, the method implies that the brush bodies 2 are first disposed on the brush body holder 13, whereby before filling the fibre bundle holes 3 by means of the filling device 15, the metering mechanism 19 is moved above each brush body 2 in order to supply a given quantity of tightening product 7 into the fibre bundle holes 3. The brush-making machines used to this end are differing from the known ones by the fact that an additional working station is mounted along the drum-shaped brush body holder 13 in order to achieve the supply of the tightening product 7. It is obvious that the metering mechanism 19 may also be composed of one single metering element 20 which, by relative movement of the metering element in relation with the brush body, is supplying a small quantity of tightening product into all fibre bundle holes 3 of the brush body 2. Such can occur, for instance, if the metering element is controlled in relationship to the brush body, or if the brush body is controlled in relationship to the metering element (exactly on the same way as filling of the fibre holes with fibres is achieved). The brush-making machine can include in this case a device which is schematically illustrated in figure 8. In this case, the drum-shaped brush body holder 13 includes four work stations, respectively identified by 21 to 24. In the first one, the brush bodies 2 are supplied and the finished brushes 1 are removed. In the second one, the brush bodies 2 are provided with fibre bundle holes 3 and in the third working station 23, the metering element 20 is introducing a small quantity of a tightening product 7 into these holes 3. In the 4th working station 24, the fibre bundle holes 3 are filled with the fibre bundles 4. According to an alternative solution of this method, the metering element 20 and the fibre filling device 15 can be moved following a same pattern and at the same rate along all fibre bundle holes 3. The second method for applying the tightening product 7 implies, according to the invention, that the brushes are first manufactured and that the tightening product 7 is applied afterwards. According to a first alternative solution, this result can be achieved if needle-shaped metering elements are introduced to the seat of each fibre bundle 4 between the brush hairs while some tightening product 7 is applied afterwards. Quite obviously, the tightening product 7 must have an adequate fluidity in order to permit good penetration between the fibres 5. According to the second method, an immersion technique is applied and can be put into practice, for instance as schematically illustrated by figure 9. In this case, the brush body 2 is partially covered by a protection 25 whereby this protection includes an opening 26 on the side where the fibre bundles 4 are seated. If now, the whole system is immersed into a liquid tightening product 7 down to the line 27, as illustrated by figure 9, after the immersion, a layer of tightening product 7 will remain in the opening 26 and will penetrate between the fibres 5 and then will solidify. Finally, the protection 25 is removed whereby a brush, as illustrated by figure 5 is obtained. The immersion device which is used to this end may be an independent unit but may also be an integral part of the brush- making machine.

Claims: A brush comprising a brush body (2) provided on at least one surface thereof with fibre bundle holes (3) in which are located fibre bundles (4), characterised in that a tightening product (7) is applied between and around the fibres (5) of the bundles (4), said tightening product (7) extending at least partially into the holes (3) from the surface of the body (2). Brush according to claim 1, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is mainly applied into the brush fibre holes (3). Brush according to claim 2, characterised in that the tightening product (7) completely fills the fibre bundle holes (3). Brush according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is applied up to slightly above the edge (8) of the fibre bundle holes (3). Brush according to claim 1, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is applied as a layer (10) on the brush side (11) of the brush body (2). Brush according to one of the previous claims, whereby the fibre bundles (4) are fastened in the fibre bundle holes (3) by means of fastening devices, like securing plates (6) or staples, characterised in that the fastening devices are also surrounded by the tightening product (7). Brush according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is composed of a material which is a liquid able to harden at room temperature, whereby this material has a relatively small surface tension in the liquid condition. Brush according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is an adhesive. Brush according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is a resin. Brush according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is a silicone. Method for manufacturing brushes according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes first making fibre bundle holes (3) in the brush bodies (2), then applying a liquid tightening product (7) into the fibre bundle holes (3) and, finally filling the bundle holes (3) with fibres (4), whereby fastening devices are or are not used. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is applied successively in each of the fibre bundle holes (3) of each brush body (2). Method according to claim 11, characterised in that all fibre bundle holes (3) are simultaneously filled with a tightening product (7) for each brush body (2). Method according to one of the claims 11 to 13, whereby brush bodies already having fibre bundle holes (3) are used, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is applied into the fibre bundle holes (3) during the transportation of the brush bodies to a brush body holder (13) whereon a filling device (15) is acting. Method according to one of the claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the application of the tightening product (7) as well as the application of the fibre bundles (4) are carried out on a commun drum-shaped brush body holder (13). Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the application of the liquid tightening product (7) into the fibre bundles holes (3) occurs according to the same pattern and at the same rate as the application of the fibre bundles (4) into the fibre bundle holes (3) wherein the tightening product (7) is already present. Method for manufacturing brushes according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it includes first making fibre bundle holes (3) in a brush body (2), then filling the brush bodies (2) with the fibre bundles (4), afterwards applying a liquid tightening product on and between the fibres (5) at the place of the edge (8) of the fibre bundle holes (3) and, finally, hardening of the tightening product (7). Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is applied by means of needle-shaped metering elements. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the tightening product (7) is applied by an immersion technique. Brush-making machine used for the method according to claim 14, characterised in that it comprises a brush body holder (13), a supply device (16) for the supply of brush bodies (2), a loading system (12) for moving the brush bodies (2) from the supply device to the brush body holder (3), a fibre filling device (15), which is mounted along the brush body holder (13) and means for introducing the tightening product (7) into the fibre bundle holes (3) on the supply device (16), whereby these means are composed of a tank (17), wherein the tightening product (7) can be filled in, a supply pipe or flexible tubing (18) and a metering mechanism (19). Brush-making machine for carrying out the method according to claim 15, characterised in that it includes a drum-shaped brush body holder (13), a supply device (16) for the brush bodies (2), a fibre filling device (15), a metering mechanism (19) for applying the tightening product (7), whereby the fibre filling device (15), as well as the metering mechanism (20) are mounted along the drum-shaped brush body holder (13). Brush-making machine according to claim 20 or 21, characterised in that the metering mechanism (19) includes several metering elements (20), which are corresponding, as far as their number as well as their distrubution pattern are concerned to the number and the pattern of the fibre bundle holes (3) in the brush bodies (2). Brush-making machine according to claim 20 or 21, characterised in that the metering mechanism (19) includes a metering element (20), which is moved by means of a control mechanism, repectively to the different fibre bundle holes (3) of the brush bodies (2). Brush-making machine for carrying out the method according to claim 17, having a fibre filling device for filling the brush bodies (2) with fibre bundles (4), characterised in that the brush-making machine is equipped, after the fibre filling device (15), with a metering mechanism, in order to apply a determined quantity of tightening product (7) in the hole of each fibre bundle (4). Brush-making machine according to claim 24, characterised in that the metering mechanism is composed of at least one needle-shaped metering element which is moved between the fibre bundles (4) to their holes. Brush-making machine for carrying out the method according to claim 19, characterised in that an immersion device is foreseen after the fibre filling device and wherby the brushes (1) are partially immersed into the tightening product (7).

Inventors: BOUCHERIE, LEONEL
Applicants: G.B. BOUCHERIE, N.V.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A46B3
IPC codes: A46B3, A46D3