U.S. patent application number 10/275864 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for brush and method for its fabrication.
Invention is credited to Weihrauch, Georg.
Application Number | 20040088812 10/275864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7642419 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040088812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weihrauch, Georg |
May 13, 2004 |
Brush and method for its fabrication
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.
Inventors: |
Weihrauch, Georg;
(Wald-Michelbach, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul J Vincent
Lichti Lempert & Lasch
Bergwaldstr 1
Karlsruhe
D 76227
DE
|
Family ID: |
7642419 |
Appl. No.: |
10/275864 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 9, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP01/05240 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/186 ; 15/201;
300/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/186 ;
015/201; 300/021 |
International
Class: |
A46B 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 17, 2000 |
DE |
100 24 223.5 |
Claims
1. Brush with a bristle section (15) comprising a plurality of
bristles (14), bristle bundles or pins and which is fixed to a
bristle carrier (13), characterized in that, in the region between
bristles of the bristle section (15), the surface of the bristle
carrier (13) is at least zonally sealed. cm 1. Brush with a bristle
section (150 comprising a plurality of bristles (14), bristle
bundles or pins and which is fixed to a bristle carrier (13),
characterized in that, in the vicinity of the bristle section (15),
the surface of the bristle carrier (13) is at least zonally
sealed.
2. Brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of
the bristle carrier (13) is sealed in full-surface manner in the
vicinity of the bristle section (15).
3. Brush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
complete surface of the bristle carrier (13) is sealed.
4. Brush according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in
that the bristle carrier (13) is formed by a flexible carrier
plate.
5. Brush according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in
that the seal is formed by a coating (16).
6. Brush according to claim 5, characterized in that the coating
(16) is transparent.
7. Brush according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that an
information carrier (17) is located below the coating (16).
8. Brush according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the
coating (16) forms the information carrier.
9. Brush according to one of the claims 5 to 8, characterized in
that the coating (16) is provided with an antimicrobial finish.
10. Brush according to one of the claims 5 to 9, characterized in
that the coating is built up from several layers (16a, 16b).
11. Brush according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner
layer (16b) of the coating (16) is completely covered by an outer
layer (16a).
12. Brush according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the
coating (16) contains silver or comprises a thin silver layer.
13. Brush according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in
that the seal is formed by a compacted surface layer of the bristle
carrier (13).
14. Method for the manufacture of a brush according to one of the
claims 1 to 13, wherein the bristle carrier (13) is at least
zonally surface sealed prior to the application of the bristle
section (15).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that a coating
(16) of one or more layers is applied as the seal.
16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the coating
(16) is at least partly applied in a two or multi-component
injection molding process.
17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that a silver or
silver-containing layer is applied as one of the layers.
18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the
silver-containing layer is formed by a silver foil.
19. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the seal is
formed by a compacted surface layer of the plastic bristle
carrier.
20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that thermal
energy is applied to the bristle carrier surface for forming the
seal.
21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the thermal
energy is applied by means of a laser.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a brush with a bristle section
comprising a plurality of bristles, bristle bundles or pins and
which is fixed to a bristle carrier. The invention also relates to
a method for the manufacture of a corresponding brush.
[0002] Brushes have a section or area formed from a plurality of
brush elements, which can be individual bristles, bristle bundles
or also pins made from metal, wood or plastic. Reference is made in
exemplified manner hereinafter to a bristle section, but this term
can also cover a section formed from bristle bundles or pins.
[0003] Conventionally the bristle section is fixed to a bristle
carrier, which in the case of high quality hairbrushes is made from
wood and e.g. in the case of utensil and massage brushes generally
of plastic. In many cases a handle is filled or integrally shaped
to the bristle carrier. If the bristle section comprises pins, as
is normally the case with so-called pneumatic hairbrushes, the
bristle carrier is frequently formed by a flexible, rubber or
elastomer carrier or support plate, which is held in deformable
manner on a brush base body. All said bristle carrier materials
have a relatively porous surface, which can lead to hygienic
problems. In particular the bristle carrier surface in the vicinity
of the bristle section is susceptible to an accumulation of dirt
and the formation of mold and bacteria. It is inappropriate to
clean with aqueous soap solution in the case of wooden bristle
carrier, because the latter can absorb moisture, which in turn
encourages the formation of mold. In the case of pneumatic
hairbrushes moisture can also penetrate the space between the
bristle carrier and the brush base body. If in addition the bristle
section is relatively tightly packed, it is not possible to
completely adequately clean the inter-bristle region at the base of
the bristles.
[0004] The problem of the invention is to provide a brush of the
aforementioned type, with which the risk of dirt accumulation and
mold and bacteria formation is reduced. In addition, a method is
provided enabling such a brush to be manufactured in a simple,
inexpensive manner.
[0005] With regards to the brush, the invention solves this problem
in that the surface of the bristle carrier is at least zonally
sealed in the vicinity of the bristle section. Preferably the
bristle carrier surface is sealed in full-surface manner in the
vicinity of the bristle carrier. As a result of sealing in the
vicinity of the bristle section, instead of a porous surface the
bristle carrier now has a substantially smooth surface, which
reduces the risk of the adhesion of dirt or the colonization of
bacteria. In addition, the bristle carrier surface can be more
easily and efficiently cleaned due to the sealing action.
[0006] According to a further development of the invention, the
entire bristle carrier surface is sealed, which must in particular
be the case if, in a possible development of the invention, the
bristle carrier is formed by a rubber or elastomeric material,
flexible carrier plate.
[0007] A sealing of the bristle carrier can be brought about simply
by a coating. In particular it is possible to use a non-porous
plastic varnish or paint or a water-resistant printing ink or
paint. According to a special development of the invention the
coating is transparent, which leads to the important advantage that
an information carrier can be located on the bristle carrier below
the coating and which is visible through said coating and is
protected against wear by the coating even in the case of prolonged
use. The information carrier can either relate to pictorial
information and/or text information, e.g. concerning the use and
care of the brush. The information carrier can firstly be applied
to the bristle carrier, which can either take place by spraying or
painting on or by the application of a prefabricated information
carrier. If the information carrier is pictorial information, this
can be assisted in that the bristles of the bristle section are
incorporated into or at least accentuate the pictorial information
by a zonally differently colored design. It is alternatively
possible for the coating to constitute the information carrier, in
that said coating is only applied in partial areas and/or zonally
has a different coloring.
[0008] For the application of the coating it is possible to use
conventional printing and lining processes, as well as dipping and
spraying, electrostatic coating, plastisol coating, spraying in an
injection molding process and in particular the production of the
bristle carrier and the sealing thereof in a two or multi-component
injection molding process. In order to mount the bristles in
gapless manner on the bristle carrier, the bristles can be welded
on or welded, stamped or injected in.
[0009] In order to inhibit or avoid the development of bacteria and
the formation of mold, according to a further development of the
invention the coating is provided with an antimicrobial finish.
Among the various possible per se known substances, mention is made
of only chlorhexidine and triclosan.
[0010] In order to adapt the action of the coating in optimum
manner to the intended use, it can be built up from several layers
and the individual layers can have a different surface extension,
i. e. with one layer being applied in full or large-surface manner,
another only being applied to specific partial areas. However, it
is to be ensured that an inner layer of the coating is completely
covered by an outer layer and is consequently protected by the
latter. The outer layer can in particular be constituted by
non-hygroscopic and non-porous thermoplastics, e.g. PVC and
polyester.
[0011] An effective sealing can be obtained in that the coating
comprises a thin, at least partly silver layer. The silver or
silver-containing layer can be used as the sole seal or as one
layer in a multi-layer structure and can be applied to the bristle
carrier by vapor deposition or galvanically, but preferably it is
fastened as a prefabricated silver foil or plate to the bristle
carrier. Instead of a foil or plate made entirely of silver, the
foil or plate can be made from a different material, in which
silver is incorporated or in which a plurality of silver threads is
embedded. Silver also has an antimicrobial action, which under
certain environmental conditions acts into the surface-near
portions of the bristle carrier.
[0012] In place of a coating, the seal can also be formed by a
compressed or compacted surface layer of the bristle carrier. This
can be particularly easily obtained if the bristle carrier is made
from plastic, rubber or an elastomer and then by subjecting to
thermal energy action there is a surface forming or shaping of the
material accompanied by simultaneous compaction and thereby
sealing. Thermal energy can be applied simply e.g. using a laser.
Particularly in the case of a pneumatic hairbrush this procedure in
advantageous if onto the bristle carrier an information is burned
by means of the laser, the bristle carrier portions carrying the
information being consequently simultaneously sealed.
[0013] With regards to the method the set problem is solved in
that, optionally prior to the application of the bristle section,
the bristle carrier is at least zonally surface-sealed. In the
indicated manner the seal can be formed by a one or multi-layer
coating, which can comprise a silver or silver-containing layer.
Alternatively the seal is formed by a compacted surface layer of
the bristle carrier, in that the bristle carrier material is shaped
by heat. Further features of the method can be gathered from the
preceding description of the brush.
[0014] Further details and features of the invention can be
gathered from the following description of an embodiment with
reference to the attached drawings, wherein show:
[0015] FIG. 1 A view of pneumatic brush.
[0016] FIG. 2 Section II-II in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 Detail III in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 A representation of an alternative embodiment similar
to FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 A modification of the construction according to FIG.
4.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a pneumatic brush 10 having a conventional
structure. The brush 10 comprises a plastic or wooden brush base
body 11, which has an integrally shaped handle 12 and a holding
portion 18 with a housing-like construction, whose upper opening is
bordered by a circumferential holding edge 18a. In said
housing-like holding portion 18 is inserted a flexible carrier
plate 13 made from a flexible material, e. g. rubber or elastomer
and which carries a bristle section 15. The bristles 14, which can
also be plastic or metal pins, are fixed, in a manner not shown, to
the support or carrier plate 13 and project normally therefrom. The
carrier plate 13 engages below the holding edge 18a of the holding
portion 18, so that it is fixed to the brush base body 11. The
hitherto described construction is in accordance with a
conventional pneumatic brush.
[0021] In partial areas or in the inter-bristle region of the
bristle section 15 or also in full-surface manner, the carrier
plate 13 is provided with a seal in the form of a coating 16 (cf.
FIG. 3). The coating 16 can be formed by an applied paint, varnish
or ink coating. Whereas FIG. 3 shows a single-layer coating 16,
FIG. 4 shows a coating comprising two layers 16a, 16b. The lower
layer 16b resting directly on the carrier plate 13 can be a silver
layer, which is covered and protected by an external, plastic layer
16a.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows another construction in which on the carrier
plate 13 is placed a prefabricated information carrier 17, which is
then covered by the preferably transparent coating 16. In place of
a prefabricated information carrier 17, it is also possible to
directly apply information to the carrier plate 13 and cover it by
the coating 16.
[0023] Translation of PCT/EP01/05240 claim 1 as amended on May 7,
2002.
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