JP2003275027A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush which can be held in a correct way, is free of a sense of discomfort on changing of holding of the bristle head of the toothbrush from an inner side to an outer side in the same holding way, can be easily held in the case of adjustment of the position to hold a handle to a suitable length and is adequate for use by children. <P>SOLUTION: This toothbrush is obtained by forming the handle 5 of a toothbrush body 3 composed of a synthetic resin material to a flat shape wider in width W<SB>2</SB>than its thickness W<SB>1</SB>; forming the front side and rear side of the handle 5 to approximately the same shape; providing the front side and rear side near the front end of the handle 5 with finger rests 8 and 9 consisting of a rubber in the state of building up the finger rests from the surface of the handle 5 and providing approximately the same positions on the front side and rear side with the finger rests in approximately the same shape; and curvilinearly forming boundary segments 11 from a neck 6 of the toothbrush body 3 toward the finger rests 8 and 9 of the handle 5 so as to gently flare these segments from the neck 6 toward the handle 5 without differences in level in the thickness direction and the width direction to less steepen the change in the size from the neck 6 to the handle 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a toothbrush suitable for a child, which can hold a correct toothbrush. 2. Description of the Related Art There are palm grips and pen grips as a way of holding a toothbrush, but it is not always easy for a child to hold a toothbrush correctly. For example, in the case of a palm grip, it is difficult to teach that the thumb holding the toothbrush is correctly held by touching the flocked side of the handle. Therefore, as a child toothbrush, the thumb is applied to the front side near the tip of the handle part made of synthetic resin so that it can be properly held with the palm grip.
Various proposals have been made, such as those provided with a finger pad provided with a concave shape or fine irregularities, and are commercially available. However, as described above, in the finger rest portion in which the handle portion made of a synthetic resin material is simply provided with a concave shape or fine irregularities, the portion to be touched by the finger is not always clear visually and tactilely. Further, in the palm grip, depending on the location of the tooth to be brushed, as shown in FIG. 8A, the thumb is applied to the front side (the side provided with the flocked portion 2) of the handle portion 5 so that the flocked surface faces inward, or As shown in FIG. 8B, the handle portion 5 is held by putting the thumb on the back side of the handle portion with the flocked surface facing outward. The finger portion is provided only on the front side of the handle portion. If the part is curved and the shape is different on the front and back, there is a sense of incongruity when the front and back of the toothbrush are changed as described above even if the user holds the same. Further, in the case of a toothbrush for children, the length of the neck connecting the head with the flocked portion and the handle may be too long, depending on the age of the user, but it may be concave or fine. In the case of uneven fingertips, if the position where the thumb hits is shifted back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the handle, the tactile sensation for the fingertip changes, making it difficult to correctly place the thumb on the front or back of the handle, In the case of the finger contact portion, if the finger is shifted forward and backward from the finger contact portion, the finger hits the edge of the concave portion, and the finger contact feeling becomes poor. Further, when the thickness of the toothbrush changes rapidly from the neck to the handle, when the toothbrush is held short, the thumb is applied to the thin neck, which makes it difficult to hold. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the toothbrush for children, so that the user can hold the toothbrush in a correct manner, and the flocking surface can be inward or outward with the same attitude. There is no discomfort even when you change,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that is easy to hold even when the position of the handle portion is changed and adjusted to an appropriate length. [0005] A toothbrush according to the present invention is a toothbrush comprising a flocked portion, a toothbrush main body having a head portion, a neck portion, and a handle portion having the flocked portion, wherein the toothbrush main body is provided. Is made of a synthetic resin material, the handle portion has a flat shape that is wider than its thickness, and the front side and the back side of the handle portion are formed in substantially the same shape, and the front side and the back side near the tip of the handle portion are formed. A finger pad made of a rubber material is provided in substantially the same shape on the front side and the back side in a substantially raised shape from the surface of the handle section and in substantially the same shape, and a finger pad is provided between the neck of the toothbrush body and the finger pad of the handle section. The portion is characterized by being formed so as to be gently spread from the neck portion to the handle portion in the thickness direction and the width direction without a step. [0006] As described above, the toothbrush according to the present invention comprises:
As a thumb guide when the toothbrush is held by a palm grip, the thumb is applied to the handle portion made of a synthetic resin material by providing a finger pad made of a rubber material in a state protruding from the surface of the flat handle portion. The part is visually and tactilely clear, and the user can hold the toothbrush in a proper palm grip manner by holding the thumb with the finger rest and gripping the handle. In addition, since the finger rest is made of a rubber material and is provided so as to protrude from the surface of the flat handle portion, the finger rest is comfortable and fits easily. Further, the front and back sides of the handle portion are formed in substantially the same shape, and the finger pads are provided in substantially the same shape at substantially the same position on the front and back sides of the handle portion. Just holding the thumb against the finger rest allows correct holding, and there is no discomfort when changing the hair placement surface inside or outside with the same holding. Further, since the finger pad is provided in a state of being raised from the surface of the handle part by a rubber material, the finger pad can be slightly shifted from the position of the thumb with respect to the finger pad part in the longitudinal direction of the handle part. The position of the part can be grasped tactilely, the thumb can be correctly applied to the surface of the handle part, the feeling is comfortable compared to the concave finger part, the feeling of discomfort is less, and the handle from the neck of the toothbrush body In the thickness direction and the width direction, the portion extending from the neck portion to the handle portion is curved so as to gradually expand from the neck portion to the handle portion so as to gradually change the thickness from the neck portion to the handle portion. Therefore, when the neck is too long and has a short length, the thumb will not hit the thin neck even if the thumb position is slightly shifted to the neck side. But easy to hold even when used to adjust in an easy-to-use, length of the toothbrush on your own. Therefore, the toothbrush of the present invention is suitable as a child toothbrush. [0007] The toothbrush of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush 1 includes a flocked portion 2 and a toothbrush main body 3. The toothbrush main body 3 includes a head 4 having a flocked portion 2, a handle portion 5, and the head 4 and a handle portion. 5 and an elongate neck 6 connecting the two. The toothbrush body 3 includes a resin base 7 including a head 4, a neck 6, and a handle 5 integrally formed from a synthetic resin material by injection molding or the like, and a portion of the resin base 7 near the tip of the handle 5 on the neck side. It is composed of finger pads 8 and 9 made of a rubber material provided on both the front side (flocked surface side) and the back side (opposite to the flocked surface). The synthetic resin material constituting the resin substrate 7 of the toothbrush body 3 includes, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polytrimethyl terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, styrene. Hard synthetic resin materials such as acrylonitrile resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, cellulose propionate, polyamide, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyarylate can be used. This synthetic resin material may be colored, or may be a transparent synthetic resin material. The rubber material constituting the finger rests 8, 9 is a material softer than the synthetic resin material of the resin base material 7, and can be made of synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. -Based thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, 1,2-polybutadiene-based thermoplastic elastomer,
Rubbers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic elastomer, natural rubber thermoplastic elastomer, fluororesin thermoplastic elastomer, trans-polyisoprene thermoplastic elastomer, chlorinated polyethylene thermoplastic elastomer Materials can be used. In consideration of the adhesion between the resin base 7 and the finger pads 8 and 9, polypropylene is used as the synthetic resin material of the resin base 7, and a polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer is used as the rubber material of the finger pads 8 and 9. Preferably, it is used. The rubber material of the finger pads 8 and 9 may be colored. By coloring the rubber material in a color different from that of the synthetic resin material of the resin base 7, The position is visually clearer, and the finger pads 8 and 9 have a one-point design in the handle 5, which is preferable from the viewpoint of the design of the toothbrush. The head 4 of the toothbrush main body 3 is substantially flat and has a rectangular shape with a rounded corner, and has a plurality of rectangular flocking holes 10 on its front side. The flocked portion 2 is formed by implanting a synthetic resin fiment in 10. The shape of the head 4 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a tapered egg shape. In addition, the shape, number, arrangement, and the tip shape of the filaments to be planted are not particularly limited. An elongated neck 6 connecting the head 4 of the toothbrush body 3 and the handle 5 has a substantially circular cross section, and is formed linearly from the head 4 to the handle 5. The thickness D of the neck 6 is not particularly limited,
It is preferably 6 mm. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the neck 6 is not particularly limited, and may be elliptical or oval. The handle 5 of the toothbrush body 3
, The thickness direction of the width W width direction compared to the _first width W ₂ is formed in a wide flat shape. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the handle portion 5 is formed symmetrically in the width direction and the thickness direction, and has substantially the same cross-sectional shape over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. It is formed in a straight shape. In the drawing, the handle portion 5 is formed to have an oval cross section.
Is not particularly limited, and may be a rectangular shape with rounded corners, an elliptical shape, or the like. The total length L from the tip of the toothbrush body 3 on the head 4 side to the base end of the handle 5
₁ is not particularly limited, but 1 for toothbrushes for children
It is preferably from 25 to 165 mm. There is no particular restriction on the width W ₂ in the thickness direction of the width W ₁ and the width direction of the handle portion 5, the width W ₁ in the thickness direction 6 to 10 mm, the width W ₂ in the width direction 12 It is preferably 16 mm. As shown in FIGS.
In a portion of the resin base material 7, a circular surface recess 12 of substantially the same size is provided at substantially the same position on the front side and the back side near the tip on the neck 6 side.
And a concave portion 13 on the back surface are formed. Then, the front and back finger pads 8 and 9 made of a rubber material set the resin base material 7 injection-molded with a synthetic resin material in another mold of an injection molding machine, and melt the resin base material 7 into the back surface recess 13 from the back side. A rubber material is injected under pressure to form the back recess 13 and the front and back through holes 1.
4 and the front recess 12 are filled with a rubber material in a state where the front recess 12 and the rear recess 13 protrude outward toward the center thereof, and are solidified. It has a circular shape of approximately the same size and is smoothly connected to the flat surface of the handle portion 5 with almost no level difference, and is integrally provided in a state protruding from the surface of the handle portion 5 toward the center. The front and back through-holes 14 are provided in a tapered shape so that the inner diameter expands from the rear concave portion 13 toward the front concave portion 12 so that the molten rubber material injected from the rear surface can easily turn toward the front concave portion 12. is there. The size of the finger rests 8, 9 is not particularly limited, but the diameter d is preferably about 8 to 12 mm. The thickness t of the raised portion from the surface of the handle portion 5 to the top surfaces of the finger rests 8, 9 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm, and more preferably about 1 mm. In addition, the shape of the finger rests 8 and 9 is not particularly limited.
For example, the shape may be an ellipse, a star, or the like. Additionally, although the neck portion 6 side tip of the toothbrush body 3 is not particularly limited to the length L ₂ to the center of the release members 8,9, it is preferred In the children's toothbrush is 50 to 70 mm. Further, the toothbrush body 3 is configured such that a boundary portion 11 from the neck portion 6 to the portion of the handle portion 5 where the finger rests 8 and 9 are provided is moved from the neck portion 6 to the handle portion 5 in the thickness direction and the width direction. The shape is curved so as to spread gently without any step over the distance from the neck portion 6 to the handle portion 5 so that the change in thickness is gradual. Further, the handle portion 5 is formed with an annular groove 15 at an outer peripheral portion at a position slightly away from the finger pads 8 and 9 toward the base end opposite to the neck 6.
Is not particularly limited from the neck portion 6 side tip of the toothbrush body 3 to a length L ₃ to the center of the annular groove 15, it is preferable In the children's toothbrush is 60 to 80 mm.
In the vicinity of the base end of the handle portion 5, a through hole 16 for hooking the toothbrush 1 on a hook or the like is provided. The toothbrush 1 as described above has finger pads 8, 9 made of a rubber material on the front and back of a handle portion 5 made of a synthetic resin material as a thumb guide when the toothbrush 1 is held in a palm grip type. Since the handle portion 5 is provided so as to be raised from the surface of the flat handle portion 5, the portion to be touched by the thumb is visually and tactilely clear. Further, if the synthetic resin material of the handle portion 5 and the rubber material of the finger portions 8 and 9 are colored in different colors, the finger portions 8 and 9 become clearer. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the toothbrush 1 is put on the handle portion 5 with the thumb raised so that the implanted surface of the implanted portion 2 faces inward with the thumb up. By gripping 5, the toothbrush can be properly held by the palm grip. In addition, the finger rest 8,
9 is made of a rubber material softer than the synthetic resin material of the handle portion 5 in a state of being raised from the flat surface of the handle portion 5, so that the finger touch portion 8 has a comfortable touch with the finger and fits the finger. It's easy to do. Further, the handle portion 5 is formed in a straight shape with the front side and the back side being substantially the same shape and the finger pads 8 and 9 are provided in substantially the same position on the front side and the back side of the handle portion 5 in substantially the same shape. 8A, the palm grip is the same as that shown in FIG. 8A, and as shown in FIG. By holding the handle portion 5 with the thumb applied to the contact portion 9, the user can hold the handle portion 5 in a correct manner. Furthermore, the finger rests 8, 9 provided on the front and back of the handle 5 are smoothly connected to the surface of the handle 5 almost without any level difference, and are provided in a state of rising from the surface of the handle 5 toward the center. Therefore, even if the position where the thumb is applied is moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion, the positions of the finger support portions 8 and 9 can be grasped. The toothbrush body 3 does not move from the neck 6 to the handle portion 5 as in the case of the toothbrush having a concave portion made of a synthetic resin material. The boundary portion 11 extending to the portion where the portions 8 and 9 are provided is curved so as to gradually expand from the neck portion 6 to the handle portion 5 without any step in the thickness direction and the width direction so as to moderate the change in thickness. 9 (a), when the tip does not suddenly become thin from the finger rest portion 8, and depending on the child who is the user, the neck portion is too long and the user wants to hold it short. Thus, even if the thumb position is slightly shifted toward the neck portion 6 and the handle portion 5 is gripped, the grip on the finger portion 8 does not deteriorate and the thumb does not hit the thin neck portion 6, so that it is easy to hold. . If the user wants to hold the neck because the neck is too short, as shown in FIG. Since the portion 8 is formed so as to protrude from the surface of the handle portion 5, the position of the finger contact portion 8 can be grasped tactilely, and the finger can be correctly placed on the surface of the handle portion 5. It is easy to hold without the feeling of contact with the 9 becoming worse. Therefore, the user, a child, can use the toothbrush 1 after adjusting it to a length that is easy to use. Further, since the annular groove 15 is formed at a position slightly away from the finger pads 8, 9 on the base end side opposite to the neck 6, when the toothbrush 1 is held with a palm grip,
The portion of the handle portion 5 where the thumb is applied and the portion where the handle portion 5 is gripped with other fingers are clear. The annular groove 15 also serves as a guide for the position where the parent holds the toothbrush 1 when the parent brushes the toothbrush 1 with a pen grip. In addition, the surface of the handle portion 5 on the base end side from the annular groove portion 15 may be subjected to a graining process or the like to roughen the surface, thereby providing a non-slip effect. As described above, in the toothbrush according to the present invention, it is possible to hold the toothbrush in a correct manner simply by gripping the handle portion by touching the thumb to the finger portion provided on the handle portion. it can. Also, make the handle part the same shape on the front and back,
In addition, since the finger pads are provided on the front and back sides, a correct way of holding the toothbrush can be achieved even when the front and back sides of the toothbrush are switched, and at the same time, there is no uncomfortable feeling when switching. Further, the finger pad is provided in a raised state from the surface of the handle with a rubber material, and a portion from the neck of the toothbrush main body to the finger pad of the handle is separated from the neck in the thickness direction and the width direction. It is curved so that it gently spreads over the handle without a step, so it is comfortable to touch the finger against the finger pad. Even if it is displaced, you can grasp the position of the finger pad with your thumb, and your thumb will not hit the thin neck,
The user can easily hold the toothbrush by adjusting it to a length that is easy to use, and can hold the toothbrush correctly even when the length is adjusted in this way. Therefore, the toothbrush of the present invention is suitable for children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of a toothbrush, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view thereof. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the toothbrush. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8A is an explanatory view of a palm grip with a flocked surface inside, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory view of a palm grip with a flocked surface outside. 9A is an explanatory diagram of a palm grip having a short toothbrush, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a palm grip having a long toothbrush. [Description of Signs] 1: Toothbrush, 2: Flocked part, 3: Toothbrush body, 4: Head, 5: Handle part, 6: Neck, 7: Resin base material, 8: Front finger pad, 9: Back finger Patch part, 10: flocking hole, 11:
Boundary part, 12: front surface recess, 13: back surface recess, 14: front and back through hole, 15: annular groove, 16: through hole.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A toothbrush comprising a flocked portion, a toothbrush body having a head portion, a neck portion, and a handle portion having the flocked portion, wherein the toothbrush body is made of a synthetic resin material,
The handle portion has a flat shape having a width wider than its thickness, and the front side and the back side of the handle portion are formed in substantially the same shape, and a finger pad made of a rubber material is provided on the front side and the back side near the tip of the handle portion. Parts are provided in substantially the same shape on the front side and the back side in substantially the same shape while being raised from the surface of the handle part, and the portion from the neck of the toothbrush main body to the finger rest of the handle part in the thickness direction and A toothbrush characterized in that it is curved so as to gently expand from the neck to the handle in the width direction without a step.