(19)
(11) EP 2 050 541 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
15.12.2010 Bulletin 2010/50

(21) Application number: 07254107.1

(22) Date of filing: 17.10.2007
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B24D 13/10(2006.01)
B24D 13/14(2006.01)

(54)

Brush material

Bürstenmaterial

Matériau de brosse


(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR IT

(43) Date of publication of application:
22.04.2009 Bulletin 2009/17

(73) Proprietors:
  • Niizaki, Yuuichiro
    Chigasaki-chi, Kanagawa (JP)
  • Niizaki, Tomoko
    Chigasaki-chi, Kanagawa (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Niizaki, Yuuichiro
    Chigasaki-shi Kanagawa (JP)
  • Niizaki, Tomoko
    Chigasaki-shi Kangawa (JP)
  • Niizaki, Yunito
    Chigasaki-shi Kangawa (JP)

(74) Representative: Faulkner, Thomas John et al
Cleveland 40-43 Chancery Lane
London WC2A 1JQ
London WC2A 1JQ (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A-93/18890
US-A- 3 147 503
JP-A- 62 251 082
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    Field of the Invention:



    [0001] The present invention relates to a brush material that can be used for polishing the surface of a workpiece or for polishing and grinding it for burring.

    Description of the Related Art:



    [0002] A conventionally known brush material that can be used for polishing the surface of a workpiece or for polishing and grinding it for burring is, for example, a brush material that includes as a core a plurality of synthetic fibers containing abrasive particles and as a covering a thin multifilament of synthetic fiber provided around the core (see JP-A SHO 63-318907).
    WO 93/18890 shows a composite abrasive filament comprising at least one preformed core, a plurality of which cores may be parallel or twisted together, and at least partially coated with a thermoplastic elastomer having abrasive particles therein.

    [0003] However, in the case where the brush material including the covering of the thin multifilament of synthetic fiber is used for polishing the surface of a workpiece or for polishing and grinding it for burring, and used under severe conditions such as being brought into contact with the surface of the workpiece, while being rotated at high speed, or being subjected to a strong pressing force, a burring effect or a polishing effect cannot be expected when a hard burr is formed on the surface or corner of the workpiece, and there is a need for improvement.

    [0004] The present invention has been achieved to solve the above described problem, and has as an object to provide a brush material having wear resistance and durability so that a burring effect or a polishing effect can be expected even when a hard burr is formed on the surface or corner of a workpiece in the case where the brush material is used for polishing the surface of the workpiece or for polishing and grinding it for burring, and used under severe conditions such as being brought into contact with the surface of the workpiece while being rotated at high speed, or being subjected to a strong pressing force.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0005] In order to achieve the object, the invention provides a brush material comprising a brush bristle material that is composed of a bundle of plural metal brush bristles each having a circular or polygonal section; and a covering layer that contains an abrasive and is provided on a surface of the brush bristle material characterised in that each of the metal brush bristles has an abrasive layer formed by electrodepositing an abrasive on a surface of each metal brush bristle. The covering layer may contain as the abrasive at least one
    member selected from the group consisting of alumina, silicon carbide, cerium oxide and diamond.

    [0006] The covering layer may contain as the abrasive plural members comprising 1% to 10% by weight of diamond and 90% to 99% by weight of other members.

    [0007] The covering layer may have a resin coated thereon, a resin coat wound thereon in a spiral shape or a pipe member of thin resin film mounted thereon.

    [0008] The covering layer may contain aromatic or deodorant powder.

    [0009] The brush bristle material may include the covering layer provided on the surface of the resin brush bristle material composed of a bundle of plural brush bristles. Thus, the brush material has wear resistance and durability, and a burring effect or a polishing effect can be expected even when a hard burr is formed on the surface or corner of a workpiece in the case where the brush material is used under severe conditions such as being brought into contact with the surface of the workpiece while being rotated at high speed, or being subjected to a strong pressing force.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0010] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1(a).

    [0011] FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line IIb-IIb in FIG. 2(a).

    [0012] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 3 according to the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line IIIb-IIIb in FIG. 3(a).

    [0013] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 4 according to the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line IVb-IVb in FIG. 4(a).

    [0014] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 5 according to the present invention, and FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 5(a).

    [0015] FIGS. 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) are schematic perspective views of metal brush bristles having circular, triangular and quadrangular sections, respectively.

    [0016] FIGS. 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) are schematic perspective views of the metal brush bristles having the circular, triangular and quadrangular sections in FIG. 6 each having an abrasive layer formed by electrodepositing an abrasive on the surface of the metal brush bristle, as used in embodiments 1 to 5 according to the present invention.

    [0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of examples of various sectional shapes of the metal brush bristle.

    [0018] FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic perspective views of other examples of metal brush bristles.

    [0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of another brush bristle material.

    [0020] FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are schematic perspective views of examples of covering layers embodying the present invention.

    [0021] FIGS. 12(a) to 12(e) are schematic views of sectional shapes of other brush materials.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS



    [0022] Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like components.

    [0023] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1(a).

    [0024] In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), a brush material 11 includes a brush bristle material 12a composed of a bundle of four metal brush bristles 12 each having a circular section, and a covering layer 14 of a resin coat that contains an abrasive 13 and is provided on the surface of the brush bristle material 12a.

    [0025] FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line IIb-IIb in FIG. 2(a).

    [0026] In FIG. 2, a brush material 21 includes a brush bristle material 22a composed of a bundle of four metal brush bristles 22 each having a triangular section, and a covering layer 14 of a resin coat that contains an abrasive 13 and is provided on the surface of the brush bristle material 22a.

    [0027] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 3 according to the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line IIIb-IIIb in FIG. 3(a).

    [0028] In FIG. 3, a brush material 31 includes a brush bristle material 32a composed of a bundle of four metal brush bristles 32 each having a quadrangular section, and a covering layer 14 of a resin coat that contains an abrasive 13 and is provided on the surface of the brush bristle material 32a.

    [0029] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 4 according to the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line IVb-IVb in FIG. 4(a).

    [0030] In FIG. 4, a brush material 41 includes a brush bristle material 42a composed of a bundle of three metal brush bristles, one metal brush bristle 12 having a circular section, another metal brush bristle 22 having a triangular section and the remaining one metal brush bristle 32 having a quadrangular section, and a covering layer 14 of a resin coat that contains an abrasive 13 and is provided on the surface of the brush bristle material 42a.

    [0031] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic perspective view of a brush material of Embodiment 5 according to the present invention, and FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the brush material taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 5(a).

    [0032] In FIG. 5, a brush material 51 includes a brush bristle material 54 composed of a bundle of plural metal brush bristles consisting of one center metal brush bristle 52 having a circular section and a large diameter and a plurality of (twelve in FIG. 5) metal brush bristles 53 each having a circular section and a small diameter placed around the center metal brush bristle 52, and a covering layer 14 of a resin coat that contains an abrasive 13 and is provided on the surface of the brush bristle material 54.

    [0033] The covering layer 14 is formed of a resin coat containing as the abrasive 13 at least one member selected from the group consisting of alumina, silicon carbide, cerium oxide and diamond. When the covering layer 14 contains as the abrasive 13 plural members, the plural members comprise 1 to 10% by weight of diamond and 90 to 99% by weight of other members.

    [0034] The covering layer 14 may contain aromatic powder or deodorant powder together with the abrasive 13. The aromatic powder or deodorant powder contained in the covering layer 14 can provide an aromatic property or a deodorant property to the brush bristle material 12a during polishing of a workpiece.

    [0035] FIG. 6(a) shows the metal brush bristle 12 having a circular section, FIG. 6(b) shows the metal brush bristle 22 having a triangular section, and FIG. 6(c) shows the metal brush bristle 32 having a quadrangular section.

    [0036] Each of the metal brush bristles 12, 22 and 32 having circular or polygonal sections has an abrasive layer 10a, when used in embodiments of the invention, formed by electrodepositing an
    abrasive 10 on the surface of the metal brush bristle and firmly securing the abrasive 10 with one layer of metal skin. FIG. 7 (a) shows a metal brush bristle 12b having an abrasive layer 10a formed by electrodepositing the abrasive 10 on the surface of the metal brush bristle 12 having the circular section, FIG. 7(b) shows a metal brush bristle 22b having an abrasive layer 10a formed by electrodepositing the abrasive 10 on the surface of the metal brush bristle 22 having the triangular section, and FIG. 7(c) shows a metal brush bristle 32b having an abrasive layer 10a formed by electrodepositing the abrasive 10 on the surface of the metal brush bristle 32 having the quadrangular section. The abrasive 10 may be mad of the same material as the abrasive 13 or a different material from the abrasive 13.

    [0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of examples of various sectional shapes of the metal brush bristle. The shown metal brush bristles 12, 22 and 32 in Embodiments 1 to 4 have the circular, triangular and quadrangular (square) sections. Besides, the metal brush bristle may have a section of a polygonal shape, such as a hexagonal shape 33 or an octagonal shape 34, an oval shape 35, a cross shape 36, a shape of glasses like a gourd 37, a shape of a four-leaved clover 38 (or an unshown shape of a three-leaved clover), or a rectangular shape 39.

    [0038] The shown metal brush bristles 12, 22 and 32 are linear members. Besides, a twisted metal brush bristle 22c as shown in FIG. 9(a), or a finely corrugated metal brush bristle 22d as shown in FIG. 9(b) may be used.

    [0039] When two or more metal brush bristles 12, 22 and 32 are bound to form a brush bristle material, the plurality of metal brush bristles 12 may be bound as they are to form a brush bristle material, or a plurality of (three in FIG. 10) metal brush bristles 12 having various sectional shapes may be woven to form a brush bristle material 60 as shown in FIG. 10.

    [0040] The covering layer 14 can be formed by coating resin, but a covering layer 14a may be formed by winding a resin coat in a spiral shape as shown in FIG. 11(a), or a covering layer 14b may be formed by mounting a pipe member of thin resin film as shown in FIG. 11(b).

    [0041] FIGS. 12(a) to 12(e) are schematic views of sectional shapes of other brush materials. The covering layer 14 of each of the shown brush materials 11, 21, 31, 41 and 51 in Embodiments 1 to 5 has a section of a circular ring shape, but the covering layer of the brush material may be formed to have a section of a quadrangular ring shape 61 with a circular hole as shown in FIG. 12(a), a triangular ring shape 62 as shown in FIG. 12(b), a hexagonal ring shape 63 as shown in FIG. 12(c), an octagonal ring shape 64 as shown in FIG. 12(d), or an oval ring shape 65 as shown in FIG. 12(e).

    [0042] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but may be implemented in any manner without changing the configuration described in Claims. For example, three or four resin brush bristles are provided inside the covering layer in Embodiments 1 to 5, but other plural number of resin brush bristles may be provided.


    Claims

    1. A brush material (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) comprising:

    a brush bristle material (12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 54) that is composed of a bundle of plural metal brush bristles (12, 22, 32, 52, 53) each having a circular or polygonal section; and

    a covering layer (14) that contains an abrasive (13) and is provided on a surface of the brush bristle material (12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 54), characterised in that each of the metal brush bristles (12, 22, 32, 52, 53) has an abrasive layer (10a) formed by electrodepositing an abrasive (10) on a surface of each metal brush bristle.


     
    2. The brush material (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer (14) contains as the abrasive (13) at least one member selected from the group consisting of alumina, silicon carbide, cerium oxide and diamond.
     
    3. The brush material (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) according to claim 2, wherein the covering layer (14) contains as the abrasive. (13) plural members comprising 1% to 10% by weight of diamond and 90% to 99% by weight of other members.
     
    4. The brush material (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer (14) has a resin coated thereon, a resin coat wound thereon in a spiral shape (14a) or a pipe member of thin resin film mounted thereon (14b).
     
    5. The brush material (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer (14) contains aromatic or deodorant powder.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Ein Bürstenmaterial (11, 21, 31, 41, 51), umfassend:

    ein Bürstenborstenmaterial (12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 54), das aus einem Bündel von mehreren Metallbürstenborsten (12, 22, 32, 52, 53) zusammengesetzt ist, von denen jede einen runden oder polygonalen Abschnitt aufweist, und

    eine Deckschicht (14), die ein Schleifmittel (13) enthält und auf einer Oberfläche des Bürstenborstenmaterials (12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 54) bereitgestellt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede der Metallbürstenborsten (12, 22, 32, 52, 53) eine Schleifmittelschicht (10a) aufweist, die mittels elektrolytischem Abscheiden eines Schleifmittels (10) auf einer Oberfläche jeder Metallbürstenborste ausgebildet wird.


     
    2. Das Bürstenmaterial (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) gemäß Anspruch 1, während die Deckschicht (14) als das Schleifmittel (13) mindestens ein Mitglied ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Aluminiumoxid, Siliciumcarbid, Ceroxid und Diamant enthält.
     
    3. Das Bürstenmaterial (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) gemäß Anspruch 2, während die Deckschicht (14) als das Schleifmittel (13) mehrere Mitglieder enthält, die 1 bis 10 Gew.-% Diamant und 90 bis 99 Gew.-% andere Mitglieder aufweisen.
     
    4. Das Bürstenmaterial (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) gemäß Anspruch 1, während die Deckschicht (14) ein darauf überzogenes Harz aufweist, während ein Harzüberzug darauf in einer Spiralform (14a) gewunden ist oder ein Rohrelement aus dünnem Harzfilm ist darauf (14b) befestigt.
     
    5. Das Bürstenmaterial (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) gemäß Anspruch 1, während die Deckschicht (14) aromatisches oder desodorierendes Pulver enthält.
     


    Revendications

    1. Matériau de brosse (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) comprenant : un matériau de poil de brosse (12a, 22a, 21a, 42a, 54) qui est composé d'un paquet de plusieurs poils de brosse en métal (12, 22, 32, 52, 53) ayant chacun une section circulaire ou polygonale ; et
    une couche de revêtement (14) qui contient un abrasif (13) et est prévue sur une surface du matériau de poil de brosse (12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 54), caractérisé en ce que chacun des poils de brosse en métal (12, 22, 32, 52, 53) a une couche abrasive (10a) formée en déposant de manière électrolytique un abrasif (10) sur une surface de chaque poil de brosse en métal.
     
    2. Matériau de brosse (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la couche de revêtement (14) contient en tant qu'abrasif (13), au moins un élément choisi dans le groupe comprenant l'alumine, le carbure de silicium, l'oxyde de cérium et le diamant.
     
    3. Matériau de brosse (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la couche de revêtement (14) contient en tant qu'abrasif (13), plusieurs éléments comprenant de 1% à 10% en poids de diamant et de 90% à 99% en poids d'autres éléments.
     
    4. Matériau de brosse (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la couche de revêtement (14) a une résine appliquée sur cette dernière, un revêtement de résine enroulé sur cette dernière selon une forme de spirale (14a) ou un élément de tuyau en film de résine fin monté sur cette dernière (14b).
     
    5. Matériau de brosse (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la couche de revêtement (14) contient des poudres aromatiques ou désodorisantes.
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description