EP0292693A2 - Brushware and procedure for its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

Brushwear consists of a bristle bearer and bristles which are attached to said bristle bearer in a mechanical or thermal manner and are made of plastic monofilaments which may be grouped into bundles. In order to increase the cleaning, distribution or application function of such brushwear, the monofilaments are flocked with short plastic fibres at least over part of their length. Such brushwear can be manufactured in that the monofilaments are provided on their surface with an adhesive or heated on their surface until reaching the soft plastic state and the fibres are then applied to the monofilament in the electrostatic field. Instead, it is also possible for the fibres to be applied subsequently, e.g. by means of an adhesive, to the bristles connected to the bristle bearer.

Description

The invention relates to a bristle article consisting of a handle or a holder and at least one bristle made of a stretched and optionally thermally stabilized plastic monofilament, and a method for its production.

For the purposes of the invention, bristle goods are understood to mean all devices or products which consist of at least one bristle with an attack option for the hand or a holder or which have individual bristles or bristles combined on a carrier. Examples include brushes of any kind (flat, rod-shaped, cylindrical), brooms, brushes, bristle pads, etc. These devices mostly use synthetic bristles that are obtained from plastics of different types by extruding monofilaments. To give these monofilaments properties similar to the natural bristles that are Characterized by flexibility on the one hand and a long-lasting ability to straighten up, these monofilaments are stretched after extrusion in order to align the molecular chains in the axial direction and then stabilized by thermal treatment, the orientation of the molecular chains being quasi frozen. These monofilaments are then combined individually or in bundles, cut to length and attached to the bristle holder. This fastening is still largely done mechanically today by providing the bristle carrier with holes into which the bristles or bundles of bristles are inserted and mechanically, e.g. B. by means of anchor wires, adhesive. Like. Are attached. In more recent times, the thermoplastic properties of the bristles and / or the bristle carrier have been used by welding the bristles onto the carrier or inserting them into the soft plastic plastic of the carrier or also embedding them in the injection molding or foaming of the carrier.

It is also known (DE-B 1 235 856) to anchor the bristles on the bristle carrier in that the latter is provided with an adhesive and the bristles are applied in an electrostatic field. This is a process that is carried out similarly to the flocking of materials. Bristle products manufactured in this way are only suitable for a few purposes because of the relatively tangled and disordered arrangement of the bristles, which, moreover, must be very short and thin. Furthermore, it is known in the case of an eyelash brush to provide the bristle carrier with bristles in certain areas and to flock them in the areas in between (DE-A 32 31 574, DE-A 34 34 405). Finally, it is known for hairbrushes with sprayed pins (DE-C 33 17 143) to flock the pins or the pin carrier with fibers.

All of the aforementioned bristle products have the disadvantage that they do not fully satisfy their function due to the formation of the bristles as monofilaments with a smooth surface. If the cleaning effect is in the foreground, this is essentially limited to wiping or gathering the dirt particles by means of the abrasive or pushing bristle ends, which attach themselves to the surface to be cleaned over a short length. This applies to cleaning brushes of all kinds, such as clothes brushes, toothbrushes, as well as brooms or the like. Is the application or application of a substance in the foreground, e.g. B. the application of water to the surface to be cleaned by means of a scrubber, by means of a damp mop or the like., The application of paints by means of a brush, the application of cosmetics or care products, as well as hair dyes, etc. in the cosmetic field the bristle trim of the devices used for this purpose is designed so that the device has the greatest possible retention capacity for the substance to be applied or applied, which is usually done by means of a correspondingly thick bristle trim. It is also known to use grained, wavy or profiled bristles for this purpose.

The invention has for its object to propose a training for bristle goods, which leads to an improvement of each of the aforementioned functions, namely cleaning, application, distribution and the like.

This object is achieved in the bristle product mentioned at the outset in that the bristle is coated with short protruding fibers over at least part of its length.

With this basic principle, in the simplest case, a device is created that consists of only one bristle, which essentially forms a thin, flexible core with good straightening ability has a handle or a holder, and a coating surrounding this outside of the handle consists of protruding fibers. Such a fiber-coated bristle can be used, for example, for interdental cleaning similar to a toothpick or as an eyelash brush, but can also be attached to a holder or carrier in groups.

If, for example, the bristle product consists of a bristle carrier and a plurality of plastic bristles connected to it, the invention results in a bristle product in which the bristles are coated with short fibers of plastic protruding at least over part of their length.

It does not matter how the bristles are connected to the carrier. For example, as is known per se, the bristles can be injection-molded in one piece with the carrier or a part thereof. In this case, the fiber coating is only applied after the molded part has been produced.

If, on the other hand, the bristle product consists, as is usually the case, of a bristle carrier and bristles attached to it mechanically or thermally from stretched and optionally thermally stabilized plastic monofilaments, which are optionally combined into bundles, the bristles according to the invention are at least in one part protruding coated with short fibers made of plastic.

The inventive design in all of the aforementioned basic variants results in a bristle that consists of a core and an outside flocking. The core-forming monofilament has all the favorable properties of a conventional bristle, which means flexibility on the one hand and the ability to straighten up on the other concerns, while the flocking of short fibers of much smaller diameter than the monofilament of the bristle gives a quasi-rough surface. This has the advantageous consequence in the cleaning function that the stable core of the bristle makes it possible to exert the necessary pressure on the surface to be cleaned, while the large number of fibers collects the dirt particles and sometimes also stores them between them, so that even the finest dirt particles can be included. If the function consists primarily in the application of a substance, the fibrous surface structure already gives the individual bristles a storage capacity and thus the brush, brush, mop or the like has a significantly increased storage capacity, regardless of whether it is a fluid or powdered agents that are to be applied or applied. In this application, the application, painting or the like is further characterized by the fact that it can be done much more uniformly than with conventional bristles. If, on the other hand, the care function is in the foreground, as is the case with hair brushes, hair dye brushes or the like, for example, the stable or flexible core ensures the necessary division and distribution of the hair, while the fine fibers provide comprehensive care for the individual hair - and coloring function. The situation is similar with massage brushes, in which the core of the bristles develops the powerful massage effect, while the fine function supports the brushing function.

The storage capacity of the bristle goods designed according to the invention is quite comparable to that of textile cloths, fleeces or sponges, without having their hygienic disadvantages, since the free-standing bristles and fibers dry faster and completely.

It is known from textile technology to flock yarns with fibers. However, yarns are not stable monofilaments, but rather an unstable structure made of a large number of thinner fibers. Flocking has the sole purpose of giving the finished textile product a soft surface and a certain fullness and velor-like structure. The focus here is on a completely different objective.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the fibers on the monofilament are arranged essentially radially. As a result, the cleaning and application function is influenced particularly favorably.

The monofilament and the fibers can consist of the same or different plastics. In the latter case, the fibers are primarily attached to the monofilament by gluing, while in the former case they can be embedded or welded into the monofilament by melting the monofilament surface and subsequent solidification.

Due to the flocking of the monofilaments according to the invention, in many applications one will manage with fewer bristles per area than is the case with conventional bristle products. In individual cases, it may also be sufficient if only individual monofilaments are flocked within a bristle bundle or if only individual monofilaments or the monofilaments of individual bristle bundles are flocked within a bristle stock of a device. In this way it is also possible to produce multi-functional bristle articles which, for example, have bristles which are customary in one area and flocked bristles in another area.

Finally, bristle goods designed according to the invention can be characterized in that the ends of the individual monofilaments are formed into a spherical head by melting the monofilament and the fibers. This training is recommended, for example, for hairbrushes, where the spherical heads facilitate penetration into the hair and do not produce any unpleasant reactions even on sensitive scalps.

Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the bristles cut and flocked to length are fastened with their free ends to form a fold on the bristle carrier. This design has the advantage that the advantageous effects of flocking also occur at the bent bristle ends.

In a further modification it is provided that the flocking of the bristle is trimmed to a desired outline so that, for example, conical single or multiple bristles with flocking are obtained.

Finally, it is possible to remove the flocking of the bristle by embossing in some areas in order to obtain fiber-free bristles which, for example in the case of a single bristle, form a handle or can be shaped into such a handle.

The invention is also directed to a method for producing the aforementioned bristle articles. If this consists in the simplest case of a handle or a holder and at least one bristle, then it is provided according to the invention that the bristle or the endless monofilament from which the bristle is obtained by cutting is coated on its surface, at least in regions, with short plastic fibers .

It can also be provided that the bristle or the endless monofilament from which the bristle is obtained by cutting is coated over its entire length with short fibers made of plastic and the fiber coating under the action of heat, for. B. is remelted by stamping, forming the handle except for the bristle forming the core.

For example, plastic monofilaments, which have been stabilized by stretching and, if appropriate, thermal treatment and are optionally combined into bundles, are initially attached to a bristle carrier by mechanical insertion, injection or foaming into the same or by melting the bristle carrier surface and / or the ends attached to the monofilament, these monofilaments are coated on their surface with short fibers made of plastic.

The monofilaments can be coated by providing them with an adhesive on their surface and then coating them with the fibers. Instead, if the material pairing of monofilament and fibers has an appropriate affinity, it is also possible to heat the monofilaments on their surface to the soft plastic state and then coat them with the fibers. Instead, the fibers can also be applied to the monofilament immediately after it has been extruded.

In the former case, the monofilaments are preferably passed through an adhesive bath or an adhesive mist and then flocked with the fibers, while in the latter case, the monofilaments are passed through a heating zone and coated with the fibers in this or behind will. Thus, just like after the extrusion of the monofilaments, the fiber-coated bristles can be produced with continuous monofilaments in a continuous process.

The coating is preferably carried out by flocking in an electrostatic field, regardless of the type of attachment of the fibers to the monofilament.

The coated monofilament can be brought into a specific contour tailored to the intended use by subsequently trimming the fibers, by warm embossing in some areas or by melting its free end.

• Fig. 1 einen Schnitt durch eine einzelne Borste in einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• Fig. 2 einen der Fig. 1 entsprechenden Schnitt einer anderen Ausführungsform einer einzelnen Borste;
• Fig. 3 einen Teilschnitt einer Bürste od. dgl. mit mechanischer Befestigung der Borsten;
• Fig. 4 einen der Fig. 3 entsprechenden Schnitt einer anderen Ausführungsform einer Bürste od. dgl.;
• Fig. 5 eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Bürste od. dgl. im Teilschnitt;
• Fig. 6 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Bürste od. dgl. im Teilschnitt;
• Fig. 7 einen den vorgenannten Abbildungen ent­sprechenden Teilschnitt durch eine Art Borstenkamm;
• Fig. 8 eine Einzelborste mit Beflockung und Handhabe im Längsschnitt und
• Fig. 9 eine andere Ausführungsform einer Einzel­borste mit Beflockung und Handhabe.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following description of some of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

• 1 shows a section through a single bristle in a first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of a single bristle;
• 3 shows a partial section of a brush or the like with mechanical fastening of the bristles;
• 4 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of a brush or the like;
• Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a brush or the like. In partial section;
• Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of a brush or the like. In partial section;
• 7 shows a partial section corresponding to the above-mentioned figures through a type of bristle comb;
• Fig. 8 is a single bristle with flocking and handle in longitudinal section and
• Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of a single bristle with flocking and handle.

For reasons of simplification and a better overview, only one individual bristle 1 is shown in all the illustrations. The arrangement of a plurality of bristles, as well as their combination into bundles and other details of a bristle stock for a cleaning, application device or the like, can be carried out in a conventional manner, so that a graphic representation is not necessary.

A single bristle 1 consists of a monofilament core 2, which is obtained by extrusion and subsequent stretching and thermal stabilization, and a coating or flocking 3 of a large number of short and thin fibers 4. The monofilament core 2 and the fibers 4 both consist of Plastic. The coating 3 made of fibers 4 can, as shown in FIG. 1, be attached by means of an adhesive layer 5 which is applied to the monofilament core 2. The coating is preferably carried out in the electrostatic field, which ensures a corresponding alignment of the fibers 4 when or after striking the adhesive layer 5. This ensures that the fibers 4 protrude approximately radially from the monofilament core 2.

In FIG. 2, the coating 3 of fibers 4 is connected to the monofilament core 2 in a material or form-fitting manner, for example by placing the surface of the monofilament core 2 in a soft-plastic state and the fibers 4 penetrating into the soft-plastic layer and being fixed after solidification .

In Fig. 3 a section of a device with a bristle carrier 6 is shown, which can be made of any material. On the bristle carrier 6, bristles 1 are attached — optionally also in bundles — by being pushed or pushed into a hole 7 in the bristle carrier to form a loop and are fixed by means of a clamp 8 mechanically driven into the bristle carrier. The monofilament core 2, which is bent to form a double layer, is provided with the coating 3 in this exemplary embodiment with its region lying outside the bristle carrier 6. Furthermore, the free ends of monofilament core 2 to a spherical thickening 9, z. B. formed by melting, the fibers forming the flocking or coating 3 optionally being melted as well.

4, the bristles 1 with their monofilament core 2 are welded onto the bristle carrier 6 at 10 by being melted on their fastening-side end, as is also the case with the bristle carrier 6. In this embodiment, the flocking 3 also extends over the likewise spherically thickened end 11 of the monofilament core 2. In this case, the flocking 3 is subsequently applied to the shaped bristle core 2.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the monofilament core 2 with its flocking 3 to form a fold 12 looped and with its free ends 13 in turn welded to the bristle carrier 6. Here it can be seen that with this design the fibers 4 of the flocking 3, which can be applied to the endless monofilament, are also present in the area of the fold 12 and can therefore also exert their effect there.

Fig. 6 shows a variant in which the monofilament core 2, which is again provided with flocking 3 over its entire length, is bent in a U-shape and in turn is attached to the bristle carrier 6 with its free ends.

Fig. 7 shows a section of a comb-like device with a bristle carrier 6 to which bristles 1 are attached by welding or thermal insertion. Here, the monofilament core 2 has an above-average diameter in order to give it great flexural strength. This core 2 is in some areas, namely approximately on the outer half of its length, provided with the flocking 3, which is advantageously applied to the bristle carrier 6 only after the monofilament core 2 has been fastened.

Fig. 8 shows a single bristle 1, the monofilament core 2, which in turn has increased bending stability, is provided with a fiber flocking 3 over part of its length. The core 2 is also formed at its end opposite the flocking 3 to a handle 14 in the form of a type of eyelet. Such a device can be used with appropriate stability of the core 2, for example for cleaning interdental spaces.

9 is an eyelash or so-called mascara brush in the form of a single bristle 1, the monofilament core 2 of which is shaped into a handle 15 and one at its free end Has flocking 3 of fibers 4. This flocking is tailored conically, which can be done after application to the monofilament core.

The area of a single bristle 1, e.g. B. the handle 14, 15 with the immediately adjacent part of the monofilament core 2, can also be obtained in that a flocked along its entire length is formed in this area by hot stamping, the fibers 4 of the flocking melt and with merge the monofilament core 2 and in this way give it a larger cross section than the original state of the monofilament core.

Claims (28)

1. Bristle goods, consisting of a handle or a holder and at least one bristle made of a stretched and optionally thermally stabilized plastic monofilament, characterized in that the bristle (1) is coated on at least part of its length with short protruding fibers (4) . 2. Bristleware, consisting of a bristle carrier and a plurality of plastic bristles connected thereto, characterized in that the bristles (1) are coated at least over part of their length with short plastic fibers. 3. bristle goods, consisting of a bristle carrier and bristles attached thereto in a mechanical or thermal manner, which are optionally combined into bundles, characterized in that the bristles (1) are coated with short fibers (3) of plastic protruding at least over part of their length are. 4. bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bristles (1) are coated by flocking. 5. bristle product according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the fibers (4) on the bristles (1) are arranged substantially radially. 6. Brushware according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bristles (1) and the fibers (4) consist of the same plastic. 7. bristle goods according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bristles (1) and the fibers (4) consist of different plastics. 8. bristle goods according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fibers are attached to the bristle by gluing. 9. bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fibers (4) on the bristle (1) are embedded by melting the surface and subsequent solidification. 10. bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that only individual bristles (1) are flocked within a bristle bundle. 11. bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that within a bristle stock only individual bristles (1) or the bristles are flocked by several bristle bundles. 12. Bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the or individual bristles (1) are formed at their ends by melting the bristles and the fibers (4) into a spherical head (9). 13. bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cut to length and flocked bristles (1) are attached with their free ends to form a fold (12) on the bristle carrier (6). 14. Brushware according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the flocking (3) of the bristle (1) is cut to a desired outline shape. 15. bristle product according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the flocking (3) of the bristles (1) is removed in some areas by embossing. 16. A method for producing bristle goods according to one of claims 1 to 15, consisting of a holder and at least one bristle made of a stretched and optionally thermally stabilized plastic monofilament, characterized in that the bristle or the endless monofilament from which the bristle is cut to length is obtained on their surface is at least partially coated with short plastic fibers and then attached to the holder. 17. A process for the production of bristle goods according to one of claims 1 to 15, consisting of a handle and at least one bristle made of a stretched and optionally thermally stabilized plastic monofilament, characterized in that the bristle or the endless monofilament from which the bristle is cut to length is obtained, protruding along its entire length with short fibers made of plastic and the fiber coating under the action of heat, for. B. is melted down to form the handle down to the bristle forming the core. 18. The method according to claim 16 for the production of bristle goods according to one of claims 3 to 15, in which plastic monofilaments, which have been stabilized by stretching and optionally thermal treatment and are optionally combined into bundles, on a bristle carrier by mechanical insertion, injection or foaming in the same or by melting the bristle carrier surface and / or the ends of the monofilaments, characterized in that the monofilaments are coated on their surface with short plastic fibers and then attached to the bristle carrier. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the monofilaments are provided on their surface with an adhesive and then coated with the fibers. 20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the monofilaments are heated on their surface to the soft plastic state and coated with the fibers. 21. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the monofilaments obtained by extrusion are coated with the fibers immediately after their extrusion. 22. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the monofilaments are passed through an adhesive bath or an adhesive mist and then coated with the fibers. 23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the monofilaments are passed through a heating zone and are electrostatically coated in or behind the fibers. 24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that the monofilaments are coated by flocking. 25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the monofilaments are flocked in an electrostatic field. 26. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, characterized in that the fibers are trimmed after flocking. 27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that the fibers are remelted after the flocking by warm embossing. 28. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that the free ends of the bristles and the fibers arranged there are melted to form a spherical thickening.

Images