Abstract: In a method for producing bristle areas for brushes, in particular toothbrushes, bundles of bristles (5) are divided off from a bristle supply (101), transported by a gas or air stream (Pf 1) and introduced into perforations (22) in a central plate (21). The bundles of bristles (5) are removed from the central plate (21) and transferred to a compactor plate (106) and, in the process, the density of the bundle of bristles (5) is increased.

Abstract: A method of producing a bundle of bristles is provided and includes collecting a plurality of bristles substantially close together and fusing and subsequently hardening ends of the collected bristles to each other by cutting to thereby fuse the ends of the collected bristles using a heated cutter to thus produce a bundle of bristles.

Abstract: A brush stuffing machine comprising a bristle magazine and a stuffing tool which is movable between a bundle take-over position and a stuffing position, the stuffing tool is pivotally mounted about an axis for movement on a circular arc between the take-over position and the stuffing position.

Abstract: A bristle magazine for a broom or brush stuffing machine includes a receiving space for a multitude of bristles, a bending edge and a bracket opposite the bending edge for maintaining the bristles in a curved condition.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby bundles of fibers (12) are provided in a brush body (13), whereby this method also comprises a step whereby the far ends (2) of the fibers (3) are subjected to a processing by bringing them into contact with a processing equipment (5), characterized in that, during the aforesaid step, the fibers (3) and the processing equipment (5) are mutually put into contact whereas the fibers (3) are being held loosely together.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby bundles of fibers (2) are provided in openings (3) in a brush body (4) by a filling tool (5) of the type which at least consists of a bundle remover (7) for separating bundles of fibers (2) from a fiber magazine (8), a mechanism (9) for supplying fastening material (10) in order to fix the bundles of fibers (2) in the openings (3), a filling tool slide (11) moving to and fro to guide the bundles of fibers (2) to the brush body (4) and a needle (13) to put every bundle of fibers (2) concerned in the corresponding opening (3) together with a fastening element (14) formed of the fastening material (10), wherein at least the filling tool slide (11) is controlled by an individual electric drive element (27).

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush which is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto, in the case of which the front surface of the head part, said front surface being formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element, has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration and/or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automated brush assembly are disclosed. A method of end-rounding bristle ends with an abrasive surface in random orbital motion relative to bristle tufts held in a movable gripper is described. A novel tuft carrier adapted to hold a plurality of bristle tufts in an arrangement suitable for direct mechanical insertion into the tuft chambers of a brush mold is also described. The tuft carrier has a plurality of tuft insertion cavities and a plurality of movable clamps, each clamp adapted to at least partially occlude one of the cavities when closed. Individual bristle tufts, having a fused end and a rounded or non-rounded bristle end, are transferred from a movable gripper to the tuft carrier by direct mechanical insertion. In addition, an apparatus for direct mechanical insertion of bristle tufts from a tuft carrier into the tuft chambers of a brush mold is described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the manufacture of bristle products, in particular toothbrushes, with a feed unit for precut lengths of upstanding bristles arranged loosely in a supply duct, the bristles being routed directly to a picker segment picking up the bristles. The device includes a driven conveyor at the end of the supply duct close to the picker segment, or a further processing station.

Abstract: A clamping device for restraining filament tufts in a bristle cluster includes fixed and movable clamping plates. The clamping plates have apertures that are aligned in the unloaded position and that are offset relative to each other in the loaded position. The movable clamping plates can be displaced relative to the fixed clamping plates, and each movable clamping plate secures a specific portion of the bristle cluster.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby bundles of fibers (12) are provided in a brush body (13), whereby this method also comprises a step whereby the far ends (2) of the fibers (3) are subjected to a processing by bringing them into contact with a processing equipment (5), characterized in that, during the aforesaid step, the fibers (3) and the processing equipment (5) are mutually put into contact whereas the fibers (3) are being held loosely together.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby, on one hand, fibers (3) are supplied to at least one filling tool (4) by means of at least one auxiliary device (15) comprising at least two fiber loading chambers (16-20) and, on the other hand, said fiber loading chambers (16-20) are replenished by taking up fibers (3) from at least two respective fiber supply channels (8-12), whereby, by means of the filling tool (4), the fibers (3) are inserted into brush bodies (6), wherein, on one hand, the supply of the fibers (3) from the fiber loading chambers (16-20) to the filling tool (4) and, on the other hand, the replenishing of the fiber loading chambers (16-20) with fibers (3) from the fiber supply channels (8-12) is realized by means of working cycles which as such are independent.

Abstract: Provided is a production process of a brush, comprising a consecutive combination of: (a) a step of bundling a prescribed number of fibers to form a long-size fiber bundle in which the whole is temporarily bound, (b) a step of cutting the long-size fiber bundle to a prescribed size, (c) a step of completely binding the tail end part of the cut fiber bundle by a thermally fusing means, (d) a step of dipping the fiber bundle in which the tail end part is completely bound in a solvent to remove the resin adhered to unbind the fibers other than those in the tail end part of the fiber bundle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the manufacture of bristle products, in particular toothbrushes, with a feed unit for precut lengths of upstanding bristles arranged loosely in a supply duct, the bristles being routed directly to a picker segment picking up the bristles. The device includes a driven conveyor at the end of the supply duct close to the picker segment, or a further processing station.

Abstract: A method and device for forming fiber packs for manufacturing brushes from a fiber strand. The fiber packs (2) are formed from a fiber strand (1) which is provided with a cover (4) by cutting off parts (5) of this fiber strand (1), wherein, before such a part (5) is cut off, the cover (4) is entirely removed from said part (5).

Abstract: A picking device used for separating a fill material. The picking device includes a magazine for holding the fill material. The magazine has a width defined by two movable lateral walls and a depth defined by a two-piece stationary bottom which has an upper surface for sustaining the fill material. The two pieces of the bottom are spaced apart so as to form a discharge slot for releasing the fill material from the magazine. The lateral walls are movable so that they swing relative to the stationary bottom within a swing range to facilitate discharge of the fill material through the slot.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby, on one hand, fibers (3) are supplied to at least one filling tool (4) by means of at least one auxiliary device (15) comprising at least two fiber loading chambers (16-20) and, on the other hand, said fiber loading chambers (16-20) are replenished by taking up fibers (3) from at least two respective fiber supply channels (8-12), whereby, by means of the filling tool (4), the fibers (3) are inserted into brush bodies (6), characterized in that, on one hand, the supply of the fibers (3) from the fiber loading chambers (16-20) to the filling tool (4) and, on the other hand, the replenishing of the fiber loading chambers (16-20) with fibers (3) from the fiber supply channels (8-12) is realized by means of working cycles which as such are independent.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing brushes. The device includes at least one carrier (2) with openings (3) which are mutually arranged according to a certain pattern. The fiber bundles (4) are separated laterally from at least one quantity of loose fibers (7). The fiber bundles (4) are inserted in a mechanical manner, step-by-step, in the openings (3) of the carrier (2). An extremity of the fiber bundles (4) are transferred simultaneously in a mechanical manner from the carrier (2) toward a holder (10). The fiber bundles (4) are fixed in at least a portion of a brush body (5) by positioning the extremity of the fiber bundles (4) in a mold, such that the fiber bundles (4) extend through the holder (10). A synthetic material is injected in the mold and form at least a portion of the brush body (5).

Abstract: A tufting device for the filling tool of a brush tufting machine is provided which permits the operating stroke of the filling tool to be varied and adjusted without affecting operating speed and precision of operation. The tufting device has a guide block, a guide channel in the guide block, a tuft driver tongue driven with a reciprocating movement and movably received in the guide channel, and a header having a through channel aligned with the guide channel. The header and guide block are driven with a relative reciprocating movement towards and away from each other. The device further has a drive system with a rotating drive shaft, a cam on the drive shaft and a cam follower riding on the cam. The cam follower is driven by the cam with a reciprocating movement of a predetermined stroke length. The drive system further comprises a conversion mechanism for converting the reciprocating movement of a predetermined stroke length into a drive stroke of an adjustably variable length.

Abstract: A process for making rotating brush (21), in particular, the type used in automatic car washing facilities, and comprising a support (21s) which has inner face (6) and outer face (7), having attached to the outer face flexible cleaning elements (3n), wherein the process includes the following stages:a) preparation of mold (24) capable of making desired rotating brush (21);b) arrangement of the flexible cleaning elements (3n) with one end inserted into mold (24) and the other end projecting outwardly;c) injection into the mold (24) of components in the fluid state intermixed to form synthetic resin (8) which is able to polymerize;d) opening of mold (24) once polymerization is complete and extraction of brush (21) in which these flexible cleaning elements (3n) are attached to this support (21s) because they are embedded in the polymerized resin.

Abstract: A process for forming a twisted stem tool uses a specially designed clamping jaw fixture at the nose or bight portion of a half-round wire or cotter pin which helps to reduce the required clamping force and distribute that force over the entire wire-fill material interface. The jaws of the clamping fixture engage the outside of the nose over a substantial area, and in some forms actually bite into the wire or pin. After the twisting operation, the stem is placed in a swaging or coining press, and the stem beyond the fill material is reformed into a three or six-sided drive stem. The cold flow of the metal to form the flat sides locks the twisted half round wire or pin sections together so that the stem will resist unwinding if the tool is driven in a reverse direction. The coining of the stem providing flats provides a tighter confinement of the bundle of fill material at the stem, and enables a common three or six jaw Jacob's style chuck, for example, to obtain a more secure grip.

Abstract: A radial brush having a plurality of discrete brush segments mechanically affixed to or mechanically affixed to and bonded to a central core. Each brush segment is a preformed discrete component having a predetermined degree of splay. The brush segments are affixed to the core for rotation about an axis of rotation, so that splay of the individual fibers lies in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation and splay in the axial direction may be precluded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gathering a plurality of brush bristles into a bundle and forming the bristle bundle into a tuft. The apparatus comprises a housing and a centerpiece. The housing comprises a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, a bore formed in the interior of the housing and extending generally along the housing longitudinal axis, and a slot formed in the exterior of the housing. The housing slot communicates with the housing exterior and extends generally diagonally toward the housing second end from the housing exterior to the housing interior such that the housing slot communicates with the housing bore. The centerpiece is adapted to be slidably received within the housing bore and comprises a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, and a slot formed in the exterior of the centerpiece.

Abstract: The improved method of fusing synthetic monofilament tufts to synthetic sponge material is disclosed whereby the filament tufts are set into a container-like molded base component which allows for greater support within the flexible cellular structure of conventional cellulose and polyurethane spongeware compositions thus resulting in greater resistance to tuft removal.

Abstract: A brush making machine with a mold for injection molding of brush bodies is disclosed. The mold comprises a stationary mold part, a movable mold part and a pair of insert parts fitting into a recess of the movable mold part. The insert parts have tuft insertion holes therein. While one of the complementary mold parts fills the recess of the movable mold part and brush bodies are injection molded with tufts of bristles embedded in the molding material, the other insert part is in a tuft loading station for introducing tufts of bristles into the tuft insertion holes. The tuft feeder comprises movable tuft carriers which carry sets of tufts from the bristle containers to the mold. A robot is provided for moving the carriers between the mold and the bristle containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing bristle bundles has a shaft-like magazine for cut-to-length bristles and at least one tubular bundle gripper, which can be introduced into the magazine and separates a bristle bundle from the bristle supply and which is internally widened from the opening over a short axial length in a continuous curve and then has over most of its axial length an axially parallel wall, accompanied by the formation of a larger internal cross-section than the said opening. The magazine has a vibrating bottom, which "fluidizes" the bristles and vibrating wall portion pushing flush the said bristles.

Abstract: An end brush for use in a dental unit or the like includes a base formed of solified fiber material. The base includes an outwardly projecting portion, which is adapted to be received within a mounting structure provided on the dental unit. An apparatus and method for forming the end brush are disclosed.

Abstract: A brush filling machine is provided wherein two brush bodies are supplied at one time to one lateral gripping face of a rotary turret while two other brush bodies are being filled with fiber tufts on an adjacent lateral gripping face of the turret. The turret is indexed after each completed brush body filling cycle to present a new pair of brush bodies to be filled with fiber tufts by a pair of filling tools I. A specific arrangement of the various operating units of the machine is disclosed which permits the spacing a between the pair of filling tools, to be minimized thereby reducing the required radial dimensions of the rotary turret. Due to the low inertia of the rotary turret, the indexing thereof can be performed within the time of one filling stroke so that indexing of the turret causes no wait state of the filling tools.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and useful apparatus and method of manufacture of an end brush, comprised of thermoplastic bristles. The apparatus comprises a fiber feed guide eye for fiber skein, a fiber bundle adjustable aperture plate, electric induction heater coil surrounding a tapered splined male pin and a source of cold air blast, and the tapered splined male pin activated by a compression spring to force the heated tapered splined pin into the fiber bundle held in the adjustable aperture plate. The movement of the tapered splined male pin is limited by stops. The subsequent cooling of the tapered splined pin withdraws the fused end brush from the open adjustable aperture plate and the bristles of the end brush are severed from the skein of fibers, and the end brush attached to the tapered splined pin is subsequently knocked off of the pin by means of a hammer.

Abstract: A method and machine for manufacturing brushes, in which bristle bunches are manufactured before being transported to a brush member, the individual bristles being connected to one another. Bristle bunches which are prepared in this manner are distributed by a distributor block to plural tubular conduits leading to a bristle bunch holder which holds the bristle bunches in a desired orientation relative to the brush member. The bristle bunches and the brush member are welded together by pressing them against one another, both the bristle bunches and the brush member having previously been softened at the welding regions. The tubular conduits can be of any desired length and can be routed in any desired direction to the brush member, which permits the manufacture of all brush shapes.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of brushes having at least one brush head mounting structure for brush heads. The mounting structure is pivotal about two axes and furthermore is longitudinally movable. The machine comprises a bristle bunch holder for holding bristle bunches and movement devices for guiding the bristle bunch to a brush head. Between the bunch holder and the brush head there is arranged at least two heating elements with contact heating surfaces thereon. The heating elements are provided on a movable heating-element carrier which can be moved between an engaging position, in which one heating surface is adjacent to the brush head and the other adjacent to the bunch holder, and a rest position, which lies outside of the range of movement of the bristle bunch holder.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful brush making apparatus which allows the manufacture of a wide variety of different types of constructions having pretrimmed synthetic filament units. The apparatus is capable of picking and trimming all the synthetic filament required in a single tufted construction simultaneously and simultaneously assembling said filament into said construction. The apparatus comprises a filament stock box for dispensing cut-to-length synthetic filament, a new and improved picking element containing trimming and internal wedge means, which when inserted into the stock box will pick and trim the desired construction, and means for fusing the end of the picked construction and for mounting the prefused end thereof to form a filament construction.