JP2006000466A - Toothbrush handle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush handle capable of giving excellent fitting feel to a user when gripping the handle, without displacing a coating part and with little excessive frictional resistance on the surface. <P>SOLUTION: The toothbrush handle 11 comprises a core part 21, the coating part 22 for coating the core part 21, and projections 23 extending from the core part 21 to pierce the coating part 22. The core part 21 is preferably made of a hard resin represented by a saturated polyester resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and PCT resin. The core part 21 may be integrally formed with the toothbrush head. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a toothbrush handle that supports a toothbrush head in which brush bristles in a toothbrush are implanted.

  To improve the ease of gripping and the difficulty of slipping, the toothbrush handle constituting the toothbrush gripping part has been variously improved in shape and material. For example, an anti-slip material such as elastomer / rubber is applied by a two-color molding method.

  The improvement in ease of gripping the toothbrush handle is typically a soft elastomer with a high fit, but the fit is high, but if it is too soft, the soft elastomer will not shift in the brush direction (toothbrush head direction). There was a case that the slip regulation to be a little loose. In addition, since it is difficult to slide, the grip part is easily stuck to the storage part when it is put in and out of the storage part such as a wash basin, and there are many problems in handling on storage. This tendency is conspicuous in the all-round elastomer grip type handle having the highest fit.

  As an improved example of such a conventional toothbrush handle, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a toothbrush in which a distal end portion of a toothbrush handle is provided with flexibility and a sponge-like cylinder is inserted near the end portion. Patent Document 2 describes a general two-color toothbrush in which a toothbrush handle is combined with rubber characterized by an elastic force.

In Patent Document 3, a rod-shaped grip body made of shape memory resin and a brush body attached to one end thereof are detachably joined, and the shape memory resin grip is looped so as to be wound around and fixed to the user. Therefore, a toothbrush that is easy to use for elderly people and people with handicap is described. Patent Document 4 describes a toothbrush handle that has a hard shaft center portion having a cavity and a grip made of a soft material, and realizes a soft grip feeling due to an elastic material on a hard handle material.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-18227 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-13025 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4716 JP 2000-504609 Gazette

  However, the toothbrush described in Patent Document 1 described above has a problem that the sponge contains water and is inferior in durability. In addition, the sponge is soft and easily deformed, but the grip is not stable, and if it is hard, it is difficult to deform. The toothbrush described in Patent Document 2 has little extra frictional resistance when stored, but normal rubber tries to return to its original shape with repulsive force even if it is deformed. The

  The toothbrush described in Patent Document 3 has a problem that it is difficult for general healthy persons to use the toothbrush because it cannot be changed or delicately operated. Furthermore, in the toothbrush described in Patent Document 4, there is a problem that the anti-slipping effect of the exposed portion of the hard material is reduced, and slip regulation that prevents the soft elastomer from shifting in the direction of the toothbrush head is not particularly expected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush handle that has a high fit when gripped, does not shift the covering portion, and has a small excess frictional resistance on the surface. And

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a toothbrush handle for supporting a toothbrush head in which brush bristles are implanted, comprising a core portion, a covering portion covering the core portion, and the core portion. And at least three protrusions that project through the covering portion and reach the peripheral surface of the toothbrush handle, the covering portion covers at least 70% of the peripheral surface of the toothbrush handle, and has a rubber hardness of 15 to 40 A toothbrush handle is provided that is formed of a range of elastic materials.

  At least the surface of the ridge is preferably formed of an elastic material having a rubber hardness in the range of 55 to 95. Moreover, the said protrusion may be integrally formed with the same material as the said core part.

  According to the toothbrush handle of the present invention, the covering portion formed of an elastic material such as a soft elastomer covers 70% or more of the peripheral surface, thereby improving the fit when the toothbrush handle is gripped, and the toothbrush at the time of brushing The operability of can be greatly enhanced.

  By forming a ridge that penetrates a part of the covering part, the flexible covering part formed of an elastic material or the like slips away from the core part by an operation during brushing, or the core part. To prevent it from coming off. In addition, if these ridges are formed integrally with the core, multiple ridges are strong and rigid even if the diameter of the core is reduced by forming a thick coating to increase the fit of the toothbrush handle. Play the role of ribs to keep. Therefore, it is possible to maintain both the fit feeling of the toothbrush handle and the strength and rigidity necessary for the operation of the toothbrush at the same time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a toothbrush provided with a toothbrush handle of the present invention. The toothbrush 10 includes a substantially cylindrical toothbrush handle 11 and a toothbrush head 12 extending from the toothbrush handle 11 and having brush bristles 13 implanted therein. The toothbrush handle 11 is formed with a grip portion 14 near the toothbrush head 12. Such a grip portion 14 may be formed by recessing a part of the toothbrush handle 11.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrush handle at the position of the chain line S in FIG. The toothbrush handle 11 includes a core portion 21, a covering portion 22 that covers the core portion 21, and a protrusion 23 that extends from the core portion 21 and penetrates the covering portion 22. The core part 21 should just be formed from the hard resin represented by saturated polyester-type resin like a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, and PCT resin. The core portion 21 may be formed integrally with the toothbrush head 12. For example, the core portion 21 preferably has a thickness of about 5 mm to 12 mm and a width of about 5 mm to 12 mm, and may have an oval cross section or a rectangular cross section instead of the illustrated cross section.

  The covering portion 22 is made of an elastic material, for example, a soft elastomer. As the soft elastomer, those having a rubber hardness in the range of 15 to 40 defined in JIS K6253 Type A are preferably selected. The thickness of the covering portion 22 is preferably about 2 to 5 mm, for example. When the thickness of the covering portion 22 is too thin, the soft effect is not exhibited and a fit is not obtained, and when it is too thick, the diameter becomes too large to be gripped.

  It is preferable that the covering portion 22 is formed at least at a portion that is touched by the hand when the toothbrush handle 11 is gripped. Specifically, in the case of an adult toothbrush, at least a position about 110 mm from the rear end of the toothbrush handle 11. Preferably, it is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the whole.

  Examples of the elastomer used include polyolefin elastomers, polyester elastomers, and styrene elastomers. As the soft elastomer material, a styrene elastomer is particularly preferable. The color is not particularly limited and can be anything.

  Such a covering portion 22 may be formed so that the exposed portion excluding the protrusion 23 penetrating the covering portion 22 covers (occupies) 70% or more of the peripheral surface of the toothbrush handle 11, and more preferably 90%. What is necessary is just to coat the above.

  The ridges 23 are four elongated protrusions extending from the core portion 21 through the covering portion 22 in the length direction of the toothbrush handle 11. For example, the ridge 23 is made of the same hard resin as that of the core portion 21 and the core portion 21. What is necessary is just to form integrally. It is sufficient that at least three or more such ridges 23 are formed.

  Of the ridges 23, the ridge extension portions 23a exposed from the covering portion 22 are formed of an elastic material, for example, an elastomer having a rubber hardness in the range of 55 to 95 as defined in JIS K6253 type A. Such a protrusion extending portion 23 a may be formed so as to protrude from the peripheral surface of the covering portion 22. In addition, it is also preferable that such a protrusion extension part is integrally formed with the same material as the protrusion.

  For example, the protrusion 23 preferably has a width of about 1 to 3 mm and a thickness of about 0.5 to 2 mm, and the length may be arbitrary. Even if the width and thickness of the ridge 23 are too small, there is no effect, and if it is too large, the step on the toothbrush handle 11 becomes large and obstructs gripping. In addition, when forming the protrusion 23 integrally with the protrusion extension part 23a only with a hard material, about 1-2.5 mm in width | variety and thickness = about 0.5-1.5 mm are preferable. Moreover, when adding an elastomer to the protrusion extension part 23a, about 1-3 mm in width and thickness = about 0.5-2 mm are preferable.

  As for the protrusion 23, about 3-5 is desirable, for example. If the amount is too small, the covering portion 22 formed of a soft elastomer comes into contact with the basin when stored in a washstand or the like, and the slipping property is deteriorated. The arrangement interval of the protrusions 23 is preferably equal in terms of usability and rigidity balance.

  The operation of the toothbrush provided with the toothbrush handle having the above configuration will be described. The toothbrush handle 11 covers 70% or more, preferably 90% or more, of the peripheral surface with the covering portion 22 formed of an elastic material such as a soft elastomer, thereby improving the fit when the toothbrush handle 11 is gripped, The operability of the toothbrush 10 when brushing teeth can be greatly enhanced.

  By forming the ridge 23 that penetrates a part of the covering portion 22, the flexible covering portion 22 formed of an elastic material or the like slips off the core portion 21 due to an operation during brushing. Or, it is prevented from coming off from the core part 21. In addition, if such protrusions 23 are formed integrally with the core part 21, even if the diameter of the core part 21 is reduced by forming the covering part 22 thick in order to enhance the fit of the toothbrush handle 11, a plurality of protrusions are formed. The strips 23 serve as ribs that maintain strength and rigidity. Therefore, it is possible to maintain both the feeling of fitting of the toothbrush handle 11 and the strength and rigidity necessary for the operation of the toothbrush at the same time.

  Furthermore, by forming the protrusion extending portion 23a where the protrusion 23 is exposed from the covering portion 22 with an elastic material, for example, an elastomer having a rubber hardness in the range of 55 to 95, a fit feeling of a portion protruding from the peripheral surface of the covering portion 22 is achieved. Can be increased. And since such protrusion extended part 23a protrudes from the surrounding surface of the coating | coated part 22, when putting in and out the toothbrush 10 to storage parts, such as a washstand, the coating | coated part 22 formed with the soft elastomer inferior to slipperiness | solidity Since the protrusion 23 having a relatively high sliding property comes into contact with the wall of the storage unit without hitting the wall surface, the toothbrush 10 can be smoothly put in and out of the storage unit.

  To manufacture a toothbrush equipped with such a toothbrush handle, for example, a core portion 21 having a protrusion 23 integrally formed with polypropylene resin is injection-molded as a primary molding, and then a covering portion 22 is formed as a second color with a styrene elastomer (rubber hardness). 20). Next, the third color is formed with an olefin-based elastomer (rubber hardness 60) as a protrusion extending portion 23a of the protrusion 23.

  For flocking and cutting of the brush bristles 13 of the toothbrush handle 11, the hair for one hole is folded in half with a flat line like a normal toothbrush, struck into the flocked hole, the bristles are trimmed with a rotary cutter, etc. It is set as the toothbrush 10 by performing rounding. In the case of an in-mold brush, the molding may basically be performed by the same method. When the protrusion extending portion 23a is formed integrally with the protrusion 23, the thickness of the covering portion 22 may be set lower than the height of the protrusion 23, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced because the third color is not formed.

  Hereinafter, three specific examples of forming the toothbrush handle of the present invention (Examples 1 to 3) and verification examples (Examples 4 and 5) for verifying the effects of the toothbrush handle will be described.

  As Example 1, the toothbrush handle 11 having the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was formed. The overall length AL of the toothbrush 10 is 185 mm, the thickness RC of the core portion 21 is 8 mm, the ridges 23 are four, the length RL of the ridges 23 is 80 mm, the width RW of the ridges 23 is 1.5 mm, The height RH = 2.5 mm was used as the primary side, and injection molding was performed using polypropylene.

  Thereafter, the length CL of the covering portion 22 covering the entire core portion 21 is set to 100 mm, the maximum width CW of the covering portion 22 is set to 13 mm, and the covering portion 22 is made of a styrene-based soft elastomer (Septon KC342D hardness = 20: Kuraray). It shape | molds so that it may become thickness CT = 2.5mm, and the core part 21 is heat-seal | fused.

  Thereafter, an elastomer (Mirlastomer hardness = 60: Mitsui Chemicals) is used as the ridge extension 23a in the third color, the length RL of the ridge extension 23a = 80 mm, the width SW of the ridge extension 23a = 1.5 mm, and the ridge. The extending portion 23a is molded so that the height SH is 1 mm. Furthermore, the hair bundle and the flat wire which were folded in half in this handle were planted, and the brush was trimmed / rounded to form the toothbrush 10.

  As Example 2, the toothbrush handle 41 having the form shown in FIG. 3 was formed. The overall length of the toothbrush, the length of the covering portion 42, the length of the protrusion 43, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Thickness RC = 7 mm of the core 44, formation of three ridges 43, width RW = 3 mm of the ridges 43, and height RH = 3 mm of the ridges 43 were injection-molded with polypropylene.

  Thereafter, the maximum width CW of the covering portion 42 covering the entire core portion 44 is set to 13 mm, and is molded with a styrene-based soft elastomer (Septon KC342D hardness = 20: Kuraray) so that the thickness CT of the covering portion 42 is 3 mm. The core portion 44 is heat-sealed. Thereafter, an elastomer (Santoprene hardness = 55: AES Japan) is used as the ridge extension portion 43a in the third color so that the width SW = 2 mm of the ridge extension portion 43a and the height SH = 1.5 mm of the ridge extension portion 43a. To form. Further, a bristles bundled in two and a flat wire were planted on the handle, and the brush was trimmed / rounded to form a toothbrush 40.

  As Example 3, a toothbrush handle 51 having the form shown in FIG. 4 was formed. The overall length of the toothbrush, the length of the covering portion 52, the length of the protrusion 53, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Thickness RC = 7 mm of core 54, formation of three protrusions 53, width RW = 2 mm of protrusions 53, and height RH = 4 mm of protrusions 53 were injection-molded with polypropylene as the primary side.

  Thereafter, the maximum width CW of the covering portion 52 covering the entire core portion 54 is set to 13 mm, and the styrenic soft elastomer (Septon KC342D hardness = 20: Kuraray) is formed so that the thickness CT of the covering portion 52 is 3 mm. The core 54 is heat-sealed. A bristle bundle and a flat wire were planted on the handle, and the brush was trimmed / rounded to form a toothbrush 50.

  The present applicant verified the characteristics of the toothbrush provided with the toothbrush handle of the present invention as described above. In the verification, about the toothbrush in the form shown in FIG. 1, the number of protrusions is 1 to 6, respectively, and the brush hair (brush) direction regularity, fit, storage, slipperiness, and comprehensive evaluation based on these are performed. It was. The number of evaluators is 50. Use a toothbrush handle that uses PP WP638C for the core, elastomer (Septon KC342D hardness = 20: Kuraray) for the cover, and elastomer (Miralastomer hardness = 60: Mitsui Chemicals) for the extended ridge. It was. These verification results are shown in Table 1.

  According to Table 1, it was found that if the number of protrusions is small, the slipping property is bad, and if it is too large, the fit feeling and the like are impaired, so 3 to 5 are preferable. In addition, the same result was obtained when the ridge extension part was formed integrally with the same member as the ridge.

  The present applicant verified the characteristics of the toothbrush provided with the toothbrush handle of the present invention as described above. In the verification, for the toothbrush of the form shown in FIG. 1, the number of ridges is three, the toothbrush handle in which the ridge extension is integrally formed of the same hard member as the ridge, and the ridge extension is formed of elastomer. For each of the toothbrush handles that were used, the brush bristle (brush) direction regularity, fit, storage, slipperiness, and the like were used by using samples that were combined by changing the width and thickness (height) of the protrusions in stages. Based on the comprehensive evaluation. These verification results are shown in Table 2.

  According to Table 2, if the ridge is small, the effect of brush hair (brush) direction regularity and storage (sliding) will not be exhibited, and if it is too large, the grip will deteriorate, and the fit will be adversely affected. It turned out to be undesirable. As a preferable ridge size range (width × thickness (height)), in the toothbrush handle in which the ridge extension portion is integrally formed of the same hard member as the ridge, 1.0 × 0.5 mm to 2.5 × 1 It was found that the toothbrush handle in which the protruding portion was formed of an elastomer was about 1.0 mm and about 1.0 × 0.5 mm to 3.0 × 2.0 mm.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a toothbrush provided with a toothbrush handle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the toothbrush handle of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a toothbrush handle. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of a toothbrush handle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toothbrush 11 Toothbrush handle 12 Toothbrush head 13 Brush hair 21 Core part 22 Covering part 23 Projection 23a Projection extension

Claims (3)

A toothbrush handle for supporting a toothbrush head in which brush bristles are implanted,
A core portion, a covering portion covering the core portion, and at least three or more ridges protruding from the core portion and penetrating the covering portion to reach the peripheral surface of the toothbrush handle,
The toothbrush handle is characterized in that the covering portion covers at least 70% or more of the peripheral surface of the toothbrush handle and is formed of an elastic material having a rubber hardness in a range of 15 to 40.   The toothbrush handle according to claim 1, wherein at least a surface of the protrusion is formed of an elastic material having a rubber hardness in a range of 55 to 95.   The toothbrush handle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion is integrally formed of the same material as the core.

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