JP2000125937A - Tooth brush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tooth brush which fits to fingers of any sizes, is smooth and does not give pain or the like to the fingers when the tooth brush is held by a pen grip type and more particularly the tooth brush which is adequate for use when a parent holds the tooth brush and brushes the oral cavity of an infant, baby or schoolboy or schoolgirl in a deciduous dentition period or mixed dentition period. SOLUTION: The tooth brush having a head part 1, a neck part 2 in succession thereto and a grip part 3 is provided with dents 7 formed in a plane view shape to an elliptic shape, oval shape or rectangular shape with rounded angles at four points on the flocked surface side, back surface side and both flanks on the outer peripheral surface of the grip part 3 in the position near the joint part 6 with the neck part 2. The cross-sectional shape of the grip part 3 of the portions where the dents 7 are formed is formed to an approximately square shape having rounded angles. The cross-sectional shape of the grip part 3 of the portions where the dents 7 are not formed is formed to the elliptic shape, oval shape or rectangular shape with the rounded angles. The cross-sectional size and shape thereof are made nearly the same from the portions where the dents 7 end to the rear end 3a of the grip part 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush and, more particularly, to a toothbrush which can be stably held for a long time even if it is held by a pen grip type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of the basic shape of a toothbrush. FIG. 7 is a front view, and FIG.
FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 7. Generally, a toothbrush includes a head portion 21, a neck portion 22 following the head portion 21, and a grip portion (handle) 23, and a bristle bundle formed by bundling a plurality of brushes 25 is attached to the head portion 21. A plurality of hairs are implanted on the implanted surface 24.

The cross-sectional shape of the grip 23 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the cross section in (b), the grip portion is generally formed in a square shape with rounded corners, but in the case of the grip portion having such a cross-sectional shape, the corner portion hits a finger. Therefore, it is difficult to brush the teeth stably for a long time with the pen grip type. In particular, when a parent brushes the mouth of an infant, it is common practice to carry it with a pen grip type, and there is a problem that it is difficult to use a conventional toothbrush. Therefore, in order to eliminate such a problem, conventionally, toothbrushes having various grip portions shown below have been proposed.

The toothbrush disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-48980 has a cross-sectional shape of a portion near a neck portion of a grip portion having a substantially rhombic shape, and the child himself holds his / her thumb on those surfaces. It is easy to brush, and even when the parent brushes the mouth of the child, the finger can be put on the corner of the rhombus part and held in a pen grip type, so that it can be brushed stably . However, in the case of this toothbrush, if you brush it with a pen grip, some or all of your thumb, index finger, and middle finger will hit the corners of the rhombus, so it will hurt if you hold it for a long time, and it is not easy to hold it Absent.

[0005] In the toothbrush disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 59-28333, the flocked portion is detachable from the grip portion main body, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion is circular, and the back side of the toothbrush except for the thumb. Four dents for accommodating four fingers are provided along the longitudinal direction of the brush. In the case of this toothbrush, only when cleaning a certain part of the oral cavity, four fingers enter the four dents to exert the desired effect, but the front teeth and the back teeth are cleaned. Then, of course, the position of holding the grip changes, and the position of the upper jaw and the lower jaw also changes. For this reason, even if a dent in which four fingers fit perfectly is provided on the back surface, there is almost no effect of providing the dent when brushing other than a specific location, and it becomes rather difficult to grasp. In addition, since the thickness of the finger varies depending on the user of the toothbrush, there is a disadvantage that a dent having a size that fits perfectly to the finger as shown in the embodiment cannot cope with all persons.

[0006] The toothbrush disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-3129 is composed of grip portions having a square cross section. Each surface is provided with an elliptical finger press, and the head portion is held against the side surface of the grip portion. At an angle of 45 degrees. In the case of this toothbrush, since the cross section of the grip is square, there is a drawback that the grip hits the corner and hurts.

[0007] The toothbrush disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-84926 has a grip having a circular cross section. However, if the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion is circular, there is a drawback that the position of the brush is not known just by gripping, and that there is no unevenness, so that the brush is slippery and difficult to hold. When wet with water, it is particularly slippery and difficult to hold.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. When a toothbrush is held by a pen grip type, a finger of any size fits. A toothbrush that can be stably held for a long time and is smooth and does not cause pain on the fingers, especially
An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush suitable for use when a parent holds and brushes the oral cavity of infants and school children in a dentition period to a mixed dentition period by a pen grip method.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toothbrush having a head portion in which a plurality of bristle bundles formed by bundling a plurality of brushes are embedded in a flocked surface, and a head portion following the head portion. In a toothbrush having a neck portion and a grip portion, the shape in plan view is elliptical and long at four positions on the outer side of the grip portion, on the flocking surface side, on the back surface, and on both side surfaces, near the junction with the neck portion. A recess having a hole shape or a rectangular shape with rounded corners is provided, and the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion at the portion where the recess is formed is a substantially square shape with rounded corners.

In such a configuration, since the depressions are provided on the four surfaces on the outer periphery of the grip portion, when the grip portion is held by the pen grip type, any fingers enter the depressions and cause the depression and the depression. It does not hit the corners in between and does not hurt. Therefore, it can be stably held for a long time, and sufficient brushing can be performed. Also, depending on the brushing area, the finger may hit the corner, but even in that case, the corner is rounded, so that it does not cause much pain. In addition, the toothbrush can be stably held even when brushing any part of the oral cavity with the pen-grip method without slipping due to the dent, so that the intended part can be accurately brushed.

[0011] In the toothbrush according to the second aspect, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion of the portion where no dent is formed is an elliptical shape, a long hole shape or a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the cross-sectional size and shape are concave. It is almost the same from the end to the rear end of the grip.

With such a configuration, there is no corner other than the tip of the indented grip portion, that is, except for the portion to which the thumb hits when held in a pen grip manner. The position of the brush can be determined simply by grasping it.

[0013] In the toothbrush according to the third aspect, the length of the dent along the longitudinal direction of the brush is 25 mm to 40 mm, the depth of the dent is 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and the grip portion of the dent is formed. The thickness and width of the cross section are both 5 mm to 12 mm, and the entire length of the grip is 80 mm to 120 mm
It is what it was.

With such a configuration, there are dents larger than the belly of the thumb at four places on the outer periphery of the tip of the grip, that is, four places where the thumb touches, so that any part of the oral cavity is brushed. Even in such a case, the grip portion can be stably held, and the desired portion can be accurately brushed. In addition, the large, gentle dents fit any size finger.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention. 1 is a front view of the toothbrush, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
The illustrated toothbrush includes a head portion 1, a neck portion 2 following the head portion 1, and a grip portion (handle) 3, and is configured by bundling a plurality of brushes 5 on a flocked surface 4 of the head portion 1. A plurality of hair bundles are planted.

The toothbrush according to the present invention is a toothbrush having the above-mentioned shape, as shown in FIGS.
That is, the indentations 7 in which the shape in plan view (the shape when the part is viewed from directly above) are elliptical are formed at four places on the flocked side, the back side, and both side faces. As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 3 where the elliptical recess 7 is formed is a square shape with rounded corners 8, and the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 3 where the recess 7 is not formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the grip 3 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape.

The overall shape of the grip portion 3 is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of holding when brushing, particularly the ease of holding with a pen grip type.
It is preferable to use a grip portion having a substantially straight shape that extends straight in the brush major axis direction. Further, the length of the grip portion 3 is from 80 mm to 120 mm, and preferably about 100 mm. If it is shorter than this range, the rear end 3a of the grip portion 3 does not hit the base of the thumb and forefinger when holding it with the pen grip type, and it is difficult to hold it. You may be injured by being caught in an unexpected place, and you will have trouble storing the toothbrush after brushing.

The length of the indentation 7 along the brush major axis direction (the major axis length of the ellipse) is 25 m so that the belly of the thumbs of adult men and women can fit comfortably and fit comfortably.
m to 40 mm, preferably about 33 mm. Also, the depth of the dent 7 is, for the same reason,
It is good to be about 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably about 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

The grip portion 3 at the portion where the recess 7 is formed
Regarding the thickness and width of the cross section (see FIG. 3), if the thickness is too small, it becomes difficult to hold.
mm is preferable, and 7 mm to 9 mm is most preferable in terms of ergonomics.

On the other hand, the dimensions of the width and thickness (length of the long axis and short axis) of the elliptical cross section (see FIG. 4) of the grip portion 3 where the recess 7 is not formed are determined in terms of ease of holding. From the dent 7
Are almost the same size from the end of the grip to the rear end 3a of the grip 3.

The neck portion 2 has a straight shape extending straight from the grip portion 3 as shown in the drawing, an inclined shape inclined upward from the grip portion 3, or a predetermined upward shape from the grip portion 3 in terms of ease of brushing. Such as a curved shape bent at the curvature of
Any shape can be employed. The length of the neck 3 is preferably from 50 mm to 55 mm in order to allow the brush to reach the back teeth of the oral cavity of infants and school children during the dentition period to the mixed dentition period without difficulty.

If the head portion 1 has a straight shape, as shown in FIG. 1, it is easier for the head portion 1 to reach the back teeth if it is tilted upward at a predetermined angle, so that the head portion 1 is easily cleaned. If the neck 2 has an inclined shape that is inclined upward or a curved shape that is curved upward, it is better to join along the extension direction of the inclined neck or the tangential direction of the tip of the curved neck. Brushing, especially the cheek side of the back teeth, is easy and convenient.

Further, as described above, another object of the present invention is to make it easier for a parent to brush the oral cavity of infants and school children in the period from the primary dentition period to the mixed dentition period by the pen grip method. Therefore, the width of the head portion 1 is easier to use as it is smaller than a general toothbrush, and is preferably about 10 mm to 18 mm, and preferably about 14 mm.

The material of the grip portion 3 including the head portion 1 and the neck portion 2 is not particularly limited, but a resin that can be integrally molded by injection molding is convenient in terms of productivity. Such materials include, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate,
Polycarbonate, acrylonitrile styrene (A
S), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Etc. can be used. In addition, there is no particular limitation on the material of the brush 4 constituting the hair bundle, for example, polyamide,
Polybutylene terephthalate, natural hair and the like can be used.

The thickness of the brush 5 is 4 mils (0.102 m in diameter).
m) to 10 mils (diameter 0.254mm), length 5m
5 to 6 mils, preferably 6 to 8 mils in length, and 6 mm to 8 mm in length with a soft feel, since the mouth of infants and school children in the dentition stage to the mixed dentition stage is brushed.
About mm is particularly preferable from the viewpoints of usability and plaque removing effect.
The shape of the distal end surface of the bristle bundle in which the brushes 5 are bundled may be an arbitrary distal end surface shape such as a straight cut flat surface or a mountain cut uneven surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the elliptical shape (FIGS. 1 and 2)
Although the case of adopting (see) is exemplified, the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes such as a long hole shape and a rectangular shape with rounded corners can be adopted. Among these,
In particular, the elliptical shape is the most reasonable shape from the viewpoint of shape design and design, and is preferable.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case where a square having rounded corners (see FIG. 3) is employed as the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 3 at the portion where the recess 7 is formed,
It is not limited to this, and in addition, FIG.
A rectangular shape with rounded corners and a concave rectangular shape with rounded corners as shown in FIG. 5B can be employed. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 3 where the recess 7 is formed may be a substantially square shape with rounded corners.

Also, the case where an elliptical shape (see FIG. 4) is adopted as the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 3 where the recess 7 is not formed is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and FIG. a) As shown in FIG.
A rectangular shape with rounded corners as shown in FIG. Among them, the elliptical shape shown in FIG. 4 is particularly preferable.

Further, the width and thickness of the cross section (see FIGS. 4 and 6) of the grip portion 3 where the recess 7 is not formed (corresponding to the long side and the short side in the case of a square, and in the case of the ellipse) It is preferable that the major axis and the minor axis do not change so much from the portion where the dent 7 is finished to the rear end portion 3a of the grip portion 3 in terms of ease of holding. In the prior art, one or both of the width and the thickness of the cross section of the grip portion become smaller or larger as the grip portion approaches the rear end portion 3a. And grip part 3
It is not preferable that the change in the size of the cross section is large.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be applied to uses other than the toothbrush, such as a hair brush, a face brush, and a body brush.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the shape in a plan view is located at a position close to the joint with the neck, and at four places on the outer side of the grip, the flocked side, the back side, and both side faces. Is provided with an indent that becomes an elliptical shape, a long hole shape or a rectangular shape with a rounded corner, and the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion of the portion formed with the concave is a substantially square shape with a rounded corner, so the grip portion is When held by the pen grip type, the finger enters any one of the depressions on the four outer peripheral surfaces of the grip portion, and does not hit the corner between the depressions. For this reason, the finger does not hurt, the finger can be stably held for a long time, and sufficient brushing can be performed.

In addition, the finger may hit the corner depending on the brushing part in the oral cavity. However, even in this case, since the corner is rounded, there is almost no pain and no burden is applied to the finger. In addition, the gripping portion can be stably held even when brushing any part of the oral cavity by holding in a pen grip manner without slipping due to dents, and the target portion can be accurately brushed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion of the portion where no dent is formed is elliptical,
It has a long hole shape or a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the dimensions and shape of this cross section are almost the same from the part where the dent is finished to the rear end of the grip, so other than the tip of the grip with the dent In other words, there is no corner except the part where the thumb hits when holding it with the pen grip type, it does not hurt even if you hold it,
In addition, since the position of the brush can be determined simply by grasping, a very easy-to-use toothbrush can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the length of the dent along the brush major axis direction is from 25 mm to 40 m.
m, the depth of the dent is 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and both the thickness and width of the cross section of the grip portion of the dent formed portion are 5 mm.
mm to 12 mm, the overall length of the grip from 80 mm to 1
Because it was 20 mm, the size of the dent formed in the four places where the thumb on the tip side of the grip hits was larger than that of the belly of a normal adult thumb, and even when brushing any part of the oral cavity The grip portion can be stably held, and the desired portion can be accurately brushed. In addition, it is a large and gentle dent, so it fits any size finger and does not get tired even if you hold it for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a toothbrush according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the toothbrush according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

5A and 5B show another example of the cross-sectional shape at the position of line AA in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5A shows an example of a rectangular shape with rounded corners;
(B) is an example of a concave rectangular shape with rounded corners.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show another example of the cross-sectional shape at the position of line BB in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 6A is an example of a long hole shape, and FIG. 6B is an example of a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a conventional toothbrush.

8A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line CC in FIG. 7, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 head part 2 neck part 3 grip part 3a rear end part of grip part 4 flocking surface 5 brush 6 joint part between grip part and neck 7 dent 8 corner

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A toothbrush having a head portion in which a plurality of bristle bundles formed by bundling a plurality of brushes are buried in a flocked surface, and a toothbrush having a neck portion and a grip portion following the head portion, at a position close to a joint portion with the neck portion. Then, at four places on the flocking surface side, the back side, and both side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion, dents having an elliptical shape, a long hole shape or a rectangular shape with rounded corners are provided in plan view, and the dents are formed. A toothbrush, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion of the formed portion is a substantially square shape with rounded corners. 2. The grip portion at the portion where the dent is not formed has a cross-sectional shape of an ellipse, a long hole or a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the toothbrush is substantially the same up to the rear end. 3. The length of the dent along the longitudinal direction of the brush is 25 mm to 40 mm, the depth of the dent is 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and the thickness and width of the cross section of the grip portion of the dent is formed. 3. The toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein each of the toothbrushes has a length of 5 mm to 12 mm and a length of the entire grip portion is 80 mm to 120 mm.