JPWO2018079115A1 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a thin toothbrush with a thin head capable of obtaining good operability. A head part (110) arranged on the front end side and having a hair bundle planted on the flocked surface (111), a neck part (120) extending to the rear end side of the head part, and a rear end side of the neck part And an extended handle portion (130). The thickness of the head part is 2.0 to 4.0 mm. The minimum width of the neck portion in the direction parallel to the flocked surface and perpendicular to the length direction of the handle portion is 3.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, and the width from the position where the minimum value is reached to the rear end side. Is constant or gradually increased. If the width of the neck portion is Wmm and the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface is Dmm, if the width of the neck portion gradually increases from the position where it becomes the minimum value to the rear end side, the position that becomes the minimum value is the starting point, When the width of the neck portion is constant from the minimum value position to the rear end side, the position of the minimum value on the most front end side is the starting point, and is calculated by D / W at a position 10 mm away from the rear end side in parallel to the flocked surface. The value obtained is 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less, and the value obtained by D / W at the position of the starting point where the width is the minimum value, and at the position 20 mm away from the starting point position to the rear end side The difference from the value obtained by D / W is 0.05 or more, and the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the starting position to the rear end side exceeds 1.0, and the width becomes the minimum value. Deflection coefficient M (mm at a position 10 mm away from the starting position to the rear end side ⁴ ) = W × D ³ is 165 mm ⁴ or more and 625 mm ⁴ or less.

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-211879 for which it applied to Japan on October 28, 2016, and uses the content here.

  Patent Documents 1 to 3 propose a toothbrush in which the thickness of the head is reduced from the viewpoint of operability in the oral cavity. When the thickness of the head is reduced, there is a problem such as a decrease in strength. Therefore, a resin having high strength such as polyacetal resin (POM) is used. In particular, in the case of a flat wire type flocking in which a metal flat wire is driven into a resin head to hold the brush, the flocking strength and the bending strength of the head portion may be insufficient.

JP-A-7-143914 JP 2011-4852 A JP 2011-200206 A

  According to the study by the present inventors, in the above-described toothbrush, it is found that if the neck portion connecting the head portion and the handle portion is thick, the improvement in operability in the oral cavity due to the thin head portion is impaired. It was issued. In particular, when the neck is wide, the operability is further impaired, and the appearance of the product is also impaired because the thinness of the head is not conspicuous in appearance. However, when the neck portion is made thin, it may be bent too much and conversely, a problem may occur in operability. Further improvement in strength is also required. In particular, in the case of a general-purpose resin generally used for a toothbrush such as polypropylene (PP), the problem is more remarkable.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a thin toothbrush with a head that can provide good operability.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a head portion arranged on the tip side and having a hair bundle planted on the flocked surface, a neck portion extending on the rear end side of the head portion, and the neck portion A handle portion extending on the rear end side, the thickness of the head portion is 2.0 to 4.0 mm, the neck portion is parallel to the flocked surface, and the length of the handle portion A minimum value of a width in a direction orthogonal to the direction is 3.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, and the neck portion is formed so that the width is constant or gradually increased from a position where the minimum value is reached to a rear end side. Assuming that the width is Wmm and the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface is Dmm, when the width of the neck portion gradually increases from the position where the minimum value is reached to the rear end side, the position where the minimum value is determined As a starting point, a constant distance from the position where the width of the neck portion becomes the minimum value to the rear end side. The starting point is the position of the minimum value on the most distal side, and the value obtained by the D / W is 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less at a position 10 mm away from the rear end side in parallel with the flocked surface. The difference between the value obtained by the D / W at the starting position where the width is the minimum value and the value obtained by the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the starting position to the rear end side. Is 0.05 or more, and D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position of the starting point toward the rear end side exceeds 1.0, and the rear end side from the position of the starting point at which the width becomes the minimum value The toothbrush is characterized in that the deflection coefficient M (mm ⁴ ) = W × D ^{3 at} a position 10 mm apart is 165 mm ⁴ or more and 625 mm ⁴ or less.

  Moreover, the toothbrush which concerns on the one aspect | mode of the said invention WHEREIN: The said neck part is formed with a resin material, The bending elastic modulus of the said resin material is 1000 Mpa or more and 2200 Mpa or less, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Moreover, the toothbrush which concerns on 1 aspect of the said invention WHEREIN: The said neck part is formed with the polypropylene resin, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, in the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, a position 10 mm away from the starting position where the width is the minimum value toward the rear end side, and a position 10 mm away from the reference position toward the rear end side. The rate of change of the deflection coefficient is 1.3 or more and 1.8 or less.

  Further, in the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, the value obtained by the D / W at the position of the starting point where the width is the minimum value, and the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position to the rear end side. The difference from the value obtained by W is 0.07 or less.

  In the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that can obtain good oral operability even when a general-purpose resin is used.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view of the toothbrush 11. FIG. 3 is a side view of the toothbrush 11. FIG. It is the top view to which the front end side of the toothbrush 11 was expanded. It is the side view to which the front end side of the toothbrush 11 was expanded.

Embodiments of a toothbrush handle body and a toothbrush according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
The following embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Moreover, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the actual structure is different from the scale and number of each structure.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of the toothbrush 11. FIG. 2 is a side view of the toothbrush 11. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the distal end side of the toothbrush 11. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the tip side of the toothbrush 11.

  The toothbrush 11 according to the present embodiment includes a head part 110 arranged at the tip and having a bristles 114 of the bristles planted therein, a neck part 120 extending to the rear end side of the head part 110, and a rear end of the neck part 120. A handle portion 130 (hereinafter, the head portion 110, the neck portion 120, and the handle portion 130 are collectively referred to as a handle body 12) is provided.

The handle body is integrally formed in a long shape as a whole. For example, the handle body is obtained by injection molding using a resin as a material.
Examples of the material of the handle body include resins having a flexural modulus (JIS 7171) of 1000 MPa to 2200 MPa, for example, polypropylene resin (PP), polyacetal resin (POM), polystyrene resin (PS), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET). ), Polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), poreylate resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS), and the like. Among these, a polypropylene resin which is a general-purpose resin is preferable in view of the remarkable effect of the present invention and the cost.

The above resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
Further, the handle body may be partially or wholly covered with a flexible resin such as an elastomer in order to improve gripping properties. In the case of using a flexible resin such as an elastomer, for example, polyolefin is preferable and PP is more preferable from the viewpoint of improving adhesiveness.

  The head part 110 has a flocked surface 111 on one side in the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface side). A plurality of flock holes 112 are formed on the flocked surface 111, and a hair bundle 114 (see FIG. 2) is planted in the flock hole 112. In addition, illustration of the hair | bristle bundle 114 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.1, FIG3 and FIG.4.

  In the present embodiment, the rear end of the head part 110 is arranged on the most rear end side when the distance from the outer edge of the flock hole 112 arranged on the most front end to the front end of the head part 110 is L11. It is defined at a position of a distance L11 from the outer edge of the flocking hole 112 to the rear end side. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the head portion 110 is disposed in a range 110 </ b> A that is a distance L <b> 11 away from the outer edge of the flock hole 112 located at both ends in the length direction. A position on the rear end side of the range 110 </ b> A is a boundary between the head portion 110 and the neck portion 120.

  The end on the distal end side of the handle portion 130 serves as a finger rest portion, and the end portion on the distal end side of the finger rest portion serves as a boundary between the neck portion 120 and the handle portion 130. The finger pad is, for example, a ridge formed at the intersection of the surface on the flocked surface 111 side on the rear end side of the neck portion 120 and the surface on the flocked surface 111 side on the front end side of the handle portion 130, or the neck portion 120 is defined by a ridge formed at the intersection of the surface on the opposite side of the flocked surface 111 on the rear end side of 120 and the surface on the opposite side of the flocked surface 111 on the front end side of the handle portion 130. In this case, the boundary between the neck portion 120 and the handle portion 130 is defined by the ridgeline.

  In addition, when the flocked surface 111 side surface on the rear end side of the neck portion 120 and the flocked surface 111 side surface on the front end side of the handle portion 130 are flush with each other and do not form a ridge line, the rear end side of the neck portion 120 The finger pad is defined by a ridge line formed at the intersection of the side surface in the width direction at the side of the handle portion 130 and the side surface in the width direction on the tip side. Even in this case, the boundary between the neck portion 120 and the handle portion 130 is defined by the ridgeline.

  For example, in the embodiment of the S-shape, the handle portion 130 is formed in a substantially arc shape that is convex toward the flocked surface 111 side, and the neck portion 120 is formed in a substantially arc shape that is recessed toward the flocked surface 111 side in a side view. In the case of the handle body 12, the boundary between the neck portion 120 and the handle portion 130 is defined as follows.

  On the side of the flocked surface 111 on the distal end side of the handle portion 130, the center position is disposed on the opposite side of the flocked surface 111 (below the handle portion 130 in FIGS. 2 and 4), and the flocked surface 111 side is viewed from the side. A curved surface 133 having a convex arc contour is formed. Similarly, on the side opposite to the flocked surface 111 on the distal end side of the handle portion 130, a curved surface 134 having an arc outline is formed with a center position opposite to the flocked surface 111 and convex toward the flocked surface 111 in a side view. Has been.

  In addition, on the flocked surface 111 side on the rear end side of the neck portion 120, the center position is disposed on the flocked surface 111 (above the handle portion 130 in FIGS. 2 and 4), and the flocked surface 111 side is concave in a side view. A curved surface 123 having a circular arc contour is formed. Similarly, on the opposite side to the flocked surface 111 on the rear end side of the neck portion 120, a curved surface 124 having an arc contour is formed, the center position of which is disposed on the flocked surface 111 and the flocked surface 111 side is concave in a side view. .

  As the curved surface 123 and the curved surface 133 each advance in the length direction of the handle portion 130, the intersection angle between the tangent line and the flocked surface 111 in a side view changes continuously, but at the intersection between the curved surface 123 and the curved surface 133. Intersect at an angle θ1 where the intersection angle between tangents is not 0 or 180 degrees. Therefore, a ridge line 131 is formed at the intersection between the curved surface 123 and the curved surface 133.

  As for the curved surface 124 and the curved surface 134, the crossing angle between the tangent line and the flocked surface 111 in a side view continuously changes as the handle portion 130 proceeds in the length direction, but the intersecting portion between the curved surface 124 and the curved surface 134. In FIG. 3, the tangents intersect at an angle θ2 that is not 0 or 180 degrees. Therefore, a ridge line 132 is formed at the intersection between the curved surface 124 and the curved surface 134. Therefore, the neck portion 120 and the handle portion 130 sandwich the ridgelines 131 and 132 and the curved surfaces 133 and 134 having arcuate contours in which one side in the length direction across the ridgelines 131 and 132 is convex in the side view when viewed from the side. The other side in the length direction is connected to curved surfaces 123 and 124 having arcuate contours that are concave on the side of the flocked surface 111 in a side view, thereby forming a substantially S-shape in a side view.

  The boundary on the rear end side of the neck portion 120 is defined by ridge lines 131 and 132. Accordingly, the rear end side of the ridge lines 131 and 132 is a range 130A in which the handle portion 130 is disposed, and is between the range 110A in which the head portion 110 is disposed and the range 130A in which the handle portion 130 is disposed. The neck portion 120 is disposed in the range 120A.

  The end portion on the flocked surface 111 side on the front end side of the handle portion 130 (the rear end side with respect to the ridge line 131) is a finger contact portion. The user can stably operate the toothbrush 11 by holding the handle 130 so that the thumb rests on the finger rest. In addition, the position of the ridge line 132 in the length direction of the handle portion 130 is on the rear end side with respect to the ridge line 131. Therefore, compared with the case where the position of the ridgeline 132 is on the front end side with respect to the ridgeline 131, the finger contact portion becomes thicker, and the operation of the toothbrush 11 can be further stabilized.

The length of the handle body 12 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 100 to 200 mm.
The width of the head part 110, that is, the width in the direction parallel to the flocked surface 111 and perpendicular to the length direction of the handle part 130 (hereinafter simply referred to as the width) is not particularly limited, and is preferably 5 to 16 mm, for example. 8 to 12 mm is more preferable. If it is more than the said lower limit, the area which implants the hair | bristle bundle 114 can fully be ensured, and if it is below the said upper limit, the operativity in an oral cavity can be improved more.
The length of the head part 110 is not specifically limited, For example, 10-33 mm is preferable and 12-28 mm is more preferable. If it is more than the said lower limit, the area which implants the hair | bristle bundle 114 can fully be ensured, and if it is below the said upper limit, the operativity in an oral cavity can be improved more.
The thickness of the head part 110 can be determined in consideration of the material and the like, and for example, 2.0 to 4.0 mm is more preferable. If it is more than the said lower limit, the intensity | strength of the head part 110 can be raised more, and if it is below the said upper limit, while reaching to a back tooth can be improved, the operativity in an oral cavity can be improved more.

The length of the neck portion 120 is preferably 25 to 70 mm, for example, in order for the neck portion 120 to touch the lips when the head portion 110 is inserted into the oral cavity.
The width of the neck portion 120 is formed to be constant or gradually increased from the position where the neck portion 120 becomes the minimum value toward the rear end side. In the case where the width of the neck portion 120 is constant from the position where the width becomes the minimum value to the rear end side, the position where the width becomes the minimum value is defined as the position closest to the front end. The neck portion 120 in the present embodiment is formed to gradually increase from the position 121 where the width becomes the minimum value toward the rear end side. The width of the neck part 120 can be determined in consideration of the material and the like. For example, the minimum width of the neck part 120 is preferably 3.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, more preferably 3.7 mm or more and 4.3 mm or less. If it is above the lower limit value, the strength of the neck portion 120 can be further increased, and if it is not more than the upper limit value, the lips can be easily closed and reachability to the back teeth can be improved, and operability in the oral cavity is further improved. Enhanced.

  Moreover, when the width in the neck part 120 is Wmm and the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface 111 is Dmm, the position 121 at which the width in the neck part 120 becomes the minimum value starts from the position parallel to the flocked surface 111 on the rear end side. The value obtained by D / W at the position 122 separated by 10 mm is preferably 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less, more preferably 0.7 or more and 2.0 or less, and 0.8 or more. 2.0 or less, more preferably 0.8 or more and 1.5 or less.

When the minimum width of the neck portion 120 is not less than 3.5 mm and not more than 4.5 mm, if the value obtained by D / W is less than the above lower limit value, the neck portion 120 is easily bent during brushing. In addition, the neck portion 120 becomes wide and the operability is impaired, and the thinness of the head portion 110 is not conspicuous in appearance, and the impression of the product may be impaired.
On the other hand, when the value obtained by D / W exceeds the above upper limit value, the thickness D becomes large and the lips may be difficult to close when brushing the occlusal surface. Moreover, the effect of improving the operability obtained by making the head part 110 thinner may be impaired. Therefore, if the value obtained by D / W is 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less, it becomes easy to brush by closing the lips while maintaining the operability improvement obtained by thinning the head part 110.

  Further, the value obtained by D / W at a position 20 mm away from the rear end side starting from the position 121 where the width of the neck portion 120 becomes the minimum value is preferably greater than 1.0 and not greater than 1.3. 1.05 or more and 1.2 or less is more preferable. Similarly, the value obtained by D / W at a position 30 mm away from the rear end side starting from the position 121 where the width of the neck portion 120 becomes the minimum value is more than 1.0 and 1.5 or less. Preferably, it is 1.05 or more and 1.3 or less.

  By making the thickness D larger than the width W at a position 20 mm away from the position 121 where the width of the neck portion 120 becomes the minimum value as a starting point, the operability due to the neck portion 120 being easily bent. While being able to suppress a fall, it can suppress that the neck part 120 becomes wide and impairs operativity. Thus, if the value obtained by D / W at the position is within the above range, even if the position of the neck portion 120 is inserted into the oral cavity, the effect of improving the operability is obtained without the lips becoming difficult to close. Can be secured. If the value obtained by D / W at a position 30 mm away from the position 121 where the width is the minimum value on the rear end side is within the above range, the operability can be improved without considering that the lips are difficult to close. An effect can be secured.

Further, the difference between the value obtained by the D / W at the position 121 and the value obtained by the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position 121 as the starting point is 0.05 or more and 0.07. Or less, more preferably 0.06 or more and 0.07 or less. When the difference between the values obtained by the D / W is less than the lower limit and when the value exceeds the upper limit, the value obtained by the D / W is less than the lower limit and the value obtained by the D / W is There is a possibility of causing the same problem as when the above upper limit is exceeded. Therefore, the difference between the value obtained from the D / W at the position 121 and the value obtained from the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position 121 as the starting point is 0.05 or more and 0.07 or less. If so, it becomes easier to close the lips and brush while maintaining the operability improvement obtained by making the head portion 110 thinner.
Further, the value obtained by the D / W at a position 30 mm away from the position 121 as the starting point is larger than the value obtained by the D / W at the position 121, and the difference is 0.1 or more, 0 .2 or less is preferable. When the value obtained by the above D / W at a position 30 mm away from the position 121 as the starting point and the value obtained by the above D / W at the position 121 satisfies the above relationship, the head portion 110 is thinned. This makes it easier to brush and close the lips while maintaining the improved operability obtained.

Further, with respect to the change rate of the D / W at the position on the rear end side with respect to the position on the front end side in the length direction of the handle portion 130, the rear end side from the position 121 where the width of the neck portion 120 becomes the minimum value described above. If the change rate of the D / W at a position 10 mm apart is R01, the change rate R01 is more than 1.00 and preferably 1.2 or less. When the rate of change of D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position 121 on the rear end side is R02, the rate of change R02 is preferably greater than 1.00 and 1.2 or less. When the rate of change of D / W at a position 30 mm away from the position 121 on the rear end side is R03, the rate of change R03 is preferably greater than 1.00 and 1.3 or less. The change rates R01, R02, and R03 preferably satisfy the relationship of R01 <R02 <R03.
Thereby, it can avoid that it becomes difficult to close the lips and to brush easily because the thickness D is already large at the front end side of the neck portion 120 that is more easily entered in the oral cavity. In addition, by changing the thickness D more greatly on the rear end side of the neck portion 120 where a load due to brushing is easily applied, it is possible to avoid operability problems caused by excessive bending in the thickness D direction. .

Further, assuming that the change rate of D / W from the position 121 starting from the position 121 to the rear end side and the position away from the position 121 by 20 mm to the rear end side is R12, the change rate R12 is 1. It is preferably more than 00 and 1.2 or less. When the change rate of D / W from the position 121 starting from the position 121 to the rear end side and the position away from the position 121 by 30 mm to the rear end side is R23, the change rate R23 is 1.00. The upper limit is preferably 1.3 or less. The change rates R12 and R23 preferably satisfy the relationship of R01 ≦ R12 ≦ R23. In addition, it is preferable that at least one of the change rates R12 and R23 is larger than the change rate R01.
Thereby, it can avoid that it becomes difficult to close a lip and become difficult to brush by the thickness D already being large at the front end side of the neck part 120 which is easier to enter in the oral cavity, as described above. In addition, by changing the thickness D more greatly on the rear end side of the neck portion 120 where a load due to brushing is easily applied, it is possible to avoid operability problems caused by excessive bending in the thickness D direction. .

Further, it is generally known that when the material is the same, the amount of bending of the rigid body is greatly influenced by the “second moment of section”. Since the amount of deflection is proportional to the first power of the width W and the third power of the thickness D, it is desirable to minimize the width while maintaining the thickness D in order to reduce the amount of deflection.
For example, assuming that the deflection coefficient M (mm ⁴ ) = W × D ³ , the deflection coefficient M calculated from the width W and the thickness D at the position 121 of the neck portion 120 may be 165 mm ⁴ or more and 625 mm ⁴ or less. preferably, 180 mm ⁴ or more, further preferably 525 mm ⁴ or less, 200 mm ⁴ or more, particularly preferably 330 mm ⁴ or less. The width W at the position 122 of the neck 120, the coefficient deflection is calculated from the thickness D M is, 165mm ⁴ or more and 625 mm ⁴ or less, 180 mm ⁴ or more, more preferably 525 mm ⁴ or less, 200 mm ⁴ As described above, it is more preferably 330 mm ⁴ or less, and further preferably 270 mm ⁴ or more and 310 mm ⁴ or less. It is preferable that the bending coefficient M calculated from the width W and the thickness D in the neck portion 120 is 350 mm ⁴ or more and 550 mm ⁴ or less at a position 20 mm away from the position 121 parallel to the flocked surface 111 toward the rear end side. . The bending coefficient M calculated from the width W and thickness D of the neck portion 120 at a position 30 mm away from the position 121 parallel to the flocked surface 111 to the rear end side is preferably 600 mm ⁴ or more and 1500 mm ⁴ or less. .
If the deflection coefficient M at the position 122 is 165 mm ⁴ or more and 625 mm ⁴ or less, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the brushing property with the lips closed, and it is possible to prevent the operability from being deteriorated due to excessive deflection.

The rate of change of the deflection coefficient M is preferably 1.0 or more and 1.3 or less between the position 121 and the position 122. In addition, the rate of change of the deflection coefficient M between the position 122 and a position 20 mm away from the position 121 on the rear end side is preferably 1.3 or more and 1.8 or less. The rate of change of the deflection coefficient M between the position that is 20 mm away from the position 121 on the rear end side and the position that is 30 mm away from the position 121 on the rear end side is 1.7 or more and 3.0 or less. Preferably, it is 1.8 or more and 3.0 or less. The rate of change is a value obtained by dividing the bending coefficient at the position on the rear end side by the bending coefficient at the position on the front end side, for example, between the position 121 and the position 122, the bending coefficient M at the position 121 and the bending coefficient M at the position 122. Is a value calculated as M / M.
If the deflection coefficient M and the rate of change thereof are in the above ranges, the lips can be closed and brushed easily without deteriorating operability.

  The hair bundle 114 is a bundle of a plurality of hairs. The length (hair length) from the flocked surface 111 to the tip of the hair bundle 114 can be determined in consideration of the hair and the like required for the hair bundle 114, and is, for example, 6 to 13 mm. All the hair bundles 114 may have the same hair length or may be different from each other.

  The thickness (hair bundle diameter) of the hair bundle 114 can be determined in consideration of the hair and the like required for the hair bundle 114, and is, for example, 1 to 3 mm. All the hair bundles 114 may have the same hair bundle diameter or may be different from each other.

  As the hair constituting the hair bundle 114, for example, the diameter of the hair gradually decreases toward the hair tip, the hair having a sharp hair tip (tapered hair), and the diameter from the flocked surface 111 toward the hair tip. Examples include hairs that are almost the same (straight hairs). Examples of the straight hair include one having a hair tip that is a plane substantially parallel to the flocked surface 111 and one having the hair tip rounded into a hemisphere.

  The material of the hair is, for example, polyamide such as 6-12 nylon (6-12NY), 6-10 nylon (6-10NY), PET, PBT, polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), Examples thereof include polyesters such as polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), polyolefins such as PP, elastomer resins such as polyolefin elastomers and styrene elastomers. These resin materials can be used singly or in combination of two or more. Examples of the bristle include polyester bristle having a multi-core structure having a core and at least one or more sheaths provided outside the core.

  The cross-sectional shape of the hair is not particularly limited, and may be a circle such as a perfect circle or an ellipse, a polygon, a star, a three-leaf clover, a four-leaf clover, or the like. The cross-sectional shapes of all the hairs may be the same or different.

  The thickness of the hair can be determined in consideration of the material and the like. When the cross section is circular, for example, the thickness is 6 to 9 mil (1 mil = 1/1000 inch = 0.025 mm). Moreover, in consideration of a feeling of use, a feeling of cleaning, a cleaning effect, durability, and the like, a plurality of hairs having different thicknesses may be used in any combination.

In the manufacturing method of the toothbrush 11, first, the handle body 12 is formed by injection molding.
Next, the hair bundle 114 is implanted in the head portion 110 of the obtained handle body 12. As a method for flocking the hair bundle 114, a flat-wire type flocking in which the hair bundle 114 is planted by folding the hair bundle 114 in two and driving a flat wire sandwiched between the hair bundles 114 into the flock hole 112, and flocking the lower end of the hair bundle 114 is performed. In-mold method in which the flocked portion is molded by injecting the molten resin into the mold after the lower end of the hair bundle 114 is heated to form a molten lump. Etc.

  As described above, according to the toothbrush 11 of the present embodiment, the minimum width of the neck portion 120 is 3.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, thereby ensuring a state where the lips are closed and easy to brush. Because the value obtained by D / W is 0.7 or more and 2.5, not only engineering plastics such as polyacetal, but also general-purpose resins such as polypropylene can be used to avoid deterioration in operability. Is possible.

  In the case of flat line type flocking, stress due to the flat line driving is applied to the head part 110. When the head portion 110 is thin and has low strength against deformation, when the neck portion 120 is thick and high in strength, stress when brushing teeth concentrates on the head portion 110 and warping of the head portion 110 is large. The usability may be reduced. On the other hand, according to the toothbrush 11 of the present embodiment, the stress when brushing teeth can be distributed from the head part 110 to the entire neck part 120 by narrowing the neck part 120 and giving a certain degree of flexibility. , Improve usability. Therefore, in the case of flat line type flocking, the effect of the present invention can be obtained particularly remarkably.

[Example]
EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

(Examples 1-5, Comparative Examples 1-7)
The toothbrushes of Examples 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7 in which the neck portion 120 was formed according to the specifications shown in [Table 1] were manufactured. The width, length, thickness and shape of the head part and the handle part were all the same. PP resin was injection-molded to obtain an integrally molded product of the head portion and the handle body shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 (the arrangement of the flocked holes is 3 holes × 1 row from the tip of the head portion toward the handle body) 4 holes × 6 rows, 3 holes × 1 row, head portion width 10 mm, length 25 mm, thickness 3.0 mm, handle body length 110 mm, neck portion length 48 mm). A toothbrush was prepared by implanting a bristles of taper hair (7.5 mils) made of PBT filaments into the head portion by flat wire type flocking.

The position where the width of the neck portion in each example is the smallest, the value obtained by D / W at each position of 10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm from the smallest position to the rear end side, and the value obtained by W × D ³ are [Table 2]. Further, the change rate calculated from the deflection coefficient at each position as described above of the value obtained by W × D ³ in each example is shown in [Table 3]. Moreover, the change rate of the value calculated | required by D / W in each example is shown by [Table 4].

(Evaluation method)
About the toothbrush of each example, "the intraoral operability (easy to move in the mouth) of a toothbrush" was evaluated by the following method.
<Easy operation of toothbrush>
Regarding the operability of the toothbrush, 10 specialized panels used the toothbrushes of each example, and “intraoral operability” was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The average score of 10 specialized panels is “◎” if the average score is 2.5 or more, “◯” if the average score is 2.0 or more and less than 2.5, and the average score is 1.5 or more and less than 2.0 “△”, an average score of less than 1.5 points was marked “x”.

≪Evaluation criteria≫
3 points: I feel very easy to move in my mouth.
2 points: Feels easy to move in the mouth.
1 point: I do not feel the ease of movement in my mouth.
0 points: I do not feel ease of movement in my mouth.

As shown in Table 2, the thickness of the head part is 2.0 to 4.0 mm, and the minimum value of the neck part width is 3.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, which is the minimum value in the neck part. A value obtained by D / W at a position 10 mm away from the position at the rear end side is 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less, and a value obtained by D / W at a position 121 where the width is the minimum value. The difference from the value obtained by D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position 121 on the rear end side is 0.05 or more, and the deflection coefficient M (mm ⁴ ) = W × D ³ is 165 mm ⁴ or more, 625 mm ⁴ or less, a value obtained by D / W at a position 20 mm away from position 121 on the rear end side exceeds 1.0, and a value obtained by D / W at a position 30 mm away from position 121 on the rear end side Is obtained by D / W at position 121 It was confirmed that good operability was obtained when the difference was 0.1 or more than the obtained value.

  Further, as shown in Table 4, the change rates R01, R02, R03, R12, and R13 each exceed 1.00, and further satisfy the relationship of R01 <R02 <R03 and the relationship of R01 ≦ R12 ≦ R23. It was confirmed that good operability was obtained.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described examples are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the toothbrush 11 of the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the width gradually increases from the position where the neck portion 120 has the minimum width toward the rear end side is not limited to this configuration, and the rear end side has the same width. The structure which extends may be sufficient. Even if the neck portion 120 has the same width and extends to the rear end side, the value obtained by D / W at a position 10 mm away from the position of the minimum width to the rear end side is 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less. Preferably there is.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Toothbrush 12 ... Handle body 110 ... Head part 111 ... Flocking surface 120 ... Neck part 130 ... Handle part

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a head portion arranged on the tip side and having a hair bundle planted on the flocked surface, a neck portion extending on the rear end side of the head portion, and the neck portion A handle portion extending on the rear end side, the thickness of the head portion is 2.0 to 4.0 mm, the neck portion is parallel to the flocked surface, and the length of the handle portion The width in the direction orthogonal to the direction is formed so that the width is constant or gradually increased from the position where the width in the direction orthogonal to the direction is the minimum value, the width of the neck portion is Wmm, and the thickness in the direction orthogonal to the flocked surface When the width of the neck portion gradually increases from the position where the minimum value is reached to the rear end side, starting from the position where the neck value becomes the minimum value, and the position where the width of the neck portion becomes the minimum value If the rear end is constant, the minimum position on the most distal side is the starting point and the planting A value obtained by the D / W at a position 10 mm away from the rear end side parallel to the surface is 0.7 or more and 1.5 or less, and a position 30 mm away from the rear end side parallel to the flocked surface In the above, the value obtained by D / W exceeds 1.0 and is 1.3 or less, and the deflection coefficient M (mm ⁴ ) = W × D ^{3 at} a position 10 mm away from the rear end side is 165 mm ⁴ or more. , 625 mm ⁴ or less, and the deflection coefficient M (mm ⁴ ) = W × D ^{3 at} a position 30 mm away from the rear end side is 600 mm ⁴ or more and 1500 mm ⁴ or less, and the position of the starting point is used as a reference Further, the rate of change of the deflection coefficient at a position 10 mm away from the reference position to the rear end side is 1.0 or more and 1.3 or less, and a position 20 mm away from the start position to the rear end side is a reference. And the starting point There is provided a toothbrush characterized in that the rate of change of the deflection coefficient at a position 30 mm away from the position at the rear end side is 1.7 or more and 3.0 or less.

Further, in the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, a value obtained by the D / W is 1.05 or more at a position 30 mm away from the position of the starting point parallel to the flocked surface toward the rear end side by 30 mm. It is 3 or less.

Further, in the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, the value obtained by the D / W at the position of the starting point and the value obtained by the D / W at a position 30 mm away from the position to the rear end side. The difference is 0.1 or more and 0.2 or less.

Further, in the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, the value obtained by the D / W at the position of the starting point where the width is the minimum value, and the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position to the rear end side. The difference from the value obtained by W is 0.07 or less.

Claims (5)

A head portion arranged on the tip side and having a hair bundle planted on the flocked surface;
A neck portion extending to the rear end side of the head portion;
A handle portion extended to the rear end side of the neck portion,
The head portion has a thickness of 2.0 to 4.0 mm;
The neck portion is parallel to the flocked surface and has a minimum width in the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the handle portion of 3.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, and is located behind the minimum value. It is formed on the end side so that the width is constant or gradually increased,
When the width of the neck portion is Wmm and the thickness in the direction orthogonal to the flocked surface is Dmm,
When the width of the neck portion gradually increases from the position where the minimum value is reached to the rear end side, the position where the minimum value is set is the starting point, and the width of the neck portion is constant from the position where the minimum value is the rear end side. In this case, the value obtained by the D / W is 0.7 or more and 2.5 or less at a position 10 mm away from the rear end side in parallel with the flocked surface starting from the position of the minimum value on the most distal side. And the value obtained by the D / W at the position of the starting point where the width is the minimum value, and the value obtained by the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position of the starting point to the rear end side. And the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position of the starting point to the rear end side exceeds 1.0,
Deflection coefficient M (mm ⁴ ) = W × D ^{3 at} a position 10 mm away from the position of the starting point at which the width becomes the minimum value is 165 mm ⁴ or more, 625 mm ⁴ or less,
A toothbrush characterized by being. The neck portion is formed of a resin material,
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the resin material has a flexural modulus of 1000 MPa to 2200 MPa.   The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the neck portion is formed of polypropylene resin.   Based on a position 10 mm away from the position of the starting point where the width is the minimum value toward the rear end side, the rate of change of the deflection coefficient at a position 10 mm away from the reference position toward the rear end side is 1.3 or more, The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toothbrush is 1.8 or less.   The difference between the value obtained by the D / W at the position of the starting point where the width becomes the minimum value and the value obtained by the D / W at a position 20 mm away from the position to the rear end side is 0.07. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

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