JP5759380B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush, and more particularly to the structure of the hair of a toothbrush. In particular, the present invention relates to toothbrush bristle construction comprising improved tapered bristle filaments (long fibers).

  Toothbrushes typically include a head that is inserted into the user's mouth and a handle that is gripped in use, along with the neck portion between them, which is not necessarily straight (to be straight). ) Well-known article placed in the longitudinal direction. The toothbrush head typically has a surface referred to in the present application as the “bristle”, and the bristle extends from the lower end of the bristle closest to the bristle to the upper end away from the bristle. The bristles are limited by the sides at the opposite widthwise edges.

  Toothbrush bristles are also a well-known article, typically composed of filaments made of a hard but flexible material, with a plurality of filaments extending from the bristles arranged in bundles. ing. Polyamide nylon is very often used as a material for toothbrush bristle.

  There are two known types of toothbrush bristle filaments. Non-tapered hair is along the entire length from the lower end to the upper end of the hair, except for the top end of an irregular hemisphere or semi-ellipsoid with a rounded tip, for example, the top portion of 5% or less. Typically have a cylindrical, substantially identical cross-section. So-called “tapered hairs” are known, and these hairs are usually directed towards their ends away from the hair surface for a substantial length, for example over 20%. Tapered into a conical shape with a shallow point. Tapered hairs are thinner at their upper ends and have different flexibility and flexibility characteristics than non-tapered filaments. In particular, the tapered hair is known to be effective in reaching the space between the so-called “interdental” spaces. For example, such tapered hairs are, among others, EP-A-1 234 525, EP-A-1 415 572, US-A-6,546,586, WO-A-97 / 42853, WO-A-97 / 42854 , WO-A-01 / 32053, WO-A-01 / 82741 and EP-A-0 596 633.

  Special relative arrangements of tapered hairs on the hair surface are also known. For example, US-A-6,546,586 discloses a toothbrush head having each bundle therein, each bundle having a relatively short bristles of uniform cross-section and a relatively tapered shape toward its upper end. A plurality of hairs made of polybutylene terephthalate in the form of long tapered hairs are provided. For example, it is known to combine tapered and non-tapered bristles on the toothbrush head of US-A-2006 / 0096053 which discloses the head of an electric toothbrush. The combination of long and short hairs in a bundle is also known, for example from US-A-3,103,679, WO-A-96 / 16571 and DE-A-35 28 596. WO-A-2009 / 000903 discloses a toothbrush head having an outer ring surrounded by non-tapered bristles and having a bristled bristles in the inner region.

  Other types of toothbrush bristles are also known where the ends of the bristles away from the bristles are narrowed. For example, there are hairs called so-called “feathered hairs” in which the hair ends away from the hair surface are divided into finer filaments. For example, feathered hair is disclosed in EP-A-1 173 081 and US-A-6,322,152.

  The present invention aims to explore the possibilities of a toothbrush head combining tapered and non-tapered bristles, and in particular, provides an improved toothbrush head incorporating a tapered bristle filament, for example, In particular, it is intended to provide cleaning of teeth that reach the interdental space, the gingival margin, and the subgingival space. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush head is provided, the head being coupled to or connectable to a toothbrush handle, thereby defining the head and the handle in the longitudinal direction. . The head is elongated in the longitudinal direction and has a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the head has a hair surface in which a plurality of hair bundles extend in the hair direction, and the hairs are in a plurality of bundles. Each is arranged with a plurality of bristles, the bristles are composed of a plurality of tapered hairs and a plurality of non-tapered hairs,
The plurality of hair bundles are arranged in a pattern composed of a plurality of outer bundles including tapered hairs on the hair surface, and are arranged along both sides of the outermost bundle facing in the width direction. It consists of a pattern that is long,
An inner bundle including non-tapered hairs is arranged in the width direction between the plurality of outer bundles, and the inner bundle is shorter than the first long length and has a second short length.

  This novel arrangement of tapered hair is believed to facilitate effective cleaning at the gingival margin. Other advantages of the toothbrush head of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  The toothbrush head of the present invention can be realized in various structures.

  For example, all of the plurality of outer bundles may include tapered hair.

  For example, all the bundles including the tapered hair may be entirely composed of the tapered hair.

  Alternatively, the plurality of outer bundles is comprised of a bundle containing tapered hair and a bundle not containing tapered hair, the bundle being longer than or shorter than the first long length or the first long length. It is of length. For example, the plurality of outer bundles have a bundle of bundles or bundles of taper shaped hairs that alternate in the length direction along with a bundle or group of bundles that does not contain tapered hairs.

  For example, all of the plurality of outer bundles are set to the first long length. For example, all of the plurality of outer bundles have the same length as the first long length. Alternatively, the plurality of outer bundles are made up of bundles that are twice or more the first long length longer than the second short length. For example, the alternating plurality of outer bundles may also have a bundle that is the same length as or shorter than the second short length.

  For example, all of the inner bundles contain non-tapered hair.

  For example, all of the inner bundles are composed entirely of non-tapered hair. Alternatively, some of the inner bundles include tapered hair.

  For example, all of the inner bundles may have a second short length, eg, all of the inner bundles are the same as the second short length. Alternatively, the plurality of inner bundles may be composed of a bundle that is twice or more the second short length shorter than the first long length. For example, the alternating plurality of inner bundles also has a bundle that is the same length as or longer than the first long length.

  The plurality of outer bundles are arranged in a line that substantially follows the shape of the edge of the hair when viewed along the length of the hair toward the hair.

  For example, in this arrangement, the outer bundles are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the width direction from the edge of the bristles width for each bundle.

  For example, the plurality of outer bundles are arranged such that each bundle is substantially equidistant in the width direction from the adjacent end of the bristles. Alternatively, the plurality of outer bundles are arranged such that different bundles have different distances in the width direction from the adjacent ends of the bristles. For example, the plurality of outer bundles are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction at least twice the distance in the width direction from the edge of the hair surface.

  A bundle containing tapered bristles, such as a first long-length bunch, may also be placed adjacent to the end of the fur surface that is longitudinally away from the handle. For example, such a bundle may be the one that is furthest away from the handle of the toothbrush. Such bundles may consist entirely of tapered hair or may comprise tapered hair in combination with non-tapered hair. For example, such a bundle may include a bundle comprising both tapered and non-tapered bristles or an overall bundle composed of taper-shaped bristles and non-tapered bristles, respectively. .

  Additionally or alternatively, the bundle, e.g. the first long-length bundle, is the end of the bristles adjacent to the position of the toothbrush head on the side to which the toothbrush head is coupled or can be coupled. It is arranged adjacent to the part. For example, such a bundle may be the bundle closest in length to the handle of the toothbrush. Such bundles may consist entirely of tapered hair or may include tapered hair in conjunction with non-tapered hair. For example, such bundles may be composed of bundles that include both tapered and non-tapered hairs, or adjacent bundles each composed entirely of tapered and non-tapered hairs, respectively. It may consist of

  For example, the difference between the first long length and the second short length can be 1-5 mm, such as 2-4 mm. Typically, the first long length is 11-13 mm.

  In other cases, bundles containing tapered hair and non-tapered hair can be placed on the hair surface in a conventional layout. For example, the bundles can be arranged in a two-dimensional array about 2-3 mm away from the immediately adjacent bundle, or can be arranged, for example, in a normal layout that is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction. Such a layout may have a plurality of rows of hair bundles arranged in the width direction across the entire hair surface.

  The hair surface may be substantially flat. Alternatively, the bristles can be concave in the longitudinal direction and / or in the width direction. For example, the hair surface may include a concave curve or an area in which the surfaces are obtuse. For example, the hair surface may include a tip region adjacent to the tip of the head furthest away from the handle, and is immediately acute in the longitudinal region. For example, the tip region can be tilted upward relative to its immediate longitudinal region.

  A bundle containing tapered hair and / or a bundle containing non-tapered hair is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the hair surface. Alternatively, they may be oriented so as to incline at a non-perpendicular angle, for example 75-85 degrees with respect to the hair surface. Such inclined bundles are preferably inclined in the longitudinal direction so that their ends away from the bristle approach or move away from the handle in the longitudinal direction. In one form of such a configuration, the bundles adjacent in the width direction are inclined in the opposite direction in the longitudinal direction. For example, such bundles may appear to intersect in the X arrangement when viewed in the width direction.

  A bundle of tapered and non-tapered bristles can be secured to the hair surface in a conventional manner. Such conventional methods use the well-known use of a small metal “anchor” that is wedged into a receiving hole in the hair surface, ie, a clip that surrounds the portion of the hair that is secured to the hair surface. How to do. Another conventional method is the so-called “anchor-less” method, in which the end of the hair is made to be the surface of the hair by injecting the plastic material for the head around the hair in the mold cavity where the head is made. Fix to.

  In the first construction, the toothbrush head comprises a conventional single block from a plastic material such as conventional polypropylene to which the bundle is secured.

  Alternatively, in the second structure, the toothbrush head has a portion of the head that is relatively close to the end of the head away from the handle, and a portion of the toothbrush head that is relatively close to the handle to be elastic and flexible. It has a bonded structure. Such a bond may be a bond of one or more flexible plastic materials and a bond region of a composite composed of an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic elastomer. Such head structures are disclosed, for example, in WO-A-97 / 07707 and WO-A-98 / 37788.

  In such a second structure, for example, one of the above-mentioned parts, i.e. the part near the end of the head away from the handle, or the part of the toothbrush head close to the handle, or both The portion has a bunch of hairs extending therefrom, and the bristles are arranged in a pattern on the bristles having a plurality of outer bundlings including tapered bristles, in the width direction of the bundling pattern. A plurality of second short lengths disposed along opposite outermost sides, of a first long length, and including non-tapered bristles between the width directions of the plurality of outer bundles There is a bundle inside.

  Alternatively, in the third structure, the toothbrush head has a structure consisting of three or more, preferably three, longitudinally long portions disposed adjacently across the toothbrush head, each portion being , With at least one, but preferably one intermediate portion, coupled to the grip handle in a flexible manner and disposed in the width direction between the outer portions, the two said outer portions being in the width direction It is arranged to face each other. Each portion is associated with a width adjacent portion and can move independently and elastically. The plurality of outer bundles includes the longest tapered bristles and are arranged in two outer portions facing each other in the width direction, and the plurality of inner bundles are non-secondary lengths. It includes tapered hair and is disposed on at least one inner portion. Each of these parts has its own fur surface and together form the fur surface of the toothbrush head.

  An example of this latter structure is disclosed in WO-A-2004 / 041023.

  For example, such a head structure comprises three parts that are adjacent in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction, from which the hairs extend, the three parts being on each side in the width direction of the intermediate part and the intermediate part. An outer part, one or more of which are elastically and flexibly connected to or can be connected to the handle. And the end of the intermediate part adjacent to the tip of the head is expanded in the width direction as a whole with respect to a part of the intermediate part immediately adjacent to the grip handle in the longitudinal direction. Providing a hair-loading pad adjacent to. The end of the intermediate portion adjacent to the tip of the head extends beyond the entire width of the toothbrush head adjacent to the tip.

  The intermediate portion includes an intermediate bristle-loading pad, and the intermediate portion is a region of the maximum width of a portion of the intermediate portion between the tip pad and the proximal end portion of the head.

  The first coupling region portion in the portion between the tip pad and the intermediate pad is narrower than the adjacent tip pad and part of the intermediate pad.

  The portion of the second coupling region between the intermediate pad and the handle is narrower than a portion of the intermediate pad adjacent to the tip.

  Preferably, the head comprises only three parts, i.e. only one intermediate part and two outsides.

  For example, the intermediate part is a certain area, for example, an area that is immediately adjacent to the grip handle in the longitudinal direction, and is 50% or less, for example, 25% or less of the longitudinal length of the intermediate part away from the tip. It may spread in the width direction.

  The end of the intermediate part adjacent to the tip of the head may be expanded in the width direction integrally with the part of the intermediate part immediately adjacent to the grip handle in the longitudinal direction, whereby the intermediate part Forming an indentation between the end and a portion of the intermediate portion which is immediately adjacent to the handle in the longitudinal direction, the end of the outer portion being arranged in such a manner that the end can fit within the indentation. They can be formed in complementary shapes.

  Preferably two or more, preferably all parts are elastically and flexibly joined to the handle, so that, when pressure is applied to the hair, the parts are parallel to the longitudinal and width directions and have a plane Elastically bent. Preferably, each part is elastically coupled to the handle by a flexible neck of the handle.

  For example, the intermediate portion and the side portion can be in sliding contact. WO-A-2005 / 039858 describes how such a head is made.

  In this third structure, for example, all of the plurality of outer bundles in the two outer parts are composed of the first long-length tapered bristles, and the inner bundle (s) in the middle part (s). All may consist of a second short length of non-tapered hair.

  In the third structure, the plurality of bundles including the tapered hair may extend from the intermediate portion adjacent to the tip of the intermediate portion. Such a bundle is the bundle that is furthest away from the handle of the toothbrush in the longitudinal direction.

  The present invention also provides a toothbrush with a grip handle coupled to the toothbrush head disclosed herein. Such a toothbrush is a manual toothbrush intended to be moved only by hand movement around the teeth. Alternatively, the toothbrush is an electric toothbrush having a built-in motor for driving the hair against the handle. Such toothbrushes can be of conventional construction that is generally well known.

  Tapered and non-tapered hair can be made from conventional hair materials such as nylon and polybutylene terephthalate. The bristles are processed into a tapered or rounded end by conventional methods such as mechanical wear and chemical erosion. When cut across the direction of the hair, the bundle of hairs is circular or other shape in cross section, whether or not it includes tapered hair. For example, some or all of one or more bundles, such as the outer bundle, having tapered bristles, have a longitudinally elongated portion, for example, an oval or a rounded corner.

  The toothbrush head and other parts of the handle are also made from conventional materials such as plastic materials such as polypropylene, and the handle also has a surface pad area that enhances the conventional grip, for example made from thermoplastic elastomers. Including. A number of conventional handle types are well known in the toothbrush art. One example of a suitable grip handle structure is disclosed, for example, in EP-A-0 336 641. The toothbrush handle and other parts can be made entirely by conventional techniques, such as injection molding, which are common in toothbrush technology.

  The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the side view of a non-tapered shape and a taper-shaped hair. It is a figure which shows the top view of the 1st structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrush head of FIG. 2 taken along line AA of FIG. It is a figure which shows the top view and sectional drawing of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows the top view and sectional drawing of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows the top view and sectional drawing of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows the top view and sectional drawing of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows the top view of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows the top view of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows the side view of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows each the top view and side view of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. It is a figure which shows each the top view and side view of another structure of the toothbrush head of this invention. The top view and side view of each of the whole structure of the toothbrush of this invention which comprised the head of this invention are shown. The top view and side view of each of the whole structure of the toothbrush of this invention which comprised the head of this invention are shown.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional non-tapered bristles 10 are shown in a schematic side view and extend from a bristle surface 20 of a toothbrush head (not shown) in the bristle direction “B”. The bristles 10 have substantially the same uniform cylindrical cross section along their entire length from the lower end 10A adjacent to the bristles 20 to the upper end 10B away from the bristles 20. A region 10C immediately adjacent to the uppermost upper end, for example, 5% or less of the uppermost portion, has an irregular hemispherical ellipse with a rounded tip. FIG. 1 also shows a conventional tapered hair 30. The lower portion 30A of the bristles 30 extending upward from the bristles 20 has a substantially uniform cylindrical cross section. The upper part 30B constituting the uppermost 30% of the length of the bristles 30 has a conical shape that is tapered and shallow.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the toothbrush head 40 is shown generally in plan view and is joined at its end 40A to the toothbrush handle via the handle neck 41, thereby opposing the longitudinal direction. From the head 40 having the side tip 40B to the grip 41 is defined in the longitudinal direction LL. The head 40 is elongated in the longitudinal direction LL and has a width direction WW perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LL. The head 40 has a flat bristles 42 from which a plurality of bundles of (generally) bristles 43 are perpendicular to the plane of the bristles, in their bristle direction “B”, and in the longitudinal direction L−. It extends along both the L direction and the width direction WW, and in the view shown in FIG. 2, it extends downward along its bristle direction “B”. Each of the plurality of bundles 43 includes a plurality of hairs.

  The plurality of hair bundles 43 are arranged on the hair surface 42 in a pattern composed of a plurality of outer bundles 431 containing only tapered hairs (ie, as shown at 30 in FIG. 1), The bundle 431 is arranged along the pattern of the outermost bundle 43 facing in the width direction. The bundles 431 are sequentially arranged in a row (indicated by dotted lines connecting them) at substantially equal distances from the edge 44 in the width direction of the bristles 42. In the width direction between the plurality of outer bundles 431, a plurality of inner bundles 432 including only non-tapered hairs (that is, shown in FIG. 1 at 10) are arranged.

  The plurality of bundles 43 are arranged on the hair surface 42 in a conventional two-dimensional arrangement with a distance of about 2 to 3 mm from each other. As shown in FIG. 2, this arrangement is symmetric with respect to the longitudinal direction LL and includes a row of hair bundles 44 oriented in the width direction in the direction WW across the hair surface 42.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through the toothbrush head when cut along the line AA in FIG. 2, and extends across the head 40 in the width direction WW. FIG. 3 shows that a plurality of outer bundles 431 containing only tapered bristles are made of a first long length extending from their lower end adjacent to the hair surface 42 to the upper end away from the hair surface 42, It shows that the plurality of intermediate bundles 432 containing only tapered hair is made of a second short length that is shorter than the first long length.

  In the toothbrush head shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the difference between the first long length of the bundle 431 and the second short length of the bundle 432 is 1 to 5 mm, for example, 2 to 4 mm. Usually, the first long length of the bundle 431 is 10 to 12 mm.

  In the head 40 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the bristles 43 are secured in the hair surface by a conventional small metal “anchor” (not shown).

  Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second structure of the toothbrush head 50 is shown generally in plan view in FIG. 4, and at its end 50A, the handle of the toothbrush through the neck 51 of the handle. , Thereby defining a head 50 having a tip 50B facing in the longitudinal direction LL of the handle 51 and opposite. The head 50 is elongated in the longitudinal direction LL and has a width direction WW orthogonal to the longitudinal direction LL. The head 50 has a hair surface 52, and a bundle of a plurality of hairs 53 extends (generally) in the hair direction “B” perpendicular to the plane of each portion of the hair surface 52. FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section.

  The head 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a known structure. In that construction, a head portion 54 that is relatively close to the end 50A of the head 50 that is coupled to the handle 51 is connected to a portion 56 of the toothbrush head 50 that is relatively far from the handle 51 at the link 55. Combined elastically and flexibly. The link 55 has a composite coupling area composed of a link 57 made of a flexible plastic material that is integrally bonded to the portions 55, 56, as shown in FIG. 5, the link 57 being a thermoplastic elastomer. Etc. are embedded in a flexible elastomeric material 58. Such head structures are known, for example, as disclosed in WO-A-97 / 07707 and WO-A-98 / 37788, for example as sold under the applicant's AQUAFRESH (TM) brand. It exists as a toothbrush.

  A bundle of hairs 53 extending from the bristles 52 of both portions 55 and 56 is arranged in a pattern composed of a plurality of outer bundles 531 containing only tapered bristles on the bristles and has a width. It is arranged along the outermost bundle pattern facing the direction and is made of a first long length. At the same time, the bundle 53 has a plurality of inner bundles 532 that include only non-tapered hairs and have a second short length in the width direction between the plurality of outer bundles 531.

  FIG. 4 is a view of the bundle 53 extending from the portion 54 as viewed from below along the hair direction “B”. The two bristle surfaces 52 of portions 55 and 56 form an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to each other, typically about 170 °.

  The connection between the heads 40, 50 and the necks 41, 51 is shown as a rigid ring, but instead of known types, for example as disclosed in WO-A-98 / 37788. It is good also as a flexible link.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, this shows the toothbrush head 60 (entire). The head 60 is coupled to a toothbrush handle (not shown) at its end 60A via a handle neck 61, thereby causing the head 60-grip handle 61 in the longitudinal direction LL. Define and have a longitudinal tip 60B. The head 60 is elongated in the longitudinal direction LL and has a width direction WW orthogonal to the longitudinal direction LL. The head 60 is adjacent to three longitudinally elongated portions 62, 63, 64, ie, two outer portions 62, 64 disposed across the width direction, and across the toothbrush head 60 in the width direction. And an intermediate portion 63 arranged between the outer portions 62 and 64 arranged in the width direction. Each portion 62, 63, 64 is flexibly coupled to the handle by a respective neck 611, 612, 613. Each portion 62, 63, 64 has a respective bristles 65, 66, 67, and FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA across the head 60 of FIG.

  From the bristles 65, 67 of the outer portions 62 and 64, only a plurality of outer bundles 68 including a first long length of tapered bristles and a second short length of non-tapered bristles are included. A plurality of inner bundles 69 extend. A plurality of inner bundles 69 including only the second short-length non-tapered hair extend from the hair surface of the intermediate portion 63.

  The intermediate portion 63 extends longitudinally beyond the ends of the outer portions 62, 63 and is enlarged to form a tip pad 610 having a bristle surface 611. A plurality of outer bundles 681 including only tapered hairs extend from the hair surface 611 of the tip pad 610, and the bundles 681 extend along both sides of the tip pattern of the outermost bundle facing in the width direction. And it is arrange | positioned around the edge part of the front-end | tip pad 610 which is distant from the grip handle 61. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, a side plan view of one toothbrush head 80 is shown. A (schematic) arrangement on the bristles 82 of the outer bristles 81 is shown. The bundle 81 includes a bundle 81A that includes tapered hair and a bundle 81B that does not include tapered hair. The bundle 81B may have a first long length, or a length that is longer or shorter than the first long length. The plurality of outer bundles 81 are configured by alternately arranging bundles 81A including tapered hairs and bundles 81B not including tapered hairs in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of bundles 83 includes non-tapered bristles and has a second short length. The head 80 is coupled to the neck 84 that is adjacent in the longitudinal direction.

  Referring to FIG. 9, a side plan view of one toothbrush head 90 is shown. The (schematic) arrangement on the hair surface 92 of the outer hair 91 is shown. In this arrangement, the plurality of outer bundles 91 include tapered hairs, and each bundle 91 is arranged at substantially equal intervals in the width direction from the edge portion 93 of the adjacent hair surface. The plurality of outer bundles 91 are arranged so that different bundles 91A and 91B are adjacent to each other in the width direction at different distances D1 and D2 (measured from the center) from the edge portion 93 of the adjacent hair surface. D1 is longer than D2. The plurality of bundles 94 includes non-tapered bristles and has a second short length. The head 90 is coupled to the neck region 95 adjacent in the longitudinal direction.

  Referring to FIG. 10, a side view of one of the toothbrush head 100 and the adjacent neck region 101 is shown. FIG. 10 also shows that, like a typical toothbrush, the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush is not straight and the direction of the neck 101 is angled with respect to the direction of the head 100. The overall structure of the head 100 and neck 101 is the same as the corresponding head 90 and neck 91 of FIG. Two outer bundles 102 and 103, including widthwise adjacent tapered bristles, are shown extending from the bristle surface 104. The bundles 102 and 103 are oriented at an angle that is not perpendicular to the hair surface, such as 75 to 85 degrees with respect to the hair surface, and each end away from the hair surface is gripped. It is inclined in the longitudinal direction so as to be closer to or farther from the longitudinal direction. As seen in FIG. 10, the bundles 102 and 103 appear to intersect in the width direction in an X arrangement. The neck 101 connects the head 100 to the handle 105.

  Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, these show a plan perspective view looking down on the bristles of the toothbrush head 110 of the present invention and a side view looking in the width direction, respectively. As can be seen, the schematic arrangement is similar to FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. Accordingly, only a few different features of the head 110 are described in detail. Note that only a portion of the hair bundle is shown for the sake of clarity.

  The toothbrush head 110 has a structure formed by three longitudinally elongated portions 111, 112, 113 disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction over the toothbrush head 110, and faces the two width directions. It is formed from a substantially crescent-shaped outer part 111 and 113 arranged and a substantially elliptical intermediate part 112 arranged in the width direction between the outer parts 111 and 113. Each part 111, 112, 113 is elastically movable independently with respect to the part adjacent to the width direction. Each portion 111, 112, 113 has a flexible neck 114, 115, 116, respectively, such that when pressure is applied to the hair, the portions 111, 112, 113 bend elastically from a plane parallel to the longitudinal and width directions. Is flexibly connected to a handle (not shown) of the toothbrush.

  The plurality of outer bundles 117 includes tapered bristles having a first long length, and are arranged in two outer portions 111 and 113 arranged to face each other in the width direction. These bundles 117 are elongated in the longitudinal direction LL and have a rounded corner rectangular shape with partial cuts separating their hair directions. The plurality of inner bundles 118 include non-tapered bristles, have a second short length, and are disposed in the intermediate portion 112.

  The intermediate portion 112 is immediately adjacent to the longitudinal direction close to the grip handle in the region 112A close to the distal end portion 119 having a length of 50% or less of the length in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 112 away from the distal end 119. Relative to the area, it extends in the width direction. This widening at 112A forms a concave surface 120 between the end 112A of the intermediate portion 112 and the intermediate portion of the handle portion that is close to the longitudinal direction. The end portion 11A of the outer portion 111 is formed in a shape complementary to the concave portion 120 so that the end portion 111A fits the unevenness.

  The intermediate portion 112 is in sliding contact with the adjacent outer portions 111, 113.

  The plurality of bundles 121 include tapered bristles and extend from a portion 112A extending laterally of the intermediate portion 112 adjacent to the tip 119 of the intermediate portion, and these bundles are furthest away from the handle of the toothbrush in the longitudinal direction. It is a bunch.

  The hair surface 122 is composed of the hair surfaces of the portions 111, 112, 113, and is concave in the longitudinal direction, and has an upper surface that is gently curved and concave as seen in FIG. As a result, the bundle 121 on the laterally extending region 112A is oriented such that those ends away from the hair surface are closer to the grip handle than those ends close to the hair surface.

  Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, there are shown a plan view and a side view, respectively, of the entire toothbrush structure of the present invention having the head of the present invention. The toothbrush 130 generally includes a head 131 that can be any of the heads 40, 50, 60, 80, 110 described above. The head 131 is coupled to the handle 132 by a neck 133 that can be any neck of the necks 41, 51, 61, 83, 95, 114, 115, 116 described above. The head 131, the grip pattern 132, and the neck region are all arranged along the longitudinal direction LL. The hair surface 134 and the side surface 135 of the head 131 can be seen.

Claims (11)

A width direction that is coupled or connectable to a handle of a toothbrush, thereby defining a length direction of the head-grip handle, the head being elongated in the length direction and perpendicular to the length direction A toothbrush head having
The toothbrush head has a configuration consisting of three longitudinally elongated portions disposed adjacent to each other across the entire width of the toothbrush head;
Each of the elongate portions is configured to be flexibly coupled to the grip handle, and one intermediate portion is disposed between two outer portions disposed at opposite positions in the width direction. A plurality of bundles that are relatively independent and elastically movable to other portions adjacent in the width direction, and that have a plurality of bristles extending from the plurality of bristles, each of which includes a plurality of bristles Are summarized in
A plurality of bundles including a first long length of tapered bristles is disposed on the outer portion;
A toothbrush head characterized in that a plurality of bundles including non-tapered bristles of a second short length are arranged in the intermediate portion.   The toothbrush head according to claim 1, wherein all the bundles of the outer portion include the tapered bristles.   The toothbrush head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all of the bundles including the tapered bristles are entirely constituted by the tapered bristles.   The toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein all the bundles of the outer part have the first long length. The toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein all the bundles of the intermediate portion include the non-tapered bristles. The toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein all the bundles of the intermediate portion are entirely composed of the non-tapered bristles. The toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein all the bundles of the intermediate portion are the second short length.   The toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bundle of the outer portions is arranged on a straight line at substantially equal intervals from an edge in the width direction of the bristles. 9. A bundle comprising the first long length of tapered bristles is disposed in the intermediate portion adjacent to an end of the bristles longitudinally spaced from the grip handle. The toothbrush head according to claim 1.   The toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a difference between the first long length and the second short length is in a range of 1 to 5 mm.   A toothbrush including a grip handle coupled to the toothbrush head according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images