TWI520696B - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

toothbrush Field of invention

The invention relates to a toothbrush.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-267939, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Background of the invention

The general toothbrush has a handle body having a head with a hair bundle, a handle portion that can be gripped during use, and a neck portion that connects the head portion and the handle portion; the hair-planting portion is attached to the hair-planting surface of the head. Set the hair bundles for planting hair.

In the toothbrush which is an in-oral cleaning device, in order to improve the cleaning effect of the most necessary function, various inventions have been produced. In order to improve the cleaning effect, it is important to bring the hair-planting part into contact with the cleaning target portion, and to clean the target portion with appropriate brushing pressure. When the hair-planting portion is not properly brought into contact with the cleaning target portion, the tartar attached to the tooth surface, the occlusal surface of the jaw, the interdental space, and the tooth neck portion cannot be sufficiently removed. Moreover, when cleaning the oral cavity, when the brushing pressure is too small, it is difficult to remove the tartar, especially the dent of the interdental part or the narrow part of the tooth neck, and when the brushing pressure is too large, the gums are damaged. Or the top of the teeth.

For the toothbrush, in general, for the configuration of the hair bundle, the use of hair The shape, the cutting shape of the tuft, and the like are handled with care, so that the tufting portion can be properly brought into contact with the cleaning target portion.

In recent years, according to the improvement of hygiene considerations, for the toothbrush, the improvement of the cleaning effect of the higher layer is sought. In view of the above hopes, the proposal is to combine a toothbrush of different radial size hair bundles or a toothbrush combining different hair length hair bundles. .

Moreover, according to the careful handling of the handle body, a test for improving the cleaning effect has appeared.

For example, it is proposed to have a bristles that span the entirety of the head and neck of the toothbrush so that the thickness of the bristle portion in the direction of the hair-planting portion is smaller than the other, and the entire rectangle or the circle is smaller (for example, Patent Document 1) . According to the invention of Patent Document 1, the head portion is made thinner and elastically bent, thereby seeking to alleviate the brushing pressure.

Alternatively, a toothbrush having a hexagonal shape of a specific shape in which the thumb of the grip portion is touched is proposed (for example, Patent Document 2). According to the invention of Patent Document 2, the angle between the teeth and the gums or the angle between the tooth surface and the tip of the toothbrush is determined by changing the surface of the hexagonal shape touched by the thumb of the hand, and the efficiency is sought. Clean the mouth.

Patent literature

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-36628

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Real Fair No. 1-41306

Summary of invention

However, for the tooth surface, occlusal surface, interdental part, and teeth All the parts to be cleaned, such as the neck, should be made to make the hair part properly contact, so that the neck can be thinned, and the operability in the oral cavity can be effectively improved.

However, when the neck is made thinner and the operability of the toothbrush in the oral cavity is simply increased, the strength of the handle body is insufficient, the amount of bending of the neck becomes excessive, and the cleaning effect is easily lowered. By using a high-strength (bending elastic modulus of 2000 MPa or more) resin to shape the handle body, it is possible to prevent the handle body from being broken or broken, but it is impossible to control the amount of bending of the neck, and it is impossible to clean with a proper brushing pressure. The problem of rubbing the object part.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush which has a relatively high cleaning effect even if the neck is made thinner.

As a result of earnest discussion by the inventors, the object of the present invention is to change the shape of the neck from the head side toward the handle side to a specific shape, and by neck The bending direction is stepwise restricted, so that the hair-planting portion and the cleaning target portion are properly contacted, and the appropriate brushing pressure is used for cleaning, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

That is, in one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, there is a head having a hair bundle, a neck extending from the head, and a handle extending from the neck, and the neck is When the head side faces the handle portion side and the cross-sectional profile is changed, the neck portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile on the head side, and the substantially circular cross-sectional profile is oriented toward the head. The handle portion side has a substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile in which the sides, the back surface, and the side surfaces are formed, and the cross-sectional contour of the substantially quadrangular shape faces the handle portion side, and the top portion is located on both sides. The surface is substantially polygonal in shape in the thickness direction.

Preferably, the substantially polygonal shape which is flat in the thickness direction is formed by the surface of the neck portion, and the side opposite to the one side is formed by the back surface of the neck portion.

That is, the present invention relates to the following.

(1) A toothbrush having a head having a hair bundle, a neck portion extending from the head portion, and a handle portion extending from the neck portion, wherein the neck portion faces from the head side In the case of the handle portion side, the cross-sectional profile is changed, and the neck portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile on the head side, and the substantially circular cross-sectional profile becomes the side toward the handle portion. A substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile of each side is formed by the front surface, the back surface, and the side surface, and the cross-sectional profile of the substantially quadrangular shape becomes a substantially polygonal shape toward the side of the handle portion, the substantially polygonal shape having a top portion on both sides and A substantially polygonal shape that is flat in the thickness direction.

(2) The toothbrush according to (1), which has a substantially polygonal shape which is flat in the thickness direction, is formed on the surface of the neck portion by either side, and is formed on the back surface of the neck portion so as to face the other side.

(3) The toothbrush according to (1) or (2), wherein the neck portion is expanded in diameter from the head side toward the handle portion side.

According to one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, since the neck portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile on the head side, the substantially circular cross-sectional profile becomes a surface, a back surface, and a side surface as they face the handle portion side. a substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile of the side, and the cross-sectional profile of the aforementioned substantially quadrilateral When the side of the handle portion is changed to a substantially polygonal shape, the substantially polygonal shape is a substantially polygonal shape in which the top portion is located on both side surfaces and is flat in the thickness direction. Therefore, even if the neck portion is made thinner, the cleaning effect can be improved.

According to one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the substantially polygonal shape which is flat in the thickness direction is formed by the surface of the neck portion, and the side opposite to the other side is formed by the back surface of the neck portion. The brushing pressure can be more moderated.

According to one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, since the neck portion is expanded in diameter from the side of the head toward the side of the handle portion, the neck portion can be more elastically bent, and the brushing pressure can be made more appropriate.

L1, L2, L3, L4‧‧‧ length

T1, t1, t2, t3‧‧‧ thickness

W1, w1, w2, w3‧‧‧ width

P1‧‧‧Neck front end

P2‧‧‧ neck back end

Q‧‧‧Center line of the profile

1‧‧‧ toothbrush

2‧‧‧ head

4‧‧‧ neck

6‧‧‧Handle

7‧‧‧Handle back end

9‧‧‧Handle body front end

10‧‧‧Handle body

20‧‧‧Flocking surface 20

22‧‧‧Fully

40‧‧‧round

42‧‧‧Temple

44‧‧‧Polygonal Department

46‧‧‧ ridgeline

Fig. 1A is a plan view showing a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is a side view showing a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 1B.

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 1B.

Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 1B.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

A toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs.

The toothbrush 1 of Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B has a head portion 2 having a substantially square shape in plan view, a neck portion 4 extending from the head portion 2, and a substantially long shape integrally formed with the handle portion 6 extending from the neck portion 4. a strip of handle body 10, and The hair-planting part (not shown) provided in the head 2.

The material of the handle body 10 can be determined in consideration of the rigidity or mechanical properties of the handle body 10, and is preferably a resin having a bending elastic modulus (JISK 7203) of 500 MPa or more (hereinafter referred to as a hard resin), and is preferably curved. A resin having an elastic modulus of 2000 MPa or more. The upper limit of the bending elastic modulus of the resin used for the handle body 10 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 3000 MPa.

Examples of the resin having a bending modulus of 500 MPa or more include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), and poly (terephthalic acid). Cyclohexane dimethyl ester (PCT), polyacetal (POM), ethylene naphthalate (PEN), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS), Cellulose propionate (CP), polyarylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer polyester (AS), etc., preferably POM, PEN, PBT, etc. having a flexural modulus of 2000 MPa or more. By using a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, the head portion 2 can be made thinner, the neck portion 4 can be made thinner, the operability in the oral cavity can be improved, and the handle body 10 can be prevented from being damaged.

Further, the handle body 10 may be covered with a part or all of the handle portion 6 with a soft resin. By covering one or both of the handle portions 6 with a soft resin, the user's proper feel when holding the handle portion 6 is improved, and the gripping fingers are prevented from slipping open.

As the soft resin, for example, a resin having a hardness of SHORE A90 or less is preferable, and a resin having a hardness of SHORE A10 to 40 is more preferably exemplified. As the soft resin, for example, an elastomer resin such as a polyolefin elastomer, a styrene elastomer, a polyester elastomer, or a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer, or the like, Etc.

The length L1 of the handle body 10 can be determined with respect to operability and the like, and can be, for example, 150 to 200 mm.

In the head portion 2, the longitudinal direction of the handle body 10 is defined as a long side, and the top portion of the neck portion 4 in plan view is a substantially square-shaped flat plate having a corner cut by a curved line, and one surface (planting surface) 20 is formed in plural. There are 22 hairy points. The planting hole 22 is planted with bundles of hairs that are used to form a hairy part composed of a plurality of hair bundles.

In the present draft, a direction orthogonal to the hair-growing surface 20 and the longitudinal direction of the handle body 10 is regarded as a width, and a direction orthogonal to the hair-growing surface 20 is regarded as a thickness. Further, the side on which the hair-growing surface 20 faces is regarded as a surface, and the side opposite to the side on which the hair-planting surface 20 faces is regarded as a back surface.

The size of the head 2 can be determined in consideration of the operability in the oral cavity and the like.

The width W1 of the head 2 is less operability in the oral cavity when it is too large, and when it is too small, the number of hair bundles of the hair is excessively reduced, which easily impairs the cleaning effect. Therefore, the width W1 can be, for example, 5 to 13 mm.

The thinner the thickness T1 of the head 2 is, the more the operability in the oral cavity can be improved, but when it is too thin, the strength of the head 2 tends to become insufficient. Therefore, the thickness T1 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10, for example, it is preferably 1.5 to 5 mm, more preferably 2 to 3 mm.

The length L3 of the head 2 is likely to impair the operability in the oral cavity when it is too long, and when it is too short, the number of hair bundles of the hairs is too small, and the cleaning effect is easily damaged. Therefore, the length L3 can be appropriately determined in the range of 10 to 26 mm.

The shape of the planting hole 22 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a perfect circle. Or a polygon such as a circle, a triangle, or a quadrangle such as a circle.

The number of the planting holes 22 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 10 to 60.

The diameter of the planting hole 22 is determined according to the thickness of the sought-up tuft, and may be, for example, 1 to 3 mm.

The arrangement pattern of the planting hair hole 22 is not particularly limited, and the so-called checkerboard pattern or the thousand bird pattern may be in any arrangement pattern.

As the hair constituting the hair bundle, for example, there is a hair (a tapered hair) which gradually becomes smaller toward the front end of the hair, and a rounded portion other than the front end of the hair, and the outer diameter is approximately the same (hair straight). .

The material of the hair can be used, for example, 6-12 nylon, 6-10 nylon, etc., polyamide, PET, PBT, polybutylene terephthalate (PTT), PEN, polybutylene naphthalate ( A synthetic resin material such as a polyester such as PBN), a polyolefin such as PP, an olefin elastomer, or a styrene elastomer. These resin materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Further, the hair may have a multi-core structure having a core portion and at least one or more sheath portions provided on the outer side of the core portion.

The cross-sectional profile of the hair is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a circular shape, a triangular shape, a square shape, a hexagonal shape, a polygonal shape, a star shape, and a three-leaf lucky grass shape. Four leaves of lucky grass and so on.

The thickness of the hair is not particularly limited, and when the cross-sectional profile is circular, for example, it may be 3 to 11 mils (1 mil = 1/1000 inch = 0.025 mm). The tufts may be composed of all the hairs of the same thickness, and may be combined with two or more different thicknesses.

The length of the hair is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 6 to 12 mm.

The handle portion 6 is gradually narrowed from the boundary between the neck portion 4 and the handle portion 6 (ie, the neck rear end) P2 toward the rear end 7 of the handle body, and then reaches the rear end 7 of the handle body in a state of maintaining an arbitrary radial size. shape. The cross-sectional profile of the handle portion 6 is substantially similar to the cross-sectional profile of the neck rear end P2 to be described later.

The neck portion 4 has a shape in which the head portion 2 is connected to the handle portion 6 and is expanded in diameter from the side of the head portion 2 toward the side of the handle portion 6.

The neck 4 is such that the boundary between the head 2 and the neck 4 (i.e., the front end of the neck) P1 is the smallest cross-sectional area, and the neck rear end P2 is the largest area. The cross-sectional area of the neck front end P1 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10. For example, when the material is a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, it is preferably 7 to 12.6 mm 2 . If it is more than the above lower limit value, the strength of the neck portion 4 is sufficiently sufficient, and if it is at most the above upper limit value, the operability in the oral cavity can be further improved.

The cross-sectional area of the neck end P2 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10. For example, when the material is a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, it is preferably 60 to 150 mm 2 .

In the above range, the amount of bending of the neck portion 4 can be appropriately restricted, and the cleaning target portion can be cleaned by appropriate brushing pressure.

The neck front end P1 forms the end point of the curve of the cut corner of the top shape of the head portion 2 (i.e., the position at which the bending direction of the curve of the cut corner is changed). Further, the neck rear end P2 is a position where the enlarged width of the neck portion 4 is completed in plan view.

The neck portion 4 has a change in cross-sectional profile as it goes from the head 2 side toward the handle portion 6 side. The cross-sectional profile and length referred to in this specification The outline of the section orthogonal to the direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the neck portion 4 of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional contour of the neck distal end P1 is substantially circular (the portion including the neck distal end P1 and having a substantially circular cross-sectional profile is defined as the circular portion 40). With the substantially circular cross-sectional profile facing the handle portion 6 side, a substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile (a portion having a substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile as a quadrangular portion 42) is formed, and the cross-sectional profile of the substantially quadrangular shape faces the handle portion. The 6 side has a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional profile (a portion including a neck rear end P2 and a cross-sectional profile having a substantially hexagonal shape as the polygonal portion 44). From the polygonal portion 44 to the rear end 7 of the handle body, ridge lines 46, 46 are formed on both side faces of the handle body 10.

The circular portion 40, the quadrangular portion 42, and the polygonal portion 44 are continuously formed to gradually change the cross-sectional profile of the neck portion 4. The so-called substantially quadrangular shape includes the concept that the top is a shape of a corner cut by a curve, and the so-called substantially hexagonal shape is a concept in which the top includes a shape in which a corner is cut by a curve. Further, the symbol Q in FIGS. 2A to 2C is the center line of the cross-sectional profile of the circular portion 40.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the circular portion 40 has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile. The ratio of the substantially circular circle thickness t1/width w1 is 0.95 to 1.05. The above-mentioned substantially circular shape is defined in the same manner as the substantially circular shape. Since the circular portion 40 has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile, it is difficult to restrict the bending direction, and the direction of the hair-planting surface 20 can be changed according to the cleaning target portion, thereby further improving the cleaning effect.

The thickness t1 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10. For example, when the material is a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, it is preferably 3.0 to 4.0 mm, more preferably 3.0 to 3.5 mm. If it is above the above lower limit value, the bending can be moderately restricted. If the amount is at most the above upper limit value, the operability in the oral cavity can be further improved.

The width w1 is the same as the thickness t1.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the quadrangular portion 42 has a substantially square cross-sectional profile, and the substantially square shape forms the sides by the front surface, the back surface, and the side surface of the neck portion 4. The ratio of the so-called substantially square thickness t2/width w2 is 0.95 to 1.05. The quadrangular portion 42 has a substantially square cross-sectional profile, and since each side is formed by the surface, the back surface, and the side surface of the neck portion 4, the bending direction is limited to the thickness direction or the width direction of the neck portion 4.

The thickness t2 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10. For example, when the material is a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, it is preferably 3.0 to 6.0 mm, more preferably 4.0 to 5.0 mm. If it is more than the above lower limit value, the bending direction can be sufficiently restricted, and if it is at most the above upper limit value, the operability in the oral cavity can be further improved.

The width w2 is the same as the thickness t2.

As shown in Fig. 2C, the polygonal portion 44 has a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional profile. And the substantially hexagonal shape is in the shape of the top portions 50, 50 on both sides of the neck portion 4, the top portions 50 being joined to form a portion of the ridge line 46. The substantially hexagonal upper side 52 is formed by the surface of the neck portion 4, and the lower side 54 opposite to the upper side 52 is formed by the back surface of the neck portion 4, which is shorter than the width w3 and the thickness t3, that is, The thickness direction is a flat shape. By using the above-described cross-sectional profile, the polygonal portion 44 is made to be difficult to bend in the width direction by the ridge line 46 formed on the side surface, and is flat in the thickness direction, so that it is easily bent in the thickness direction. Further, since the surface and the back surface of the polygonal portion 44 are flat, it is difficult to restrict the bending in the thickness direction.

The ratio of the thickness t3/width w3 can be considered as the material of the handle body 10. The quality is determined, for example, preferably from 0.50 to 0.95, more preferably from 0.70 to 0.90. The thickness t3 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10. For example, when the material is a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, it is preferably 6 to 12 mm, more preferably 8 to 10 mm. If it is more than the above lower limit value, the bending direction can be sufficiently restricted, and if it is equal to or less than the above upper limit value, the neck portion 4 can be more elastically bent, and the brushing pressure can be made more appropriate.

The width w3 can be determined in consideration of the material of the handle body 10. For example, when the material is a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, it is preferably 8 to 20 mm, more preferably 10 to 15 mm. If it is more than the above lower limit value, the bending in the width direction can be sufficiently restricted, and if it is at most the above upper limit value, the operability can be further improved.

The length of the neck portion 4 can be determined in consideration of the length L3 of the head. For example, the length L2 from the front end 9 of the handle body to the rear end P2 of the neck portion is preferably a length of 70 to 100 mm. When the length L2 is at least the above lower limit value, the operability in the oral cavity can be further improved, and if it is at most the above upper limit value, the amount of bending of the neck portion 4 can be appropriately restricted.

Further, the length L4 from the front end 9 of the handle body to the front end (the ridge end) 47 of the ridge line 46 is preferably 60 mm or more, and more preferably 65 mm or more. The upper limit of the length L4 may be, for example, 90 mm. If the length L4 is equal to or higher than the above lower limit value, the ridge line 46 can be prevented from coming into contact with the inside of the oral cavity, and the feeling of discomfort generated during cleaning can be prevented. If the length L4 is equal to or less than the above upper limit value, the amount of bending of the neck portion 4 can be appropriately restricted.

The toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment is manufactured on the basis of a conventionally known method for producing a toothbrush.

For example, the handle body 10 is formed by injecting a hard resin into the mold. Next, a tuft of hair is applied to the hair-growing surface 20 of the obtained handle body 10, whereby the toothbrush 1 is obtained. The method of arranging the tufts is, for example, a method in which the hair bundle is folded into two and the flat line that has been sandwiched therebetween is inserted into the planting hair hole 22, thereby setting the hairline of the hair bundle, and the lower end of the hair bundle is turned into a hair planting. A hot-melt method in which a molten resin is pressed in and fixed, and an in-mold method in which a lower portion of the hair bundle is heated to form a molten mass, and then a molten resin is injected into the mold to form a hair-planting portion.

Next, a method of using the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the handle portion 6 is gripped. The form in which the handle portion 6 is gripped is not particularly limited, and may be a grasping type or a pen grip type. Usually, in order to apply pressure to the target portion and clean it, the thumb portion or the like is placed near the rear end P2 of the neck to grip the handle portion 6 even in any holding form.

Next, the head portion 2 is inserted into the oral cavity, and the handle portion 6 is pressed by a thumb or the like placed in the vicinity of the polygonal portion 44, and the hair-planting portion is slid to the cleaning target portion. The force applied to the handle portion 6 is transmitted to the head portion 2 through the neck portion 4, and further transmitted from the head portion 2 to the hair-planting portion, whereby the hair-planting portion applies pressure to the cleaning target portion and cleans it. At this time, since the circular portion 40 has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile, the bending direction is not limited. Therefore, the circular portion 40 is bent in accordance with the shape of the cleaning target portion, and the planting portion is appropriately brought into contact with the cleaning target portion.

Here, when the entire neck portion 4 has no undefined bending direction, the force transmitted from the handle portion 6 to the neck portion 4 is lost, or the neck portion 4 is excessively bent, and it is impossible to clean with appropriate brushing pressure.

In the present embodiment, the polygonal portion 44 is restricted from being bent in the width direction by the ridge line 46 formed on both side faces and the cross-sectional profile flat in the thickness direction, and is easily bent in the thickness direction. Therefore, the force applied to the handle portion 6 is controlled by the polygonal portion 44, and is transmitted to the square portion by the force in the thickness direction. 42. The quadrangular portion 42 has a substantially square cross-sectional profile, and each of the substantially square sides is formed by the front surface, the back surface, and the side surface of the neck portion 4, and the bending direction is limited to the thickness direction and the width direction. Therefore, the force transmitted to the square portion 42 is not excessively lost, but can be transmitted to the circular portion 40.

Further, the neck portion 4 has a substantially circular cross section and a substantially square shape as it goes from the neck front end P1 toward the neck rear end P2, and is oriented from the neck front end P1 due to a flat hexagonal shape in the thickness direction. The neck rear end P2 can slowly limit the bending direction. Therefore, even if the neck portion 4 is thinned, the entire neck portion 4 is not excessively weak, so that the hair-planting portion comes into contact with the cleaning target portion in an appropriate state, and the force is transmitted to the head portion 2 to become an appropriate brushing pressure.

Further, in the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, the neck portion 4 has a narrow shape from the neck rear end P2 toward the neck front end P1, so that the entire neck portion 4 can be elastically bent and more appropriately applied to the cleaning. The pressure of the target part is more appropriate for the brushing pressure.

As described above, according to the toothbrush of the present embodiment, since the neck portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile on the head side, the substantially circular cross-sectional profile becomes toward the handle portion side, and becomes a surface, a back surface, and a side surface. The substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile of the side, and the substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile becomes a substantially polygonal shape toward the handle portion side, the substantially polygonal shape being a substantially polygonal shape with the top portion on both sides and flat in the thickness direction, so even Make the neck thinner and also have a high cleaning effect.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the circular portion is substantially round, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cross-sectional profile of the circular portion may be rounded. shape. The cross-sectional profile of the circular portion can be appropriately set in consideration of the function of the toothbrush or the like. For example, in order to obtain a toothbrush which is softer and has a good touch, it is preferable to adopt a flat shape in the thickness direction of the cross section of the circular portion. By making it flat in the thickness direction, the brushing pressure can be further alleviated.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the quadrangular portion is substantially square, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cross-sectional profile of the quadrangular portion may be rectangular. The cross-sectional profile of the quadrangular portion can be appropriately set in consideration of the function of the toothbrush or the like. For example, in order to obtain a softer and more tactile toothbrush, the cross-sectional profile of the quadrangular portion should be flat in the thickness direction. By making it flat in the thickness direction, the brushing pressure can be further alleviated.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the quadrangular portion is a shape in which the cut corner of the curve is formed at the top, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cut corner may not be formed at the top. However, it is preferable that the cut corner of the top forming curve is preferable from the viewpoint of alleviating the feeling of discomfort caused by placing the square portion on the lip or the like during cleaning.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the polygonal portion is substantially hexagonal. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cross-sectional profile of the polygonal portion may be a substantially polygonal shape such as a substantially pentagon shape, a substantially octagonal shape, or the like, and a substantially hexagonal shape. The substantially polygonal shape such as a substantially pentagon or a substantially octagonal shape is similar to a substantially quadrangular shape and a substantially hexagonal shape, and the top portion includes a concept of cutting a corner shape by a curve.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the polygonal portion is such that the top portion is not on the front surface and the back surface, and the ridge line is not formed (that is, the surface and the back surface are flat). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be on both the front surface and the back surface or Is formed by either side There are ridges. However, from the viewpoint of making the polygonal portion easy to bend only in the thickness direction, it is preferable that the surface and the back surface of the polygonal portion are flat.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional contour of the distal end of the neck portion is substantially round, and a circular portion is formed in a region including the distal end of the neck portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the cross-sectional profile of the front end of the neck portion may be In the shape other than the substantially circular shape, a circular portion is formed at a position separated from the front end of the neck. However, from the viewpoint of making the hair-planting portion more suitable for the cleaning target portion, it is preferable that the cross-sectional contour of the neck front end is substantially circular.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the rear end of the neck portion is substantially hexagonal in the thickness direction, and the polygonal rear portion is formed in the region including the rear end of the neck. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the polygonal portion may be formed. At a position separated from the back end of the neck. However, from the viewpoint of appropriately limiting the amount of bending of the neck, the cross-sectional profile of the rear end of the neck should be substantially hexagonal in the thickness direction.

In the above embodiment, the neck is expanded in diameter from the front end of the neck toward the rear end of the neck. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the neck may be reduced in diameter from the front end of the neck toward the rear end of the neck. The front end of the neck to the rear end of the neck may also be of substantially the same radial size. The so-called substantially the same radial size allows the performance of the deviation of the radial size to be -15% to 15%, and the deviation is preferably -10% to 10%, more preferably -5% to 5%. However, from the viewpoint of more appropriately easing the brushing pressure, the neck should be expanded in diameter from the front end of the neck toward the rear end of the neck.

In the above embodiment, the handle portion is made thinner than the rear end of the neck portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the handle portion may be expanded relative to the rear end of the neck portion. path.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional contour of the handle portion and the cross-sectional contour of the rear end portion of the neck portion are substantially similar, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shape of the handle portion may be various shapes.

In the above embodiment, the hair-planting portion is constituted only by the tufts. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be formed by a member such as a columnar shape or a prismatic column formed of a soft resin.

Example

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of experimental examples, but the present invention is not limited by the following description.

(Experimental examples 1 to 6)

According to the specifications of Table 1, the same toothbrush as that of Figs. 1A and 1B was produced. The length of the handle body of each of the toothbrushes is L1:185 mm, the length L2 from the front end of the handle body to the rear end of the neck is L5: 75 mm, the length of the head is L3: 29 mm, and the width of the head is W1: 9.7 mm. Twenty-three hairs (manufactured by PBT) having a thickness of 7.5 mil were bundled as a tuft on the head, and the tufts were planted with the hair-planting pattern shown in Fig. 1A to set a hair-planting portion.

The flexural strength, the intraoral operability, and the appropriate feeling were evaluated for the obtained toothbrush, and the results are shown in Table 1.

The A-A cross-section in the table is the cross section of the neck front end similarly to the A-A cross section of Fig. 1B, and the C-C cross-section in the table is the cross section of the rear end of the neck similarly to the C-C cross-section of Fig. 1B. The B-B section in the table is a section at a position 60 mm from the front end of the handle body toward the rear end of the handle body.

(evaluation method)

<bending strength>

The planting surface is vertically upward, and the rear end of the neck is held by a holder. When the weight of the body is 2kg, the load is applied vertically downwards. When no damage such as cracks, breakage, whitening, etc. are observed in the neck and the head, "A" is treated as "C" when damage such as cracks, breakage, or whitening is observed in the neck or head.

<Intraoral operability>

Ten monitors were cleaned in the oral cavity and evaluated for the operability of each of the toothbrushes. The operability evaluation is 7 stages of 1 minute to 7 points, and the more the operator feels good, the higher the score. The average scores of the 10 monitors were classified according to the following judgment criteria to determine the operability in the oral cavity.

≪Judgement benchmark≫

S: The average is divided into 5 or more points.

A: The average score is 4 points or more and less than 5 points.

B: The average score is 3 points or more and less than 4 points.

C: The average score is less than 3 points.

<suitable sense>

Ten monitors cleaned the oral cavity, and the appropriate feelings of the toothbrushes of each case were evaluated according to the evaluation criteria below. The average scores of the 10 monitors are classified according to the following judgment criteria, and the sense of suitability is determined. The higher the evaluation of the sense of fit, the more the tissue portion can be contacted with the appropriate state, and the more appropriate the brushing pressure, the higher the cleaning effect.

≪Evaluation benchmark≫

3 points: Cooperate with the concave and convex in the mouth, you can feel the feeling of contact with the hair bundle with moderate elasticity.

2 points: In conjunction with the unevenness in the mouth, you can feel the feeling of contact with the hair bundle with moderate elasticity.

1 point: In conjunction with the unevenness in the mouth, it is not easy to feel the feeling of contact with the hair bundle with moderate elasticity.

0 points: In conjunction with the unevenness in the mouth, you can't feel the feeling of contact with the hair bundle with moderate elasticity.

≪Judgement benchmark≫

S: The average is 2.5 points or more.

A: The average score is 2 points or more and less than 2.5 points.

B: The average score is 1.5 points or more and less than 2 points.

C: The average score is less than 1.5 points.

As shown in the results of Table 1, the experimental examples 1 to 2 in which the A-A cross section was a substantially perfect circle having a diameter of 3 to 3.5 mm were all good in suitability.

From the comparison between Experimental Examples 1 and 2 and Experimental Examples 4 to 5, it is found that when the handle body is formed of a resin having a bending modulus of 2000 MPa or more, the AA cross section can be made to have a diameter of 3.0 to 4.0 mm, thereby improving the sense of fit. .

On the other hand, in the case of the third example in which the shape of the neck is changed from the front end of the neck to the circular shape in a substantially circular shape, the appropriate feeling is "C".

From these results, it is understood that by applying the present invention, even if the neck is made thinner, the feeling of fit can be improved and the cleaning effect can be improved.

Industrial availability

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, since the neck portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile on the head side, the substantially circular cross-sectional profile faces toward the side of the handle portion, and becomes a substantially square shape in which the sides are formed by the front surface, the back surface, and the side surface. a cross-sectional profile, and the cross-sectional profile of the substantially quadrangular shape becomes a substantially polygonal shape toward the side of the handle portion. The substantially polygonal shape is a substantially polygonal shape with the top portion on both sides and flat in the thickness direction, so even the neck is made It is very useful in the industry because it is thinner and can improve the cleaning effect.

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, the substantially polygonal shape which is flat in the thickness direction is formed by the surface of the neck portion, and the side opposite to the other side is formed by the back surface of the neck portion, so that the toothbrush can be further relaxed. Brush the pressure.

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, since the neck portion is expanded in diameter from the side of the head toward the side of the handle portion, the neck portion can be more elastically bent, and the brushing pressure can be set more appropriately, so that the industry is industrially Very useful.

L1, L2, L3‧‧‧ length

W1‧‧‧Width

P1‧‧‧Neck front end

P2‧‧‧ neck back end

1‧‧‧ toothbrush

2‧‧‧ head

4‧‧‧ neck

6‧‧‧Handle

7‧‧‧Handle back end

9‧‧‧Handle body front end

10‧‧‧Handle body

20‧‧‧Flocking surface

22‧‧‧Fully

40‧‧‧round

42‧‧‧Temple

44‧‧‧Polygonal Department

46‧‧‧ ridgeline

Claims (3)

A toothbrush having a head portion with a hair bundle, a neck portion extending from the head portion, and a handle portion extending from the neck portion, wherein the neck portion faces from the head portion toward the handle portion In the side, the cross-sectional profile is changed, wherein the neck portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile on the head side, and the substantially circular cross-sectional profile becomes a surface from the side toward the handle portion. The back surface and the side surface form a substantially quadrangular cross-sectional profile of each side, and the cross-sectional profile of the substantially quadrangular shape becomes a substantially polygonal shape toward the side of the handle portion, the substantially polygonal shape having a top portion on both sides and in a thickness direction The flat head has a substantially polygonal shape, and the head portion, the neck portion, and the handle portion are integrally formed. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the substantially polygonal shape which is flat in the thickness direction is formed by the surface of the neck portion, and the side opposite to the one side is formed by the back surface of the neck portion. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the neck portion is expanded in diameter from the side of the head toward the side of the handle portion.