JP2000014451A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush which is suitable for teeth and the gums and in which an irregular surface of a tooth where a plaque tends to accumulate, particularly a neck of a tooth or a space between teeth can be cleaned efficiently. SOLUTION: A head portion 1 wherein bundles of bristle 4a, 4b, in each of which a plurality of bristles are bundled, are embedded along the longitudinal direction of a brush in a plurality of rows, a neck portion connected to the portion 1, and a handle portion are provided. The length of the bundle 4a which is located on each side of the portion 1 to form an outside row of the bundles is made longer than that of the bundle 4b forming the inner rows of the bundles, and a difference in height between the tips of bristles of the bundle 4a and the tips of bristles of the bundle 4b is set to within the range of 0.5-1.0 mm, or preferably within the range of 0.5-0.7 mm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush capable of efficiently cleaning a tooth surface having irregularities on which plaque easily accumulates, in particular, a cervical portion and an interdental portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Toothbrush cuts of toothbrushes are generally flat cut, and the shape of the bristle tip is characterized for each brushing target portion. For example, as a hair cutting shape for polishing an interdental portion or an occlusal surface, a hair cutting shape which is cut off from the side of the head portion, the distal end portion or the proximal end portion is known (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-57).
No. 231).

[0003] In addition, those curved or inclined in accordance with the tooth surface (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-141213, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-27829).
No., Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-91435), and a bristle bundle at the center of the brush portion formed in a convex shape along the brush major axis direction (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-5).
No. 6474), on the other hand, a concave shape (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-10)
No. 5229).

[0004]

However, the conventional toothbrushes described above have the following problems. (1) A flat toothbrush can be applied to any brush surface, but a considerable brushing technique is required to reliably control plaque on a complex tooth surface.

(2) A mountain cut (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-57)
No. 231), although it has excellent bristle penetration into the interdental area, it has a sharp bristle surface, so when brushing the cervical part or hitting the gum part with the bristle part, it gives an uncomfortable feeling. If you feel it, or if the brushing pressure is strong, your gums may feel painful.

(3) Curved or inclined in accordance with the tooth surface (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-141213, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-27829)
No. 5-91435), the curvature of the curved surface is too large and fits the dentition, but it is not always preferable for careful plaque control of individual teeth.

(4) A bristle bundle at the center of the brush portion is formed in a convex shape along the longitudinal direction of the brush (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-56474).
So, by brushing the cervix at the appropriate angle with the brush method, the cervix can be effectively cleaned, but it is always possible to maintain the correct angle and brush difficult.

(5) Conversely, the bristle bundle at the center of the brush portion is formed concave along the longitudinal direction of the brush (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 58-105).
No. 229), the height difference between the inner and outer bristle bundles is relatively large, so if you try to brush the tooth surface with the inner bristle bundle,
There has been a problem that the outer hair bundle hits the cervical region with an excessive force, which makes the gingiva uncomfortable. Also,
Conversely, if the outer bristle bundle is applied to the cervical region with just the right force, there is a problem that the inner short brush is difficult to reach the tooth surface and the brushing efficiency is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to efficiently clean a tooth surface having irregularities on which plaque easily accumulates, particularly, a cervical portion and an interdental portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that is gentle on teeth and gums.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a head portion in which a plurality of brushes are bundled in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction of the brush, and a head portion following the head portion. In the toothbrush having the handle portion and the handle portion, the brush length of the outer bristle row located on both sides of the head section is longer than the brush length of the inner bristle row, and the top portion in the outer bristle row is The height difference between the tip end of the hair bundle constituting the hair tip and the tip end of the hair bundle constituting the lowest part in the inner hair bundle row is 0.5 to 1.
It is set within 0 mm. The outer bristle bundle row can have various arrangement shapes, such as being arranged in a straight line or an arc shape protruding outward, or further, being arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the inner bristle bundle row.

[0011]

[Effect] Plaque control of the cervical region or periodontal pocket is important for the prevention of periodontal disease. For plaque control of the cervical region, a bath method in which the tip of the hair is applied to the cervical region at an appropriate angle and finely brushed back and forth with a light force is said to be effective. However, even if ordinary people actually try to practice this method, the shape of the teeth and periodontal parts is different from one to another, so the bristles can be properly angled with just the sense of the mouth and the hand only Maintaining contact with the cervix has been difficult in practice.

On the other hand, when the toothbrush of the present invention having the above-described structure is used, the outer bristle row can be formed by applying the bristle tip almost perpendicularly to the tooth surface without worrying about the angle applied to the cervical part. Is naturally opened, and the tip of the hair fits the cervical gum line. For this reason, it is easier to scrub than the bath method, in which the tips are applied at a predetermined angle, and the brush tips are applied in a perpendicular manner to the tooth surface. It also penetrates into the periodontal pocket to ensure plaque control of the cervical region.

Further, the brush length of the hair bundles constituting the outer hair bundle row is longer than that of the hair bundles constituting the inner hair bundle row, so that the bristle tip fits well on the cervix as described above. In addition, if the tooth surface is brushed with the brush standing, the bristle tip also fits between the teeth. Therefore, plaque control of both the cervical region and the interdental region can be easily performed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a head portion of a toothbrush according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

In the illustrated example, the head portion 1 has an elliptical planar shape, and a neck portion 2 connected to a handle (not shown) is integrally connected to the base end side of the elliptical head portion 1. .
On the flocked surface 3 of the head portion 1, hair bundles 4a and 4b, each of which is a bundle of a plurality of brushes, are embedded in four rows along the longitudinal direction of the brush.

In the present invention, of the four rows of hair bundles 4a and 4b, the hair bundles (hereinafter referred to as "outer row") which are located on both sides of the head portion 1 and constitute an outer hair bundle row. The brush length of the bristle bundle 4a is longer than the bristle length of the bristle bundle (hereinafter, abbreviated as "the inner bristle bundle") 4b constituting the inner bristle row, and the leading end or the proximal end of the head unit 1 is set. When viewed from the side (the side of the neck 2), the tip of the bristle has a concave step when viewed from the side of the brush. The height difference d between the tip of the tip of the hair bundle 4a constituting the topmost part in the outer hair bundle row and the tip of the tip of the hair bundle 4b constituting the lowest part in the inner hair bundle row is 0. Within 5 to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mm.
It is desirable to set it to 5 to 0.7 mm.

As described above, the brush length of the outer row bristle bundle 4a is made longer than the brush length of the inner row bristle bundle 4b, and the tip of the bristle tip has a concave step. When the tip hits the tooth surface, the outer row bristle bundle 4
a opens spontaneously and the tip of the hair fits the cervical region. At this time, by setting the height difference d within 0.5 to 1.0 mm, even if the tooth surface is cleaned by a simple scrub method,
The bristle tip fits the cervix at a more preferable angle, and the effect of brushing the cervix can be further improved. Further, when the height difference d is 0.5 to 0.7 mm, it is possible to obtain a toothbrush that is more excellent in cleaning the tooth surface and more comfortable in contacting the gums. Also, if you brush with the brush up,
The bristle tips of the outer row bristle bundle 4a having a long brush length fit into the interdental portion, and plaque control in the interdental portion is also facilitated.

The tips of the hair bundles 4a and 4b may be shaped as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 in addition to the flattened shape shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the hair bundle tip rounded in a dome shape in order to enhance the hair penetration into the cervical region. FIG. 5 shows the outer row hair bundle 4a cut flat and the inner row hair bundle 4b cut diagonally. It is an example. Further, in order to enhance the cleaning effect, the tip of each hair bundle may be processed into a concave shape.

As the hair bundles 4a and 4b, hair bundles having different cross-sectional shapes and cross-sectional diameters may be used. In addition, the flocking angle is not necessarily limited to 90 degrees (vertical) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In order to enhance the ability of hair to enter the cervical region and improve the cleaning effect,
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer row hair bundle 4a may be implanted by inclining outwardly. In addition, the effects of the present invention can be obtained by combining these.

Regarding the brush diameter of each brush constituting the outer row bristle bundle 4a, a soft and narrow diameter is suitable for plaque control at the cervical region, and the brush diameter is 5 to 8 mil (0.
127 to 0.203 mm). In addition, the brush diameter of the brushes constituting the inner row bristle bundle 4b is 7 to 10 mi in order to surely clean the tooth surface.
1 (0.178 to 0.254 mm) is desirable.

The bristles (filaments) used as brushes include, in addition to regular bristles having a uniform thickness, bristles having a normal diameter at the base and tapering toward the tip, and a plurality of tips at the tip. Hairs whose effective diameter has been reduced may be used, and further, these hairs may be combined.

The brush length of the outer row bristle bundle 4a is preferably 9 to 12 mm, more preferably 10 to 10 because flexibility is required for plaque control of the cervical region.
Desirably, it is 11 mm. With such a brush length, it is possible to obtain a toothbrush that is excellent in the effect of brushing the cervical region and that is comfortable against the gums.

The material of the brush may be any material suitable for a toothbrush, for example, 6-12 nylon, 6-nylon.
Nylon 10, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and composite yarns combining these can be used. Also,
Natural hair may be used.

The arrangement of the hair bundles 4a and 4b embedded in the head portion 1 is free as long as it does not affect the structure of the present invention. In particular, the outer row hair bundle 4a has a straight line as shown in FIG. In addition to being arranged in a shape, as shown in FIGS.
Arranged in an arc shape that protrudes toward the outside of the head,
As shown in FIG. 9, the inner row hair bundles 4b may be arranged so as to surround the entire circumference. By arranging the outer row hair bundles 4a so as not to be aligned on the same straight line in this way, the outer row hair bundles 4a can easily follow the cervical gum line, which is more preferable.

The arrangement of the inner row hair bundle 4b is also shown in FIG.
Various arrangements such as one-row or two-row arrangement as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, or a one-row and two-row mixed type as shown in FIG. You can do it.

Further, it is not always necessary that the hair bundle arrangement is the same at the distal end side and the proximal end side of the head portion 1. For example, the brush width is tapered only at the front end side of the head portion 1 The diameter of the hair transplant may be increased by changing the diameter.

The planar shape of the head portion 1 on which the hair bundles 4a and 4b are implanted is not limited to an elliptical shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 9, but may be a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. Other planar shapes such as shapes can be adopted.

The diameter of the bristle bundle when viewed from the cross section connecting the side faces of the toothbrush may be about 1.0 to 2.5 mm, which is a normal value, and there is no particular limitation. Then, it is preferable that the diameter of the hair bundle is small. However, in the actual toothbrush, taking into account the brushing power of the entire toothbrush, brushing feeling, durability of the flocked part, etc.
Appropriate specifications are selected.

Hair bundles 4a, 4b in the toothbrush of the present invention
Is not particularly limited, as long as the hair bundles 4a and 4b are firmly fixed to the flocked surface 3 of the head portion 1. For example, a driving and fixing method using a flat wire, an in-mold method, heat A conventionally known method such as a fusion method can be used.

Further, the outer row hair bundle 4a and the inner row hair bundle 4b
In the case of the flat wire driving method, a concave step may be provided by cutting hair from one direction after flocking the hair bundle. In the case of the in-mold method or the heat fusion method, the hair bundle 4
Before in-molding or heat-sealing the a and 4b, the tips of the hairs may be aligned in a predetermined shape in advance, and then the base end of the hair bundle may be melted to fix the concave step shape, or a flat wire driving method. As in the case of the above, the hair may be trimmed after the implantation.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made in accordance with the gist of the invention.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the bristle length of the bristle bundles constituting the outer bristle row located on both sides of the head portion is changed to the bristle length of the bristle bundles constituting the inner bristle row. The length of the tip of the hair bundle, which is longer than the length, and which forms the top part in the outer hair bundle row, and the height of the tip of the hair bundle which forms the lowest part in the inner hair bundle row. Because the step is set within 0.5 to 1.0 mm, tooth surfaces with irregularities that can easily collect plaque, especially the cervical part and interdental part, can be efficiently cleaned, and the toothbrush is gentle on teeth and gums Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a head portion of a toothbrush according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second example of the tip of the hair tip, taken along the line AA in FIG. 1;
It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third example of the tip of the hair tip, taken along the line AA in FIG. 1;
It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth example of the tip shape of the bristle tip in FIG.
It is a line expanded sectional view.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the hair bundle arrangement of the head unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a hair bundle arrangement of a head unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of a hair bundle arrangement of a head unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of a hair bundle arrangement of a head unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the planar shape of the head unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Head part 2 Neck part 3 Flocked surface 4a Hair bundle which comprises an outer hair bundle row (outer row hair bundle) 4b Hair bundle which comprises an inner hair bundle row (inner row hair bundle) d Height difference

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takao Kato 1-37 Honjo, Sumida-ku, Tokyo F-term in Lion Corporation (reference) 3B202 AA06 AB15 DB01 EF02 EF04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A toothbrush having a head portion in which a plurality of brushes bundled in a plurality of brushes are buried in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction of the brush, and a neck portion and a handle portion following the head portion, wherein both sides of the head portion are provided. The length of the bristle bundles constituting the outer bristle row is longer than the bristle length of the bristle bundles constituting the inner bristle row, and the bristle constituting the topmost portion in the outer bristle row The height difference between the tip of the bristles of the bundle and the tip of the bristles constituting the lowest part in the inner bristle bundle row is 0.5 to 1.0 mm.
A toothbrush characterized by being set within the range. 2. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the outer bristle rows are arranged in a straight line. 3. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the outer bristle bundle rows are arranged in an arc shape projecting outward. 4. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the outer bristle rows are arranged to surround the entire circumference of the inner bristle rows.