MXPA97001725A - Procedure to make brushes for automatic washing or manual automovi - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for making a rotating brush for use in automatic car washing installations, and comprising a support having an internal face and an external face and flexible cleaning elements attached to the external face, the process comprises a) prepare a mold that defines the shape of the desired rotating brush b) arrange the flexible cleaning elements with one end inserted in the mold and the other end projecting out through appropriate openings made in the mold c) inject in the mold components of a polymer synthetic resin in the fluid state, the components of a synthetic resin being proportioned to cause the polymerization of the resin whose volume increases and fills the mold, the polymerization that takes place without adding heat or pressure, and d) open the mold once the polymerization is complete, and remove the brush in which the flexible cleaning elements are nests to a support and are embedded in the resin polymerizes

Description

PROCEDURE TO MAKE BRUSHES FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING OR AUTOMOTIVE MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the technological field of rotating brushes, or in any case mobile, with a both flat and cylindrical shape, in particular, those used in automatic or manual installations for the washing of automobiles. These brushes comprise a support, which is flat or cylindrical, and which has an internal face and an external face; attached to the outer face are flexible cleaning elements, of filiform or flat design, which, fixed in movement by the rotation of the brush, clean the vehicle or any washable, flat surface, with which they come into contact. These cleaning elements, because they are subjected to the action of the centrifugal force, and due to the friction exerted on the surfaces that are going to be cleaned, need to be attached to their support in a firm and stable way, and there is currently a number of procedures to achieve this union. When the cleaning elements are of a threadlike type, they are joined in groups, which are manually joined to the support via a long sewing operation, sometimes costly. When the cleaning elements are of a flat type, either with fringes or not, each one must be joined, either by sewing, riveting, welding or a similar procedure, to a properly configured intermediate support, which is then connected to a cylindrical sleeve designed so that it can be mechanically connected to a rotating part of the washing device. Since a single brush is composed of a few dozens of flexible, radially bonded cleaning elements, the complex task of preparing a brush, which can be up to 3 or 4 meters long, is a particularly large and expensive decision. Efforts have been made to avoid this long preparation time and concomitantly high costs, using automatic machines, supported by computers, to prepare brushes by compression, but these machines are suitable only to make a certain type of brush, with specific dimensions and characteristics, In order to change the type of brush that has been produced, the machine must be re-equipped and the computer program must be restored, so that the advantages of using this kind of procedure, in terms of production time and costs, are more or less canceled. To solve the problem of production time and costs, the inventor of this invention has designed a new brand process and a new type of brush mark, with which it is possible to obtain, by injection in a mold with the use of resins. polymer synthetics having a number of fluid components, any type of rotating brush, with a flat or cylindrical support, thus ensuring stable bonding of a filiform, flat type, or any other type of flexible cleaning element for the support. The object of this invention is, then, a method for making rotary brushes of the type described above, as described in appended claim 1. Another object of this invention is a type of rotating brush, which can be made using the method according to the invention, in any of its modalities. Some non-limiting and non-restrictive examples of this procedure will be used in more detail in the description presented below, where reference is made to the attached diagrams, which represent the following: Figure 1 shows a cross section of a mold for carrying out the process according to the invention, for making a rotating brush comprising a flat support to which flexible, filiform cleaning elements are attached; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a mold for another embodiment of the method according to the invention, for making a rotating brush with an indian support and flat, radial cleaning elements; Figure 3 shows a transverse section l of a special type of mold for carrying out the process according to the invention, for making a rotating brush, in which the flexible cleaning elements are composed solely of protrusions projecting from the support It should be mentioned first that the rotating brushes with flat support, which will be discussed below, can also be rolled into a cylindrical shape, using procedures and techniques well known to one skilled in the art. Figure 1 shows the process according to the invention, being carried out in the case of a brush 1 with a flat support 1 s and with flexible, filiform cleaning elements 3n.

First a mold 4 is prepared, comprising at least two breastplates 4a, 4b, facing one another, and defining the shape of the brush 1, composed of said flat support 1 s and a plurality of protuberances 1 p, perpendicular to its surface external 7. These flexible cleaning elements 3n, joined in plumes of appropriate dimensions, are then arranged with one end inserted in the mold 4, in the spaces that are intended to be occupied by these protuberances 1 p, and with the other end projecting outwardly through a suitable opening 9, made in the mold 4, in such a way that it blocks it completely. To obtain a better bent seam, it is advisable to fold each element in half, thus creating an eyelet 10, which comprises the end that is to be inserted in the mold. Obviously, in this case, each element 3n projects outwards with two filiform bodies looking at each other, a number of elements combined, forming one of these plumes. Then, the components of a synthetic polymer resin, in the fluid state, are injected into the mold and mixed together. Providing the components appropriately, so that polymerization of the resin occasions an increase in volume, which completely fills the hollow parts of the mold, then consequently, without having to make use of high temperatures or pressures, the rotating brush is obtained 1 desired with flexible cleaning elements 3n embedded in the resin 8, and, therefore, attached, in a stable manner, to the support 1s. On the internal face 6 of this support 1s, simply by configuring the mold 4, it is also possible to make, during the formation, the projections 5 or indentations (not shown), which have a shape and dimensions, which allows them to be inserted in the appropriate indentations or projections for the joint, which can be made on a grooved metal sleeve of a type capable of being secured to a rotating element of a washing device. Thus, in a single and rapid operation, a rotating brush 1 with flexible cleaning elements 3n, can be obtained, which is complete and ready to be used. Figure 2 shows the shape and arrangement of mold parts 24, in a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, for producing a rotating brush 21 with a cylindrical support 21s and with radial cleaning elements 3n, of flat type. In this case, the mold 24 comprises two coaxial cylinders 24i, 24e. On the cylinder 24e, radially outermost, there is a series of cavities 9 equidistant from each other, with a length and a width essentially equal to the length and width of the flexible cleaning elements 3n, fringed or without fringes, which go to be used. In the space between the two cylinders 24i, 24e, there is a cylinder support 21s for the rotating brush. These cleaning elements 3n are inserted through the cavities 9, in order to project towards the mold 24 at a desired depth and in such a way that it leaves a distance d between its end located inside the mold 24, and the cylinder 24i more internal. In this way, a synthetic ring is formed with a thickness d capable of resisting the various mechanical stresses, to which the brush 21 is subjected. By injecting the components, in a fluid state, from the synthetic resin 8 to the mold 24, in the In this case, a cylindrical rotating brush 21 will also be obtained in a single operation., which is ready to be used and only needs to be pulled out of the mold, once the synthetic resin is poiimerized. Obviously, using this embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to obtain, by appropriately configuring the internal cylinder 24i, projections for joining the brush, which are completely identical to the projections 5, in Figure 1, or indentations that have a similar function. On the other end of the flat cleaning elements 3n, which are located in the space between the two coaxial cylinders 24i, 24e, there must be a plurality of holes 1 1, which pass through, thus providing the resin synthetic 8 with means to enter and pass through them, thus forming a series of more stable mechanical joints than a simple embedment. It is also possible, in a manner similar to that described for the filiform cleaning elements, to fold the cleaning elements flat in two parts, thus forming a loop along its entire length, and inserting this loop, on which there are openings passes arranged on its vertex or on its sides, so that the synthetic resin, after having passed through them, fills this loop, thus creating a new union, with a desired mechanical resistance to rupture. This case is not represented in the diagrams. In a preferred embodiment, to make a rotary brush of the type just described above, coaxial cylinders 24i, 24e, comprising the mold, are made of the synthetic resin, for example, polyethylene, in order to emerge firmly embedded, due to the adhesion of the synthetic resin 8, which comprises the body of the brush, forming a whole with the latter, and thus being used as part of a "disposable" mold, which functions as a layer on the external surface and the inner surface of the body of the brush, which can advantageously be sold and used as such. In this way, the problem of maintaining and re-equipping the molds is solved, and the disassembling step that requires the separation of the molds from the brush and the subsequent polymerization of the synthetic resin, which comprises the body, is eliminated. . In addition, a rotating brush is obtained, which has a compact layer resistant to mechanical or chemical stresses of various types, thus eliminating the cost of depreciation of the molds, a cost that can become considerable, when there is a need to produce a number Limited rotating brushes with certain type of mold, as is often the case. Figure 3 shows a certain type of mold 34, which can be used to carry out the process according to the invention, to produce a rotating brush 31 with a flat support 31s, and without adding flexible cleaning elements of the type described previously. In this case, the different parts 34a, 34b, of the mold 34 are made in such a way that they form the brush 31 with the flat support 31s, having cylindrical protuberances 31p, or protuberances with some other shape, but having dimensions, which allow them to act as flexible cleaning elements. In this case, the mold openings for the insertion of the flexible cleaning elements must obviously be closed. The choice of the synthetic resin to be used will exhibit the different physical and mechanical characteristics of the cleaning elements thus obtained, depending on the function (for example, a fine or heavy wash) they perform. To produce the rotating brushes using the process according to the invention, various types of synthetic polymer resin can be used, having a number of components that are initially in the fluid state, provided that the entire area of the mold is fully filled afterwards. of the polymerization. However, the inventor suggests that the polyurethane foam that is used, which is known, is composed of isocyanate and polyol and is polymerized with the addition of water. Any of the various types of cleaning elements can be chosen, adapting them to the method of the procedure and the form of the molds, including a filiform design, made of filaments composed of a synthetic material, including polyethylene, nylon and polypropylene, or a flat design, fringed or fringed, made of a felt pad composed of polyethylene, polyethylene with added vinyl acetate, or a plastic foam with closed cells, such as, for example, polyurethane. Obviously, the method according to the invention, as well as the shape of the various molds that will be used to make it, can be modified in order to be different to those described above and shown in the diagrams, but still made by difference , if corresponds to the contents of the appended claims, remains within the scope of the protection conferred by this patent.

Claims (14)

1. - A method for making a brush (1, 21, 31), in particular the type used in automatic or manual installations for washing cars, and comprising a support (1s, 21s, 31s), which has an internal face (6). ) and an external face (7), which has flexible cleaning elements (3n) attached to the external surface, wherein the method includes the following steps: a) preparing a mold (4, 24, 34) capable of making the desired brush (1, 21); b) arranging said flexible cleaning elements (3n), with one end inserted into the mold and the other end projecting outwards through suitable openings (9) made in the mold; c) injecting into the mold (4, 24, 34) the components in the fluid state, intermixed to form the synthetic resin (8), which is capable of polymerizing; d) opening the mold (4, 24, 34) once the polymerization and the extraction of the brush (1, 21, 31) are completed, where these flexible cleaning elements (3n) are attached to this support, since they are embedded in the polymerized resin.

2 - The method according to claim 1, wherein this mold (4) comprises at least two breastplates (4a, 4b) in order to make the brush (1) have a flat support (1s), taking on its outer surface (7) a plurality of protuberances (1 p) perpendicular to them, and flexible cleaning elements (3n) are arranged with one end inserted in the mold (4) towards the spaces that are intended to be occupied by these protuberances (1 p) and with the other end projecting outwards.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein this mold (24) has two coaxial cylinders (24i, 24e), the outermost of which (24e) has a plurality of openings (9) which allows the radial insertion of one end of one or more of the flexible blank elements (3n) into the space between these two coaxial cylinders (24i, 24e), the synthetic resin components (8), in the fluid state, being injected into this space so that the resin, after completing the polymerization, fills the space, imbibing and thus securing the ends of the flexible cleaning elements (3n).

4. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein these flexible cleaning elements (3n) are thread-like and are made with filaments composed of a synthetic material from the group containing polyethylene, nylon and polypropylene.

5. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein these flexible cleaning elements (3n) are flat, fringed or fringed, made of felt.

6. - The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein these flexible cleaning elements (3n) are flat, fringed or fringed, made of closed cell plastic foam.

7. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible cleaning elements (3n) are flat, fringed or without fringe, and polyethylene or polyethylene compounds with added vinyl acetate (EVA).

8. The process according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein these coaxial cylinders (24i, 24e) are made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin, which can be embedded by adhesion of the synthetic resin (8) that fills the space between the cylinders.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mold (34) is made in such a way that from this external face (7) of the support (31 s) of the brush (31), a plurality is projected. of protuberances (31 p) that have a shape and dimensions, which allow them to function by themselves as flexible cleaning elements.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mold (4) is made so that on the internal face of the support (1 sec., 21 s) of the resulting brush (1, 21), there are projections (5) or indentations that have a predetermined shape and dimensions.

The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the synthetic resin (8) with a number of components, in the fluid state, is polyurethane, its components being isocyanate and polyol, and with the addition of water in order to polymerize and expand it.

12. A rotating brush (1, 21), in particular of the type used in automatic installations for washing cars, made using one of the methods according to the preceding claims.

13.- The rotating brush (21) according to the claim 12, comprising two coaxial cylinders (24i, 24e) made of a thermoplastic resin, the outermost of which (24e) has radial openings (9), through which it is inserted through the inner end of the elements of flexible cleaning (3n), these ends being configured, recessed, or bent, so that they will be safely attached to the cylindrical support (21 s) in the synthetic polymer resin (8), which fills the space between these two cylinders coaxial, this synthetic resin (8) leaving to be joined by the adhesion to these coaxial cylinders (24i, 24e) after its polymerization.

14. The rotating brush according to claim 13, wherein these two cylinders (24i, 24e) are made of polyethylene.