Abstract: A brush has a bristle section comprising a plurality of bristles, bristle bundles or pins and is fixed to a bristle carrier. To reduce the risk of dirt accumulation and mold and bacteria formation, in the vicinity of the bristle section the bristle carrier surface is at least zonally and preferably full-surface sealed. The seal can be formed by a coating or by a bristle carrier surface layer compacted or compressed by thermal energy.

Abstract: A thermoplastic monofilament for bristles which are exposed to excessive moisture during use, consists of a polymer mixture of at least one polyamide (PA) and at least one thermoplastic polyester (PE) whose mixing ratio is selected according to the technical, functional properties decisive for the use of the bristle as well as in dependence on the ambient conditions at the location of use decisive for the function of the bristle.

Abstract: In a method for the production of brushes consisting of a bristle support and bristles mounted thereon and combined to at least one group having a defined cross-section with at least two different types of bristles, the bristles of a bristle type are combined into a partial group and the partial groups forming a bristle group are combined into said bristle group and subsequently, the bristle group is mounted to the bristle support. The bristles of each partial group are formed in a surrounding guide of a shaping device into a cross-section corresponding to their partial cross-sections in the bristle group, and the partial groups are then combined while maintaining their partial cross-section in the guides to form the cross-section of the bristle group. A device for carrying out this method and brushes produced in this fashion are also described.

Abstract: In brushware comprising a bristle support and bristles connected thereto, at least part of the bristles are combined into bristle groups, wherein the separation between the bristles is smaller than the separation between the geometrical centers of neighboring bristle groups. Such brushware is characterized in that the separation between the geometrical center of at least one bristle group and the geometrical center of at least one neighboring bristle group is substantially equal to or larger than the product between the average number of bristles in the two bristle groups and the average diameter of these bristles. This design and arrangement permits the working ends of the bristles of these bristle groups to be linearly arranged in the brushing direction, irrespective of their mounting surface on the bristle support, to penetrate into narrow gaps and depressions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cleaning or application sponge which is characterized by foaming a sponge body in a molding tool (11, 12) to the substantially final shape of the sponge. The outer surface of the sponge body has in at least some areas a solidified skin (13) that can be at least partially removed in a subsequent process step. The sponge body may also have a closed-cell structure that is partially revealed in a subsequent process step.

Abstract: A cleaning element, in particular for cleaning teeth, comprises a flexible thread-like endless carrier, wherein at least sections thereof comprise radially protruding structured elements. To ensure reliable but gentle cleaning of the tooth surfaces, the structured elements are made from an elastomeric plastic which is preferably injection molded onto the endless carrier. A plurality of support bodies made from this elastomeric plastic can be provided on the endless carrier, spaced apart from one another, the outer surfaces of which bear the structured elements in the form of radially projecting nubs, bristles or ribs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a paint roller having a roller body comprised of a synthetic foam with an inner recess for placement on a support arm. The invention is characterized in that the roller body is expanded in a molding tool. Towards this end, the expansion pressure is set such that a closed compact covering of the synthetic material, preferably a polyester polyurethane foam, is formed on the outer surface of the roller body and/or on the wall of the inner recess. The coating is at least partially opened or removed in a successive method step.

Abstract: In a method for producing brushware, individual bristles of plastic material or bristles combined into groups in a predetermined arrangement are mounted onto a support, thereby forming the desired bristle stock, and at least one part of the bristles in the predetermined arrangement or on the mounted bristle stock is provided with a preferably regular structure in a contact-free fashion using laser radiation. The invention also proposes contact-free cutting of the free ends of the bristles through laser radiation thereby producing, in a reproducible fashion, structures on the outside and on top of the bristle stock to support the cleaning action.

Abstract: An applicator brush for liquid or pasty media, especially for decorative cosmetics such as mascara. The brush comprises a rod-shaped support (11) which is provided with a plurality of injection-molded projections (12) on the outside thereof. The projections (12) are made of synthetic material, protrude radially in different directions and are arranged at a mutual distance from each other. The aim of the invention is to reliably obtain a good combing effect and equal appliance of the means to be applied. To this end, the projections (12) are provided with a cross-section which tapers towards the free end of the projections (12). The projections (12) and the support (11) are made from a flexible synthetic material, especially an elastomeric synthetic material.

Abstract: Brush ware comprising at least one carrier and bristles made from a moldable plastic material disposed thereon, is produced by providing the carrier with through holes acting like spinning nozzles, to which bristle-shaped molding channels join and a plastic melt for the bristles is injected from at least one side of the carrier—the feed side of the melt—through the holes into the channels thereby forming the bristles, wherein the through holes have a minimal width along at least a portion of their length which is ≦3 mm and the ratio between this width and the flow path of the melt resulting from the depth of the through holes plus the length of the channels is ≦1:5. A device for carrying out the method and brush ware produced in accordance with the method is also described.

Abstract: A flooring assembly consists essentially of a stable sub-flooring and a flooring applied thereon over a wide area with at least one floor element for insertion into a gap in the flooring at substantially the same level having different properties than the flooring. In order to avoid retroactive work on the sub-flooring, a placement aid is provided for in the form of a casing whose inner contour approximately corresponds to that of the floor element and whose outer contour to that of the gap and whose height corresponds approximately to the thickness of the flooring and which is mounted to the sub-flooring structure in a similar manner as the flooring. The casing has a lid which can be removed, after placement and flush fitting of the flooring to the casing, for insertion of the floor elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cleaning or application sponge which is characterized by foaming a sponge body in a molding tool (11, 12) to the substantially final shape of the sponge. The outer surface of the sponge body has in at least some areas a solidified skin (13) that can be at least partially removed in a subsequent process step. The sponge body may also have a closed-cell structure that is partially revealed in a subsequent process step.

Abstract: Methods for the use of laser beams in the case of plastic monofilaments are proposed. For structural modifying monofilaments or individual monofilaments of a monofilament union, the monofilament to be structurally modified is extruded with LS-absorbing additives and subsequently treated with laser beams.

Abstract: Methods for the use of laser beams in the case of plastic monofilaments are proposed. For the optical marking of extruded monofilaments or individual monofilaments of a monofilament union, at least the monofilament to be marked, accompanied by the addition of additives reacting with a color change under laser action, are extruded and treated with laser beams in the areas corresponding to the desired marking.

Abstract: Bristles for applying media are produced in that a filament, which can be cut into bristles, is extruded with a core which also determines the mechanical properties of the bristle. Cavities are formed at a separation from the center of the core and open towards the circumference of the filament which can be filled with medium from the outside, wherein the circumferential openings of the cavities are formed such that the medium is discharged only when the bristle is appropriately used. The cavities may also have a larger opening width and be covered by a layer or jacket. A bristle and brushes having such bristles produced in accordance with this method are also described.

Abstract: A bristle with an antimicrobial finish is proposed, which is preponderantly made from thermoplastic material and which is doped with an antimicrobial substance, which, during use, diffuses to the bristle surface. The bristle is manufactured in a multicomponent extrusion process and has at least one first cross-sectional area of a plastic component determining the mechanical use characteristics of the bristle and at least one further cross-sectional area of the other plastic component. The other cross-sectional area or the sum of all the other cross-sectional areas controls the diffusion rate of the antimicrobial substance.

Abstract: A roller for the application of a coating medium, in particular a paint roller, has a support arm bearing a curved roller axle on which at least one application roller is borne for rotation. In order to be able to evenly and easily introduce a coating medium onto both a flat as well as a curved surface, the roller axle has a curvature which can be adjusted by an adjusting device, with the orientation of the adjusted curvature being fixed in each case.

Abstract: In a method for producing a monofilament with reduced secondary binding forces of at least two commonly extruded polymers for the production of bristles or interdental cleaners which are slittable substantially axially through the action of mechanical forces, the at least two polymers of the monofilament are disposed in a regular geometrical arrangement with substantially axially extending boundary layers in which the reduced secondary binding forces prevail for generation of defined slits of flags.