JP2021178114A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush capable of brushing whole teeth including teeth adjacent to a missing tooth cleanly and efficiently.SOLUTION: A toothbrush having a brush part 7 in which a plurality of bristle bundles 6 formed by bundling a plurality of brush bristles is planted on a bristle planting base 2 is provided with a first bristle bundle group 10 in a central part in a length direction of the bristle planting base 2, a second bristle bundle group 11 wider than the first bristle bundle group 10 on a tip side in the length direction of the bristle planting base 2, a third bristle bundle group 12 wider than the first bristle bundle group 10 on a base end side in the length direction of the bristle planting base 2, and a narrow constricted part 7a in a midway part in the length direction of the brush part 7 by providing the first bristle bundle group 10, the second bristle bundle group 11, and the third bristle bundle group 12. A plurality of bristle bundles 6 disposed on both sides in a width direction of the constricted part 7a is composed of special bristle bundles formed by bundling a plurality of brush bristles composed by using special filaments having irregularities on the surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6A

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush suitable for a person who has lost some teeth.

As a toothbrush, a toothbrush suitable for a person who has lost some teeth due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture, etc. has not been sufficiently examined yet, and usually, the lost tooth ( In consideration of the insertability of the toothbrush into the defective space formed by the defective tooth (hereinafter referred to as the defective tooth), a toothbrush having a tapered tip of the hair implant (see, for example, Patent Document 1), a one-tuft brush, or the like. The reality is that you are brushing your teeth with a special toothbrush.

On the other hand, a brush consisting of a large number of bristles planted on a brush base in order to improve the reachability of the bristles between healthy teeth and to fit the tooth surface well. A toothbrush has been proposed in which the arrangement shape of the entire body is formed into a substantially gourd shape along the long axis direction of the toothbrush when viewed from the protruding direction of the hair (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Further, as a toothbrush using a filament having a plurality of irregularities on the surface, a toothbrush using a filament having a substantially polygonal cross section and a twist in the length direction (see, for example, Patent Document 3) and two gear shapes. A toothbrush using a filament formed by pressing the filament so as to sandwich the filament (see, for example, Patent Document 4) has also been proposed.

Jitsukaisho 60-29528A Gazette Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-327933 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-360342 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-200889

By the way, it is necessary to brush the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth adjacent to the defect space while slightly adjusting the position of the brush portion in the longitudinal direction so that the brush portion does not come off from the defect adjacent tooth. It is a very difficult part to brush, and since it is a brushing part that is unfamiliar to toothbrush users, it is easy for unpolished parts to occur, and the adjacent tooth becomes caries and periodontal disease, and the next defect. There was a problem that led to. In addition, since the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth are cleaned with the brush portion inserted into the defect space, the tip of the brush portion is attached to the gingiva on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth. There is also a concern that the gingiva may be strongly stimulated due to frequent contact with the gingiva.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush capable of cleanly and efficiently brushing an entire tooth including a defective adjacent tooth.

As a result of diligently studying the optimum toothbrush configuration for the user of the partial denture and conducting various tests, the applicant has made the middle part of the brush part in the length direction to be crimped in the width direction, and at least both sides of the constricted part. By constructing at least one hair bundle arranged in the tooth with a special filament having irregularities on the surface, it is possible to effectively brush the tooth surface and the cervical part on the defect space side in the defect adjacent tooth. The present invention was completed.

The present invention includes the following inventions.
(1) A toothbrush having a brush portion in which a plurality of hair bundles formed by bundling a plurality of brush bristles are planted on a hair-implanting table, and a first hair bundle group in the central portion in the length direction of the hair-implanting table. A second hair bundle group wider than the first hair bundle group is provided on the tip end side in the length direction of the hair implant table, and a second hair bundle group wider than the first hair bundle group is provided on the base end side in the length direction of the hair transplant table from the first hair bundle group. By providing a wide third hair bundle group and providing the first hair bundle group, the second hair bundle group, and the third hair bundle group, a narrow constriction is provided in the middle of the brush portion in the length direction. It is the outermost part in the width direction of the two hair bundles arranged on both sides of the brush portion, where the portion is provided and the hair bundles are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the constriction portion. Of a plurality of hair bundles, from the hair bundle on the most proximal side of the hair bundle to the hair bundle on the most tip side among the outermost hair bundles in the width direction of the third hair bundle group. , A toothbrush characterized in that at least one bristles is composed of a special bristles formed by bundling a plurality of bristles made of a special filament having irregularities on the surface.

(2) The toothbrush according to (1) above, wherein the hair bundles arranged on both sides of the first hair bundle group are composed of the special hair bundles.

(3) From the hair bundle located on both sides of the brush portion, which is the most proximal side of the outermost hair bundles in the width direction of the second hair bundle group, the third hair bundle group The toothbrush according to (1) or (2) above, wherein all the hair bundles up to the most tip side hair bundle among the outermost hair bundles in the width direction are composed of the special hair bundle.

(4) The hair bundles other than the special hair bundles are composed of general-purpose hair bundles formed by bundling a plurality of brush hairs formed by using general-purpose filaments having a smooth surface (1) to (3). Toothbrush described in any of.

(5) The toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the special filament is composed of a filament formed by twisting a deformed cross-sectional fiber.

(6) The toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the special filament is composed of filaments embossed at intervals in the length direction.

(7) The toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the tip portion of the brush bristles is configured to have a shape in which the diameter is reduced toward the tip side.

(8) The toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein a narrow portion along the outer portion of the brush portion is formed in the middle portion in the length direction of the flocking table.

(9) The toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the thickness of the flocking table is 4.0 mm or less.

According to the toothbrush according to the present invention, since the constricted portion is formed in the middle portion in the length direction of the brush portion, the entire tooth including the defective adjacent tooth can be brushed cleanly and efficiently. That is, except for the tooth surface and the cervical region on the defect space side of the adjacent tooth, the tooth surface and the cervical region are cleaned by a well-known brushing method such as a bath method, a scrubbing method, and a rolling method, in the same manner as normal brushing. Brushing can be done efficiently and efficiently. Further, regarding the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth, for example, a brush portion is arranged in the defect space, the constricted portion is fitted to the defect adjacent tooth, and the tip portion of the brush portion is the defect adjacent tooth. By brushing the missing adjacent tooth with a well-known brushing method such as a bath method, a scrubbing method, a rolling method, etc. Since brushing can be performed while effectively preventing the hair bundle group and the third hair bundle group, brushing can be performed neatly and efficiently. Moreover, at least one of the plurality of hair bundles arranged on both sides of the constricted portion is composed of a special hair bundle made of a special filament having irregularities on the surface, and the tooth on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth. When the surface and the cervical part are brushed, the tooth surface and the cervical part are brushed by the special hair bundle. Can be done. Further, when the tip portion of the brush bristles is configured to have a reduced diameter toward the tip side, the contact of the brush portion with the gingiva on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth can be softened, and the defect adjacent tooth is defective. It is possible to achieve both effective cleaning of the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the space side and soft contact with the gingiva on the defect space side of the tooth adjacent to the defect.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush. FIG. 2 is a front view of the brush portion of the first configuration of the toothbrush. FIG. 3 is a side view of the brush portion. FIG. 4A is a front view of the brush portion of the second configuration in which the arrangement of the hair bundles is changed. FIG. 4B is a front view of a brush portion having a third configuration in which the arrangement of hair bundles is changed. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of the tip shape of the brush bristles. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of another tip shape of the brush bristles. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of special hair bundles and general-purpose hair bundles in the brush portion of the first configuration. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing another arrangement of the special hair bundle and the general-purpose hair bundle in the brush portion of the first configuration. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram showing still another arrangement of the special hair bundle and the general-purpose hair bundle in the brush portion of the first configuration. FIG. 6D is an explanatory diagram showing still another arrangement of the special hair bundle and the general-purpose hair bundle in the brush portion of the first configuration. FIG. 6E is an explanatory diagram showing still another arrangement of the special hair bundle and the general-purpose hair bundle in the brush portion of the first configuration. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of special hair bundles and general-purpose hair bundles in the brush portion of the second configuration. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of special hair bundles and general-purpose hair bundles in the brush portion having the third configuration. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the special filament. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a special filament having another configuration. FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a general-purpose filament. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the brushing method. FIG. 10A is a front view of the flocking table of Comparative Example 1. FIG. 10B is a front view of the flocking table of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 10C is a front view of the flocking table of Comparative Example 3. FIG. 10D is a front view of the flocking table of Comparative Example 4. FIG. 10E is a front view of the flocking table of Comparative Example 5. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a brushing method in an evaluation test. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the plaque removal rate by reciprocating brushing of the tooth adjacent to the defect. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the plaque removal rate by rotational brushing of the tooth adjacent to the defect. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the plaque removal rate by lateral brushing of healthy teeth.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toothbrush 1 is a brush portion composed of a toothbrush main body 5 having a flocking table 2, a neck portion 3 and a handle portion 4, and a plurality of hair bundles 6 planted on the flocking table 2. It is equipped with 7.

The toothbrush main body 5 is integrally molded by injection molding using a synthetic resin material. Examples of the synthetic resin material constituting the toothbrush body 5 include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polytrimethyl terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, styrene / acrylonitrile resin, and acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin. , Cellulose propionate, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate, polyallylate and other hard synthetic resin materials can be adopted. However, the toothbrush main body 5 may be configured by using a single synthetic resin material, or may be configured by using a plurality of types of synthetic resin materials. For example, a hard primary molded product is molded by injection molding using a first synthetic resin material, this primary molded product is set in another mold, and an elastomer material or the like is formed by injection molding. It is also possible to adopt a toothbrush main body formed by molding a non-slip portion and a finger pad portion using the synthetic resin material of 2.

As the neck portion 3 and the handle portion 4, any well-known configuration other than that shown in FIG. 1 can be adopted as long as the configuration is such that brushing operation is easy.

The flocking table 2 is composed of a gourd-shaped substantially flat plate-shaped member in which the middle portion in the length direction of the oval plate-shaped member is constricted in the width direction, and is formed in a shape substantially similar to the outer peripheral shape of the brush portion 7. ing. A narrow first flocking table portion 2a (which corresponds to a narrow portion) is formed in the middle of the flocking table 2 in the length direction, and a first flocking table portion 2a is located on the tip side of the first flocking table portion 2a. A second flocking base 2b wider than the flocking base 2a is formed, and a third flocking base 2c wider than the first flocking base 2a is formed on the base side of the first flocking base 2a. ing. The second flocking base portion 2b and the third flocking base portion 2c may be configured to have the same width or may be configured to have different widths. It is preferable that the width of the second flocking base portion 2b is narrower than the width of the third flocking base portion 2c because the cleanability of the distal surface of the molars and the like can be improved. In this way, when the middle portion of the hair-implanting table 2 in the length direction is configured to be narrow and both sides of the hair-implanting table 2 are constricted in an arc shape, the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth are formed. For brushing, when the brush portion 7 is arranged in the defect space, the hard hair implant 2 can be arranged so as to straddle the gingiva covering the alveolar bone at the position corresponding to the defect space, and the tooth adjacent to the defect can be arranged. It is preferable because it can improve the cleanability of the brush portion 7 and the operability of the brush portion 7 at the time of cleaning. However, as the flocking table 2, it is also possible to adopt a well-known shape such as an oval shape such as an oval shape or an oval shape, or a rectangular shape, which is configured so as not to constrict the middle portion in the length direction thereof.

The upper limit of the maximum thickness t of the flocking table 2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 4.0 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less, in order to improve the cleanability of hard-to-polish parts such as the distal surface of molars. More preferred. The lower limit of the maximum thickness t is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.5 mm or more in order to sufficiently secure the mechanical strength of the flocking table 2.

A plurality of hair follicles 8 are formed in a predetermined arrangement on the flocking table 2, and hair follicles 6 formed by bundling a plurality of brush hairs are planted in each flocking hole 8 by a well-known method using a flat line (not shown). It is set up. The plurality of flocking holes 8 formed in the flocking table 2 can all be configured to have the same diameter, or can be mixed with different diameters in consideration of cleanability and the like. The number of flocked hairs for one flocked hole 8 is not particularly limited, but the number of brush bristles before folding in half is, for example, 15 to 80, preferably 20 to 50. The depth of the flocked holes 8 can also be appropriately set according to the diameter of the flocked holes 8 and the number of brush bristles to be flocked. As the fixing structure of the hair bundle 6 to the flocking table 2, in addition to the fixing structure using the flat wire, a molten mass formed by melting the hair bundle 6 is provided at the base end portion of the hair bundle 6, and the molten mass is formed. A well-known fixing structure can also be adopted, such as injection molding the toothbrush body 5 so as to be insert-molded on the flocking table 2 and fixing the hair bundle 6 to the flocking table 2 by a molten mass.

The width d1 from the outermost flocking hole 8 in the width direction of the first flocking base portion 2a to the side edge of the first flocking base portion 2a is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less. The width d2 from the outermost flocking hole 8 in the width direction of the second flocking base portion 2b to the side edge of the second flocking base portion 2b is preferably 0.7 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The width d3 from the outermost flocking hole 8 in the width direction of the third flocking base portion 2c to the side edge of the third flocking base portion 2c is preferably 0.7 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

The middle part of the first flocking base 2a in the length direction is formed in a straight line, and the second flocking base 2b is formed at both ends of the first flocking base 2a in the length direction. It is formed in an arc shape having a radius R1 of the protrusion toward the third flocking base portion 2c, and is formed in an arc shape having a radius R2 of the protrusion toward the third flocking base portion 2c. The radii R1 and R2 are preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less, and even more preferably 3 mm or more and 6 mm or less. By setting the radii R1 and R2 to 1 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of stress concentration due to a sudden change in width and prevent the first flocking base portion 2a from being damaged by applying a force. Further, by setting the thickness to 10 mm or less, the constriction can be increased to prevent the teeth from coming into contact with the flocking table 2, and the operability of the brush portion 7 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement of the hair bundle 6 with respect to the flocking table 2 is such that the arrangement is suitable for brushing for a person who has lost some teeth due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture, or the like. , It is configured as follows.

The first hair bundle group 10 is provided in the central portion of the flocking table 2 in the length direction, and the second hair bundle group 11 wider than the first hair bundle group 10 is provided on the tip side of the flocking table 2 in the length direction. A third hair bundle group 12 wider than the first hair bundle group 10 is provided on the base end side in the length direction of the flocking table 2, and the first hair bundle group 10, the second hair bundle group 11 and the first hair bundle group 12 are provided. By providing the three hair bundle group 12, a narrow constriction portion 7a is provided in the middle portion in the length direction of the brush portion 7. The first hair bundle group 10 means a plurality of hair bundles 6 arranged in the most constricted portion of the constricted portion 7a.

The arrangement of the hair bundles 6 in the first hair bundle group 10, the second hair bundle group 11, and the third hair bundle group 12 may be an arrangement in which the cracked portion 7a is formed in the central portion in the length direction of the brush portion 7. For example, any arrangement other than that shown in FIG. 2 can be adopted. For example, in the arrangement of the first hair bundle group 10, in FIG. 2, four hair bundles 6 are arranged in the substantially central portion in the length direction of the flocking table 2 so as to correspond to the four corners of the substantially square. Like the first hair bundle group 10A of the brush portion 7A shown in FIG. 4A, two hair bundles 6 are provided at a substantially central portion in the length direction of the flocking table 2 at intervals in the width direction, or are shown in FIG. 4B. Like the first hair bundle group 10B of the brush portion 7B, the five hair bundles 6 are placed in the substantially central portion in the length direction of the flocking table 2, and the four corners of the rectangle long in the width direction of the flocking table 2 and the rectangle. Any arrangement can be adopted, such as providing it corresponding to the central part of. Further, in the second hair bundle group 11 and the third hair bundle group 12, a plurality of hair bundles 6 are arranged mirror-symmetrically with the substantially central portion of the hair-implanting table 2 as a boundary, but the hair bundles 6 do not necessarily have to be arranged mirror-symmetrically. The number of hair bundles 6 in the second hair bundle group 11 and the third hair bundle group 12 does not necessarily have to be the same, and may be composed of different numbers of hair bundles 6. Further, the plurality of hair bundles 6 arranged on both sides of the brush portion 7 constituting the constriction portion 7a have an arc shape so that the constriction portion 7a is arranged along the outer periphery of the molar teeth as shown in FIG. , Rectangular, isosceles trapezoidal shape. In the brush portion 7A, the diameters of the two hair follicles 8A of the first hair follicle group 10A are configured to be larger than the diameters of the other hair follicles 8 to form the first hair follicle group 10A. Increasing the number of brush bristles prevents the first bristles group 10A from easily bending when brushing the distal side or the mesial side of the defective adjacent tooth, and is due to the bending of the first bristles group 10A. It is preferable because it can prevent a decrease in brushing power.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outermost end portion of the outermost hair bundle 6 in the width direction of the second hair bundle group 11, which is the maximum depth of the constriction on the second hair bundle group 11 side in the constriction portion 7a. The distance a1 from the first hair bundle group 10 to the outermost end of the outermost hair bundle 6 in the width direction is for sufficiently ensuring the cleanability of the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth. , 1.4 mm or more is preferable, and 1.9 mm or more is more preferable. The upper limit of the distance a1 is preferably 9.0 mm or less, more preferably 5.0 mm or less, in order to obtain good operability in the oral cavity.

From the outermost end of the outermost hair bundle 6 in the width direction of the third hair bundle group 12, which is the maximum depth of the hair bundle on the third hair bundle group 12 side in the constriction portion 7a, the first hair bundle group The distance a2 to the outermost end of the outermost hair bundle 6 in the width direction of 10 is 1.4 mm or more in order to sufficiently secure the cleanability of the tooth surface and the cervical part on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth. It is preferable, and more preferably 1.9 mm or more. The upper limit of the distance a2 is preferably 9.0 mm or less, more preferably 5.0 mm or less, in order to obtain good operability in the oral cavity.

The distances a1 and a2 are a1 ≦ a2 in order to improve the insertability of the tip of the brush portion 7 into the defective space and to improve the cleanability of difficult-to-polish parts such as the mesial surface and centrifugal surface of the molar teeth. It is preferable to have.

From the end side of the base end side of the hair bundle 6 which is the most proximal side among the outermost hair bundles 6 in the width direction of the second hair bundle group 11 which is the length of the constricted portion 7a. 3 The length b to the tip end of the hair bundle 6 on the most tip side of the outermost hair bundle 6 in the width direction of the hair bundle group 12 is preferably 4.0 mm or more, preferably 6.0 mm. The above is more preferable. The upper limit of the length b is not particularly limited, but is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 13 mm or less in order to obtain good operability in the oral cavity.

The width c of the first hair bundle group 10, which is the minimum width of the constricted portion 7a, is preferably 2.0 mm ≦ c ≦ 8.5 mm, and more preferably 2.0 mm ≦ c ≦ 7.0 mm. The width c of the first hair bundle group 10 is preferably 2.0 mm or more in order to prevent the first hair bundle group 10 from excessively bending and deteriorating the cleanability when the defective adjacent tooth is brushed. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the maximum gap C between the second premolar and the second molar when the inclination angle θ with respect to the anterior-posterior direction of the oral cavity is perpendicular to the line segment of θ = 109 ° is, for example, a jaw model ( Since it is 7.35 mm in D15-500H, Nissin, Kyoto), it is easy to insert the brush part 7 into the defect space, especially for the defect space formed by losing the first molar. The width c is preferably 7.0 mm or less so that the portion 7 can be inserted.

The ratio of the opening area of the hair follicles 8 in the square area with a side of 10 mm drawn around the first hair bundle group 10, that is, the density D of the brush bristles, is the brushing of the distal side or the mesial side of the tooth adjacent to the defect. In order to prevent the first hair follicle group 10 from being easily bent and to sufficiently secure the cleanability of the tooth surface and the cervical region on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth, 20% or more and less than 35% are used. More preferred.

Specific dimensions of each part can be configured in the brush parts 7 and 7A to the dimensions shown in Examples 1 and 2 in Table 1, and in the brush part 7B, for example, the distance a1 is 2.02 mm and the distance a2 is 2.02 mm. The length b can be configured to be 9.1 mm, the width c to be 6.06 mm, and the density to be 38.8%.

The material of the brush bristles constituting the bristles 6 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a polyamide resin such as nylon or aramid resin, a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene or the like. Polyethylene resin and other conventionally known thermoplastic resins can be mentioned.

The diameter of the brush bristles is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm, preferably in the range of 0.15 to 0.25 mm so that an appropriate repulsive force of the bristles can be obtained. Is even more preferable. The hair length H is 8 to 13 mm for the adult toothbrush 1 and 5 to 10 mm for the child toothbrush 1. The diameter of the brush bristles means the maximum diameter of the circumscribed circle of the brush bristles in the brush bristles having a tapered portion and the brush bristles having an irregular cross section.

The tip of the brush bristles can be formed into a substantially hemispherical shape by rounded tip processing, or can be formed into a tapered shape that shrinks in diameter toward the tip side by mechanical polishing or chemical treatment. Can be formed. When mechanical polishing is performed, the diameter from the tip is 1 from the tip to alleviate the hardness of the hair tips in consideration of the condition of the gums of the defect holder and also from the viewpoint of obtaining good cleaning property at the boundary of the gums. It is desirable to perform polishing treatment so that the shape is substantially tapered toward the tip from the position on the base end side by a length of 2 to 6 times. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a hemispherical rounded tip 9a is formed at the tip of the brush bristles 9, or as shown in FIG. 5B, only L2 having a length twice the diameter from the tip of the brush bristles 9 is formed. A tapered portion 9b having a substantially tapered shape is formed from the position on the proximal end side toward the distal end. When the tip of the brush bristles is configured to have a reduced diameter toward the tip side in this way, as shown in FIG. 11, the brush portion 7 is inserted into the defect space, and the tooth surface on the defect space side of the tooth adjacent to the defect is inserted. And when brushing the cervical part, the contact of the brush part 7 with the gingiva on the defective space side of the defective adjacent tooth can be softened, and the tooth surface and the cervical part on the defective space side of the defective adjacent tooth can be effectively cleaned. And, it is possible to achieve both soft contact with the gingiva on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth.

As shown by black circles in FIG. 6A, from a plurality of hair bundles 6 arranged on both sides in the width direction of the constriction portion 7a, that is, from the outermost and most base side hair bundle 6 of the second hair bundle group 11. , All the hair bundles 6 up to the hair bundle 6 on the outermost side and the tip side of the third hair bundle group 12 are bundled with a plurality of brush hairs configured by using a special filament having an uneven surface. It is composed of special hair bundles. Further, as shown by white circles in FIG. 6A, the hair bundle 6 other than the special hair bundle is composed of a general-purpose hair bundle formed by bundling a plurality of brush hairs formed by using a general-purpose filament having a smooth surface. ..

It is not necessary to configure all the hair bundles 6 arranged on both sides in the width direction of the constriction portion 7a with special hair bundles, and at least one hair bundle 6 arranged on both sides in the width direction of the constriction portion 7a. Can be composed of special hair bundles, and the other hair bundles 6 can be composed of general-purpose hair bundles. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, the hair bundle 6 shown in black circles can be composed of special hair bundles, and the hair bundle 6 shown in white circles can be made up of general-purpose hair bundles. .. In particular, the hair bundles 6 arranged on both sides of the first hair bundle group 10 in the width direction can efficiently and cleanly clean the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the distal side and the mesial side of the tooth adjacent to the defect. It is preferably composed of special hair bundles.

Further, regarding the brush portions 7A and 7B, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example, the hair bundle 6 shown in black circles is composed of special hair bundles, and the hair bundles 6 shown in white circles are composed of general-purpose hair bundles. As with the brush portion 7, it is not necessary to configure all the hair bundles 6 arranged on both side portions in the width direction of the constriction portion 7a with special hair bundles, and both side portions in the width direction of the constriction portion 7a. At least one hair bundle 6 arranged in the hair bundle 6 may be composed of a special hair bundle, and the other hair bundle 6 may be composed of a general-purpose hair bundle. However, in the hair bundle 6 to be planted on the flocking table 2, special hair bundles and general-purpose hair bundles can be provided in any arrangement, and all the hair bundles 6 are composed of special hair bundles or general-purpose hair bundles. You can also do it.

As the special filament constituting the special hair bundle, any configuration can be adopted as long as the surface has irregularities. For example, the special filaments 20 and 21 having the following two configurations can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the special filament 20 having the first configuration is formed by twisting and spinning a filament having an irregular cross section such as a square cross section about its length direction to spin four ridges 20a on its surface. Is formed in a spiral shape. However, as the special filament 20, the cross-sectional shape is a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon, and a cocoon shape in which a part of two circles is overlapped. It is also possible to adopt a product made by twisting a filament such as a trefoil shape.

The special filament 21 having the second configuration embosses a filament having a circular cross section at intervals in the length direction so that the embossing directions are different, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B. The flat portions 21a are formed by shifting the flat portions 21a by, for example, 90 degrees in the flat direction at regular intervals in the length direction. However, as the special filament 21, a filament manufactured by embossing a filament having an arbitrary cross-sectional shape other than a circular shape can also be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the general-purpose filament 22 has a general structure in which the cross section is circular and the surface is smooth, or the cross section is a polygonal shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon without twisting. , It is composed of filaments of the general composition with a smooth surface. Such a smooth filament having no unevenness on the surface is slightly less cleanable than a filament having irregularities changing in the length direction on the surface, but can be manufactured at low cost, so that the manufacturing cost of the toothbrush 1 is low. It is preferable to do so.

In this toothbrush 1, since the constricted portion 7a is formed in the middle portion in the length direction of the brush portion 7, the entire tooth including the defective adjacent tooth can be brushed cleanly and efficiently. That is, except for the tooth surface and the cervical region on the defect space side of the adjacent tooth, the tooth surface and the cervical region are cleaned by a well-known brushing method such as a bath method, a scrubbing method, and a rolling method, in the same manner as normal brushing. Brushing can be done efficiently and efficiently. Further, regarding the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the brush portion 7 is arranged in the defect space, and the constricted portion 7a is fitted to the defect adjacent tooth. As shown in 11, the tip of the brush portion 7 is obliquely brought into contact with the tooth surface and the cervical portion of the defective adjacent tooth, and the defective adjacent tooth is subjected to a well-known brushing method such as a bass method, a scrubbing method, or a rolling method. By brushing, it is possible to brush while effectively preventing the brush portion 7 from coming off from the tooth adjacent to the defect by the second hair bundle group and the third hair bundle group, so that brushing can be performed cleanly and efficiently. .. Moreover, special hair bundles are provided on both sides of the constricted portion 7a, and when the tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the missing adjacent tooth are brushed, the tooth surface and the cervical portion are brushed by the special hair bundle. The tooth surface and the cervical portion on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth can be cleaned more efficiently and neatly.

In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a manual toothbrush has been described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush.

Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 8A, as the brush bristle material, a special filament 20 having a substantially square cross section with a side length of 0.178 mm and twisted about the length direction, and as shown in FIG. 8C, A general-purpose filament 22 having a diameter of 0.15 mm and a circular cross section was used. As the flocking table, a flocking table 2 having a plurality of flocking holes 8 having a diameter of 1.7 mm was used so as to have the arrangement shown in FIG. Then, as shown by a black circle in FIG. 6E, 22 special filaments 20 cut to a certain length are folded in half in the flocking hole 8 of the flocking table 2 to form a hair bundle consisting of a total of 44 brush bristles. As shown in the white circle in FIG. 6E, 42 general-purpose filaments 22 cut to a certain length were folded in half, and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 84 brush hairs was flattened. After planting using a wire and trimming the bristles of the brush bristles to 11.5 mm, the tips of the bristles of the brush bristles were polished to produce the toothbrush 1 of Example 1.

(Example 2)
As a flocking table, 2 having a diameter of 2.0 mm at the center in the length direction instead of the four flocking holes 8 of the first hair follicle group 10 in the toothbrush 1 of Example 1 so as to have the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A. A flocking table 2 was used in which one flocking hole 8A was formed and a plurality of flocking holes 8 having a diameter of 1.7 mm were formed in the other portions. In addition, Example 1 except that 37 special filaments 20 were folded in half and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 74 brush hairs was planted in a hair follicle hole 8A having a diameter of 2.0 mm using a flat wire. Similarly, the special filament 20 is planted in the hair follicle hole 8 shown by the black circle in FIG. 7A, and the general-purpose filament 23 is planted in the hair follicle hole 8 shown by the white circle in FIG. 7A. A toothbrush with 7A was manufactured.

As Comparative Examples 1 to 5, a commercially available toothbrush 1 having the following configuration was used.

(Comparative Example 1)
The toothbrush of Comparative Example 1 uses a filament made of nylon having a circular cross section with a diameter of 0.19 mm as the brush bristles, and has a flocking hole with a diameter of 1.7 mm as a flocking table so as to have the arrangement shown in FIG. 10A. Using the formed flocking table, 26 filaments were folded in half in each flocking hole, and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 52 brush bristles was planted using a flat line, and the hair length was 10.5 mm. The bristles are cut so that the bristles are rounded, and the tips of the bristles are rounded.

(Comparative Example 2)
The toothbrush of Comparative Example 2 uses a second filament made of saturated polyester resin having a diameter of 0.17 mm and a circular cross section as a brush bristle material, and as a flocking table, a bristles with a diameter of 1.6 mm in the arrangement shown in FIG. 10B. Using the flocking table on which the hair was formed, 28 first filaments were folded in half in two rows in the center of the width direction of the flocking table, and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 56 brush bristles was formed using a flat line. After planting, 28 second filaments were folded in half on both sides in the width direction of the flocking table, and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 56 brush bristles was planted using a flat line, and the bristles were brushed. The length is 10 to 11 mm, and three core hairs are exposed on the tips of the brush hairs.

(Comparative Example 3)
The tooth brush of Comparative Example 3 uses a filament made of saturated polyester resin having a diameter of 0.135 mm and a circular cross section as a brush bristles, and as a flocking table, in the width direction of the flocking table so as to have the arrangement shown in FIG. 10C. An oval first flocking hole having a length of 1.6 mm in the width direction of the flocking table and a length of 1.0 mm in the length direction of the flocking table is formed in the central part, and the diameter is 0 in the other parts. . Using a flocking table with a plurality of 127 mm second flocking holes, 60 filaments were planted in the first flocking holes by forming a molten mass at the base end, and 35 filaments were planted in the second flocking holes. The hair length at the center of the brush part is 12 so that a molten mass is formed at the base end and planted, a tapered part is formed at the tip of the brush hair by a chemical, and the center part of the brush part rises. It is configured to have a hair length of 1.3 mm and a hair length of 10.5 mm at the outer peripheral portion.

(Comparative Example 4)
The toothbrush of Comparative Example 4 uses a first filament made of nylon having a circular cross section with a diameter of 0.10 mm and a second filament made of saturated polyester resin having a circular cross section having a diameter of 0.154 mm as brush bristles, and flocked. As a table, three rows of first flocking holes having a diameter of 1.5 mm are formed in the central portion in the width direction of the flocking table so as to have the arrangement shown in FIG. 10D, and the diameters are 2. Using a flocking table with a 9 mm row of second flocked holes, 30 first filaments were folded in half in the first flocked holes, and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 60 brush bristles was formed using a flat wire. 32 second filaments were folded in half in the second flocked hole, and a hair bundle consisting of a total of 64 brush bristles was planted using a flat wire, and the tip of the brush bristles in the center was planted. A tapered part is formed in the part by a chemical, and the brush part is cut in a roof shape so that the central part in the width direction of the brush part rises in a chevron shape. The length of the brush bristles is 7.5 mm.

(Comparative Example 5)
The toothbrush of Comparative Example 5 uses a first filament made of saturated polyester resin having a circular cross section with a diameter of 0.160 mm and a second filament made of saturated polyester resin having a circular cross section having a diameter of 0.185 mm as brush bristles. As the hair transplantation table, a hair transplantation table in which a plurality of hair transplantation holes having a diameter of 1.5 mm were formed on the hair transplantation table was used so as to have the arrangement shown in FIG. Fold the filament in half and plant a hair bundle consisting of a total of 50 brush hairs using a flat line, and fold 20 second filaments in half in the second flocked hole shown by the white circle, for a total of 40. A hair bundle consisting of brush hairs of a book is planted using a flat wire, and when the first filament and the second filament are transplanted, the filament is folded back at a position deviated from the central portion in the length direction, and the hair bundle is folded. The long brush bristles are planted so that the hair length (high) of the longer brush bristles is 12.5 mm and the bristles of the shorter brush bristles (low) are 9.0 mm. A tapered portion due to a drug is formed at the tip of the hair.

The distance a1, the distance a2, the length b, and the width c in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 are measured, and are shown by virtual lines in FIGS. 6E, 7A, 7B, and 10A to 10E. The opening area of the pores in a square having a side of 10 mm provided around the center of the brush portion was determined as the flocking density. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Cleanability evaluation test)
A brushing simulator designed to brush the teeth of a fixed jaw model (D15-500H, Nissin, Kyoto) while keeping the brushing pressure and moving speed of the toothbrush constant was used.

(Reciprocating brushing of missing adjacent teeth)
The specific tooth (first molar) of the jaw model is removed as a defective tooth, and a pseudo-plaque is applied to the mesial surface of the defective adjacent tooth (second molar) adjacent to the specific tooth. For each of the cases where the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were set in the brushing simulator, reciprocating brushing was performed twice in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 11, and after brushing, the mesial surface of the defective adjacent tooth of the jaw model was photographed. The percentage of the area where the stain on the tooth surface was removed was determined by image analysis as the plaque removal rate by reciprocating polishing of the mesial surface of the tooth adjacent to the defect. The results are shown in Table 1 and FIG.

(Rotating brushing of missing adjacent teeth)
The specific tooth (first molar) of the jaw model is removed as a defective tooth, and a pseudo-plaque is applied to the mesial surface of the defective adjacent tooth (second molar) adjacent to the specific tooth. For each of the cases where the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were set in the brushing simulator, brushing was performed by rotating the toothbrush twice in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 11, and after brushing, the mesial surface of the defective adjacent tooth of the jaw model was performed. Imaging was performed, and the ratio (%) of the area where the stain on the tooth surface was removed was determined by image analysis as the plaque removal rate by rotational polishing of the mesial surface of the tooth adjacent to the defect. The results are shown in Table 1 and FIG.

(Horizontal brushing of healthy teeth)
Pseudo-plaque was applied to the specific teeth (first molars) of the jaw model, and each of the cases where the toothbrushes of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 3 were set in the brushing simulator was brushed by lateral polishing. After brushing, the buccal side of the specific tooth was photographed, and the ratio (%) of the area where the stain on the tooth surface was removed was determined by image analysis as the plaque removal rate by total polishing. The results are shown in Table 1 and FIG.

From Table 1, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, the toothbrushes of Examples 1 and 2 have better cleanability on the tooth surface on the defect space side of the defect adjacent tooth regardless of the brushing method, as compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 5. Can be found to be obtained. Further, from Table 1 and FIG. 14, since the toothbrush of Example 1 can obtain better cleaning property than Comparative Examples 1 and 3 in terms of cleaning property of the side surface of the tooth, one toothbrush is adjacent to the defect. It can be seen that the teeth and the entire teeth can be cleaned cleanly.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Toothbrush 2 Flocking base 2a 1st flocking base 2b 2nd flocking base 2c 3rd flocking base 3 Neck 4 Handle part 5 Toothbrush body 6 Hair bundle 7 Brush part 7A Brush part 7B Brush part 7a Claw part 8 Flocking hole 8A Flocked hole 9 Brush hair 9a Hemispherical part 9b Tapered part 10 1st hair bundle group 10A 1st hair bundle group 10B 1st hair bundle group 11 2nd hair bundle group 12 3rd hair bundle group 20 Special filament 20a Spike 21 Special filament 21a Flat part 22 General-purpose filament

Claims (9)

A toothbrush having a brush portion in which a plurality of bristles bundled with a plurality of brush bristles are planted on a flocking table.
A first hair bundle group is provided at the center of the flocking table in the length direction.
A second hair bundle group wider than the first hair bundle group is provided on the tip side in the length direction of the flocking table.
A third hair bundle group wider than the first hair bundle group is provided on the base end side in the length direction of the flocking table.
By providing the first hair bundle group, the second hair bundle group, and the third hair bundle group, a narrow constriction portion is provided in the middle portion in the length direction of the brush portion.
The outermost hair bundle in the width direction of the second hair bundle group arranged on both sides of the brush portion, which is a plurality of hair bundles arranged on both sides in the width direction of the constriction portion. At least one of a plurality of hair bundles from the hair bundle on the most proximal side to the most distal hair bundle among the outermost hair bundles in the width direction of the third hair bundle group. One hair bundle is composed of a special hair bundle formed by bundling a plurality of brush hairs formed by using a special filament having an uneven surface.
A toothbrush that features that. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the hair bundles arranged on both sides of the first hair bundle group are composed of the special hair bundle. From the hair bundle on the most proximal side of the outermost hair bundles in the width direction of the second hair bundle group arranged on both sides of the brush portion, in the width direction of the third hair bundle group. The tooth brush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all the hair bundles up to the most tip side hair bundle among the outermost hair bundles are composed of the special hair bundle. 6. Toothbrush. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the special filament is composed of a filament formed by twisting a deformed cross-sectional fiber. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the special filament is formed of filaments embossed at intervals in the length direction. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tip portion of the brush bristles is configured to have a shape in which the diameter is reduced toward the tip side. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a narrow portion along the outer portion of the brush portion is formed in the middle portion in the length direction of the flocking table. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the thickness of the flocking table is 4.0 mm or less.

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