[0001] The invention relates to a method of manufacturing clothes brushes of the type consisting
in a handle, associated with a cleaning member faced in velvet material, and to a
brush obtainable by implementing such a method.
[0002] Brushes of the type in question are particularly effective by virtue of the fact
that the exposed side of the velvet brushing material is embodied with a short, stiff
pile raised substantially at a uniform angle in relation to the surface to which the
velvet is applied. When a cleaning implement faced with a fabric of this type is drawn
over the surface of a cloth or garment, against the angle of the pile, the projecting
ends of the pile penetrate the outer fibres of the weave, lifting ingrained dust and
surface fluff and brushing the nap at one and the same time.
[0003] In short, the velvet subjects the cloth to a mildly "abrasive" action, and it is
this action that gives positive results in cleaning.
[0004] The drawback encountered with a brush of this type is that it must be drawn over
the garment or cloth in one direction only, "against" a pile and not "with", otherwise
the brush simply slides over the cloth, and the dust and fluff gathered previously
and retained by the velvet pile will be dislodged and deposited on the garment.
[0005] As long as the garment to be brushed is not being worn, the user generally will remember
to draw the velvet pile in the right direction. It will often happen, however, that
it is a garment being worn that needs to be brushed, in which case the user must remember
to reverse the direction of the pile, for example, in passing from one sleeve to another;
failure so to do results in the occurrence of the drawback aforementioned, inasmuch
as dust and fluff picked up from the first sleeve will be transferred promptly to
the second.
[0006] Efforts have been made to defeat this involuntarily incurred type of drawback by
embodying brushes in which the cleaning member and handle are slidable one in relation
to the other, thereby creating an implement that is reversible; in fact, by changing
the relative positions of the cleaning member and the handle, the pile of the velvet
can be set in the appropriate brushing direction without changing the direction of
movement of the brush itself.
[0007] The pertinent prior art embraces numerous patents aimed at solving the drawback in
question; a brush is disclosed in US 3 729 762, for example, of which the handle can
be slid internally of the cleaning member between two limit positions and held fast
at each one, preferably by snapping elastically into place.
[0008] US 3 421 171, on the other hand, discloses a brush of which the cleaning member can
rotate in relation to the handle about an axis disposed perpendicular to the handle,
and perpendicular or parallel to the surface with which the velvet is associated.
[0009] Both of these patent brushes overcome the drawback mentioned above, albeit by different
expedients, but betray the disadvantage of featuring a special type of construction
that needs specific machinery or equipment and thus incurs higher manufacturing costs.
[0010] Moreover, such embodiments exhibit one velvet pile brushing surface only, invariably
small and thus of limited durability inasmuch as a significant number of passes must
be made to cover the entire surface of a given garment.
[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a method that will permit the economical
manufacture of a clothes brush affording a generous velvet covered brushing surface.
[0012] The stated object is realized by adoption of the method as characterized in the appended
claims, which is designed to enable the manufacture of the type of clothes brush consisting
in a handle, and a cleaning member faced in velvet and associated with the handle;
such a method comprises the steps of fashioning a continuous tubular element, of which
the external surface is coated with an adhesive of paste consistency, then totally
and continuously enveloping the element with a strip of velvet pile material, cutting
the continuous velvet-covered element into discrete elements of given length, and
plastically deforming each discrete length through an axial plane before the adhesive
dries, in such a way as to produce a substantially flat profile that enables its being
fitted slidably over a relative straight flat core member which ultimately provides
the handle, the transverse dimensions of which are substantially matched to those
of the axial bore of the discrete tubular element following its plastic deformation.
[0013] Among the advantages of the present invention is that of the increased durability
of a brush made by the method disclosed, which not only affords a more generous brushing
surface, inasmuch as the entire tubular element is faced with velvet, but offers two
such surfaces that can be used in alternation. The invention will now be described
in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-fig 1 is a schematic representation of the steps of the method according to the present
invention;
-fig 2 illustrates a brush according to the present invention, seen in perspective;
-figs 3, 4 show the brush of fig 2 in end elevation and longitudinal section respectively,
with certain of its parts cut away better to reveal others;
-fig 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the brush, in side elevation, with
certain parts cut away better to reveal others.
[0014] The method according to the invention is designed to produce a brush as illustrated
in figs 2, 3, 4 and denoted 1 in its entirety, which is of the type comprising a handle
2, and a cleaning member 3, supported by the handle and exhibiting a surface faced
in velvet material 4.
[0015] The method disclosed comprises the steps of:
-forming a continuous tubular element 5 of circular section from a paper based material
(fig 1/I);
-coating the external surface of the tubular element 5 with an adhesive of paste consistency
and completely and continuously enveloping the element with a strip of velvet facing
material 4 (fig 1/II);
-cutting the continuous velveted tubular element 5 into discrete elements 6 of predetermined
length (fig 1/III);
-subjecting each discrete element 6 to plastic deformation through a diametral plane,
before the adhesive has set, in such a way as to invest it with a substantially flattened
shape (fig 1/IV);
-fashioning straight core members 2 of which the section substantially matches that
of the axial bore presented by each discrete element 6;
-pairing each discrete element 6 with a respective core member 2, ultimately providing
the handle, by insertion of the latter in the axial bore offered by the former (fig
1/VI).
[0016] 'Application' of the layer of adhesive is effected in practice by fashioning the
continuous tubular element 5 from a previously gummed paper material.
[0017] The discrete element 6 and the core member 2 can be paired together by sliding the
one over the other, and accordingly, the method disclosed comprises the further preparatory
step of fitting each end of the discrete element with a guide collar 7 embodied in
rigid material (fig 1/V). The dimensions of the collar 7 are such that the rim does
not project radially beyond the surface of the element 6 and its velvet facing 4,
and the hole accommodates the core member 2 with a marginal degree of clearance. Each
collar 7 exhibits a short, slightly tapered appendage 7a that can be inserted to a
tight fit, and glued if so desired, in the respective end of the discrete tubular
element 6.
[0018] Following its insertion in the relative element 6, each end of the core member 2
is fitted with a plug or stop 8 of which the transverse dimensions are greater than
those of the holes afforded by the guide collars 7 (fig 1/VII).
[0019] As regards the embodiment of the continuous tubular element 5, this is a conventional
process whereby strips of relatively stiff paper, pre-coated with a suitable adhesive
as aforementioned, are wound onto a former. The gradually forming continuous tubular
element 5 is traversed steadily forward along its own longitudinal axis, and enveloped
by a single layer of the velvet facing 4 (fig 1 step II), wound on in exactly the
same fashion as would be employed in applying a further layer of the paper material.
Fig 1 illustrates the possible embodiment of a winding device 20, carrying at least
one roll 21 of the velvet strip 4, which is rotatable about the continuous tubular
element 5 as indicated by the arrow denoted F. The rolls are adjustable through an
arc denoted f, so as to permit of widening or narrowing the angle in relation to the
longitudinal axis of the tubular element 5, commensurately with the helical pitch
of the winding.
[0020] Expansion of the discrete tubular element 6 through a diametral plane can be effected
using mandrels of various embodiment, e.g. an expanding type. In the preferred embodiment
shown in fig 1, the mandrel 10 comprises a first, tapered section exhibited by the
end inserted into the discrete element 6, which merges with a straight second section
of length not less than the length of the element 6, and of shape substantially matching
the external shape of the core member 2. Thus, one achieves full and uniform deformation
of the tubular element 6 without in any way damaging the velvet facing 4.
[0021] In an alternative implementation of the method, the continuous paper tube might be
wound in such a way as to produce a substantially flat profile at the outset, enabling
elimination of the deformation step (fig 1/IV).
[0022] The option also exists of extruding the continuous tubular element 5 from plastic
material, whereupon a layer of adhesive paste can be applied to the surface and the
velvet 4 wound over as described above. In this instance, the tubular element 5 could
be extruded to a circular cross section and then deformed as illustrated in fig 1,
or extruded to the requisite flat section by combining steps I and IV in a single
operation.
[0023] The velvet facing 4 is embodied generally with its pile fibres 4a angled from the
perpendicular in a common direction, considered in relation to the plane containing
the backing material of the strip. In addition, the pile 4a will lie generally at
a given angle α in relation to the longitudinal axis of the strip 4. Accordingly,
the strip 4 is wound helically, the angle β between the strip and the longitudinal
generators of the tubular element 5 being complementary to the angle α of the pile
4a and the longitudinal axis of the strip 4, such that on completion of the winding
step, the pile 4a will be directed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the
tubular element 5. It will be observed from fig 1 that the winding angle β can be
altered by adjusting the device 20 (arrow f) so as to widen or narrow the angle between
the axis of the roll 21 and the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 5. The velvet
strip 4 might equally well be wound onto the tubular element 5 with the pile 4a not
angled, but simply projecting perpendicular from the plane of the backing material,
in which case the plastic deformation step IV will be followed by a further step (not
illustrated in fig 1) whereby the pile 4a is pressed to the required angle or angles.
The two flanks of the cleaning member 3 might be pressed in different directions,
for example, in such a way that the angles of the pile 4a on the two flattened surfaces
will be mutually reflected on either side of an axial plane lying essentially parallel
to the two surfaces (fig 3).
[0024] In the event of the method comprising a pressing step, the discrete tubular element
6 and the core member 2 can be rigidly associated, for example, by utilizing an adhesive
or other means that disallows their relative movement. With an embodiment of this
type, neither the collars 7 nor the end stops 8 are required, and the transverse dimensions
presented by the bore of the element 6 will be substantially identical to those of
the core member 2.
[0025] A brush 1 according to the invention consists in a core member 2, providing a handle,
and a cleaning member 3 of tubular embodiment the entire external surface of which
is faced with a helically wound layer of velvet material 4, and comprises means 8
serving to prevent the separation of the cleaning member 3 and the core member 2 one
from the other. The cleaning member 3 can be either capable of sliding axially along
the handle 2, or associated rigidly therewith. In the first instance, means 8 preventing
the separation of the two members will consist in two stops, attached one to each
end of the handle 2 and exhibiting transverse dimensions greater than those of the
bore of the cleaning element 3. In the second, such means 8 might be embodied as in
fig 5, namely, a fixed intermediate shoulder 8a afforded by the core member 2, and
a stop 8b fitted to one end of the core member 2. The shoulder 8a and end stop 8b
present transverse dimensions greater than those of the axial bore of the cleaning
member 3, and are set apart one from the other by a distance substantially matching
the axial dimension of the cleaning member 3. The end stop 8b can be attached to the
core member 3 using fastening means of conventional type, denoted 11. As mentioned
in the part of the specification that refers to the method, the brush 1 may be provided
with slidable guide collars 7 fitted one to each end of the cleaning member 3, freely
accommodating the core member 2, in which case the transverse dimensions of the separation
preventing means 8 will be greater than those of the guide collars 7, which are associated
with the cleaning element 3, and the side of the collar 7 directed away from the cleaning
element 3 will afford a socket 9 in which the relative stop 8 is insertable to a moderately
tight fit, thereby affording means by which to lock the cleaning member 3 in place
at either end of the core member 2.
1) A method of embodying clothes brushes of the type comprising a handle (2), and
a cleaning member (3) supported by the handle and exhibiting at least one surface
faced in a velvet material of which the pile is angled in given directions in relation
to the surface,
characterized
in that embodiment of the cleaning member (3) involves the steps of:
-forming a continuous tubular element (5) of circular section from a paper based material,
and investing the element at least with traversing motion along its own longitudinal
axis;
-coating the external surface of the tubular element (5) with an adhesive of paste
consistency and completely and continuously enveloping the element with a strip of
velvet facing material (4);
-cutting the continuous velvet-faced tubular element (5) into discrete tubular elements
(6) of predetermined length;
-subjecting each discrete element (6) to plastic deformation through a diametral plane,
before the adhesive has set, in such a way as to invest it with a substantially flat
shape;
and in that embodiment of the handle (2) involves the steps of:
-fashioning straight core members (2), each one insertable in and serving to carry
a respective cleaning member (3), of length greater than that of the cleaning member
(3) and of shape such as will disallow rotation of the two members (2, 3) one in relation
to the other;
-fitting each end of each of the core members (2) with a relative stop (8), of which
the transverse dimensions are such as to disallow separation of the cleaning member
(3) from the respective core member (2).
2) A method as in claim 1, comprising the further step, implemented following the
steps of cutting and plastic deformation, of fitting each end of each discrete tubular
element (6) with slidable guide means (7), embodied in a rigid material, which afford
an axial hole matched to the external profile of the core member (2) and are proportioned
such that their external profile will not project beyond the external profile of the
tubular element.
3) A method as in claim 1, wherein the continuous tubular element (5) is formed from
a paper material pre-coated externally with an adhesive of paste consistency.
4) A method as in claim 1, wherein each discrete tubular element (6) cut from the
continuous tubular element (5) is deformed by the insertion of at least one mandrel
(10), comprising a first tapered section that coincides with the inserted end and
is merged with a straight second section of length not less than the length of the
discrete element (6), and exhibiting an external profile substantially matching that
of the core member (2).
5) A method as in method 1, wherein each discrete tubular element (6) cut from the
continuous tubular element (5) is deformed by the insertion of a mandrel (10) capable
of expanding diametrically to emulate the essential external profile of the core member
(2).
6) A method as in claim 1, wherein the strip (4) of velvet facing material is wound
helically onto the continuous tubular element (5) at an angle (β), in relation to
the longitudinal generators of the tubular element (6), that is complementary to the
angle (α) at which the pile (4a) of the velvet material is set in relation to the
longitudinal axis of the strip (4), in such a way as to ensure that the pile (4a)
will be disposed at right angles to the longitudinal generators of the element (5)
on completion of the winding step.
7) A method as in claim 1, wherein the strip (4) of velvet facing material is wound
onto the continuous tubular element (5) with the pile (4a) standing substantially
perpendicular in relation to the surface of the tubular element, comprising the further
step, following plastic deformation of the discrete element (6) cut from the continuous
element, of pressing the velvet in such a way as to set the pile (4a) permanently
in a direction normal to the longitudinal generators of the tubular element (6) and
at an angle reflected symmetrically on either side of a median plane lying essentially
parallel to the surfaces flattened by deformation.
8) A method as in claim 1, wherein the steps of forming a tubular element (5) in a
paper material and effecting its plastic deformation through a diametral plane are
implemented as a single step, by investing the tubular paper element (5) with a substantially
flat profile at the moment of its initial embodiment.
9) A method of embodying clothes brushes of the type comprising a handle (2), and
a cleaning member (3) supported by the handle and exhibiting at least one surface
faced in a velvet material of which the pile is angled in given directions in relation
to the surface,
characterized
in that embodiment of the cleaning member (3) involves the steps of:
-extruding a continuous tubular element (5) of circular section from plastic material;
-coating the external surface of the tubular element (5) with an adhesive of paste
consistency and completely and continuously enveloping the element with a strip of
velvet facing material (4);
-cutting the continuous velvet-faced tubular element (5) into discrete tubular elements
(6) of predetermined length;
-subjecting each discrete element (6) to plastic deformation through a diametral plane,
before the adhesive has set, in such a way as to invest it with a substantially flat
shape;
and in that embodiment of the handle (2) involves the steps of:
-fashioning straight core members (2), each one insertable in and serving to carry
a respective cleaning member (3), of length greater than that of the cleaning member
(3) and of shape such as will disallow rotation of the two members (2, 3) one in relation
to the other;
-fitting each end of each of the core members (2) with a relative stop (8), of which
the transverse dimensions are such as to disallow separation of the cleaning member
(3) from the respective core member (2).
10) A method as in claim 9, comprising the further step, implemented following the
steps of cutting and plastic deformation, of fitting each end of each discrete tubular
element (6) with slidable guide means (7), embodied in a rigid material, which afford
an axial hole matched to the external profile of the core member (2) and are proportioned
such that their external profile will not project beyond the external profile of the
tubular element.
11) A method as in claim 9, wherein the steps of extruding a tubular element (5) in
plastic material and effecting its plastic deformation through a diametral plane are
implemented as a single step, by investing the tubular plastic element (5) with a
substantially flat profile at the moment of its initial embodiment.
12) A clothes brush of the type comprising a handle (2), and a cleaning member (3)
supported by the handle and exhibiting at least one surface faced in a velvet material
of which the pile is angled in given directions in relation to the surface, obtainable
in particular though not exclusively by implementation of a method as in preceding
claims,
characterized
in that the cleaning member (3) consists in a tubular element (6) of substantially
flat section, of which the entire external surface is faced with a helically wound
strip (4) of velvet material.
13) A brush as in claim 12, wherein the cleaning member (6) freely and slidably accommodates
a core member (2), functioning as a handle, of length greater than that of the tubular
element (6) and of shape such as disallows rotation of the two members (2, 3) one
in relation to the other, and is provided with means (8) by which to disallow its
separation from the core member (2).
14) A brush as in claim 13, wherein the cleaning member (3) and the core member (2)
are distanced mutually by way of guide means (7) associated rigidly with each end
of the cleaning member (3), which slidably accommodate the core member (2) while preventing
its rotation relative to the cleaning member.
15) A brush as in claim 13, wherein means (8) by which to prevent separation of the
members (2, 3) consist in stops (8) associated with each end of the core member (2),
of which the transverse dimensions are greater than the minimum passage afforded by
the axial bore of the cleaning member (3).
16) A brush as in claim 13, wherein means preventing the separation of the cleaning
member (3) from the core member (2) consist in fastening means designed to bring about
a rigid connection between the two members.
17) A brush as in claim 16, wherein fastening means consist in a fixed shoulder (8a)
afforded by the core member (2) at an intermediate point along its length, and a stop
(8b) fitted to one end of the core member, which exhibit transverse dimensions not
less than the passage afforded by the axial bore of the cleaning member (3), and are
set apart one from the other by a distance substantially matching the axial length
of the cleaning member.
18) A brush as in claim 12, wherein the pile (4a) of the strip of (4) velvet material
projects from the substantially flat surfaces on either side of the cleaning member
(3) in a direction normal to the longitudinal generators of the member, and at an
angle reflected symmetrically on either side of a median plane lying essentially parallel
to the flat surfaces.