JP2010253107A - Bristle for toothbrush and toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bristle for a toothbrush excellent in bristle tip invading property into cervical areas of teeth, high in effectiveness for scraping out plaque, and further improved in the durability of the bristle tip. <P>SOLUTION: The bristle for the toothbrush includes a monofilament 10A having a structure in which at least first resin layers 11 and second resin layers 12 are alternately laminated in a direction perpendicular to an axial line; the distal ends of the second resin layers 12 are located at positions retracted from the distal end of the first resin layers 11 at the distal end of the monofilament 10A; a plurality of elastic pieces 13 are formed by the first resin layers 11 protruding beyond the distal end of the second resin layers 12, and slits 14 are formed between a plurality of elastic pieces 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in toothbrush bristles and toothbrushes.

  For example, toothbrushes, which are brushes for oral cleaning, have various shapes so far because their brushing properties and load on gums differ greatly depending on the difference in the tip shape of monofilaments constituting the hair bundle. Has been proposed.

  For example, as a toothbrush hair for the purpose of preventing periodontal disease, a taper hair with a sharpened tip is widely known. However, the taper hair is required to have a high ability to scrape plaque because the tip of the hair tends to enter the tooth neck while the fluff of the tip of the tip tends to be weak. In addition, the hair for taper called ultra fine hair tends to have low durability because the tip of the hair is thin.

In addition, as a well-known document relevant to this invention, there exists the following patent document 1, for example.
Specifically, in Patent Document 1 below, in the hair whose branch side is branched into a plurality of ends, the ends of some branched hairs are made higher than the tips of other branched hairs, and at least the hairs For the highest branched hair, a taper hair that is tapered toward the tip is described. The invention described in Patent Document 1 is a configuration in which a plurality of branched hairs are arranged around the branched hairs arranged in the central portion, and employs a technique different from the present invention.

JP 2003-339445 A

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such conventional circumstances, has excellent hair tip penetration into the tooth neck, has a high effect of scraping dental plaque on the tooth neck, and further has durability of the hair tip. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush bristle with improved properties and a toothbrush using such a toothbrush bristle.

  To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a monofilament having a structure in which at least a first resin layer and a second resin layer are alternately laminated in a direction orthogonal to the axis. The tip of the second resin layer is at a position where the tip of the second resin layer is retracted from the tip of the first resin layer, and a plurality of elastic pieces are formed by the first resin layer protruding from the tip of the second resin layer. And a toothbrush bristle characterized in that a slit is formed between the elastic pieces.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the toothbrush bristle according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece has a shape that narrows toward the tip.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the toothbrush bristle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the monofilament has a shape whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 is that the thick part, which is partially thickened, is formed along the axial direction of the monofilament, located in the center part in the width direction of the second resin layer. The toothbrush bristle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is that the monofilament is formed by processing the tip portion by a dissolution treatment, and the second resin layer is made of a resin having a higher dissolution rate than the first resin layer. The toothbrush bristle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hair is a toothbrush bristle.

  Moreover, the invention which concerns on Claim 6 is a toothbrush characterized by using the bristle for toothbrush as described in any one of Claims 1-5.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the toothbrush bristles that have excellent hair tip penetration into the tooth neck, a high effect of scraping off plaque, and further improved the durability of the hair tip, and such It is possible to provide a toothbrush using toothbrush bristle.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a toothbrush to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 shows an example of a toothbrush bristle to which the present invention is applied, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view thereof, (b) is a side view thereof, and (c) is another side view thereof. FIG. 3 shows another example of toothbrush bristle to which the present invention is applied, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view thereof, (b) is a side view thereof, and (c) is another side view thereof. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a modification of the toothbrush bristle to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the toothbrush bristle to which the present invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, a toothbrush bristle and a toothbrush to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features easy to understand, there are cases in which the portions that become the features are schematically shown for convenience, and the dimensional ratios of the respective components are not always the same as the actual ones. Absent.

  A toothbrush 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a brush handle 1A having a long shape as a whole. The brush handle 1A includes a handle portion 2 and a head provided on the distal end side of the handle portion 2. It has a portion 3 and a neck portion 4 provided between the handle portion 2 and the head portion 3.

  The brush handle 1A includes a handle portion 2, a neck portion 4 connected to the handle portion 2, and a head portion 3 connected to the handle portion 2, which are integrally formed of, for example, a hard resin material. Examples of the hard resin material used for the brush handle 1A include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, saturated polyester resin, polymethyl methacrylate, cellulose propionate, polyurethane, polyamide, ABS (acrylonitrile). Thermoplastic resin materials such as (tolyl, butadiene, styrene) can be mentioned, but the material is not necessarily limited to these materials.

  The handle portion 2 is a portion that is gripped by the user, and the handle portion 2 may be partially or entirely covered with a flexible resin such as an elastomer in order to improve gripping properties. The neck portion 4 is a portion that connects the handle portion 2 and the head portion 3, but is not necessarily clearly distinguished from the handle portion 2 and the head portion 3. Some are not distinguished from 4. Therefore, the brush handle 1A may have a shape in which the head portion 3 is directly provided at the tip of the handle portion 2, and the shape, size, design, and the like can be arbitrarily changed and implemented. it can.

  The head portion 3 may have any shape or size that can easily clean the inside of the oral cavity, and the shape is not particularly limited, but generally has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of hair bundles 5 are planted on one surface (referred to as a flocked surface) 3 a of the head portion 3.

  For example, the hair bundle 5 is formed by bundling a plurality of monofilaments into two, and sandwiching a retainer called a flat wire between them to provide a flocking hole (not shown) provided on the flocking surface 3a of the head portion 3. It has been planted by driving into.

  Note that a plurality of flocked holes are usually arranged in a lattice shape or a staggered pattern on the flocked surface 3a of the head portion 3 in the length direction or the width direction of the head portion 3. The interval, the combination thereof, and the like are not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the intended use of the toothbrush 1. Moreover, although the cross-sectional shape of a flock hole is normally circular, it can be made into arbitrary shapes according to the intended use of the toothbrush 1.

  Moreover, as a method for flocking the hair bundle 5, the lower end of the hair bundle 5 is used as a head portion in addition to the above-described flat wire flocking method in which the above-described hair bundle 5 is folded in two and a flat wire is sandwiched between them. 3 and a heat fusion method in which the molten resin is pressed into the molten resin to be fixed, or the lower end of the hair bundle 5 is heated to form a molten lump, and then the molten resin is filled in the cavity of the mold, An in-mold method or the like that is integrally molded can be used.

  By the way, for the bristles 5, for example, toothbrush bristles 10 to which the present invention is applied as shown in FIG. 2 are used. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the toothbrush bristle 10 is composed of a monofilament 10A having a circular cross section having a predetermined length. The monofilament 10A has a stripe structure in which the first resin layers 11 and the second resin layers 12 are alternately stacked in a direction orthogonal to the axis. The monofilament 10A shown in FIG. 2 has a nine-layer structure in which four second resin layers 12 are sandwiched between five first resin layers 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the monofilament 10 </ b> A is in a position where the tip of the second resin layer 12 is retreated from the tip of the first resin layer 11 at the tip. The first resin layer 11 protruding from the tip of the second resin layer 12 forms a plurality (five) of elastic pieces 13 and (four) slits 14 between the elastic pieces 13. ing.

  Further, the monofilament 10A is formed by sharpening the hair tip shape. That is, the hair tip shape of the monofilament 10A has a tapered shape in which the diameter gradually decreases toward the tip as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c). Correspondingly, the plurality of elastic pieces 13 each have a shape that narrows toward the tip as shown in FIG. 2 (c), and at the center as shown in FIG. 2 (b). From the elastic piece 13 located to the elastic piece 13 located at both ends, it has a shape in which the length gradually decreases in accordance with the inclination of the taper.

  The tip shape of the toothbrush bristle 10 is obtained by processing the tip of the monofilament 10A by a dissolution treatment. Specifically, in the toothbrush bristle 1, the second resin layer 12 out of the first resin layer 11 and the second resin layer 12 constituting the monofilament 10 </ b> A is dissolved faster than the first resin layer 11. It is made of a large resin. In this case, the difference in dissolution rate between the first resin layer 11 and the second resin layer 12 is obtained by immersing the tip of the monofilament 10A in a hydrolysis solution such as a heated high-concentration caustic soda aqueous solution. At the same time, the tip of the monofilament 10A is melted. Thereby, it is possible to obtain the toothbrush bristle 10 having the tip shape as shown in FIG.

  In addition, about the 1st resin layer 11 and the 2nd resin layer 12, for example, polyamide-type resin (Example: 6-12 nylon, 6-10 nylon), polyester-type resin (Example: polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, Polytrimethylene terephthalate), polyolefin resins (eg, polypropylene), etc., those having different dissolution rates can be appropriately selected and used. Among them, polyester resins are used because of the feeling of use and workability. It is preferable. Further, for the second resin layer 12, an elastomer resin (eg, olefin-based or styrene-based) can be used. As for the combination of the polyamide resin and the polyester resin, not only the tip processing by the above-described dissolution treatment becomes complicated, but the adhesiveness of both is poor, and there is a possibility of delamination during use. It is preferable to avoid such combinations.

  When the toothbrush bristles 10 having the structure as described above are used in the bristles 5, the hair tip 5 has excellent hair tip penetration into the tooth neck, a high effect of scraping off plaque, and the durability of the hair tip. It is possible to obtain the toothbrush 1 which improved the above.

  Specifically, in the toothbrush 1 using the toothbrush bristles 10, the tip of the monofilament 10 </ b> A has a tapered shape, so that the hair tip penetration into the tooth neck can be improved. In addition, when the hair tip enters the tooth neck, the plurality of elastic pieces 13 arranged in layers with the slit 14 interposed therebetween can flex the plaque greatly. This is because the greater the contact area between the hair tips and the plaque adhering to the teeth, the greater the plaque scraping power. That is, in the toothbrush bristles 10, by providing a plurality of elastic pieces 13 arranged in layers with the slits 14 sandwiched at the tip of the monofilament 10A, the surface area of each bristles is increased and the plaque is scraped off. It is possible to increase ability.

  Furthermore, in the toothbrush bristles 10, when an elastomer resin is used for the second resin layer 12, the plurality of elastic pieces 13 arranged in a layer form bend more flexibly, and follow the irregularities of all parts. The dental plaque can be scraped off, which can further enhance the cleaning performance of the tooth neck.

  In the present invention, in addition to the toothbrush bristles 10 shown in FIG. 2, for example, toothbrush bristles 20 to which the present invention is applied as shown in FIG. 3 can be used. In addition, in the following description, about the site | part equivalent to the said toothbrush bristle 10, while omitting description, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected in drawing.

  Specifically, the toothbrush bristles 20 are located in the center of the width direction of the second resin layer 12 in addition to the configuration of the monofilament 10A, and the thick portion 12a is partially thickened. Consists of monofilaments 20A formed on the ridges along the axial direction.

  The thick portion 12 a has a circular cross-sectional shape and is formed so as to connect the adjacent elastic pieces 13 while protruding from the tip of the second resin layer 12. That is, the thick portion 12a is a portion in which the thickness of the second resin layer 12 is partially increased, and therefore remains at the tip of the second resin layer 12 more than other portions during the dissolution process. A portion having a high ratio and finally connecting between adjacent elastic pieces 13 is formed.

  In the toothbrush bristle 20 composed of the monofilament 20A as described above, the thick portion 12a supports the elastic piece 13 between the adjacent elastic pieces 13. Thereby, it is possible to improve the durability with respect to the bending of the elastic piece 13. That is, the toothbrush bristles 20 can maintain the ability of the above-described elastic piece 13 to scrape away plaque for a long time. Moreover, the thick part 12a supports the said elastic piece 13 between the adjacent elastic pieces 13, and it is possible to improve the penetration property of these elastic pieces 13 to the tooth neck part.

In addition, this invention is not necessarily limited to the thing of the said embodiment, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, the cross-sectional shape of the monofilaments 10A and 20A is not limited to the circular shape described above, but may be an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape such as a square or a rectangle. The diameter (maximum diameter) of the monofilaments 10A and 20A is preferably about 100 to 350 μm.

  In addition, the number of the plurality of elastic pieces 13 arranged in a layered manner with the slit 14 in between at the distal ends of the monofilaments 10A and 20A is preferably about 3 to 6. In other words, the number of laminated layers of the first resin layer 11 and the second resin layer 12 is preferably about 5 to 11 layers. When the number of elastic pieces 13 is two or less, the ability to scrape plaque is insufficient. On the other hand, when the number of elastic pieces 13 is seven or more, the thickness of each elastic piece 13 becomes too thin and enters the periodontal pocket. The hair end reachability of the hair is deteriorated, and the durability of the hair end is also lowered.

  The width of the elastic piece 13 is preferably about 20 to 40 μm, and the depth of the slit 14 is preferably about 10 to 20 μm. Of these, the length (taper length) of the monofilament 10A, 20A having a tapered shape is preferably about 0.5 to 6.0 mm, more preferably about 1.5 to 5.0 mm from the tip.

  Further, when the toothbrush bristles 10 and 20 are implanted in the flock holes of the head portion 3 as the bristles 5 of the toothbrush 1, the direction in which the resin layers are laminated in the monofilaments 10 </ b> A and 20 </ b> A constituting the bristles 5 is determined. It is preferable to match each other. For example, in the toothbrush 1, the flat line direction is 0 degree, that is, the resin layer stacking direction in the monofilaments 10 </ b> A and 20 </ b> A is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the head portion 3, so Since the plaque is scraped off, the tooth neck can be effectively cleaned.

  In the present invention, the monofilaments 10A and 20A are not limited to the structure in which the second resin layer 12 is sandwiched between the first resin layers 11, but for example, as shown in FIG. A structure in which the first resin layer 11 is sandwiched between the second resin layers 12 may be employed.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is also possible to comprise by 3 or more different resin layers 31, 32, and 33 like the monofilament 30A shown, for example in FIG.4 (b). Specifically, the monofilament 30A includes two second resin layers 32 sandwiching the first resin layer 31 in the center between the five first resin layers 31, and the second resin layer 31. The third resin layer 33 having two layers sandwiching the first resin layer 31 outside the resin layer 32 has a structure laminated in this order. Of the first to third resin layers 31, 32, and 33 constituting the monofilament 30A, the third resin layer 33 is made of a resin having a higher dissolution rate than the second resin layer 32. The resin layer 32 is made of a resin having a higher dissolution rate than the first resin layer 31.

  Thus, in the monofilament 30A, when the hair tip shape is sharpened by the above-described dissolution treatment, the tip of the third resin layer 33 is retracted from the tip of the second resin layer 32 at the tip, When the tip of the second resin layer 32 recedes from the tip of the first resin layer 31, it is possible to obtain a hair tip shape as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, in this invention, the cross-sectional shape of the thick part 12a mentioned above is not restricted to the circular shape, For example, the rhombus thick part 12b as shown to Fig.5 (a), as shown to FIG.5 (b) A cross-sectional shape such as a square thick portion 12c may be used, and the cross-sectional shape of the thick portion 12a may be changed as appropriate.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toothbrush 1A ... Brush handle 2 ... Handle part 3 ... Head part 4 ... Neck part 5 ... Hair bundle 10 ... Hair for toothbrush 10A ... Monofilament 11 ... 1st resin layer 12 ... 2nd resin layer 12a ... Thick part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Elastic piece 14 ... Slit 20 ... Hair for toothbrush 20A ... Monofilament 30A ... Monofilament 31 ... 1st resin layer 32 ... 2nd resin layer 33 ... 3rd resin layer

Claims (6)

A monofilament having a structure in which at least a first resin layer and a second resin layer are alternately laminated in a direction orthogonal to the axis,
In the front end portion of the monofilament, the front end of the second resin layer is in a position retreated from the front end of the first resin layer,
A toothbrush bristle comprising a plurality of elastic pieces and slits formed between the elastic pieces by the first resin layer protruding from the tip of the second resin layer.   2. The toothbrush bristles according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece has a shape that narrows toward the tip.   The toothbrush bristles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the monofilament has a shape whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip.   The thick portion, which is located at the center portion in the width direction of the second resin layer and is partially thickened, is formed along the axial direction of the monofilament. The hair for toothbrushes as described in any one of these.   The monofilament has a tip portion processed by a dissolution treatment, and the second resin layer is made of a resin having a higher dissolution rate than the first resin layer. The toothbrush bristle according to any one of 4.   A toothbrush using the toothbrush bristle according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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