METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BRUSH, AND BRUSH

Abstract

A method of producing a brush as well as a brush (1), in particular a toothbrush, which has at least one bristle bundle (3) which includes at least one bristle filament having a curved and/or kinked profile.

Claims

1. A method for producing a brush (1), comprising: proceeding from a non-deformed initial shape, permanently forming at least one bristle bundle (3) of the brush (1) such that at least one bristle filament of the bristle bundle (3) upon deformation has at least one of a curved or kinked profile.

2. The method as claimed claim 1, further comprising: fastening the at least one bristle bundle (3) to a bristle carrier (4) of the brush (1), with the at least one bristle filament of the bristle bundle (3) having the permanently deformed at least one of the curved or kinked profile.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3), proceeding from the non-deformed initial shape, is permanently formed such that the bristle bundle (3) at a free bundle end thereof has a cross section which is not rotationally symmetrical.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one bristle bundle includes at least two of the bristle bundles (3), and the method further comprises unifying the at least two bristle bundles in a common bundle portion

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising dividing the at least one bristle bundle (3) at a free bundle end thereof into at least two mutually separate bundle end portions.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one bristle filament comprises bristle filaments, and the method further comprises displacing the bristle filaments of the at least one bristle bundle (3) for generating a clearance (7) in the bristle bundle (3).

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising forming the at least one bristle bundle (3) such that said bristle bundle (3) has at least two bundle cross sections which in terms of an longitudinal axis of said bristle bundle (3) are axially spaced apart from one another and differ from one another in terms of at least one of a shape or size.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising imparting the at least one bristle bundle (3) with at least one of a helical shape, a conical shape, a frustoconical shape, a chalice-shape, or a spread-out shape.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising forming at least two of the bristle bundles (3) with a conjointly twisted shape.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising forming the at least one bristle bundle (3) at least one of (a) under the influence of heat or (b) with a shape-imparting tool.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising forming at least one said bristle bundle (3) for supporting another of the bristle bundles (3) such that said bristle bundle (3) bears on the other bristle bundle (3), or forming two of said bristle bundles (3) for supporting a third one of the bristle bundles (3), such that the two bristle bundles bear on the third bristle bundle (3).

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising imparting at least one of the bristle bundles (3) with a cross section having at least one of an angular or polygonal internal geometry or an angular or polygonal external geometry.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising imparting at least one of the bristle bundles (3) with a cross section having at least one of a round or circular internal geometry or having a round or circular external geometry.

14. A brush (1), comprising at least one of: (a) at least one bristle bundle (3) having at least one bristle filament having at least one of a curved or kinked profile, or (b) at least one bristle bundle (3) which at a free bundle end thereof has a cross section which is not rotationally symmetrical.

15. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3) includes two of the bristle bundles that are unified in a common bundle portion, or the at least one bristle bundle (3) at a free bundle end thereof is divided into at least two mutually separate bundle end portions.

16. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle filament includes bristle filaments, and the at least one bristle bundle (3) includes a clearance (7) generated by the bristle filaments of the bristle bundle (3) being at least one of displaced and permanently deformed.

17. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of (a) the at least one bristle bundle (3) in terms of the longitudinal axis thereof has two bundle cross sections which are axially spaced apart from one another and which differ from one another in terms of at least one of a shape or size, or (b) the at least one bristle bundle (3) has a helical shape, a conical shape, a frustoconical shape, a chalice-shape, or a spread-out shape.

18. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle includes at least two of the bristle bundles, and the at least two bristle bundles (3) are conjointly twisted.

19. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3) comprises at least one of (a) crimped bristle filaments, (b) undulated bristle filaments, (c) crimped and undulated bristle filaments, (d) bristle filaments of different material thickness, (e) bristle filaments from different materials, (f) bristle filaments with added grain, bristle filaments with an added antibacterial substance, or (g) bristle filaments with added grain and an added antibacterial substance.

20. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3) includes the free bundle end, and the free bundle end has a convex or concave end contour.

21. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3) includes a plurality of bristle bundles, and one of the bristle bundles bears on another of the bristle bundles (3) as a support, or two of the bristle bundles (3) bear on a third of the bristle bundles (3) as a support.

22. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3) has a cross section having at least one of an angular or polygonal internal geometry or at least one of an angular or polygonal external geometry.

23. The brush (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one bristle bundle (3) has a cross section having at least one of a round or circular internal geometry or a round or circular external geometry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION FO THE DRAWINGS

[0098] The invention will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments. The invention is however not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments are derived by combining the features of individual claims or a plurality of claims and/or by combining individual features or a plurality of features of the exemplary embodiments.

[0099] In the figures:

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a toothbrush having a brush head, configured on which is a bristle field having a plurality of bristle bundles;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 with the brush head removed;

[0102] FIGS. 3 to 5 show tabulated data of various shapes for the purpose of visualizing potential bundle geometries to which the bristle filaments in the bristle field of toothbrush from FIGS. 1 and 2 can be formed; and

[0103] FIGS. 6 to 8 show three different bristle fields having bristle bundles of which at least individual bristle bundles have geometries from the tabulated data of FIGS. 3 to 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0104] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a brush which in its entirety is provided with the reference sign 1 and is configured as a toothbrush.

[0105] The brush 1 has a bristle field 2 which comprises a plurality of bristle bundles 3. The bristle field 2 is configured on a bristle carrier 4 which as a brush head can be inserted into a receptacle 5 on a handle 6 of the brush 1.

[0106] The bristle field 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows the bristle bundles 3 still prior to being deformed and thus according to the unmodified initial shape of said bristle bundles 3. The design which such a bristle field 2 can assume after deformation of at least a few of the bristle bundles 3 is shown in an exemplary manner in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0107] By applying the method for producing a brush 1 as has already been described in detail above and is also set forth in the claims, at least one of the bristle bundles 3 of the bristle field 2 is permanently formed in such a manner that at least one bristle filament of the bristle bundle 3 upon deformation has a curved and/or kinked profile.

[0108] Additionally or alternatively thereto, at least one bristle bundle 3 at the free bundle end thereof can have a cross section which is not rotationally symmetrical, as displayed by the two external bristle bundles 3A and 3B of the bristle carrier 4 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The bristle bundle 3 can also be imparted the cross section which is not rotationally symmetrical by deformation.

[0109] Due to the deformation of the bristle bundle 3 of the bristle field 2, the bristle bundles 3 of the bristle field 2 that at least in part are not yet deformed can in principle assume each of the shapes shown in the tabulated data of FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0110] Each of the shapes shown facilitates the individualization of brushes and herein also has a specific technical effect which can positively influence, for example, the useful properties such as the cleaning effect or scrubbing effects, or else the economy in the production of the brushes.

[0111] By resorting to the shapes shown in the tabulated data of FIGS. 3 to 5, a brush 1 in which at least two bristle bundles 3 are unified in a common bundle portion can thus be achieved, for example. A bristle bundle 3 of this type is shown in the illustrations B16 and C16 of FIG. 5, for example. It is furthermore also possible to provide a brush 4 which has at least one bristle bundle 3 which at the free bundle end thereof is divided into at least two mutually separate bundle end portions. A bristle bundle 3 of this type is reproduced in illustrations A18 to C18 of FIG. 5, for example.

[0112] It is furthermore possible to provide a brush 1 in which at least one bristle bundle 3 has a clearance as shown in the illustration D18 or else in illustrations A17 to D17 of FIG. 5, for example.

[0113] The shape according to illustration D18 shows a clearance 7 in a bristle bundle 3. The clearance 7 here has been generated by displacing and/or deforming bristle filaments of the bristle bundle 3 with the aid of a displacement element, in particular with the aid of a needle-shaped displacement pin.

[0114] Many of the embodiments of bristle bundles 3 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in terms of a longitudinal axis of the bristle bundle 3 have two bundle cross sections which are axially spaced apart from one another and differ from one another in terms of shape and/or size, thus in the images A19 to H19 of FIG. 5, for example. Bristle bundles 3 which upon deformation thereof in the bristle field 2 of the brush 1 have a helical, conical, frustoconical or chalice-shaped design, or are spread out so as to form a fan, are likewise shown in illustrations A19 to H19 of FIG. 5.

[0115] Illustration E18 of FIG. 5 shows a helically wound or coiled bristle bundle 3. Illustration F18 shows three bristle bundles 3 which per se are in each case formed in helical shape and which are moreover conjointly twisted. Bristle bundles 3 having crimped and/or undulated bristle filaments 3 are reproduced in illustrations E16 to J16 of FIG. 5 and in part also in FIGS. 7 and 8. In principle, it is possible for bristle bundles 3 to be composed of bristle filaments which have different thicknesses and/or are composed from different materials, in particular materials with variable stiffness, or elastic materials. Furthermore, bristle filaments with an added grain and/or an added antibacterial substance can be used for the bristle bundles 3.

[0116] Illustration I18 of FIG. 5 shows two curved bristle bundles 3 which for supporting a third bristle bundle 3, which is disposed between the two bristle bundles 3, bear on the third bristle bundle 3. The two outer bristle bundles 3 by way of the free bundle ends thereof here contact the third bristle bundle 3.

[0117] In order for a brush 1 which has at least one bristle bundle 3 having a cross section which has an angular and/or polygonal internal geometry and/or an angular and/or polygonal external geometry to be generated, the shapes A15 to D15 can be resorted to, for example. Other shapes of FIGS. 3 to 5 also have cross sections which have an angular and/or polygonal internal geometry and/or an angular and/or polygonal external geometry.

[0118] In order for a brush 1 which, in particular at the free bundle end thereof, has at least one bristle bundle 1 which has a cross section having a round or circular internal geometry and/or having a round or circular external geometry to be generated, the corresponding shapes in lines 8 to 13 of the tabulated data of shapes from FIG. 4 can be resorted to, for example.

[0119] In order for the at least one bristle bundle 3 of the brush 1, proceeding from a non-deformed initial shape, to be permanently formed such that at least one bristle filament of the bristle bundle 3 upon deformation has a curved and/or kinked profile, it can be advantageous for the bristle bundle 3 and the bristle filaments of the bristle bundle 3 first to be brought to a target shape, then to be maintained in the target shape and to simultaneously apply heat. A molecular structure of the bristle bundles 3 held in a deformed manner can be modified according to the target shape by the application of heat such that the bristle bundle 3 remains in the formed target shape after the cooling of the bristle bundle 3.

[0120] Tools such as, for example, displacement element and/or preferably heatable bundle pockets can be used for deforming the bristle bundle 3. The bundle pockets can have shape-imparting bundle receptacles which are shaped according to the shapes of bristle bundles 3 shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. The bundle pockets are thus used as forming tools for forming the bristle bundles 3.

[0121] Due to the modification of the geometry of the bristle bundles 3, the latter can be imparted advantageous properties which said bristle bundles did not have prior to their deformation. These properties can be grouped according to cleaning effect, design/marketing, and product properties. These groups can in turn be refined as follows:

Cleaning Effect

[0122] The stiffness of the bristle bundles 3 can be modified by a targeted deformation of bristle bundles. Specific deformations which will be explained further below here act in a manner

[0123] increasing abrasiveness or reinforcing the bundle, respectively; or else

[0124] increasing sensitivity or softening the bundle, respectively.

[0125] The cleaning effect of the bristle bundle 3 can also be adapted by a targeted deformation. A bristle bundle 3 can be imparted a bundle end that tapers toward a tip, for example, by a targeted deformation of the bristle bundle 3. Individual bristle filaments which form the tip of the bristle bundle here have a projection in relation to the remaining bristle filaments and thus reach locations, for example in intermediate spaces between teeth, in tooth trenches, or else in tooth fissures which said bristle filaments would not be able to reach without deformation.

[0126] The geometries that increase the abrasiveness of the bristle bundle 3 from the tabulated data of FIGS. 3 to 5 are shown in the illustrations listed below:

[0127] The bristle bundles 3 are imparted a higher degree of abrasiveness and/or a reinforcement of the bundle with the aid of polygon internal geometries and/or external geometries according to shapes A1, C1, E1, J1, A2, B2, C2, D2, F2, G2, H2, I2, J2, A3, B3, C3, D3, E3, G3, J3, C4, E4, G4, A6, H8, I8, J8, A9, B9, D9, E9, F9, H9, I9, J9, A10, B10, G10, H10, C11, E11, H11, E12, A13, A15. Bristle bundles 3 shaped in such a manner may be stiffer than non-deformed bristle bundles 3.

[0128] Supporting bundle positions such as according to shape I18, can also contribute toward increased stiffness of the supported bristle bundles 3.

[0129] The abrasiveness of a bristle bundle can likewise be increased with the aid of a polygonal milled cut as according to shapes D16, C18 (partially), A20 (partially) and B20 (partially).

[0130] Furthermore, the scrubbing properties of the bristle bundles 3 can be influenced by a targeted combination of the bristle filaments from which the bristle bundles 3 are formed. Bristle bundles 3 can thus be formed from bristle filaments which have different filament geometries and/or different material thicknesses and/or are composed of different materials. Furthermore, bristle filaments with added grain, from a stiffer filament material such as PBT or mixtures of the materials already mentioned above and/or with a higher filling ratio (before and/or after the deformation) can be formed.

[0131] Shapes which increase sensitivity or mitigate abrasiveness, respectively, from the tabulated data in FIGS. 3 to 5 are shown in the following illustrations:

[0132] Softer bristle bundles 3 can be generated with the aid of soft internal geometries and/or external geometries such as the shapes B1, D1, G1, H1, I1, H3, I3, H4, I14, C5, D5, E5, F5, A8, B8, C8, D8, E8, F8, G8, C9, C10, D10, E10, F10, I10, A11, I11, J11, A12, B12, C12, D12, H12, I12, J12, D15.

[0133] Bristle bundles 3 are imparted a certain spring elasticity by deformation to one of the geometries of illustrations E16 to J16, E18, F18, A20 (central part) which display helical bristle bundles 3.

[0134] Bristle bundles 3 which facilitate gentle cleaning are generated with the aid of a soft milled cut such as according to the shapes: H16, E18, F18, G18, H18, A20 and B20.

[0135] A combination of bristle filaments of variable thickness, undulated bristle filaments and/or crimped bristle filaments, or else a lower filling ratio in a bristle bundle 3 can have an effect of increasing sensitivity (cf. to this end shape A19, for example).

[0136] The combination of bristle bundle geometries that increase abrasiveness and sensitivity in one bristle field 2 of a brush 1 can have the advantage of mitigating excessive sensitivity or abrasiveness caused by the shape or characteristics of the bristle bundles 3.

[0137] A particularity of curved formed or transformed bristle bundles 3 lies in that said bristle bundles 3 can reduce as well as increase abrasiveness, depending on the direction in which said bristle bundles 3 are curved and in which direction scrubbing takes place. Illustrations G18, H18, F19, G19, H19 show examples of shapes which act so as to reduce abrasiveness in one scrubbing direction but act so as to increase abrasiveness in another scrubbing direction.

[0138] An increase of abrasiveness as well as sensitivity depending on the scrubbing direction results in the shapes F1, E2, F3, A4, B4, D4, F4, J4, A5, B5, G5, H5, I5, J5, J10, B11, D11, F11, G11, F12, G12. An abrasive external geometry paired with a sensitive internal geometry, as in the shape C15, can ensure a positive scrubbing performance on the external side and on the internal side initiate an effect that polishes surfaces of teeth.

Design/Marketing

[0139] Structures such as, for example, flags, logos, letters, symbols and colored profiles in the bristle bundle 3 can be generated in the bristle field 2 by a targeted deformation of bristle bundles 3.

Production Characteristics

[0140] A few large bristle bundles 3 can be generated from a plurality of small bristle bundles by way of the deformation of a plurality of bristle bundles 3 and the unification that takes place herein.

[0141] A plurality of small bristle bundles 3, which in this instance may also be referred to as sub-bundles, are made by deforming a few large bristle bundles 3 and by the segmentation that takes place herein.

[0142] In the so-called anchoring technology in which bristle bundles 3 are stuffed into holes, the bristle bundles 3 can initially be stuffed into the holes of a bristle carrier in a straight manner, thus without assuming an oblique position, and then be curved obliquely according to a desired oblique position. The subsequent deformation can significantly simplify the stuffing procedure and thus the production of the brush.

[0143] Due to a deformation that takes place after the fastening of bristle bundles 3, said bristle bundles 3 can be formed toward regions which they would otherwise not reach.

[0144] Bundle positions which previously have been difficult or even impossible to achieve by virtue of the rounded finish of bristle bundles, can now be implemented by a subsequent deformation of the bristle bundles 3. A sensitive external geometry paired with an abrasive internal geometry, such as in the shape B15, can externally be gentle on a sensitive gum, on the one hand, and internally nevertheless ensure a satisfactory cleaning effect on the teeth.

[0145] Illustrations A16 to D16 when viewed in the plan view would show the identical bundle geometry. This bundle geometry can however be implemented in different ways. The bundle geometry from illustration A16 is formed from one bundle 3, while the bundle geometry from illustration B16 is formed from two bristle bundles 3. The bundle geometry from illustration C16 is formed from four bristle bundles 3. The bundle geometry from illustration D16 has been generated by a so-called contour cut. With the contour cut, free bundle ends can be trimmed in a desired manner in order to generate a contour on the end side on the bristle bundle 3, for example.

[0146] Illustrations E16 to J16 also show identical or at least similar bundle geometries which have been implemented in different ways.

[0147] The bristle bundles 3 of illustrations F16, G16, H16 and J16, due to the swept or helical design of the bristle filaments thereof, are more sensitive than the bristle bundles 3 of illustrations E16, I16, the bristle filaments thereof having a profile with less curvature. Furthermore, it can be seen in the bundle geometry of illustration G16 that the non-deformed bristle bundle 3 in the initial shape thereof does not have to be round. Such a bristle bundle 3 can be fastened by the anchorless method, for example.

[0148] Illustrations A17 to D17 show bristle bundles 3 having an internal geometry that is formed in a straight manner or formed in a helical manner, respectively.

[0149] Illustrations B6 to F6 and E17 visualize how bristle bundles 3 with comparatively complex logos and/or a flags can be configured for individualizing brushes 1 in a targeted manner.

[0150] Illustrations A18 to C18 visualize the segmentation of a bristle bundle 3 into two bristle bundles 3 (A18), the segmentation of two bristle bundles 3 into three bristle bundles 3 (B18) and the segmentation of a bristle bundle 3 into three bristle bundles 3 (C18). Illustrations D18, G19 and H19 show bristle bundles 3 which with the aid of a clearance 7, which can also be referred to as a recess, achieve a reservoir for receiving a cleaning agent, for example toothpaste.

[0151] Illustrations E18 and F18 show a helical or else helix-shaped bristle bundle 3 having a contour cut such that the bristle filaments of the bristle bundle 3 in the completed state form a dome at the tip, thus are convex. Such a helical bristle bundle 3 may stand alone or be conjointly twisted or wrapped with further helical bristle bundles 3.

[0152] Illustrations G18 and H18 show bristle bundles 3 which have been formed or transformed so as to be hook-shaped. The bristle bundle 3 of illustration G18 here has been stuffed perpendicularly to the bristle surface and the bristle bundle 3 of illustration H18 stuffed at an angle. This is intended to visualize that the bristle bundles 3 do not necessarily have to be stuffed perpendicularly in order to be transformed.

[0153] Illustration A19 shows a bristle bundle 3 which, for example with the aid of displacement units, in particular needle-shaped displacement units, fans out toward the top and thus facilitates particularly sensitive cleaning.

[0154] Illustrations C19 to E19 show bristle bundles 3 having various funnel shapes. Illustrations F19 to H19 show that the bristle bundles may also end in a curved manner. It can be seen in illustrations I19 and J19 how a bristle bundle 3 that has been cut in a straight manner is pointed by forming. The bristle filaments due to the deformation of said bristle bundle 3 are curved in such a manner that bristle filaments which are on the inside of the curve project beyond the bristle bundles 3 which are further toward the outside, such that the bristle bundle 3 is imparted a pointed end side.

[0155] FIGS. 6 to 8 show exemplary bristle fields 2 in which bristle bundles 3 which have shapes from the tabulated data of FIGS. 3 to 5 are combined with one another.

[0156] The invention relates to improvements in the technical field of brush production. Proposed to this end is inter alia a brush 1, in particular a toothbrush, which has at least one bristle bundle 3 which comprises at least one bristle filament having a curved and/or kinked profile.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0157] 1 Brush

[0158] 2 Bristle field

[0159] 3 Bristle bundle

[0160] 3a Bristle bundle

[0161] 3b Bristle bundle

[0162] 4 Bristle carrier

[0163] 5 Receptacle

[0164] 6 Handle

[0165] 7 Clearance in 3