JP2004041402A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush by which reaching feeling to an interdental part and soft feeling during brushing are obtained effectively, an image of easily entering the interdental part is improved and durability is not damaged. <P>SOLUTION: In the toothbrush 10 where tufts 12a, 12b and 12c consisting of a plurality of bristles 11 are implanted in a plurality of pieces on an implantation head 14, inside of peripheral tufts 12a implanted at least at the peripheral part of a side part of an implanting face of the implantation head 14, inner tufts 12b having a small diameter of 0.8 to 1.2 mm are implanted at positions at equal interval from a pair of adjacent peripheral tufts 12a, and a height of the inner tuft 12b is higher than that of the peripheral tuft 12a. Thus, a shape of a tip end part made of the peripheral tufts 12a and the inner tufts 12b is like a saw tooth due to continuous recesses and projections in a view from a lateral side of the implantation head 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００２９】
【表２】

【００３０】
〔歯間到達率の評価〕
図６に示すように、Ｒ５の曲面同士を向き合わせたアルミブロックによる歯間モデル３０を作成した。作成した歯間モデル３０に対して、ブラッシングマシーンを用いて実施例１の歯ブラシ、及び比較例１，２の歯ブラシの各々による刷掃を行ない、歯間モデル３０の隙間の部分にブリッスルの毛先が何処まで届いたかを測定した。刷掃条件は、荷重３００ｇ、刷掃回数１２０回、刷掃速度１２０ｒｐｍ、振幅３ｃｍとした。また、歯間モデル３０の隙間の部分に毛先が届いたか否かを明確にするために、歯間モデル３０の表面に圧力を感知する専門紙を張ってブラッシングを行った。ブラッシングした後、ブリッスルの毛先が到達した部分が発色するので、Ｒの始点から着色の終点までの距離を「到達長さ」として測定する。
【００３１】
歯間到達率は、Ｒ５の歯間モデル３０のＲの始まりから終わりまでの距離を測定して「Ｒの全長」とし、測定した「到達長さ」を「Ｒの全長」で除した値の百分率、すなわち（到達長さ／Ｒの全長）×１００（％）によって求める。
【００３２】
〔歯間到達感〕
１０人のパネラーに実施例１、及び比較例１，２の各歯ブラシを各々実際に使用してもらい、聞き取り調査によって歯間への到達感を評価した。評価基準は、「歯間が磨けた感じがする。」と答えたパネラーが、１０人中８人以上の場合を「◎」、６〜７人の場合を「○」、４〜５人の場合を「△」、３人以下の場合を「×」とした。
【００３３】
〔歯ぐきへの感触〕
１０人のパネラーに実施例１、及び比較例１，２の各歯ブラシを各々実際に使用してもらい、ふつうに磨く場合と強く磨く場合の各々について、聞き取り調査によって歯ぐきへの感触（ソフト感）を評価した。評価基準は、「ソフトな感じが得られた。」と答えたパネラーが、１０人中８人以上の場合を「○」、４〜７人の場合を「△」、３人以下の場合を「×」とした。
【００３４】
表１，２に示す評価結果から、本発明に係る実施例１の歯ブラシによれば、歯間到達率、歯間到達感、及び歯ぐきへの感触（ソフト感）のいずれについても良好な結果が得られることが判明する。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】
本発明の歯ブラシによれば、歯間部への到達感及び刷掃時の柔らかい感触を効果的に得ることができると共に、歯間部に入りやすいというイメージが向上し、且つ耐久性を損なうことがない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態に係る歯ブラシの要部を示す斜視図である。
【図２】（ａ）は本発明の第１実施形態に係る歯ブラシの要部を示す平面図、（ｂ）は同側面図である。
【図３】（ａ）は本発明の第２実施形態に係る歯ブラシの要部を示す平面図、（ｂ）は同側面図である。
【図４】一対の隣接する周縁タフトの先端を山切りカットして内側タフトを突出させた状態の説明図である。
【図５】（ａ）は比較例１の歯ブラシを説明する側面図、（ｂ）は比較例２の歯ブラシを説明する側面図である。
【図６】歯間到達率を評価する方法の説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１０，２０　歯ブラシ
１１　ブリッスル
１２ａ，２２ａ，３２ａ　周縁タフト
１２ｂ，２２ｂ，３２ｂ　内側タフト
１２ｃ　中央タフト
１３　先端外側端部
１４　植毛台
１５　首部
１６ａ　周縁植毛穴
１６ｂ　内側植毛穴
１６ｃ　中央植毛穴
Ｘ　　歯ブラシの長手方向[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toothbrush in which a plurality of tufts including a plurality of bristles are implanted in a flocking table.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
The toothbrush is formed by implanting and fixing a tuft formed by bundling bristles by a method such as driving a flat wire into a plurality of flocking holes provided in a flocking table or fusing with heat. In addition, the toothbrush has been devised in various shapes and sizes of tufts and bristles so that various functions such as a feeling of reaching the interdental portion and a soft touch during brushing can be effectively exerted. .
[0003]
As a toothbrush having improved feeling of reaching the interdental portion, a toothbrush having a front end portion of a continuous bristle cut into a saw blade shape is known. According to this, since each tip of a tuft having a considerable thickness of about 1.4 to 3.0 mm is cut obliquely and formed into a saw blade shape as a whole, the feel is hard due to the thick tuft. And tend to give a harder appearance. In addition, the shape in which each tip of the tuft is cut obliquely does not easily give an image that it is easy to enter the interdental portion. On the other hand, by reducing the thickness of the bristles constituting the tufts, it is possible to soften the feel during brushing, but the durability of the toothbrush is deteriorated.
[0004]
The present invention provides a toothbrush that can effectively obtain a feeling of reaching the interdental portion and a soft touch at the time of brushing, has an improved image of being easily inserted into the interdental portion, and does not impair durability. The purpose is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a toothbrush in which a plurality of tufts composed of a plurality of bristles are planted on a flocking table, and a pair of adjacent tufts inside a peripheral tuft planted on at least a peripheral portion of a flocking surface of the flocking table. The inner tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm is planted at a position substantially equidistant from the peripheral tuft, and the height of the inner tuft is higher than that of the peripheral tuft. The above object has been attained by providing a toothbrush in which the shape of the tip portion of the tuft and the inner tuft has a saw blade shape due to continuous unevenness as viewed from the side of the flocking table.
[0006]
In the above description, the position at which the inner tufts are planted is substantially equidistant from the pair of peripheral tufts, and means a position where each vertex of the isosceles triangle is formed together with the pair of peripheral tufts when viewed in a plane. In addition to the position equidistant from the peripheral tuft, the position substantially equidistant is also included. Further, the small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm is not necessarily a tuft having a circular cross-section, and may be a tuft having an arbitrary cross-section such as a square cross-section or a hexagonal cross-section. Means twice the secondary radius of the cross section.
[0007]
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the toothbrush of this invention, in the flocking table with which several tufts were planted on the flocking surface, at least the side part used as the main part at the time of brushing the interdental part is planted in the peripheral part. At a position substantially equidistant from each pair of adjacent peripheral tufts, a small-diameter inner tuft is planted with a bristle height higher than the brim of the peripheral tuft, so when viewed from the side of the flocking table, A saw blade formed by concavities and convexities in which the inner tuft protrudes in a cone shape or a column shape from between a pair of peripheral edge tufts, and the portion protruding in the cone shape or the column shape is continuous along the side portion and is continuous. Because it has a shape, the image that it is easy to enter the interdental area can be effectively obtained by its appearance, and the sense of reaching the interdental part can be effectively obtained by the saw blade shape due to the continuous unevenness. Become. Also, the inner tuft, which has a higher bristle height than the peripheral tuft, is a small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm, so that the number of bristles constituting the tuft is reduced without particularly using a thin bristle. While maintaining appropriate elasticity, it is possible to obtain a soft feel at the time of brushing, and it is also possible to form a tuft with a bristle with stiffness, thereby improving durability.
[0008]
Here, the inner tuft needs to be a small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm. If the diameter of the inner tuft is smaller than 0.6 mm, it is difficult to manufacture with a currently installed hair transplanter, and it is necessary to use a thick bristle to improve the reach to the interdental area It becomes easy to hurt the gums. Further, if the diameter is larger than 1.2 mm, the reach to the interdental area will be significantly reduced, and if the bristle or the bristle tip of the bristle is made thinner in order to increase the reach to the interdental area, dirt will be produced. The drop force will be reduced.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the peripheral tuft is also preferably a small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm. By making the peripheral tuft also a small diameter tuft, the reach of the high bristle tuft to the interdental area is not hindered by the low bristle tuft (peripheral tuft). It is possible to increase it further.
[0010]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, if the shape of the bristle tip of the bristle constituting the high tuft inner tuft is tapered, it is possible to effectively remove dirt up to the boundary between teeth and gums, and If the shape of the bristle tips of the low-length peripheral tufts is spherical, it is possible to massage the gums at the same time as brushing.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with respect to its first preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment includes a plurality of bristles 11 on a flocking table 14 of a toothbrush main body including a grip portion (not shown), a flocking table 14, and a neck 15 connecting these. A plurality of tufts (bristle bundles) 12a, 12b, and 12c formed by bundling are planted.
[0012]
According to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the inside of the peripheral tuft 12 a implanted at the peripheral portion along the side of the implanted surface of the implanted table 14. A small diameter inner tuft 12b having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm is planted at a position substantially equidistant from a pair of adjacent peripheral tufts 12a, and the height of the inner tuft 12b is greater than that of the peripheral tuft 12a. Due to the height, the shape of the distal end portion formed by the peripheral tuft 12a and the inner tuft 12b has a saw blade shape due to continuous unevenness when viewed from the side of the flocking table 14 (see (b)).
[0013]
Further, according to the first embodiment, the peripheral tuft 12a is also a small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm.
[0014]
The toothbrush body is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or ABS resin. On the surface of the flocking table 14, a total of 48 circular flocking holes 16a, 16b, at which tufts (bristle bundles) 12a, 12b, and 12c are transplanted, are provided. 16c is formed. That is, in the peripheral portion along both sides of the flocking surface of the flocking table 14, ten peripheral flocking holes 16a are formed with a small diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm in diameter, and these peripheral flocking holes are formed. In the 16a, the peripheral tufts 12a are implanted. In addition, inside each pair of the peripheral flocked holes 16a, two adjacent flocked holes 16a are formed at the positions forming the respective vertices of the isosceles triangle together with the pair of the peripheral flocked holes 16a. The inner tufts 12b are implanted in these inner implanted holes 16b, respectively, with a small diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm. Further, in the central portion of the flocking table 14, 18 central flocking holes 16c having a diameter of 1.2 to 2.0 mm are sandwiched between the peripheral flocking holes 16a or the inner flocking holes 16b on both sides. The central tufts 12c are implanted in these central implanted holes 16c, respectively.
[0015]
The bristle 11 constituting the peripheral tuft 12a is a filament material made of synthetic resin such as nylon and having a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm. 12a are formed. The peripheral tuft 12a is implanted in the peripheral flocking hole 16a by, for example, flat line flocking or fusion flocking, and has a circular cross-section having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm at the root thereof, and is approximately 10.0 to 13 It is planted on the flocking table 14 with a hair length of about 0.0 mm.
[0016]
The bristle 11 constituting the inner tuft 12b is also a filament material made of synthetic resin such as nylon and having a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm. A tuft 12b is formed. The inner tuft 12b is planted in the inner flocking hole 16b by, for example, flat line flocking or fusion flocking, and has a circular cross section having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm at the root thereof, and approximately 9.0 to 12 mm. It is planted with a hair length of about 0.0 mm. That is, the inner tuft 12b arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction X of the toothbrush has a bristle length of about 12.0 mm, and the inner tufts 12b arranged on both sides thereof have a bristle length of about 10.5 mm, and both ends in the longitudinal direction X. The inner tufts 12b arranged at a height of about 9.0 mm are implanted while sequentially changing the height of the tip, whereby the inner tufts 12b are 1.0 to 3.0 mm longer than the peripheral tufts 12a. Hair will be planted with a high hair length.
[0017]
According to the first embodiment, the inner tuft 12b located at an intermediate portion inside the pair of adjacent peripheral tufts 12a is implanted with a bristle height higher than that of the peripheral tuft 12a. , And a portion protruding upward in the shape of a cone or a column from between a pair of peripheral tufts, and the portion protruding in the shape of a cone or a column continues along the side portion of the flocking table 14 so that The tip portion of the tuft 12a and the inner tuft 12b forms a saw blade shape by continuous unevenness when viewed from the side of the flocking table 14.
[0018]
The bristles 11 constituting the central tuft 12c are also made of a synthetic resin such as nylon and have a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm, and are bundled with, for example, several to several tens of filaments. The tuft 12c is formed. The inner tuft 12b is planted in the peripheral flocking hole 16a by, for example, flat line flocking or fusion flocking, and has a circular cross section having a diameter of 1.2 to 1.6 mm at the root thereof, and is similar to the peripheral tuft 12a. It is planted with a hair length of about 10.5-11.5 mm.
[0019]
According to the first embodiment, the bristle 11 constituting the peripheral edge tuft 12a has a round or tapered bristle tip shape, and the bristle 11 constituting the inner tuft 12b has a round bristle tip shape. Shape or tapered shape. The bristle 11 constituting the central tuft 12c has a round or spherical bristle tip.
[0020]
According to the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to effectively obtain a feeling of reaching the interdental portion and a soft touch at the time of brushing, and to improve the image that the toothbrush 10 easily enters the interdental portion. In addition, durability is not impaired. That is, according to the first embodiment, the small-diameter inner tuft 12b planted at a position forming an isosceles triangular vertex together with each pair of adjacent peripheral tufts 12a planted in the peripheral portion is formed into the peripheral tuft 12a. It is planted with a hair height higher than the hair length of and appears to protrude in a cone or column shape, and the portion protruding in a cone or column shape is connected to form a saw blade shape due to continuous irregularities As a result, the image of easy entry into the interdental area can be easily obtained by its appearance, and the bristle of the inner tuft 12b easily enters the interdental area due to the saw blade shape due to the continuous unevenness, so that a sense of reaching is achieved. Will be improved. Further, the inner tuft 12b having a higher hair height than the peripheral tuft 12a is a small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm, so that the number of the bristles constituting the inner tuft 12b is not particularly used without using a thin bristle. While maintaining a moderate elasticity, it is possible to easily obtain a soft feel at the time of brushing, and it is also possible to form a tuft with a bristle 11 having a general thickness and a stiffness. There is no loss.
[0021]
Further, according to the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment, the bristle 11 constituting the inner tuft 12b has a round or tapered bristle tip, so that the gap between the teeth or between the teeth and the gum is reduced. It is possible to remove dirt from small parts such as boundaries. Also, by making the center tuft 12c shorter than the inner tuft 12b and lowering the tip of the central tuft 12c than the peripheral tuft 12a without cutting the tip, the central tuft 12c has an effect on the tooth surface. In addition to the function of brushing, the tooth brush can be more efficiently brushed together with the shape of the saw blade formed by the peripheral tufts 12a and the inner tufts 12b.
[0022]
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a toothbrush 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the toothbrush 20 of the second embodiment, the peripheral tuft 22a has a circular cross section of a normal size having a diameter of 1.2 to 2.0 mm at the root portion, and has a diameter of about 10.0 mm. Hair is planted at 20 locations over the entire circumference of the periphery of the flocking table 14. The inner tuft 22b has a circular cross section with a small diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm at the base portion, and isosceles triangle with a pair of adjacent peripheral tufts 22a inside the peripheral tuft 22a. At the position where the vertex is formed, the hair is implanted at 14 locations with the same hair length of about 12.0 mm over the entire circumference of the hair implantation table 14. Further, the central tuft 22c has a circular cross section of a normal size having a diameter of 1.2 to 2.0 mm at the root portion, has a hair length of about 9.0 mm, and has an inner tuft in the flocking table 14. Hairs are implanted at five locations in a region surrounded by 22b.
[0023]
Also, according to the toothbrush 20 of the second embodiment, the small-diameter inner tuft 22b planted at a position forming an apex of an isosceles triangle with each pair of peripheral tufts 22a is higher than the bristle length of the peripheral tuft 22a. By being planted with a hair length and protruding in the shape of a cone or a column, the portion protruding in the shape of a cone or a column has a saw blade shape due to continuous irregularities connected to each other, The same operation and effects as those of the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0024]
Note that the present invention can be variously modified without being limited to the above embodiments. For example, the toothbrush according to the present invention can be obtained by appropriately changing the number and positions of the tufts of the peripheral tuft, the inner tuft, and the central tuft. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, by cutting the tips of a pair of adjacent peripheral edge tufts 32a, and projecting the inner tufts 32b from the central portions thereof, it is possible to further improve the image of easily entering the interdental portion. It can also be improved.
[0025]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the toothbrush of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.
[0026]
[Example 1]
The toothbrush of Example 1 having the same configuration as the toothbrush 20 of the second embodiment was evaluated for the interdental reach, the interdental reach, and the feeling (softness) to the gums by the methods described below. Tables 1 and 2 show the results of the evaluation.
[0027]
[Comparative Examples 1 and 2]
As shown in FIG. 5 (a), tufts having the same configuration as the peripheral tufts 22a of the toothbrush 20 according to the second embodiment were planted at 32 places in a total of 32 places in 4 rows and 8 rows vertically and horizontally on a flocking table. 1 toothbrush. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tip end of the tuft of the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1 was cut into a saw blade shape continuous in the axial direction of the toothbrush to obtain a toothbrush of Comparative Example 2. For the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, similarly to the toothbrush of Example 1, the interdental reach, the interdental reach, and the feeling (soft feeling) to the gums were evaluated by the methods described below. Tables 1 and 2 show the results of the evaluation.
[0028]
[Table 1]

[0029]
[Table 2]

[0030]
[Evaluation of interdental reach]
As shown in FIG. 6, an interdental model 30 made of an aluminum block with curved surfaces of R5 facing each other was created. The created interdental model 30 is brushed by the toothbrush of Example 1 and the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 using a brushing machine. Was measured. The cleaning conditions were a load of 300 g, a number of times of cleaning of 120, a cleaning speed of 120 rpm, and an amplitude of 3 cm. Further, in order to clarify whether or not the bristle tip has reached the gap portion of the interdental model 30, brushing is performed with a special paper for sensing pressure applied to the surface of the interdental model 30. After brushing, the portion of the bristle reached by the hair tip develops color. Therefore, the distance from the start point of R to the end point of coloring is measured as the "reach length".
[0031]
The interdental reach ratio is a value obtained by measuring the distance from the beginning to the end of R of the interdental model 30 of R5 to obtain the “full length of R”, and dividing the measured “attained length” by the “full length of R”. It is determined by the percentage, that is, (the reached length / the total length of R) × 100 (%).
[0032]
[Sense of reach between teeth]
Ten panelists actually used the toothbrushes of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, respectively, and evaluated the feeling of reaching the teeth by hearing survey. The evaluation criteria were as follows: panelists who answered, "I feel the tooth gap is polished." When 8 or more out of 10 panelists answered "◎", when 6 to 7 panelists answered "○", 4 to 5 panelists answered. The case was evaluated as "△", and the case of three or less as "x".
[0033]
[Feeling gums]
Ten panelists actually use the toothbrushes of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, respectively. For each of the cases of normal brushing and strong brushing, the feeling to the gums (soft feeling) was determined by hearing survey. Was evaluated. The evaluation criteria were as follows: panelists who answered "soft feeling was obtained.": 8 or more out of 10 panelists rated "○"; 4-7 panelists rated "△"; 3 or fewer panelists answered. “×” was assigned.
[0034]
From the evaluation results shown in Tables 1 and 2, according to the toothbrush of Example 1 according to the present invention, good results were obtained in all of the interdental reach, the interdental reach, and the feeling (soft feeling) to the gums. It turns out that it can be obtained.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the toothbrush of this invention, while reaching the interdental part and the soft touch at the time of brushing can be obtained effectively, the image which is easy to enter an interdental part improves, and durability is impaired. There is no.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a toothbrush according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a main part of the toothbrush according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof.
FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a main part of a toothbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the same.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the tips of a pair of adjacent peripheral edge tufts are cut off by mountain cutting to protrude an inner tuft.
5A is a side view illustrating a toothbrush of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating a toothbrush of Comparative Example 2.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method for evaluating the interdental reach.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 20 Toothbrush 11 Bristle 12a, 22a, 32a Peripheral tuft 12b, 22b, 32b Inner tuft 12c Central tuft 13 Front outer end 14 Flocking table 15 Neck 16a Peripheral flocked hole 16b Inner flocked hole 16c Central flocked hole X Length of toothbrush

Claims (2)

In a toothbrush where a plurality of tufts consisting of a plurality of bristles are planted on a flocking table,
On the inner side of the peripheral tuft which is planted at least at the peripheral portion of the flocking surface of the flocking table, a small-diameter inner portion having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm is provided at a position substantially equidistant from a pair of adjacent peripheral tufts. The tufts are planted, and the height of the inner tuft is higher than the length of the peripheral tuft, so that the shape of the tip portion of the peripheral tuft and the inner tuft is continuous as viewed from the side of the flocking table. Toothbrush with a saw blade shape. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral tuft is a small-diameter tuft having a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm.

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