JP2003070544A - Toothbrush with replaceable brush part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush which has a replaceable brush head around a protrusion formed in one end of a handle, where the tip of the brush head is made smaller so that it can be easily moved in one's mouth. SOLUTION: A head body 11 consists of a brush wall 13 on which bristles 12 are implanted, and side walls 15 each having a groove line 18 inside, all of which form an empty space inside. A protruding piece 7 in one end of a handle is provided with a protruding line 8 on each side, through which the individual groove line 18 is fitted when the head body 11 is attached to the protruding piece 7 to cover it. Since the protruding piece 7 is covered with no wall on the opposite side of the brush wall 13, the brush head, the part to be put into a mouth, becomes slim, thinner in depth and less bulky, and therefore it becomes easy to move the toothbrush in the mouth, achieving better sanitary conditions in the mouth.

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 head having a brush is detachably attached to the tip of a handle and the head can be replaced when the brush is worn.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a brush is worn, it is advantageous to replace only the brush part with a new one without discarding the whole toothbrush, and it is advantageous in terms of waste reduction, resource saving, economics, etc. In the toothbrush which gives ultrasonic vibration or mechanical vibration due to the electric motor, since the ultrasonic transmitter and the electric motor are built in the handle, it is desired to replace the brush portion.

A toothbrush having a replaceable brush portion is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-175506, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-50.
It is described in Japanese Patent No. 9151. As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), these conventional toothbrushes are formed by projecting a flat projecting piece 52 at the tip of a handle 51 and implanting a large number of bristles on one surface. Hollow head 5 with brush 53
4 is fitted to the projecting piece 52 and is fixed by a retaining means (not shown) so as not to accidentally come out.

The head 54 is a hollow chamber 5 into which the protruding piece 52 is fitted.
5, the hollow chamber 55 has a brush wall 56A in which the brush 53 is planted, a front wall 56B at the tip,
It is surrounded by left and right side walls 56C and a top wall 56D that faces the brush wall 56A. Therefore, the height of the tip of the toothbrush is the sum of the length of the bristles of the brush 53 and the wall thickness of the brush wall 56A, the protruding piece 52, and the top wall 56D, and is described in JP-A-7-509151. In the existing ultrasonic toothbrush, since the protruding piece 52 embeds the piezoelectric vibrator, it becomes thicker and higher. The brush wall 56A has a wall thickness required for implanting the bristles of the brush 53, and the protruding piece 52 has a wall thickness required for maintaining the strength or in addition to this because the piezoelectric vibrator is embedded therein. Inevitably, the head body 54 itself has a considerable height.

As described above, when the tip of the toothbrush having a considerable height as a whole and therefore a considerably large volume is put into the oral cavity, especially when plaque removal of the posterior teeth and gingival massage of the periphery thereof are performed, it is free. There is a concern that it may be difficult to thoroughly brush and massage teeth by changing the moving place, and there may be cases where the purpose of oral hygiene cannot be achieved sufficiently.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a head body having a brush is detachably attached to the tip of a handle, and a toothbrush having a replaceable brush portion is provided, which is moved when the tip portion is put in the back of the oral cavity. It was made to solve the above-mentioned problem that there is a concern that it may be difficult to achieve the purpose of oral hygiene sufficiently, and it is possible to expect a sufficient oral hygiene effect by reducing the difficulty of moving in the back of the oral cavity. The purpose is to

[0007]

According to the present invention, a protruding piece is formed at the tip of a handle so that a head having a brush on one surface is detachably attached to the protruding piece so that the brush portion can be replaced. Toothbrush that is said to be, or in particular, a protruding piece is formed protruding at the tip of the handle, and the brush part can be replaced by detachably attaching the head body having the brush on one surface to the protruding piece, In addition, with respect to the toothbrush in which the ultrasonic transmitter is built in the handle and the piezoelectric vibrator is embedded in the protruding piece, it was decided to solve the above problems as follows.

That is, the projecting piece has ridges extending in the longitudinal direction on both side surfaces thereof, and the head has a brush wall in which a brush is planted, a front wall at the tip, and two side walls. The space surrounded by these walls forms an open space on the surface opposite to the brush wall and on the base end surface, and longitudinally extending grooves are provided on both sides of the space. I was supposed to. Then, the head body is fitted to the projecting piece by fitting the vacant space to the projecting piece from the base end open side and the groove strip to the projecting ridge, and the engagement provided on the projecting piece and the head body. The head body is fixed to the projecting piece by a retaining mechanism in which the protrusion and the locking hole are fitted together.

Since the wall of the head does not exist on the surface of the protruding piece opposite to the surface on which the brush wall overlaps, the height of the brush tip portion becomes low and the volume becomes small, and the oral cavity is reduced. When it is placed in the back, it becomes easy to move and the purpose of oral hygiene can be fully achieved.

Further, the head body can be fixed in a state in which the brush wall is closely adhered to the projecting piece by a fitting mechanism of the projection and the groove and the retaining mechanism, and in particular, the piezoelectric vibrator is embedded in the projecting piece. In the above, ultrasonic energy can be efficiently transmitted. If the protrusion is to be fitted to the groove on the inclined surface on the side facing the overlapping surface of the protruding piece and the brush wall, a force for pressing the brush wall against the protruding piece is generated, and the head Can be more firmly fixed, and in particular, the one having a piezoelectric vibrator has an advantage that the transmission efficiency of ultrasonic energy is improved.

With respect to the retaining mechanism, the engaging projections are provided on the surface of the projecting piece that overlaps the brush wall or on both sides of the projection, and are provided near the respective base ends, and the locking holes are the brush wall or the two side walls. It is a preferable form to facilitate the fitting and removal of the protruding piece of the head and the engagement and disengagement of the retaining mechanism.

Further, in the case where the piezoelectric vibrator is embedded in the projecting piece, providing a hole for receiving the liquid in the oral cavity in the brush wall of the head body maintains the transmission efficiency of ultrasonic energy at a high value. This is an effective form.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a first embodiment, in which a handle 1 is hollow. The battery 2 and the ultrasonic transmitter 3 are built in, and a flat plate-shaped projecting piece 7 extending forward of the step 6 is provided at the tip. An elongated plate-shaped piezoelectric vibrator 4 is embedded in the projecting piece 7 in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the ultrasonic oscillator 3 and the piezoelectric vibrator 4 are embedded.
Are connected to each other by a conductor 5.

The piezoelectric vibrator 4 is, as is well known,
Strain in the thickness direction is generated by applying a voltage to cause electric polarization, and the vibration due to this strain emits ultrasonic energy. In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. It is arranged to vibrate.

Protrusions 8 having a trapezoidal cross section extending in the longitudinal direction from the vicinity of the tip to the vicinity of the base end are provided on both side surfaces of the projecting piece 7, and near the base end of the surface on which the step portion 6 is provided. Is provided with an engagement protrusion 9. The ridge 8 is formed on the side surface, being offset toward the surface provided with the engaging projection 9.

The head 11 has a brush wall 13 in which a brush 12 composed of a large number of bristles is planted, a front wall 14 at the tip and two side walls 15, and these walls 13, 1 are provided.
The space surrounded by 4 and 15 forms an open space 16 on the surface opposite to the brush wall 13 and on the base end surface. Also,
The edge portion of the side wall 15 is bent obliquely toward the space 16, and the side wall 15 having this bent portion 15A and the brush wall 1
A space surrounded by both side edges of the groove 3 has grooves 17 formed on both sides of the space 16 and extending over the entire length of the head 11. Furthermore, the brush wall 13 has a locking hole 18 near the base end, and a hole 19 in the region of the brush 12 in the central portion.

The head 11 according to the present embodiment as described above.
The hollow space 16 is fitted into the projecting piece 7 from the base end open side, and when it is pushed toward the base end of the projecting piece 7, the groove strip 17 is fitted in the projecting strip 8, and when pushed further, the brush wall is attached to the step portion 6. The base surface of 13 contacts and the front wall 14 contacts the tip surface of the protruding piece 7,
In addition, the locking hole 18 is fitted to the engaging projection 9 so that the head 11
Are attached to the protruding piece 7.

In this embodiment, the inner surface 15a of the side wall 15 is
Comes into contact with the top surface 8a of the protrusion 8 and the groove 17 of the bent portion 15A
The inclined surface 15a facing toward the
The head 11 is attached to the projecting piece 7 in a state where they are in contact with b and overlap each other, so that the head 11 does not rattle and the brush wall 13 is closely attached to the projecting piece 7. To be Further, since the locking hole 18 fits with the fitting protrusion 9 at the final point of attachment,
The head body 11 can be smoothly fitted into and removed from the protruding piece 7 without being disturbed by the engaging projection 9.

The engaging projection 9 and the locking hole 18 constitute a retaining mechanism 20 for preventing the head body 11 from accidentally coming out of the projecting piece 7. The two side walls 15 are sandwiched and pushed strongly. As a result, the brush wall 13 bends so as to float, and the locking hole 18 can be easily removed from the engaging projection 9.

When the piezoelectric vibrator 4 is caused to vibrate ultrasonically, the brush 12 vibrates and at the same time, ultrasonic energy propagates a liquid containing a mixture of toothpaste and saliva in the oral cavity while causing cavitation. It has been already known that the method effectively removes plaque, removes contaminants adhering to various places in the oral cavity, and massages gums.

According to the present embodiment, in particular, the brush wall 13 of the head body 11 is superposed on the projecting piece 7 in close contact,
Ultrasonic energy can be efficiently transmitted by the protrusions 8 and the grooves 17 contacting the inclined surfaces 8b and 15a and applying a force in the contact direction to the brush wall 13. in addition,
Even if the protruding piece 7 and the brush wall 13 are not completely adhered to each other and there is a gap between them, the liquid in the oral cavity enters through the hole 19 provided in the central portion of the brush wall 13 The transmission efficiency of the ultrasonic energy generated by the vibrator 9 can be maintained at a high value.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the wall of the head body 11 does not exist on the surface of the protruding piece 7 opposite to the brush wall 13, and the bent portion of the side wall 15 as shown in FIG. By not projecting 15A from the surface of the projecting piece 7 opposite to the brush wall 13, the height of the tip of the toothbrush becomes low and the volume becomes small, which makes it easy to move especially inside the oral cavity. The purpose of oral hygiene can be sufficiently achieved.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment, in which the protrusions 8 formed on both side walls of the protruding piece 7 in which the piezoelectric vibrator 4 is embedded are provided on the brush wall 13 of the head 11. The opposing side surfaces are flush with the surface of the projecting piece 7, the other side surface is an inclined surface 8b, and an engaging projection 9 is provided near the base end of the top surface 8a. Further, the head body 11 has a brush wall 13 in which a brush 12 is implanted, a front wall 14, and two side walls 15, and by these, a cavity 16 to be fitted in the projecting piece 7 and a groove to be fitted in the ridge 8. 17 is formed, and the inclined surface 15a facing the groove 17 of the bent portion 15A of the side wall 15 and the facing inclined surface 8b of the protrusion 8 overlap each other, so that the head body 11 is attached to the protruding piece 7 on the brush wall. 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment in that the brush 13 is attached to the brush wall 13 without rattling and the hole 19 is provided in the brush wall 13. However, in this embodiment, the engagement of the retaining mechanism 20 is prevented. A stop hole 18 is provided near the base end of the side wall 15.

The protruding piece 7 of the head 11 in the present embodiment
The procedure of attachment to, and the action and effect in the oral cavity by causing the piezoelectric vibrator 4 to perform ultrasonic vibration are the same as those of the first embodiment.

When the head body 11 is removed from the projecting piece 7, the distal end portions of the two side walls 15 are sandwiched and pulled so that the base end portions of the side walls 15 are bent so as to separate from the protrusions 8 and the locking holes 18 are formed. It disengages from the engaging projection 9.

The present invention is also applied to a toothbrush that does not rely on ultrasonic vibrations, and by not embedding the piezoelectric vibrator 4, the protruding piece 7 becomes thin and the height of the toothbrush tip portion is further lowered. At the same time, the volume can be further reduced so that it can be easily moved in the oral cavity.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the head portion having the brush is detachably attached to the projecting piece at the tip of the handle so that the brush portion can be replaced. Since it is low and has a small volume, it is easy to move even when it is placed inside the mouth, especially in the back, and the purpose of oral hygiene can be sufficiently achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an exploded partial view of FIG. 1, in which (A) is a side view of the protruding piece, and (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the head.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

4A and 4B are partial views showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view of a protruding piece, and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view of a head.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a head is attached to the protruding piece shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a conventional example, in which (A) is a vertical sectional view,
(B) is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of (A).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 handle, 4 piezoelectric vibrator, 7 protruding piece, 8 ridge, 8b
Inclined surface, 9 engaging protrusions, 11 heads, 12 brushes,
13 brush wall, 14 front wall, 15 side wall, 15a inclined surface, 16 void, 17 groove, 18 locking hole, 19
Hole, 20 retaining mechanism,

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A toothbrush in which a protruding piece is formed at the tip of a handle, and a head having a brush on one surface is detachably attached to the protruding piece so that the brush portion can be replaced. The projecting piece has ridges extending in the longitudinal direction on both side surfaces, and the head body has a brush wall in which the brush is implanted, a front wall at the tip, and two side walls, The space surrounded by these walls forms an open space on the surface opposite to the brush wall and the base end surface, and longitudinally extending grooves are provided on both sides of the space. The head body is fitted to the projecting piece by fitting the hollow portion to the projecting piece from the base end opening side and fitting the groove strip to the projecting strip, and further, the projecting piece And the engaging hole provided on the The toothbrush is characterized in that the head body is fixed to the projecting piece by a blocking mechanism. 2. A protrusion is formed at the tip of the handle, and a head having a brush on one surface is detachably attached to the protrusion so that the brush portion can be replaced and the handle can be replaced. In the toothbrush in which the ultrasonic transmitter is built in and the piezoelectric vibrator is embedded in the protruding piece, the protruding piece has ridges extending in the longitudinal direction on both side surfaces, Has a brush wall in which the brush is implanted, a front wall at the tip, and two side walls, and the space surrounded by these walls is a space open to the surface opposite to the brush wall and the base end surface. Is formed, groove grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on both sides of the void, and the void is fitted to the protruding piece from the base end open side, and By fitting the groove, the head body moves forward The head body is fixed to the projecting piece by a retaining mechanism that is fitted to the projecting piece and further engages with an engaging projection and a locking hole provided on the projecting piece and the head body. And a toothbrush. 3. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is fitted on the groove so as to overlap with the groove on the inclined surface on the side facing the overlapping surface of the protruding piece and the brush wall. A toothbrush whose parts can be converted. 4. The engagement projection of the retaining mechanism is provided near a base end of a surface of the protruding piece that overlaps with the brush wall, and the locking hole is provided near a base end of the brush wall. A toothbrush whose brush part according to claim 1 or 2 is replaceable. 5. The engagement protrusion of the retaining mechanism is provided near the base ends of the ridges on both sides, and the locking holes are provided near the base ends of the two side walls. Two
A toothbrush whose brush part is replaceable. 6. The toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the brush wall is provided with holes for receiving liquid in the oral cavity.