JP2002085157A - Tooth brush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tooth brush which is easily grippable in brushing, has a grip part shape hardly wearing an arm and fingers, and can effectively remove plaque. SOLUTION: The ratio of the section area of the lower part B-B (a part to be the maximum section area within the area held by the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger when the grip part is held in a palm grip) of the grip part against the section area of the upper part A-A (a part to be the minimum section area within the area held by the thumb and the forefinger when the grip part is held in a palm grip) of the grip part is set to be not less than 0.8 to not more than 0.5. The ratio of the maximum lateral width against the maximum longitudinal width at the section of the grip upper part A-A is to be not less than 0.8 to not more than 3.0. The ratio of the minimum lateral width against the minimum longitudinal width at the section of the grip lower part B-B is to be not less than 0.5 to not more than 2.0. Further, the section of the grip upper part A-A is to be not less than 50 to not more than 350 mm2 and the section of the grip lower part B-B not less than 75 to not more than 350 mm2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an easy-to-hold when brushing with a palm grip, which is the most common holding method at present, and an arm and a finger which are not tired even after long-time brushing, and which efficiently removes plaque. Toothbrush that can be.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a toothbrush whose primary function is to remove plaque, the easiness of holding the plaque is considered to have a great effect on the plaque removing power. However, conventionally, many toothbrushes have been marketed because they are smart in appearance and easy to store in a toothbrush holder. As a result, in some cases, the arms and fingers may become fatigued during brushing, and a toothbrush that is as easy to hold as possible has been desired.

[0003] With regard to the toothbrush of infants, the shape of the grip is large (for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 60-146426).
No., Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-15822, Japanese Utility Model Application No. 6-52555
No.) is known, but the upper part of the grip (the part with the smallest cross-sectional area of the part gripped with the thumb and forefinger when gripped with the palm grip) and the lower grip (the middle finger when gripped with the palm grip, Little is known about the specific thickness ratio of the part that is gripped by the ring finger and the little finger and that has the largest cross-sectional area).

[0004] Further, the cross-sectional shape of the gripping portion is a square or hexagon (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-43066,
A registered utility model No. 3048142), a diamond-shaped one (for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-167534), an octagonal one (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-16491), and the like are known. There is no specific definition of the ratio between the lower part and the grip part.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an easy-to-hold gripping shape when brushing, and has a grip portion shape that makes the arms and fingers less tiring, thereby effectively removing plaque. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that can be used.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present inventors conducted various brushing experiments using a palm grip. As a result, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the upper grip portion and the lower grip portion, the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum vertical width of the cross section of the upper grip portion, the optimal range of the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum vertical width of the cross section of the lower grip portion, And the optimal range of the cross-sectional area of the upper and lower grips was found. The present invention has been made based on this result.

That is, a toothbrush according to a first aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush comprising a grip portion, a neck portion, and a head portion. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the lower part of the gripper (the part where the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger are gripped with the palm grip and the cross-sectional area is the largest when gripped with the palm grip) to 0.8 to 5.0, Preferably, it is set to 1.0 or more and 3.0 or less. Thus, by setting the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the lower part of the grip to the upper part of the grip, the feeling of fitting to the hand when gripping with the palm grip is improved, the operability is improved, and the arm can be brushed for a long time. And the fingers are hardly tired, and the plaque can be removed efficiently.

In the toothbrush according to the second aspect, in the cross section of the upper portion of the gripping portion, when the direction parallel to the bristle tufting direction is vertical and the direction vertical is horizontal, the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum length is 0.1%. 8 or more and 3.0 or less, preferably 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. By setting such a ratio, the directionality of the flocked surface during brushing can be easily controlled, and a stable force can be applied to the flocked surface in the vertical direction. In addition, when it is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less, the cross-sectional shape of the upper part of the gripping portion becomes slightly horizontal, which is more preferable.

In the toothbrush according to the third aspect, in the cross section of the lower portion of the gripping portion, when the direction parallel to the bristle tufting direction is vertical and the direction vertical is horizontal, the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum length is 0. 5 or more and 2.0 or less, preferably 1.0 or more and 1.5 or less. By setting such a ratio, the adhesiveness to the portion surrounded by the middle finger, the ring finger, the little finger, and the palm increases, and the direction of the flocked surface can be easily recognized.
In addition, when it is 1.0 or more and 1.5 or less, the cross-sectional shape of the lower portion of the gripping portion becomes slightly vertically long, which is more preferable.

[0010] toothbrush according to claim 4 is a cross-sectional area of the gripping portion upper, 50 mm ² or more, 350 mm ² or less, the cross-sectional area of the gripping subordinate unit, 75 mm ² or more, and a 350 mm ² or less. The cross-sectional area of the grip that is easy to grasp varies depending on the size of the hand, but in the case of an adult male, the cross-sectional area of the upper part of the grip is 6
0 mm ² or more, 200 mm ² or less, the cross-sectional area of the gripping subordinate unit, 100 mm ² or more, it is preferable that the 250 mm ² or less.

The cross-sectional shape of the upper portion of the gripping portion may be circular, oblong, oval, hexagonal, oblong, square, downward, semicircular, downward fan-shaped trapezoidal, and R (2.0 mm or less) at the corner of these sectional shapes. It is desirable to use the one with (R). By adopting such a cross-sectional shape, when the thumb and forefinger are placed on the upper part of the grip,
Brushing with good operability can be performed without feeling pain in the fingers.

Further, as the cross-sectional shape of the lower portion of the grip portion, a circular shape, a vertically long elliptical shape, a vertically long oval shape or the like can be adopted.
By adopting such a shape, comfortable contact with the middle finger, the ring finger, the little finger and the palm can be realized, and furthermore, a stable grip can be realized.

When gripping with a palm grip, it is desirable that the length of the entire gripping portion is at least 100 mm or less. Further, it is desirable that the upper portion of the grip portion and the lower portion of the grip portion are continuously connected with a smooth curve.

The width of the upper portion of the gripping portion is 8.0 mm or more, and 2
16. 0.0 mm or less, preferably 10.0 mm or more;
5 mm or less, the width of the lower portion of the grip portion is 10.0 mm or more, 22.5 mm or less, preferably 12.5 mm or more,
It is good to be 20.0 mm or less.

The neck has a straight shape parallel to the grip,
A straight shape that is inclined upward with respect to the grip portion and a shape that is curved upward are preferable in terms of ease of brushing. The length of the neck is preferably about 40.0 mm to 60 mm so that the brush can reach the back teeth of the adult dentition without difficulty.

If the head is straight, the neck of which is parallel to the grip, the head is more easily brushed to the back teeth if it is inclined upward, and the head is straight or inclined upward. If it is a shape, it is easier to polish the back teeth and irregular oral cavity if it is joined in the extension tangential direction of the neck. In addition, the size of the head portion is 20 mm to 30 mm
Is preferred.

Materials for the toothbrush handle include polystyrene resin (PS), polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), cellulose propionate resin (CP), and polyarylate resin. Although materials such as polycarbonate resin, acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS) and the like can be used alone or in combination, polypropylene resin (PP) is preferred in terms of moldability, cost and the like.

The bristle (filament) material constituting the brush includes polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 6-10, nylon 6-12 and nylon 12, polyethylene and polyethylene. Materials that can be melt-spun, such as polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyvinyl halides such as polyvinylidene fluoride, are used, but nylon is preferable in terms of usability, durability and the like.

At the time of flocking, when the total ratio of the cross-sectional area of the bristle to the flocking hole area is 65% to 85%, the frictional resistance between the bristle bundle and the flocking hole increases, and the hair loss can be prevented. With such a ratio, cracks around the flocking hole due to the impact at the time of flocking are also eliminated.

There are no restrictions on the hole diameter, number of holes, hole arrangement, etc. of the flocking holes, and the shape of the flocking holes may be round, square, rectangular,
Any of elliptical holes may be used. The size of the flocked portion has a length in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush handle of about 15 mm to 24 mm, and is preferably an oval shape, a substantially square shape, an elliptical shape, or the like in plan view. To brush your teeth carefully, a compact one is suitable.

The length (hair length) of the brush implanted in the head portion
Is preferably from 6 mm to 12 mm, more preferably from 8 mm to 12 mm for adults and 6 mm for children.
8 mm is excellent in usability and is suitable.

The thickness of the brush is 5 mils (0.127
mm) to 14 mils (0.356 mm)
More preferably, 8 mils (0.203 mm) for adults
From 11 mils (0.279 mm) to 6 mils (0.152 mm) to 8 mils (0.203 mm) for children.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a toothbrush for explaining the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional shape of a grip portion at a position AA of the grip portion and a position BB of the grip portion in FIG. It is a figure which shows a ratio and an aspect ratio. In FIG. 1, 1 is a grip, 2 is a neck, 3 is a head, and 4 is a brush implanted in the head.

The "upper portion of the grip portion" is defined as a portion which is gripped by the thumb and the index finger when gripped by the palm grip.
The portion having the smallest cross-sectional area, that is, the portion A-A in FIG. 1, the “lower grip portion” is the portion where the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger are gripped by the palm grip, and the cross-sectional area is the largest. , That is, the BB portion in FIG.

In the first embodiment, the upper part A-
The cross-sectional shape of the A position to a circle, that where the gripping subordinates portion B-B position of the cross-sectional shape vertically elongated oval cross-sectional of the grip subordinates portion B-B position with respect to the grip portion upper A-A position of the cross-sectional area S _A Area S
2.5 the ratio S _B / S _A of _B, the ratio of the maximum width L _A2 relative gripper upper A-A position of maximum vertical width L _A1 of the cross section L _A2 /
This is an example in which L _{A1 is set} to 1.0, and the ratio L _B2 / L _B1 of the maximum horizontal width L _B2 to the maximum vertical width L _B1 of the cross section at the position of the lower portion BB of the grip is set to 0.6.

The cross-sectional area of the upper portion AA of the grip portion is 5
0 mm ² or more, 350 mm ² or less, and lower part B of gripping part
The cross-sectional area at position -B is 75 mm ² or more and 350 mm ² or less. The limitation of the cross-sectional area of the upper and lower grips is
The same applies to other embodiments described below.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment. This second
In the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the upper portion AA of the grip portion is a hexagon, and the cross-sectional shape of the lower portion BB of the grip portion is a vertically long ellipse. the ratio S _B / S of the cross-sectional area S _B of the grip subordinates portion B-B position with respect to S _a
A is 1.8, the maximum vertical width L of the cross section at the position AA of the upper part of the gripper
The ratio L _A2 / L _A1 of the maximum width L _{A2 to} A ₁ is 1.1, and the ratio L _B2 / L _B1 of the maximum width L _B2 to the maximum length L _B1 of the cross section at the lower part of the gripping portion BB is 0.7. This is an example in the case of setting.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment. This third
In the embodiment, the cross-sectional shape at the position AA
A rectangular shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the lower part of the gripper BB is circular.
The cross-sectional area S at the upper AA position of the gripping portion_AAgainst
Area S of the gripper lower part BB position_BRatio S_B/ S_A
3.2, the maximum vertical width L of the cross section at the position AA of the gripping portion upper part_A1
Maximum width L for_A2Ratio L _A2/ L_A11.9, grip
Maximum vertical width L of the cross section at the lower part BB position_B1Maximum width
Width L_B2Ratio L_B2/ L_B1Is set to 1.0
is there.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment. This fourth
In the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape at the upper portion AA of the grip portion is a horizontally long ellipse, and the cross-sectional shape at the lower portion BB of the grip portion is an oval shape. the ratio of the sectional area S _B of the grip subordinates portion B-B position with respect to the area S _a S _B /
S _A is 1.3, and the ratio L _A2 / L _A1 of the maximum width L _A2 to the maximum length L _A1 of the cross section at the position AA of the gripping portion is 1.3.
The ratio L _B2 / L _B1 of the maximum width L _B2 for gripping subordinate unit B-B position of the maximum vertical width L _B1 in cross section an example of setting to 0.7.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment. This fifth
In the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the gripper upper part A-A position is a downward fan-shaped trapezoid, and the gripper lower part BB position is a vertically elliptical cross-section. the ratio S _B / S _a of the cross-sectional area S _B of the grip subordinates portion B-B position to the cross-sectional area S _a 1.9, the maximum width L _A2 relative gripper upper a-a position of maximum vertical width L _A1 of the cross section This is an example in which the ratio L _A2 / L _{A1 is set} to 1.2, and the ratio L _B2 / L _B1 of the maximum width L _B2 to the maximum length L _B1 of the cross section at the lower position BB of the grip portion is set to 0.7. .

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment. This sixth
In the embodiment of FIG.
Orientation, cross-sectional shape of the lower part of the gripper BB position
In the shape of a vertically long ellipse,
Area S_AArea S of gripper lower part BB position with respect to_Bof
Ratio S _B/ S_A2.4, the cross section of the gripper upper part AA position
Maximum vertical width L_A1Maximum width L for_A2Ratio L_A2/ L_A1
1.3, the maximum vertical width L of the cross section at the position of the lower part BB of the gripper_B1
Maximum width L for_B2Ratio L_B2/ L_B1Set to 0.7
This is an example in the case of performing.

FIG. 8 shows a seventh embodiment. This seventh
In the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the upper portion AA of the grip portion is a flat heart shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the lower portion BB of the grip portion is an oval shape. Area S _A
The ratio S _B of the cross-sectional area S _B of the grip subordinates portion B-B position with respect to
/ S _A is 1.9, and the ratio L _A2 / L _A1 of the maximum lateral width L _A2 to the maximum vertical width L _A1 of the cross section at the position AA of the gripping portion is 1.
4. This is an example in which the ratio L _B2 / L _B1 of the maximum horizontal width L _B2 to the maximum vertical width L _B1 of the cross section at the position of the gripper lower part BB is set to 0.7.

FIG. 9 shows an eighth embodiment. This 8th
In the embodiment, the cross-sectional shape at the position AA
Long hexagonal shape, circular cross section at the lower part of the gripper BB
The cross-sectional area S at the upper AA position of the gripping portion_AAgainst
Area S of the gripper lower part BB position_BRatio S_B/ S_A
2.8, the maximum vertical width L of the cross section at the position AA of the upper part of the gripper_A1
Maximum width L for_A2Ratio L _A2/ L_A11.4, grip
Maximum vertical width L of the cross section at the lower part BB position_B1Maximum width
Width L_B2Ratio L_B2/ L_B1Is set to 1.0
is there.

Note that FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9
Each of the cross-sectional shapes at the position AA of the upper portion of the gripping portion has a sharp corner, but the corner may be provided with an R (R) of 2.0 mm or less.

[Experimental Example 1] Evaluation toothbrushes having various ratios of the cross-sectional area of the lower portion of the grip portion to the upper portion of the grip portion were prepared and subjected to a usage test. As a result, as shown in Table 1, as shown in Table 1, It has been found that a toothbrush having a lower cross-sectional area ratio of 1 or more and 5 or less, particularly 1 or more and 3 or less, is easy to hold.

Experimental conditions Holding method: palm grip brushing method: scrub method Number of subjects: 100 (breakdown = 50 adult men, 50 adult women)

[0037]

[Table 1]

[Experimental Example 2] An evaluation toothbrush (see Table 2) having columnar grips having different cross-sectional areas was prepared, and for each toothbrush, a muscle of the forearm during brushing using an electromyogram. As a result of measuring the burden, as shown in FIG. 10, when the thickness (diameter) is 10.0 mm to 20.0 mm, the relative muscle burden is 1.0 or less, and the muscle burden during brushing is relatively small. It is small and does not require extra force when brushing, and it is easy to hold.

Experimental conditions Measurement method: EMG of forearm muscles (extensor carpi radialis) at the time of brushing was measured. Holding method: Palm grip Brushing method: Scrub method Brushing pressure: 200 to 250 g Brushing speed: 200 reciprocations / Min Brushing site: lingual side → upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left cheek side → anterior teeth Number of subjects: 9 (adult male)

[0040]

[Table 2]

[0041]

As described above, according to the toothbrush of the present invention, it is easy to hold when brushing with a palm grip, which is the most common holding method at present, and the arms and fingers are not tired even after brushing for a long time. It is possible to efficiently remove plaque.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a toothbrush for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a first embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a second embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a third embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a fifth embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a sixth embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a seventh embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an eighth embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of actual measurement of muscle burden during brushing.

[Reference Numerals] 1 grip portion 2 neck 3 head unit 4 brush A-A gripping portion upper B-B gripping subordinate unit S _A grip of the cross-sectional area S _B gripping subordinate part of the upper cross-sectional area L _A1 grip of the upper position maximum vertical width L _A2 gripper maximum lateral width L _B1 gripping subordinate unit maximum vertical width L _B2 gripping maximum lateral width of the subordinate portion position of the position of the upper position

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuo Katsuura 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba Chiba Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Koichi Iwanaga 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi Chiba University F-term (reference) 3B202 AA06 CA02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A toothbrush comprising a grip portion, a neck portion, and a head portion, wherein a lower portion of the grip portion corresponds to an upper portion of the grip portion (a portion having a minimum cross-sectional area among portions gripped by a thumb and a forefinger when gripped by a palm grip). Middle finger when gripping with palm grip,
A toothbrush characterized in that a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a portion gripped by a ring finger and a little finger and having a maximum cross-sectional area) is 0.8 or more and 5.0 or less. 2. In the cross section of the upper portion of the gripping portion, the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum length is 0.8 or more and 3.0 when the vertical direction is the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is the horizontal direction.
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein: 3. In the cross section of the lower portion of the gripping portion, when the direction parallel to the bristle tuft implantation direction is vertical and the vertical direction is horizontal, the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum length is 0.5 or more and 2.0 or more.
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The cross-sectional area of the upper portion of the grip portion is 50 mm ² or more and 350 mm ² or less, and the cross-sectional area of the lower portion of the grip portion is
75 mm ² or more, toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that it is 350 mm ² or less.