JP2005287940A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush handle with a grip whose shape can be instantly changed according to the shape, size, way of gripping, force of gripping, etc. of a user, highly fit to every user and every way of using. <P>SOLUTION: The toothbrush handle comprises the grip 4, and a neck 3 and a head 1 continuing to the grip. The grip 4 consists of a hard shaft core part 4a with rigidity and a flexible cover body 5 for covering the periphery of the hard shaft core part 4a with a prescribed gap. The gap between the flexible cover body 5 and the hard shaft core part 4a is filled and sealed with a gelatinous material 6 with fluidity at room temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush handle that can freely change the shape of a grip portion according to a user.

  Conventionally, toothbrush handles have been devised to improve operability, and two-color molding methods have been used to add anti-slip materials such as elastomer and rubber to the handle surface. Have been layered. However, it has been impossible or very difficult to realize a toothbrush handle that can cope with any person and any polishing method as long as the shape of the handle is fixed. In addition, a toothbrush handle using a shape memory resin has been proposed, but the processing work for storing the shape is too complicated, or it takes a certain amount of time and effort to deform to the target shape, There were many problems in actual use. Hereinafter, examples of conventionally known toothbrush handles will be described.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-18227) discloses a toothbrush handle in which a distal end portion of a handle is given flexibility and a sponge-like cylinder is inserted near the end portion. This toothbrush handle is intended to achieve a high fit by deforming the grip portion with a gripping force, but there is a problem that the sponge is likely to contain water, has a hygiene problem, and is inferior in durability. In addition, the sponge is easily deformed when it is soft, but the grip is not stable, and when it is hard, it is difficult to deform and a high fit cannot be obtained.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-13025) discloses a toothbrush handle in which a handle portion is covered with elastic rubber. This toothbrush handle is a structure found in a general two-color molded handle, but in the case of ordinary rubber, even if it deforms, it tries to return to its original shape with its repulsive force, so changing the grip when brushing, Every time I changed the power, I felt a bounce and there was room for improvement.

  In Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-4716), after a rod-shaped grip body made of a shape memory resin is heated to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature, it is transformed into an appropriate loop shape according to the use form of the user. A toothbrush handle is shown in which a grip portion having a grip shape suitable for a user can be produced by cooling to a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature. Since this toothbrush handle can have an optimal grip shape for the user, it is extremely effective for people with disabilities such as the elderly and the physically handicapped, but once the shape is fixed, It was difficult for general users to use it because it could not be freely changed and operated delicately.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-18227 (the entire specification, FIGS. 1 to 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-00000 (the whole specification, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4716 (the whole specification, FIG. 8)

In the case of the conventional toothbrush handle including the above-described toothbrush handle, there are the following problems.
(1) In the case of a normal toothbrush handle made entirely of hard resin, it is hard and has a constant shape and hardly deforms, so that a high fit according to the user cannot be obtained.
(2) Forming unevenness on the handle surface or providing rubber or elastomer grips has some effects in preventing slipping and improving the fit, but the shape and size of the user's hand Since the shape cannot be changed according to the cleaning method, a sufficient fit cannot be obtained. In addition, the fit to delicate irregularities such as fingers and fingertips when grasped lightly was insufficient.
(3) Some toothbrush handles with deformable gripping parts include a sponge grip or a handle made of shape memory resin. However, sponge grips have problems in terms of durability and hygiene. In the case of the memory resin, there is a problem that the deformation processing operation for adjusting to the user is complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the shape of the grip portion can be instantly changed according to the shape and size of the user's hand, how to grip, how much force is applied, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush handle having a high fit for humans and all uses.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a toothbrush handle including a grip portion, a neck portion and a head portion following the grip portion, and a rigid shaft core portion having rigidity and a periphery of the hard shaft core portion. Filled and sealed with a gel-like substance having fluidity at room temperature in a gap formed between the flexible envelope and the hard shaft core portion. It is what. In addition, it is preferable to apply a load of 500 g to the head portion in a state where the center of the grip portion is fixed, so that the handle hardness is such that the amount of deflection of the handle after 15 seconds is 0 to 18 mm.

  As the material of the hard shaft core part including the head part and the neck part, in addition to saturated polyester resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and PCT resin, it can be used as long as it is a hard synthetic resin conventionally used as a toothbrush handle. It is.

  Examples of flexible envelope materials include natural rubber, isoprene, styrene butadiene, chloroprene, nitrile, butyl, ethylene propylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, acrylic, epichlorohydrin silicon polysulfide, fluorine, urethane, and thermoplastic elastomer. Of these, thermoplastic elastomers are preferred.

  Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include polyolefin elastomers, polyester elastomers, and styrene elastomers. Shore hardness is preferably about 10 to 80, and in order to improve the fit and anti-slip effect, shore hardness is preferred. More preferably, the hardness is about 10 to 60. Among these elastomers, styrene elastomers that can realize softness are preferable. Specific examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include “Thermolast TF-2 AAA” (manufactured by Cryburg), “Lavalon T320C” (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical), “Septon KC-342B” or “Septon KC-342D” (Kuraray) Are suitable). The color is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the specification of the toothbrush.

  The material of the gel material is a fluid silicone resin, water and glycols mixed with a preservative, and water-soluble polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PBA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMCNa). , Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) or the like can be used to improve the viscosity. In order to further increase the viscosity, silica, bentonite, dimethylpolysiloxane (viscosity of about 10,000 to 1,000,000 cps) or the like may be added as the inorganic powder. The gel substance has fluidity at room temperature, does not pass through the flexible envelope 5 to be coated, and is inert to the flexible envelope 5.

  The head and neck may be of any size as with conventional toothbrushes, but the hard shaft core, which is the primary molding side of the grip, must serve as a skeleton as a rigid body. Too much or too thick is not preferable. If it is too thin, it will bend easily, if it is too weak, if it is too thick it will be difficult to grip, or the gap formed between it and the flexible envelope will become narrow, making it difficult to obtain a fluid effect. Therefore, the thickness of the hard shaft core in the vertical direction (thickness in the direction perpendicular to the head portion flocked surface) is about 5 to 12 mm, and the width in the left and right direction (width in the direction parallel to the head portion flocked surface) is 5 to 5. It is preferably about 12 mm, more preferably about 5 to 8 mm in thickness, about 5 to 8 mm in width, or equivalent to its cross-sectional area.

  The thickness of the gel substance is preferably about 2.0 to 6 mm, more preferably about 2.5 to 4 mm. The thickness of the gel substance depends on the balance with the rigid hard shaft core part, but it is not necessary to have the same thickness on the upper surface side and the rear surface side of the grip part, and a higher fitting effect is achieved by increasing the thickness on the upper surface side. Since it is obtained, it is preferable. If the thickness of the gel-like substance is too large, the entire grip portion becomes thick and difficult to grip. Conversely, if it is too small, the fluidity cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

  The thickness of the flexible envelope is preferably about 0.5 to 4 mm, more preferably about 1 to 2 mm. The thinner, the more flexible and the flow effect of the internal gel-like substance can be obtained, but if it is too thin, the gel-like substance may flow out.

  When considering the ease of gripping as a toothbrush, the thickness of the grip part combining the flexible envelope, the gel-like substance, and the hard shaft core part may be about 12 to 17 mm respectively. Preferably, the thickness of each part of the hard shaft core part, the gel-like substance, and the flexible envelope is set so that the total thickness does not exceed this range.

  The surface of the flexible enveloping body may be a smooth surface, but it may be subjected to embossing, dimple processing with small irregularities, or pleated projections that are effective for preventing slipping. Good.

  It is desirable that the deformed portion made of the gel-like substance and the flexible enveloping body is formed at a site where the hand touches when the handle is gripped like a grip portion in a normal toothbrush handle. Specifically, it is desirable to form in a range from the rear end of the handle to a position of about 110 mm toward the front end side of the head portion, and it is desirable to form so as to cover the entire grip portion including the handle end portion. . Moreover, the grip part region, such as the front end side and the rear end side of the grip part, may be divided into a plurality of places, and a deformed part made of a gel-like substance and a flexible envelope may be individually formed for each part. .

  The toothbrush handle of the present invention is a thermoplastic elastomer or the like in which a predetermined portion of the grip portion is formed so that a predetermined gap is formed after injection molding of a hard shaft core portion, a head portion, and a neck portion, which becomes a primary molding handle, by a normal method. And then sealing one end or both ends of the envelope by heat-sealing or adhering to the hard shaft core and sealing between the hard shaft core and the flexible envelope. It can be obtained by filling the pores formed in the above with a gel material having fluidity and then filling and filling the filled holes with heat treatment or the like.

  To manufacture a toothbrush using the above-mentioned toothbrush handle, like a normal toothbrush, a hair bundle for one hole is folded into a flock hole in the head part along with a flat wire, and the hair tip is cut with a rotary cutter or the like. Prepare and finish the end of the hair to make a finished toothbrush. In the case of using the in-mold method, the hair bundle is embedded in the head portion together with the molding of the head portion, the neck portion, and the hard shaft core portion, and then the flexible envelope around the hard shaft core portion. Is formed and filled with a gel-like substance.

According to the toothbrush handle of the present invention, the following excellent effects can be achieved.
(1) Since the grip portion is made of a gel-like substance that has fluidity at room temperature, the shape of the grip portion is the size and shape of the user's palm and fingers at the same time that the hand is gripped. In response, it deforms instantly. For this reason, a high fit can be realized for all users.
(2) It is possible to instantly deform and deal with differences in the brushing method and changeover at the time of brushing.
(3) The troublesome work for shape memory like the toothbrush handle using the shape memory resin is not necessary, and anyone can easily obtain a toothbrush handle that fits itself.
(4) Since it has a hard-soft double structure consisting of a hard shaft core portion made of a stable primary skeleton and a soft gripping portion made of a gel-like substance and a flexible envelope covering the hard shaft core portion, even if the deformation amount is increased The handle can be held stably.
(5) Since the outer surface is covered with a flexible envelope such as an elastomer, it is difficult to slip and does not interfere with the flow of the gel-like substance, so that it can be securely fitted to subtle forces. Part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a toothbrush constructed using the toothbrush handle of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a head part, 2 is a brush implanted in the head part 1, 3 is a neck part, and 4 is a grip part. Of these, the head part 1, the neck part 3, and the grip part 4 excluding the brush 2 constitute the toothbrush handle referred to in the present invention.

  The grip portion 4 has a hard shaft core portion 4a made of polypropylene resin integrally formed with the head portion 1 and the neck portion 3, and covers the outer periphery of the hard shaft core portion 4a so as to have a cylindrical shape made of a styrene-based elastomer. The flexible envelope 5 is coated, and a gel substance (water) having fluidity at room temperature is formed in the gap formed between the flexible envelope 5 and the hard shaft portion 4a. + Glycol + preservative 6).

  In the case of this first embodiment, the total length of the toothbrush handle = 185 mm, the length of the grip portion 4 = 110 mm, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 4 = maximum thickness × maximum width = 14 × 14 mm, a hard shaft, The cross-sectional shape of the portion 4a = a square cross section of thickness × width = 7 × 7 mm, the maximum thickness of the gel material 6 = 2.5 mm, and the thickness of the flexible envelope 5 = 1 mm.

  In the toothbrush having the above structure, when the grip portion 4 is gripped during brushing, the gel-like substance 6 inside flows through the soft flexible envelope 5 made of styrene-based elastomer, and the shape of the grip portion 4 is gripped. It instantly transforms into the shape of a person's palm or finger, depending on how it is gripped and how it is applied. For this reason, it becomes a shape that fits the hand of the person who grasped it, and it becomes an extremely easy to use toothbrush with excellent operability.

The toothbrush which concerns on the said embodiment can be made as follows.
First, similarly to a general commercially available toothbrush, a primary molding handle including a head portion 1 having a flocked hole, a neck portion 3 and a hard shaft core portion 4a following the head portion 1 is injection-molded with polypropylene resin.

  Next, a styrene elastomer (product name “Thermolite K TF-2 AAA”, hardness 20 degrees: manufactured by Cryburg) is formed into a cylindrical shape with a thickness of 1 mm so as to cover the entire shaft core portion 4a of the primary molded handle. The flexible envelope 5 is coated to form one end of the cylindrical flexible envelope 5, for example, the end near the neck 3, and heat is applied to the outer surface of the hard shaft core portion 4 a by heat treatment. Fused and liquid tightly sealed.

  Next, the gel is drawn from the opening end on the opposite side of the flexible envelope 5 toward the inside of the gap formed between the flexible envelope 5 and the hard shaft core portion 4a while removing the internal air. After filling with a gel-like substance (water + glycol + preservative) 6, the open end of the flexible envelope 5 is melt-sealed by heat treatment, and the gel-like substance 6 is sealed in the gap.

  In the flocked hole of the head part 1 of the toothbrush handle obtained in this way, the brushes 2 bundled by using a flat wire are planted in half, and necessary processing such as trimming and rounding of the bristles is performed. After giving, it is set as the toothbrush of FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the primary molded handle portion including the head portion 1, the neck portion 3 and the hard shaft core portion 4a is made of a saturated polyester (PCT) resin, and the hard shaft core portion 4a is slightly forward from the center. those of the formation of the convex portion 4b at the position, the front than the convex portion 4b portion with covering the first flexible envelope body 5 ₁ (corresponding to the finger rest area), the rear portion (corresponding to the contact area of the palm and fingers root portion) covering the second flexible envelope body 5 _2, the first and second flexible envelope body 5 _1, 5 ₂ and A gel substance (water + glycol + preservative) 6 having fluidity at normal temperature is filled and sealed in two front and rear gaps formed between the hard shaft core portion 4a.

In the case of this second embodiment, the total length of the toothbrush handle = 180 mm, the length of the grip 4 = 110 mm, and the cross-sectional shape of the grip 4 at the II-II line position = maximum thickness × maximum width = 12 × 14 mm. Substantially circular cross-section, cross-sectional shape of grip part 4 at position III-III = maximum thickness × maximum width = 11 × 12 mm, cross-sectional shape of grip part 4 at position IV-IV = maximum thickness × maximum Substantially circular cross section of 12 × 13 mm, cross sectional shape of the hard shaft core portion 4a = thickness × width = square cross section of 5 × 7 mm, maximum thickness of the gel substance 6 at the II-II line position = 2.5 mm, the maximum thickness of the gel material 6 the line IV-IV position = 2.5 mm, and a flexible envelope body ₅ 1, _{5 2} thick = 1 mm.

For the second embodiment, two flexible envelope body 5 _1, 5 ₂ by two positions in the vicinity of the body portion of the gel front side of the finger rest near portion of material 6 has grip 4 and the rear side The grip 4 can be freely and independently changed in shape on each of the front side and the rear side. For this reason, a feeling of fitting when gripping part 4 is grasped can be raised further.

The toothbrush which concerns on the said embodiment can be made as follows.
First, in the same manner as a general commercially available toothbrush, a primary molded handle comprising a head portion 1 having a flocked hole, a neck portion 3, a hard shaft core portion 4a, and a convex portion 4b is formed of a saturated polyester (PCT) resin. Injection molding.

Next, a polyester elastomer (product name “Primalloy”, hardness 60 degrees: Mitsubishi) is provided at two locations on the hard shaft core portion 4a on the front side and the hard shaft core portion 4a on the rear side of the convex portion 4b of the primary molded handle. and two flexible envelope body 5 _1, 5 ₂ before and after coating the chemical Co., Ltd.) to a thickness of 1mm of the tubular, two become the tubular flexible envelope body 5 _1, 5 ₂ One end of each, for example, the front end near the neck 3 is heat-sealed to the outer surface of the hard shaft core portion 4a by heat treatment and sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

Then, the flexible envelope body 5 _1, 5 from the open end portion of the _second opposite side, the flexible envelope body 5 _1, 5 ₂ and two gaps before and after being formed between the rigid axis portion 4a After the inside air is drawn out, the gel-like substance 6 (water + glycol + preservative) is filled in multiple points, and each open end is heat-sealed to the outer surface of the hard shaft core portion 4a by heat treatment. Then, the gel-like substance 6 is enclosed in the two front and rear gaps.

  In the flocked hole of the head part 1 of the toothbrush handle obtained in this way, the brushes 2 bundled by using a flat wire are planted in half, and necessary processing such as trimming and rounding of the bristles is performed. Then, the toothbrush of FIG. 2 is obtained.

<Test example>
Several types of toothbrushes having the shape shown in FIG. 1 with different dimensions were produced, and a usability evaluation test was performed. The results are shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the cross-sectional dimension of the hard shaft core portion 4a and the deflection amount of the toothbrush handle, and Table 1 is a table showing the evaluation results of the deflection amount and feeling of use of the toothbrush handle. In addition, as a handle | bending amount of a handle | steering_wheel, the grip part center was fixed, the load of 500g was applied to the head part, and the descent distance of the head part tip after 15 second passed was used.

  As is clear from Table 1, if the hard shaft core portion 4a is too thin, the toothbrush handle will bend too much and it will be difficult to operate, and the operability will be reduced. On the other hand, if the hard shaft core portion 4a is too thick, the grip portion 4 has a thickness limit (maximum thickness and maximum width of 12 to 17 mm), so that the thickness of the gel substance 6 is insufficient, and the grip portion 4 The fit of is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable that the cross-sectional dimension of the hard shaft core portion 4a be 5 × 5 mm to 8 × 8 mm or an equivalent cross-sectional area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a toothbrush constructed using the toothbrush handle of the present invention, wherein (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall shape of the toothbrush, and (b) is II in (a). It is an expanded sectional view in a line position. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a toothbrush configured using the toothbrush handle of the present invention, wherein (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall shape of the toothbrush, and (b) is II-II in (a). The expanded sectional view in a line position, (c) is the expanded sectional view in the IV-IV line position in (a), (d) is the expanded sectional view in the III-III line position in (a). It is a graph which shows the relationship between the cross-sectional shape of a hard axial center part, and the deflection amount of a toothbrush handle.

Explanation of symbols

1 head 2 brush 3 neck 4 handful portion 4a rigid axial core portion 4b projecting portions 5 _{1, 5 2} flexible envelope body 6 gel material

Claims (2)

  A toothbrush handle having a grip portion, a neck portion and a head portion following the grip portion, and a flexible covering for covering the periphery of the rigid shaft core portion with a predetermined gap between the rigid shaft core portion and the rigid shaft core portion. A toothbrush handle characterized in that a gel-like substance having fluidity at normal temperature is filled and sealed in a gap formed between the flexible envelope and the hard shaft core. .   The toothbrush handle according to claim 1, wherein a load of 500 g is applied to the head portion in a state where the center of the grip portion is fixed, and a handle deflection amount after 15 seconds is 0 to 18 mm.

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