JP2004105304A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush capable of efficiently brushing teeth according to the kind and part of each tooth with a plurality of bristle groups with different unified characteristics without deteriorating the dental plaque removing effect of the toothbrush on the whole. <P>SOLUTION: The planting surface of a bristle planting base 11 comprises a tip area 16, a center belt-like area 17 in the rear of the tip area, and a pair of outside belt-like areas 18. A tip bristle group 19A, a center bristle group 19B and outside bristle groups 19C are planted in the tip area 16, the center belt-like area 17 and the outside belt-like areas 18 respectively in the toothbrush 10. The unified characteristics of the tip bristle group 19A, the center bristle group 19B and the outside bristle groups 19C are different. The density of planted bristles in the center belt-like area 17 is 5-25%, and the percentage of the main bristle section area in the center belt-like area 17 is 30-80%. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundles obtained by bundling a plurality of bristles are planted on a flocking table.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
The toothbrush is formed by implanting and fixing a hair bundle formed by bundling a plurality of bristles by, for example, a method of driving a flat wire into a plurality of flocked holes provided on a flocked surface of a flocked bed or fusing with heat. Is what is done. In addition, the toothbrush efficiently removes plaque etc. by efficiently performing appropriate brushing according to the type of teeth such as front teeth, back teeth, etc., and the parts of teeth such as interdental parts, tooth surfaces, cervical parts etc. Various arrangements have been made to the arrangement of the bristle bundles, the shape of the bristle tips, and the like so as to make it possible to obtain a good feel during brushing.
[0003]
On the other hand, it is necessary to perform appropriate brushing with a single toothbrush on multiple tooth types such as back teeth and front teeth, and multiple tooth sites such as interdental parts, tooth surfaces, and cervical parts. To be able to do so, various toothbrushes have been developed in which a plurality of bristle bundles having different appearance forms (unified features) suitable for brushing each tooth type and site are planted on a flocking table.
[0004]
However, when a plurality of hair bundle groups having different appearances are implanted in one toothbrush (for example, see Patent Literature 1), if the arrangement of the plurality of hair bundle groups and the density of bristle hair implantation are not appropriate, In relation to the other bristle bundles, the plaque removing effect of the entire toothbrush is impaired.
[0005]
For example, on the flocking surface of the flocking table, a tip region, a central band-shaped region when the rear part of the tip region is divided into three band-shaped regions along the axial direction of the toothbrush, and a central band-shaped region on both sides of the central band-shaped region In the case of a toothbrush having four regions including a pair of outer band-shaped regions, if the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the main bristle of the center band-shaped region to the area of the center band-shaped region (flocked density in the center band-shaped region) is too high, The bristles are densely packed at the entrance of the interdental region, making it difficult to reach deep into the interdental region, and a sufficient plaque removing effect cannot be obtained.
[0006]
On the other hand, if the ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the main bristles in the central band-shaped area to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the main bristles (the ratio of the main bristle cross-sectional area in the central band-shaped area) is too low, the leading end region and the outer band-shaped region are not main. There are many bristles but few main bristles only in the central band region. Therefore, there is a problem that a blank portion with less bristles is formed in the center of the toothbrush, and even if it is polished, there is much unpolished residue.
[0007]
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can efficiently perform brushing according to the type and location of each tooth by a plurality of hair bundle groups having different appearance forms (unified features) without impairing the plaque removal effect of the entire toothbrush. It is intended to provide a toothbrush.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-149815
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundles obtained by bundling a plurality of bristles are planted on a flocked surface of a flocked table, and the tips of the plurality of bristles planted on the flocked bed are flattened. The main bristle is a bristle whose tip contacts the flat surface when brushing while applying a load of 300 g vertically from the rear side of the flocking table in contact with the surface, and the flocking surface of the flocking table is A central region formed by dividing a distal region into three regions along the axial direction of the toothbrush, and a pair of outer regions on both sides of the central region. Tip bristle group implanted in the tip region, central bristle group implanted in the central band region, and outer bristle group implanted in each of the outer belt regions Each have unified characteristics, and the tip hair bundle group The central hair bundle group and each of the outer hair bundle groups have different unified characteristics, and the central band-like region of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the respective central main bristles constituting the central hair bundle group. The ratio to the area (flocked density in the central band-like region = (total cross-sectional area of the central main bristle region) / (area of the central band-like region) × 100 (%)) is 5 to 25%, and each central main bristle is Ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the main bristles planted on the flocking surface (the main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the central band-shaped region = (the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the central main bristle) / (the sum of all the main bristles) The object has been achieved by providing a toothbrush having a total (cross-sectional area) × 100 (%) of 30 to 80%.
[0010]
Here, in the present application, the “main bristle” refers to a flat surface 52 in which the tips of a plurality of bristles 51 planted on a flocking table 50 are formed as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). This means a bristle 51a whose tip comes into contact with a flat surface 52 when the brush is brushed while applying a load P of 300 g vertically from the rear side of the flocking table 50. Therefore, of the bristle, even if the flocking table 50 moves by the displacement s when the load P of 300 g is applied vertically, the tip of the bristle table 50 does not abut the flat surface 52, and the height difference between the longest bristle and 51a. The purpose is to exclude the bristle 51b in which d is larger than the displacement s.
[0011]
In addition, in the present application, the “unified feature” refers to the tip shape of the hair bundle (the angle or curvature of the surface on which the hair bundle is cut or the surface on which the bristles are aligned), the cross-sectional shape of the hair bundle, and the direction of inclination of the hair bundle. And the tilt angle, the thickness of the hair bundle, the height at which the hair is implanted, the axial direction of the hair bundle having a cross-sectional shape with a major axis and a minor axis, the tip of a bristle, the average of the theoretical value of the hardness of the bristle, etc. This means that the hair bundles are formed into one shape (for example, concentric shape or mountain shape) as a whole.
[0012]
In addition, each feature has a priority, and the highest priority is when the hair bundle group is formed in one shape as a whole, and then the tip shape of the hair bundle, the inclination direction and the inclination of the hair bundle. The angle, the height at which the hairs are implanted, the thickness of the hairs, the axial direction of the hairs having a cross section having a major axis and a minor axis, the average of the theoretical value of the hardness of the bristle, and the shape of the tip of the bristle. Therefore, when a plurality of “unified features” exist in one hair bundle, the hair bundle is included in a hair bundle group having a feature with a higher priority.
[0013]
The difference in the “unified feature” of each hair bundle group mainly depends on the types of a plurality of teeth such as the back teeth and the front teeth and the parts of the plurality of teeth such as an interdental portion, a tooth surface portion, and a cervical portion. This is due to the difference in the specific functions of each hair bundle group for performing appropriate brushing on the hair bundles.
[0014]
Further, in the present application, the distal end region, the central band-shaped region, and the outer band-shaped region on the flocking surface of the flocking table are the bristle bundles constituting the distal bristle bundle group, the central bristle bundle group, and the outer bristle bundle group planted in each region. Of these, it is an area defined by a line segment obtained by connecting a midpoint on the flocked surface between the outer circumferences of each pair of hair bundles arranged at a position adjacent to another hair bundle group. The area of the central band region means the area of a region defined by such a line segment as the front end region and the outer band region.
[0015]
Furthermore, in the present application, the flocking density in the central band-shaped region refers to the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of each central main bristle, which is the main bristle constituting the central hair bundle group, to the area of the central band-shaped region, The main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the area refers to a ratio of the total cross-sectional area of each central main bristle to the total cross-sectional area of all main bristles planted on the flocking surface.
[0016]
According to the toothbrush of the present invention, the tip bristle group planted in the tip region, the central bristle group planted in the central band region, and the outer bristle plant planted in each outer band region The groups differ in their “unified features” according to the functions of these hair bundle groups and the like, and have a flocking density of 5 to 25% in the central band-like region and a main bristle cross-sectional area ratio of 30 in the central band-like region. Since it is about 80%, it is possible to efficiently brush different types of teeth and different parts of the teeth with each hair bundle group, and to improve the hair transplant density in the central band-shaped region. By controlling the amount of the main bristle in the tip region and each outer band-shaped region so that neither the main bristle cross-sectional area rate becomes low, the tip of the main bristle reaches deep into the interdental portion, And teeth By the action of parts is also the main bristles until a smooth surface not only evenly efficiently contact, it is possible to improve the plaque removing effect of the entire toothbrush.
[0017]
The reason for setting the flocking density in the central band-like region to 5 to 25% is that if the flocking density is less than 5%, the feel of the hair in the central band-like region becomes extremely unreliable, and if the bristle is thickened to compensate for it, On the other hand, if the hair implantation density is higher than 25%, as shown in Comparative Example 1 below, even if the main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the central band-shaped region is high, the interdental space is increased. This is because the bristle does not easily enter the portion and a sufficient plaque removing effect cannot be obtained.
[0018]
Further, the main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the central band-shaped region is set to 30 to 80% when the main bristle cross-sectional area ratio is smaller than 30%, as shown in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 described later. This is because even if the flocking density is low, the main bristle cross-sectional area in the central band-shaped area is too low, so that the brushing efficiency does not increase and a sufficient plaque removing effect cannot be obtained. Is too large, the main bristles in the tip region and the outer band region are too small, and the characteristics of each region cannot be fully exhibited.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A toothbrush 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) is a toothbrush table of a toothbrush body including a grip portion (not shown), a flocking table 11 and a neck 12 connecting these. A plurality of bristles (tufts) 15a, 15b, 15c, and 14d formed by bundling a plurality of bristles 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are implanted in the plurality of implanted holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, respectively. ).
[0020]
According to the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the toothbrush body is a known one made of a synthetic resin such as, for example, polypropylene or ABS resin, and the flat flocking surface of the flocking table 11 has an area of approximately 1/4 of the tip. The front end region 16 occupied, a central band region 17 when the rear portion of the front end region 16 is divided into three band regions 17, 18 along the axial direction X of the toothbrush 10, and both sides of the central band region 17. It has four regions with a pair of outer band regions 18.
[0021]
In the tip end region 16, five track-shaped first flocking holes 13a having a major axis of 1.5 mm and a minor axis of 0.8 mm are provided at five places, and similarly, the major axis is 1.5 mm and the minor axis is 0.1 mm. 8 mm track circular second flocking holes 13b are formed at seven locations (total of 12 locations). Also, in the central band-shaped region 17, third circular flocking holes 13 c having a track circular shape having a short axis of 0.8 mm parallel to the axial direction X of the toothbrush 10 and a long axis perpendicular to the short axis of 3.0 mm are formed at five places. ing. Further, in each outer band-shaped region 18, eight track-shaped fourth flocking holes 13d each having a major axis parallel to the axial direction X of the toothbrush 10 of 2.2 mm and a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis of 0.8 mm are formed. , Are formed at a total of 16 locations.
[0022]
In addition, in the first flocked holes 13a at five places out of the twelve flocked holes 13a and 13b in the tip end region 16, first bristles 15a schematically illustrated in black in FIG. A second hair bundle 15b, which is schematically shown in white, is implanted in each of the second hair implantation holes 13b. Further, a third bristle bundle 15c, which is schematically shown by a shaded line, is provided in each of the five third flocking holes 13c in the central belt-like region 17, and a toothbrush 10 is provided in each of the four flocking holes 13d in each outer belt-like region 18. Fourth hair bundles 15d, which are schematically illustrated by drawing circles offset in the axial direction X, are each planted.
[0023]
According to the present embodiment, the tip end region 16, the central band-shaped region 17, and the outer band-shaped region 18 on the flocking surface of the flocking table 11 are respectively composed of a tip bristle bundle group 19A and a central bristle bundle group 19B planted in each region. Of the hair bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d constituting the outer hair bundle group 19C, the flocking between the outer circumferences of the pair of hair bundles 15b, 15c, and 15d arranged at positions adjacent to the other hair bundle groups It is obtained by connecting the midpoint between the outer circumferences of a pair of flocked holes 13b, 13c, 13d arranged at a position adjacent to another hair bundle group and corresponding to the line segment 20 obtained by connecting the midpoints on the surface. This is an area defined by the line segment 20.
[0024]
The bristles 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d constituting each of the hair bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are filament materials having a thickness of, for example, 6 to 9 mils made of a synthetic resin such as nylon. By bundling ten to several tens of hairs, each hair bundle 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is formed.
[0025]
According to the present embodiment, the first bristle bundle 15a implanted in the distal end region 16 is configured by bundling 15 distal first bristles 14a having a thickness of 9 mil (0.229 mm). The first bristle 14a has a hair length of 11.0 to 12.0 mm from the flocking surface (11.5 mm, 12.0 mm in order from the distal first bristle 14a constituting the first bristle bundle 15a on the distal side of the flocking table 11). The hair length is 11.5 mm and 11.0 mm. The second bristle bundle 15b is configured by bundling 19 tip second bristles 14b each having a thickness of 8 mil (0.203 mm), and each tip second bristle 14b is 10.5-11. Hair is implanted with a hair length of 5 mm (11.5 mm, 11.0 mm, 10.5 mm hair length in order from the tip second bristle 14b constituting the second hair bundle 15b on the tip end side of the flocking table 11).
[0026]
That is, according to the present embodiment, the entire upper brush surface of the hair bundle group 19A in the tip end region 16 including the five first hair bundles 15a and the seven second hair bundles 15b is When viewed from the side of the toothbrush 10, the two first bristle bundles 15a (having a hair length of 12.0 mm) in the second row from the tip end have the highest shape (FIG. 1B). reference). Each of the five first hair bundles 15a and the seven second hair bundles 15b implanted in the tip end region 16 has an angle of 5 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to the hair implantation surface of the hair implantation table 11. The toothbrush 10 is implanted so as to be tilted to the tip side in the axial direction X of the toothbrush 10.
[0027]
According to the present embodiment, the third bristle bundle 15c implanted in the central band-shaped region 17 is configured by bundling 38 central bristles 14c each having a thickness of 9 mil (0.229 mm). The bristle 14c is implanted with a hair length of 11.5 mm from the implanted surface. The fourth bristle bundle 15d implanted in each outer belt-shaped region 18 is configured by bundling 48 outer bristles 14d each having a thickness of 7 mil (0.178 mm), and each outer bristle 14d is positioned 9 cm from the flocking surface. Hair is planted with a hair length of 0.0 to 11.5 mm.
[0028]
Each of the five third bristle bundles 15c implanted in the central band-like region 17 has a tip in the axial direction X of the toothbrush 10 at an angle of 10 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to the flocking surface of the flocking table 11. It is planted leaning to the side. In addition, each of the fourth bristle bundles 15d located at the tip among the eight fourth bristle bundles 15d planted in each outer belt-shaped region 18 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the flocking surface of the flocking table 11. The toothbrush 10 is implanted at an angle of 10 degrees to the tip of the toothbrush 10 in the axial direction X.
[0029]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the fourth hair bundle 15d has the highest hair length (11.5 mm) as shown in an enlarged top view and side view in a portion A of FIG. 1B. From the eight outer bristles 14d to the outer bristle 14d having the lowest bristle height (9.0 mm), the bristle is implanted with the bristle height of the outer bristle 14d reduced so that the tip shape becomes a concave curved shape. With this, when a brush of 300 g is vertically applied from the rear side of the flocking table 11 and the brush is brushed, the tips of only the 21 outer bristles 14d having the longer hair length are flattened. In contact, only the 21 outer bristles 14d constitute the main bristles.
[0030]
As described above, each of the bristle bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d is implanted in the flocking table 11, and thus, according to the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the 27 outer bristles 14d having the shorter bristle length are removed. The bristles 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d constituting each of the hair bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are made by bringing the tips of a plurality of bristles planted on the flocking table 11 into contact with a flat surface. 11 is a main bristle which is a bristle whose tip comes into contact with a flat surface when brushing while applying a load of 300 g vertically from the rear side.
[0031]
Further, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the hair bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are planted in the flocking table 11, so that the five first bristles planted in the distal end region 16 are provided. The bundle 15a and the seven second bristle bundles 15b have substantially the same cross-sectional shape, inclination angle, and the like, and form a single chevron as a whole. As a set of the bundles 15a and 15b, a set of tip hair bundles 19A is formed.
[0032]
Further, the five third hair bundles 15c implanted in the central band-shaped region 17 have the same cross-sectional shape, the direction in which the hair bundles are inclined, the angle of inclination, and the like, so that the hairs have uniform characteristics. As a set of the bundles 15c, a group of central hair bundles 19B is formed. Further, the fourth bristle bundles 15d at eight locations implanted in the respective outer belt-shaped regions 18 have the same tip shape (curvature of the surface on which the bristles are aligned), cross-sectional shape, and the like, and are therefore unified. The outer hair bundle group 19C is formed as a set of hair bundles 15d having the above characteristics.
[0033]
The tip hair bundle group 19A, the central hair bundle group 19B, and the outer hair bundle group 19C have the hair bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d constituting the respective hair bundle groups 19A, 19B, and 19C. Since they are clearly different in tilt angle and the like, they have different appearances that can be clearly distinguished.
[0034]
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the hair bundles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are planted on the flocking table 11 as described above, so that the respective central main bristles 14c that constitute the central hair bundle group 19B are cut off. Since the total area is 7.8 mm ^{2 and the} area of the central band-like region 17 is 45 mm ² , the total sum of the cross-sectional areas of the central main bristles 14 c constituting the central hair bundle group 19 </ ^b > B with respect to the area of the central band-like region 17. The flocking density in the central band-like region 17 which is the ratio is 17.2%. The total sum of the cross-sectional areas of the tip first main bristles 14a and the tip second main bristles 14a that constitute the tip hair bundle group 19A is 7.4 mm ² , and the cross-sectional area of the outer main bristles 14d that constitute each outer hair bundle group 19C. Since the total sum is 4.2 mm ² (total 8.4 mm ² ), the cross-sectional area of all the main bristles 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d planted on the flocking surface of the total cross-sectional area of each central main bristle 14 c The main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the central band-shaped region, which is a ratio to the total sum, is 33.1%.
[0035]
According to the present embodiment, since the area of the distal end region 16 is 37 mm ² , the area of the distal end region 16 of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the distal main bristles 14 a and 14 b constituting the distal hair bundle group 19 </ b> A is set. And the area of each outer band-like area 18 is 36.5 mm ² , so that each of the outer hair bundle groups 19C is formed. The flocking density in the outer band-shaped region 18, which is a ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the tip main bristle 14d to the area of each outer band-shaped region 18, is 11.4%.
[0036]
According to the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the type of each tooth such as the front teeth, the back teeth, and the like by the plurality of bristle bundle groups 19A, 19B, and 19C having different unified characteristics without impairing the plaque removing effect of the entire toothbrush. In addition, it is possible to efficiently perform brushing according to each tooth part such as an interdental part, a tooth surface part, and a cervical part. That is, according to the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the tip bristle bundle group 19A implanted in the tip region 16 and particularly contributing to the brushing of the back of the back teeth, and the toothbrush group 19A implanted in the central band region 17, in particular The central bristle bundle 19B that contributes to the brushing of the interdental portion and the smooth surface, and contributes to the guidance to the interdental region of the central bristle bundle 19B and the massage of the gums, which are implanted in each outer band-shaped region 18. The outer hair bundle group 19C has different unified features depending on the functions and the like of the hair bundle groups 19A, 19B, and 19C, and has a flocking density of 17.2% in the central band-like region 17 and a central band-like region. Since the main bristle cross-sectional area ratio at 17 is 33.1%, each of the bristle bundles 19A, 19B, and 19C efficiently brushes different kinds of teeth and different parts of the teeth. It becomes possible.
[0037]
In addition, the amount of the main bristles 14a, 14b, 14d in the tip region 16 and each outer band 18 is controlled so that neither the flocking density nor the main bristle cross-sectional area in the center band 17 is reduced. As a result, the tip of the main bristle reaches deep into the interdental area, and the main bristle uniformly and efficiently contacts not only the interdental area but also the smooth surface, thereby removing the plaque of the entire toothbrush. Can be efficiently improved.
[0038]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made. For example, the shape and arrangement of the flocking holes in the flocking table, the thickness and the number of bristles constituting each hair bundle are not limited to those in the above embodiments. Further, it is not always necessary to implant only the tip bristle bundle group, the central bristle bundle group, and the outer bristle bundle group on the flocking table of the toothbrush. Bundles may be planted.
[0039]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the toothbrush of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0040]
[Example 1]
Using the toothbrush having the same configuration as the toothbrush 10 of the above embodiment as the toothbrush of Example 1, the plaque removal rate was evaluated by a model test of the plaque removal rate described below. FIG. 5 shows the results of the evaluation.
[0041]
[Comparative Example 1]
As shown in FIG. 4, nine tip hair bundles 35 a of the tip hair bundle group 34 A implanted in the tip region 30 and the center of seven center hair bundle groups 34 B implanted in the central belt-shaped region 31. A toothbrush in which the bristle bundle 35b and seven outer bristle bundles 35c of each outer bristle bundle group 34C implanted in each outer belt-shaped region 32 are arranged as shown in FIG. The plaque removal rate was evaluated by a plaque removal rate model test. FIG. 5 shows the results of the evaluation.
[0042]
In addition, according to the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1, the tip flocked hole 36a in which each of the tip bristles 35a is implanted has a track circular shape with a long axis of 1.5 mm and a short axis of 0.8 mm, In each of the tip flocking holes 36a, a tip bristle bundle 35a formed by bundling 24 bristles having a thickness of 8 mil (0.203 mm) is implanted with a hair length of 11 mm. In addition, the central flocking hole 36b in which each central bristle bundle 35b is planted has a track circular shape with a long axis of 4.5 mm and a short axis of 0.8 mm. Hair bundles 35b each made of bundling 127 bristles having a length of 7 mil (0.178 mm) are planted with a hair length of 11 mm.
[0043]
Further, the outer flocking holes 36c in which the respective outer bristle bundles 35c are planted have a track circular shape with a major axis of 1.5 mm and a minor axis of 0.8 mm. Outer end bristle bundles 35c each formed by bundling 24 bristles each having a thickness of 8 mil (0.203 mm) are planted with a bristle length of 11 mm. According to the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1, the rear end flocking holes 36d of the rear end region 33 behind the central band-shaped region 31 and the outer band-shaped region 32 have rear ends formed in the same shape as the outer bristle bundle 35c. The hair bundle 35d is implanted, and forms a rear end hair bundle group 34D.
[0044]
According to the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1, the total cross-sectional area of each central main bristle constituting the central bristle bundle group 34B is 17.1 mm ² , and the area of the central band-shaped region 31 is 56 mm ^2. The flocking density in the central band-shaped region 31 which is the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of each central main bristle constituting the hair bundle group 34B to the area of the central band-shaped region 31 is 30.5%. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the tip main bristles constituting the tip hair bundle group 34A is 6.7 mm ² , and the outer main bristles and the rear end main bristles constituting the outer hair bundle groups 34C and the rear hair bundle group 34D. Is 14.2 mm ² , so the bristle in the central band-shaped region 32 is a ratio of the total cross-sectional area of each central main bristle to the total cross-sectional area of all the main bristles planted on the flocked surface. The cross-sectional area ratio is 45.0%.
[0045]
[Comparative Examples 2 and 3]
A commercial product A (trade name "Oral-B crossaction [soft 35 compact]" manufactured by Oral-B Laboratories) was used as a toothbrush of Comparative Example 2, and a commercial product B (trade name "Aqua Fresh Twist Cloth [Fu]") SmithKline. Using Beauchamp Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) as the toothbrush of Comparative Example 3, the flock density in the central band-shaped region and the main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the central band-shaped region were calculated for each toothbrush, and plaque was obtained by a model test of the plaque removal ratio described later. The removal rate was evaluated. FIG. 5 shows the results of the evaluation. In addition, about the flocking density in a center band-shaped area, the commercial product A was 8.6%, and the commercial product B was 21.6%. The main bristle cross-sectional area ratio in the central band-shaped region was 18.7% for the commercial product A and 22.7% for the commercial product B.
[0046]
[Model test of plaque removal rate]
As shown in FIG. 2, an interdental model 21 made of an aluminum block having curved surfaces of R4 facing each other was prepared, and a videotape magnetic layer 22 was attached to the surface of the interdental model 21 as a plaque model. As a video tape, "S'RIBBON" standard type (120 minutes, model number 3T-120SR) of Seiyu private brand was used. The created interdental model 21 was brushed by the toothbrush of Example 1 and the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 using a brushing machine.
[0047]
The brushing conditions were a load of 300 g, a speed of 120 rpm, an amplitude of 30 mm, and a number of times of 120, and Apaguard M Plus (trade name, manufactured by Sanghi Co., Ltd.) as a polishing accelerator was used as the toothpaste. A region of 2πR × 5 mm width was set as an evaluation region 23 of the interdental portion, and after the brushing, the video tape magnetic layer 22 was developed, photographed with a digital camera, and analyzed. By image analysis, the ratio of the area of the portion where the magnetic layer was peeled and turned white in the evaluation region 23 was calculated, and the ratio was determined as the plaque removal rate in the interdental portion. The evaluation results are shown in circles in FIG.
[0048]
According to the evaluation results shown in FIG. 5, the toothbrush of Example 1 according to the present invention can obtain an extremely high evaluation as to the effect of removing plaque in the interdental region as compared with the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. Turns out.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the toothbrush of this invention, the brushing according to the kind and site | part of each tooth by the several bristle bundle group with a unified characteristic can be performed efficiently, without impairing the plaque removal effect of the whole toothbrush. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a main part of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view and a partially enlarged view thereof.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a model test of a plaque removal rate.
FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are explanatory views of a main bristle whose tip comes into contact with a flat surface when the brush is brushed while a load P of 300 g is vertically applied from the rear side of the flocking table. .
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1.
FIG. 5 is a chart showing evaluation results of a model test for plaque removal rate.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 toothbrush 11 flocking table 12 neck 13a first flocking hole 13b second flocking hole 13c third flocking hole 13d fourth flocking hole 14a tip first main bristle 14b tip second main bristle 14c central main bristle 14d outer main bristle 15a first Hair bundles 15b Second hair bundles 15c Third hair bundles 15d Fourth hair bundles 16 Tip region 17 Central band region 18 Outer band region 19A Tip hair bundle group 19B Central hair bundle group 19C Outer hair bundle group 20 Tip region and center Line segment X that separates the band-shaped region and the outer band-shaped region Axial direction of the toothbrush

Claims (1)

A toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundles obtained by bundling a plurality of bristles are planted on a flocking surface of a flocking table,
When the tips of the plurality of bristles planted on the flocking table are brought into contact with the flat surface and the brush is brushed while a load of 300 g is vertically applied from the rear side of the flocking table, the brush is applied to the flat surface. The bristle contacted with the tip is the main bristle, and the flocking surface of the flocking table has a center band shape when the tip region and a rear portion of the tip region are divided into three band regions along the axial direction of the toothbrush. Region, and has four regions of a pair of outer band-shaped regions on both sides of the central band-shaped region,
The tip bristle group planted in the tip region, the central bristle group planted in the central band-like region, and the outer bristle bundle group planted in each of the outer belt-like regions have unified characteristics. While having, the tip hair bundle group, the central hair bundle group, and each of the outer hair bundle groups are different in their unified characteristics,
A toothbrush having a flocked density of 5 to 25% in the central band-shaped region and a main bristle cross-sectional area ratio of 30 to 80% in the central band-shaped region.

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