JP2002345556A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush in which widths of tufts in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush are made small to improve feeling of reaching and by which enough feeling of polishing and efficiency of brushing and cleaning can be obtained by easily ensuring a required density of filling. SOLUTION: In this toothbrush 10 prepared by planting a plurality of tufts 12 constituted by bundling bristles 11 on a block head 14, each tuft 12 is provided with a horizontal plane cross-sectional shape such as an ellipse with a major axis X and a short axis Y and is arranged in such a way that a direction of the major axis X is the perpendicular direction to the longitudinal direction Z of the toothbrush 10 and the width in the short axis Y direction at a bottom part 16 of each tuft 12 is 0.5-1.2 mm. In addition, filling density which is a value obtained by dividing (the sum total of sectional areas at the bottom parts 16 of the tufts 12) by (the area of the block head 14) expressed by percentage is 28-38%.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush in which a plurality of tufts formed by bundling bristles are planted on a flocking table.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Toothbrushes are obtained by implanting a tuft, which is formed by bundling bristles, into a plurality of tufts provided in a tuft, by fusing a flat wire or by fusing with heat. It is formed by installing and fixing. According to a conventional toothbrush, the flocked holes generally have a circular shape, and each tuft implanted therein has a circular flat cross-sectional shape. On the other hand, the tuft implanted in the toothbrush has a smaller width in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush when brushing the toothbrush with the longitudinal direction as the brushing direction.
It is known that a bristle can easily reach a deep part of a gap such as an interdental part or a boundary between a tooth and a gum. Accordingly, various toothbrushes have been proposed in which the diameter of the tufts implanted in the flocking table is reduced to reduce the width in the longitudinal direction, thereby improving the feeling of reaching the bristle.

However, according to the conventional toothbrush having a reduced tuft diameter, the number of bristles constituting each tuft is inevitably reduced, and it becomes difficult to secure a desired flocking density. It becomes impossible to obtain a feeling of polishing and a cleaning efficiency. Further, in order to secure a desired flocking density, a large number of tufts must be transplanted, and the flocking operation becomes complicated.

[0004] The present invention is to improve the feeling of reaching the bristle by reducing the width of the tuft in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush, and to obtain a sufficient brushing feeling and brushing efficiency by easily securing a desired flocking density. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that can be used.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toothbrush having a plurality of tufts formed by bundling bristles and implanting the tufts in a flocking table, wherein each tuft has a long axis and a short axis such as a rectangle, an ellipse, and an ellipse. Along with an oblong flat cross-sectional shape having an axis,
By providing the toothbrush in which the major axis direction is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush and the width in the minor axis direction at the root of each tuft is 0.5 to 1.2 mm, The purpose has been achieved.

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, each tuft has:
The width of the root in the short axis direction is 0.5 to 1.2 mm, and the width of the toothbrush in the brushing direction is small. Improved and soft feel is obtained. Further, the bristles constituting each tuft are continuously arranged over a considerable length in the long axis direction, so that a desired flocking density of, for example, 28 to 38% can be easily secured on the flocking table. This makes it possible to obtain a sufficient polishing feeling and a cleaning efficiency. In addition, the flocking density is a value obtained by dividing (sum of the cross-sectional areas at the root portion of the tuft) by (area of the flocking table) in percentage. Here, the cross-sectional area at the root of the tuft means the area of a region formed around the outer periphery of the bristle located at the outermost periphery at the root of the tuft, and the tuft is planted in the flocking hole. In this case, the opening area of the flocked hole matches the opening area.

Further, according to the toothbrush of the present invention, since the tufts are arranged with their long axis direction along the short direction of the toothbrush, the bristle easily enters the interdental portion when polished by horizontal polishing. Not only that, the contact area becomes large, so that a large amount of plaque can be removed from the interdental area at a time. In addition, since the appearance of the brush part is an unprecedented design, it is possible to exert the effect of attracting consumers at stores and motivating purchase.

Here, if the width in the short axis direction at the root of each tuft is smaller than 0.5 mm, the number of bristles arranged in the short axis direction is too small, so that even if the flocking density is increased, the feeling becomes unsatisfactory. There are drawbacks. On the other hand, 1.2 mm
If it is larger than this, there is a drawback that the accessibility to a fine gap such as an interdental portion becomes low, and the area of the tuft becomes too large, and if a desired flocking density is to be secured, an excessively hard feel is felt.

Also, if the flocking density is less than 28%,
It is easy to enter the interdental area, but it is unsatisfactory to the touch, and the appearance is poor in appearance. On the other hand, if it is larger than 38%, production becomes difficult, and
There is a disadvantage that the reach to the interdental region is also reduced, and the strength of the flocking table is reduced. If too much force is applied, the flocking table may be broken.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment has a grip portion (not shown), a flocking table 14, and a neck portion 15 connecting these.
A plurality of tufts 12 formed by bundling bristles 11 are implanted in a plurality of implanted holes 13 formed in a flocking table 14 of the toothbrush body composed of the following.

According to the toothbrush 10 of this embodiment, each tuft 12 has an oblong plane cross-sectional shape which is a horizontally long shape having a major axis X and a minor axis Y, and has a major axis X direction. The toothbrush 10 is disposed so as to be in a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z of the toothbrush 10. Further, according to the present embodiment, the width b in the short axis Y direction at the root portion 16 of each tuft 12 is about 0.5 to 1.2 mm.

The toothbrush body is made of, for example, polypropylene,
A large number of flocked holes 13 are formed on the flat surface of the flocked portion 14 at intervals of about 0.3 to 0.8 mm on the flat surface of the flocked portion 14. Each flocking hole 1
3 has an oblong plane cross-sectional shape having a length a of about 2.4 mm in the major axis X direction and a width b of about 0.8 mm in the minor axis Y direction. While being distributed approximately evenly in the vertical and horizontal directions on the surface of the flocking portion 14,
The opening is formed at a depth of 5.0 mm.

Bristle 11 constituting each tuft 12
Is, for example, 0.1 to 0.2 made of a synthetic resin such as nylon.
A tuft 12 is formed by bundling, for example, tens to hundreds of filament materials having a thickness of 3 mm.

According to the present embodiment, the tufts 12 are planted in the flocking holes 13 distributed on the surface of the flocking portion 14 so that the root portion 16 has the same length as the flocking portion 14. It has a flat cross section of an ellipse having a length a of about 2.4 mm in the direction of the axis X and a width b of about 0.8 mm in the direction of the short axis Y. Except for both end portions of the toothbrush 10 in the longitudinal direction Z, the tufts 12 have three rows in the major axis X direction, seven rows in the minor axis Y direction, and the major axis X direction and the minor axis Y direction in each row are matched. At the same time, tufts 12 are provided at two positions at both ends so that the long axis X direction is matched.

That is, according to the present embodiment, the tuft 1
2 is that the width b in the minor axis Y direction along the longitudinal direction Z of the toothbrush, which is the brushing direction, is small and the flocking density in the minor axis Y direction is coarse, while the toothbrush is perpendicular to the brushing direction. Since the length a in the major axis X direction is long and the major axis X direction is arranged in parallel, the flocking density in the major axis X direction is high.

The tufts 12 are formed in each of the flocking holes 13 by a known method such as fusion with heat, for example, by 8.0-1.
It is planted at a height of about 5.0 mm.

According to the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the width of the tuft 12 in the longitudinal direction Z of the toothbrush 10 is reduced to improve the feeling of reaching the bristles 11 and to easily secure a desired flocking density. Sufficient polishing feeling and brushing efficiency can be obtained. That is, in the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, each tuft 12 has a horizontally long flat cross-sectional shape in which the width b in the short axis Y direction at the base 16 is 0.8 mm, and the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush in the brushing direction. Since the width b of Z is small, the feeling of reaching the gap between the teeth of the bristle 11 and the boundary between the teeth and the gums during brushing is improved, and a soft touch is obtained. Further, the bristles 11 constituting each tuft 12 are continuously arranged over a considerable length a in the major axis X direction, so that the flocking density of about 28 to 38% can be easily placed on the flocking table 14. As a result, it is possible to obtain a sufficient polishing feeling and a cleaning efficiency.

Further, according to the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the tufts 12 are arranged with the major axis X direction along the shorter direction of the toothbrush 10, so that the bristle 11 is not Not only is it easier to enter the interstitial area, but also the contact area is increased, so that much plaque can be removed from the interdental area at once. In addition, since the appearance of the brush part is an unprecedented design, it is possible to exert the effect of attracting consumers at stores and motivating purchase.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, the tufts can be arranged in a staggered manner on the flocking table (see FIG. 3A), and the flat cross-sectional shape of the tufts does not necessarily have to be an ellipse, but a rectangle (see FIG. 3B). )) And other horizontally long flat cross-sectional shapes having a major axis and a minor axis such as an ellipse. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), a tuft having a long length in the long axis direction can be formed into a shape in which tufts connected in the long axis direction are integrated. Furthermore, a tuft having a horizontally long flat cross-sectional shape having a long axis and a short axis can be implanted only in a part of the flocking table, as shown in FIG.
The toothbrush of the present invention can also be configured by mixing a tuft having a horizontally long flat cross section having a long axis and a short axis, and a tuft having a normal circular cross section disposed around the tuft.

[0020]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the toothbrush of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.

Embodiment 1 A toothbrush according to Embodiment 1 in which a tuft having a horizontally long flat cross section having a long axis and a short axis is planted on a flocking table in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 3 (c). The evaluation was made on the effect of removing the dirt from the gap, the feeling of reaching the gap, the soft touch, and the crisp feeling. In addition, about 200 μm (8 mil) made by DuPont was used as bristles, and several hundreds of these were bundled to constitute each tuft. Each tuft has a cross-sectional shape at the base portion which is 9.6 mm, 8.2 mm, 7.6 from the longest in the long axis direction.
mm, 5.8 mm, 4.2 mm, and the width b in the short axis direction is 1.
It was made into a 0 mm oval shape and planted with a hair length of 11.0 mm. Table 1 shows the evaluation results.

[Comparative Examples 1 to 3] The toothbrush of Comparative Example 1 in which a tuft having a substantially elliptical flat cross-section and a small-diameter tuft having a circular flat cross-section were planted vertically and horizontally on a flocking table (FIG. 4)
(A), the toothbrush of Comparative Example 2 planted on the flocking table such that the major axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush (see FIG. 4).
(B)), the toothbrush of Comparative Example 3 (see FIG. 4 (c)) in which tufts of a general size having a circular flat cross-section were planted vertically and horizontally on the flocking table (see FIG. , The feeling of reaching the gap, the soft touch, and the crisp feeling were evaluated. In addition, about 200 μm (8 mil) manufactured by DuPont was used as a bristle, and each tuft of Comparative Example 1 was set to have a diameter of 1.0 mm and planted with a hair length of 11.0 mm. Each tuft of Comparative Example 2 had a length a in the major axis direction of 2.4 mm and a width b in the minor axis direction of 1.0.
mm, and planted with a hair length of 11.0 mm. Each tuft of Comparative Example 3 had a diameter of 1.6 mm and 11.0 mm
We planted with hair length. Table 1 shows the evaluation results.

[0023]

[Table 1]

The evaluation was performed based on a five-point sensory evaluation by five subjects. For each item, "Feel" is "5", "Somewhat" is "4", "Neither" is "3", "I don't feel much" is "2", and "I don't feel" is "1" The average score of five subjects was calculated and compared.

From the evaluation results shown in Table 1, according to the toothbrush of Example 1 according to the present invention, all of the feeling of the effect of removing the dirt in the gap, the feeling of reaching the gap, the soft touch, and the feeling of polishing are good. It turned out that a good result was obtained.

[0026]

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, the width of the tuft in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush is reduced to improve the feeling of reaching the bristle, and it is also possible to easily secure a desired density of flocking and to obtain a sufficient responsive feeling. The cleaning efficiency can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view showing a main part of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are plan views showing a main part of a toothbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views showing main parts of the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 toothbrush 11 bristle 12 tuft 13 flocking hole 14 flocking table 15 neck 16 root portion a length in major axis direction b width in minor axis direction X major axis of tuft Y minor axis of tuft Z longitudinal direction of toothbrush

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hidenori Yoshida 2-1-3 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Inside Kao Corporation Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Akira Suzuki 2-1-3 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Kao F-term in References (3) AA06 BA02 EA01 EG01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A toothbrush in which a plurality of tufts formed by bundling bristles are planted on a flocking table, wherein each tuft has a flat cross-sectional shape having a major axis and a minor axis, and the major axis direction is a toothbrush. The width in the short axis direction at the root of each tuft is 0.5 to
1.2 mm toothbrush. 2. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the flock density is 28 to 38% expressed by a value obtained by dividing (sum of the cross-sectional areas at the root of the tuft) by (area of the flock).