JP2007007061A - Interdental cleaning tool-manufacturing method and interdental cleaning tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interdental cleaning tool manufacturing method which provides a high yield, a simple construction, and excellent productivity, and an interdental cleaning tool. <P>SOLUTION: A first holding section 23 and a second holding section 24 are irradiated with ultrasonic waves with a cleaning floss 22 inserted (pinched) in spaces 25 and 26. When the ultrasonic waves start to eradiate, the inside surfaces of each of the first holding section 23 and the second holding section 24 vigorously vibrate and touch each other while holding the cleaning floss 22 in the spaces, frictional heat generates, and the inside surfaces of each of the first holding section 23 and the second holding section 24 melt to fill and fusion bond the spaces 25 and 26 of the first holding section 23 and the second holding section 24. At the same time, the cleaning floss 22 held in the spaces 25 and 26 are fixed in the first holding section 23 and the second holding section 24, respectively, by the fusion bond of the surfaces of the spaces 25 and 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool used for cleaning between teeth in an oral cavity and an interdental cleaning tool.

  The gap between teeth (between teeth) tends to accumulate plaque such as wrinkles of food and drink, and it is difficult to remove it reliably by brushing with a normal toothbrush. In order to remove the plaque adhering between the teeth, a cleaning yarn generally called dental floss, in which ultrafine fibers are twisted by about 200 to 400, is used. Dental floss is inserted between teeth and rubbed to remove plaque adhered between the teeth. Such a dental floss is cut into a length of about 40 cm, one end is wrapped around the middle finger on the left and right, the other end is held and held between the index finger and the thumb, and is inserted between the teeth.

  However, since such dental floss is wound around a finger as described above, it is difficult to remove plaque unless used. For this reason, a dental floss with a frame in which the dental floss is stretched over and fixed to a frame formed of resin or the like is generally widely known (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a dental floss with a frame, a dental floss is stretched between two holding parts, a dental floss is inserted between the teeth with a gripping part extending from the holding part, and the gripping part is moved to move the tooth between teeth. The plaque can be easily scraped off with dental floss.

As a method of manufacturing such a dental floss with a frame (interdental cleaning tool), conventionally, when a resin frame is supported by tensioning the dental floss, the dental floss is previously placed at a predetermined position inside the molding die. A manufacturing method is known in which a floss is stretched over and when the resin is injected into a molding die, the dental floss is fixed to the frame simultaneously with the formation of the frame (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-271481

  However, in the manufacturing method of the interdental cleaning tool described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is necessary to stretch the dental floss in advance in the molding die, and the structure of the molding die is complicated, the size is increased, and the manufacturing cost is increased. There was a problem of becoming higher. Also, when the resin is injected into the molding die, the dental floss stretched over the predetermined position is displaced from the predetermined position by the injection pressure of the resin, and the dental floss is fixed to the frame in a loose state. For example, a decrease in yield due to defective molding was also a problem. Furthermore, when a plurality of frames are fixed to a long dental floss and collectively molded, it takes time to separate the dental floss between the respective frames after the formation, and there is a problem in productivity.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool and an interdental cleaning tool that have a high yield and have a simple configuration and excellent productivity.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a first holding portion having a gap formed at the tip, and a predetermined interval with respect to the first holding portion, the gap at the tip is formed. A main body having the formed second holding part integrally with the first holding part and the second holding part, and having a first holding part and a grip part extending from the second holding part, and the first holding part And an interdental cleaning tool comprising a cleaning thread that is sandwiched between the gap between the first holding part and the second holding part, respectively, Applying the ultrasonic wave to the gap between the first holding part and the gap between the second holding part, the step of inserting the cleaning thread tensed into the gap between the second holding part and the gap between the first holding part and the second holding part, The gaps are respectively sealed by ultrasonic fusion, and the cleaning thread is sealed with the first holding part and the second holding part. Method for manufacturing an interdental cleaner, characterized in that it includes a step of fixing is provided.

  You may further provide the process of cut | disconnecting the each outer part of the said 1st holding | maintenance part and the said 2nd holding | maintenance part in the said cleaning thread fixed to the said 1st holding | maintenance part and the said 2nd holding | maintenance part. A plurality of the cleaning yarns may be fixed to the gap at regular intervals.

  At least one of the inner surfaces of the gaps facing each other through the gaps in the first holding unit and the second holding unit may have a rough surface. The rough surface may be a plurality of fine protrusions extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tension direction of the cleaning thread. The top of the protrusions only needs to have a triangular cross section. According to this invention, the interdental cleaning tool manufactured by the manufacturing method of the said interdental cleaning tool is provided.

  According to the manufacturing method of the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, the cleaning thread (dental floss) is fixed to the main body (frame) formed in advance by injection molding or the like using ultrasonic waves. A cleaning thread (dental floss) is inserted in advance in the injection mold, and the main body (frame) is molded with a thermoplastic resin. At the same time, the cleaning thread (dental floss) is integrally fixed to both ends of the main body (frame). In addition to the polystyrene resin that has been used in the past, the main body is also a low-cost and chemically stable resin such as a polypropylene resin with a large heat shrinkage, which was difficult to adopt due to the displacement of the cleaning thread. It can be used as a material for (frame).

  In addition, there is no need for a special mechanism to support the cleaning thread (dental floss) in the mold, such as a mechanism that holds multiple cleaning threads (dental floss) in parallel and parallel with a distance between them when the body (frame) is molded. Therefore, there are merits that the mold and the peripheral device are not complicated, and there are no restrictions on the shape design of the main body (frame) and the gripping portion.

  Furthermore, after the cleaning thread (dental floss) is fixed to both ends of the substantially U-shaped main body (frame) by ultrasonic waves, the main body (frame) or the gripping part or both are held outside the main body (frame). Since an unnecessary cleaning thread (dental floss) can be cut with a cutter or blown by heat, it consists of a cleaning thread (dental floss) and a main body (frame) and / or a gripping part as in the conventional manufacturing method. After taking out the molded product from the molding die, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the interdental cleaning tool without the trouble of cutting an extra cleaning thread (dental floss) portion that is connected through the frames.

  In particular, when fixing a plurality of cleaning threads (dental floss) to the main body (frame), it is difficult to hold the cleaning threads (dental floss) at regular intervals in the mold by the conventional insert molding method. However, according to the present invention, a plurality of cleaning threads (dental floss) held in a pre-tensioned state are inserted into gaps (slits) provided at both ends of a substantially U-shaped body (frame). Therefore, the process of stretching the cleaning thread (dental floss) can be performed very easily.

  Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the interdental cleaning tool which concerns on this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of an interdental cleaning tool (dental floss with a frame) manufactured by the method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. An interdental cleaning tool (a dental floss with a frame) 10 includes a main body (frame) 11 and a dental cleaning thread (dental floss) 12. The main body 11 includes a first holding portion 13 and a second holding portion 14 that are formed at a predetermined interval from each other, and a holding portion 15 that is formed integrally with the first holding portion 13 and the second holding portion 14 and extends. Become.

  For example, ABS, PS, PET, PBT, PCTA, PA, PP, and the like are appropriately used as the main body 11, but PP (polypropylene resin) that is low cost and chemically stable is preferable. In addition, it is necessary to select the resin used for such a main body 11 having a lower melting temperature than the material constituting the cleaning yarn (dental floss) 12.

  The cleaning yarn (dental floss) 12 has both ends fixed to the first holding part 13 and the second holding part 14 respectively, and has a constant tension between the first holding part 13 and the second holding part 14. Tensioned without tension. The 1st holding | maintenance part 13 and the 2nd holding | maintenance part 14, and the cleaning thread | yarn (dental floss) 12 are adhere | attached by ultrasonic welding. In addition, about the adhering method of such a 1st holding | maintenance part 13 and the 2nd holding | maintenance part 14, and the cleaning thread | yarn (dental floss) 12, it mentions in full detail later. One or more cleaning threads 12 may be stretched in parallel with each other.

  The cleaning thread 12 may be made of, for example, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like. Such a cleaning thread 12 is composed of a fiber bundle in which about 200 to 400 ultrafine fibers composed of several decitex are combined. The shape of the ultrafine fibers may be substantially straight or may be a fine crimp. The cross section of such ultrafine fibers is usually circular or elliptical, but may be hollow, star, or cross-shaped.

  Next, the manufacturing method of an interdental cleaning tool is demonstrated with reference to drawings. In manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool by the manufacturing method of the present invention, first, a main body (frame) 21 as shown in FIG. 2 is formed by, for example, injection molding. In the manufacturing stage by injection molding of the main body 21 as described above, the cleaning yarn (dental floss) 22 is not stretched around the main body 21 as in the past.

  In the main body 21 used in the manufacturing method of the present invention, the first holding portion 23, the second holding portion 24, and the grip portion 25 are integrally formed. Clearances 25 and 26 are formed at one ends of the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24, respectively. The inner surfaces 25a and 26a of the gaps 25 and 26 are rough surfaces. As an example of the rough surface, for example, it may be composed of a large number of fine protrusions 27 extending in a direction P (perpendicular) perpendicular to the stretching direction H of the cleaning thread 12. For example, as shown in the figure, the protrusion 27 may have a triangular cross section at the top.

  Such a rough surface may be formed on both surfaces facing the inner surfaces of the gaps 25 and 26 in addition to being formed on only one of the inner surfaces 25a and 26a of the gaps 25 and 26 as shown. Further, the rough surface shape may be formed from a number of protrusions and grooves in addition to the above-described protrusions. Furthermore, even if it is a ridge, in addition to the ridge extending in the direction P perpendicular to the stretching direction H of the cleaning thread 12 as described above, The protrusion may extend in a direction that intersects the stretching direction H at an arbitrary angle.

  Using the main body 21 having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body 21 is brought close to a cleaning thread (dental floss) 22 stretched with a predetermined tension in advance (FIG. 3a). The cleaning thread 22 is passed (sandwiched) through the gaps 25 and 26 formed in the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the state in which the cleaning thread 22 is passed through the gaps 25 and 26 between the first holding unit 23 and the second holding unit 24 as viewed from above.

  In this way, in a state where the cleaning thread 22 is passed (sandwiched) in the gaps 25 and 26, next, as shown in FIG. 4, the first holding unit 23 and the second holding unit 24 are irradiated with ultrasonic waves. FIG. 4B is a plan view of the first holding unit 23 and the second holding unit 24 when viewed from the upper surface during such ultrasonic irradiation. When the irradiation of ultrasonic waves is started, the inner surfaces of the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24 vibrate and rub against each other with the cleaning thread 22 sandwiched therebetween, generating frictional heat. Due to this frictional heat, the inner surfaces of the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24 are melted, and the gaps 25 and 26 between the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24 are filled and fused. At the same time, the cleaning thread 22 sandwiched between the gaps 25 and 26 is also fixed to the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24 by fusing the inner surfaces of the gaps 25 and 26, respectively (see FIGS. 5a and 5b). . As an ultrasonic wave generation source used in such a process, an ordinary ultrasonic welder (ultrasonic welder) may be used.

  The inner surfaces 25a and 26a of the gaps 25 and 26 between the first holding unit 23 and the second holding unit 24 are roughened so that the first holding unit 23 and the second holding unit 24 are melted by such ultrasonic waves. At the time of wearing, the generation of frictional heat is promoted, and the fusion can be performed quickly. Moreover, the effect of preventing the positional deviation of the cleaning thread 22 passing through the gaps 25 and 26 between the first holding part 23 and the second holding part 24 that vibrates vigorously is expected by making the inner surfaces 25a and 26a rough. it can.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning yarn 22 is cut outside the first holding portion 23 and the second holding portion 24 of the main body 21 from the cleaning yarn spool 29 connected in series by the cutter device 28. Instead of using the cutter device 28, the interdental cleaning tool 10 may be individually separated manually by using scissors or the like from the cleaning thread spool 29 connected in series. By the above process, the interdental cleaning tool 10 by the manufacturing method of the interdental cleaning tool of this invention is completed. Thereafter, the completed interdental cleaning tool 10 may be individually wrapped in a resin bag or the like.

  As described above in detail, according to the method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, the cleaning thread (dental floss) 12 is fixed to the main body (frame) 11 formed in advance by injection molding or the like using ultrasonic waves. Therefore, as the material of the main body (frame) 11, a cleaning thread (dental floss) is inserted in advance in the injection mold, and the main body (frame) is molded with a thermoplastic resin, and at the same time, the cleaning thread (dental) In addition to the polystyrene resin that has been used in the past in the method of fixing the floss) to both ends of the main body (frame), it seems to be a polypropylene resin with a large thermal shrinkage that has been difficult to adopt due to the displacement of the cleaning thread. In addition, inexpensive and highly chemically stable resins can also be used as the material of the main body (frame).

  In addition, there is no need for a special mechanism to support the cleaning thread (dental floss) in the mold, such as a mechanism that holds multiple cleaning threads (dental floss) in parallel and parallel with a distance between them when the body (frame) is molded. Therefore, there are merits that the mold and the peripheral device are not complicated, and there are no restrictions on the shape design of the main body (frame) and the gripping portion.

  Furthermore, after the cleaning thread (dental floss) is fixed to both ends of the substantially U-shaped main body (frame) by ultrasonic waves, the main body (frame) or the gripping part or both are held outside the main body (frame). Since an unnecessary cleaning thread (dental floss) can be cut with a cutter or blown by heat, it consists of a cleaning thread (dental floss) and a main body (frame) and / or a gripping part as in the conventional manufacturing method. After taking out the molded product from the molding die, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the interdental cleaning tool without the trouble of cutting an extra cleaning thread (dental floss) portion that is connected through the frames.

  In particular, when fixing a plurality of cleaning threads (dental floss) to the main body (frame), it is difficult to hold the cleaning threads (dental floss) at regular intervals in the mold by the conventional insert molding method. However, according to the present invention, a plurality of cleaning threads (dental floss) held in a pre-tensioned state are inserted into gaps (slits) provided at both ends of a substantially U-shaped body (frame). Therefore, the process of stretching the cleaning thread (dental floss) can be performed very easily.

  In addition to fixing the cleaning thread (dental floss) to the main body (frame) as described above, in addition to fixing to the gap between the first holding part and the second holding part, for example, as shown in FIG. The cleaning yarn (dental floss) 34 is formed by ultrasonically melting the cleaning yarn (dental floss) 34 itself outside the first holding portion 32 and the second holding portion 33 of the main body (frame) 31 to form the melting portion 35. The interdental cleaning tool 30 may be fixed to the main body (frame) 31.

  In the above-described embodiment, only one set of cleaning thread (dental floss) as a cleaning portion is provided in one main body (frame). For example, as shown in FIG. By forming holding parts 42 and 43 that are inverted upside down on both sides, and cleaning thread 44 (dental floss) 44 is stretched over each holding part 42 and 43 by ultrasonic fusion, one piece can be used twice. The interdental cleaning tool 40 can be obtained.

Specific examples of the present invention are as follows. There are gaps (slits) for sandwiching the cleaning thread (dental floss) at both ends of the main body (frame), which has a substantially arch shape, and the inner surface of the gap (slit) has a substantially triangular cross section. A main body (frame) made of PP resin on which a thin protrusion was formed was previously molded using an injection molding machine.
Next, a nylon cleaning thread (dental floss) held in a tensioned state at a certain length is inserted into two gaps provided in the main body (frame).
Then, using this ultrasonic welder with a frequency of 21 KHz by a PZT vibrator centering on this insertion part, the gap (slit) part is pressure welded by the air press method and at the same time the cleaning thread (dental floss) is attached to the main body (frame). Stick.
After fixing the cleaning thread (dental floss) to the main body (frame), unnecessary portions of the cleaning thread (dental floss) were removed with a cutter to obtain the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of an interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the shape of a main body (frame) used in the method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Interdental cleaning tool, 11 ... Main body (frame), 12 ... Cleaning thread (dental floss), 13 ... 1st holding | maintenance part, 14 ... 2nd holding | maintenance part, 15 ... Grasping part.

Claims (7)

A first holding part having a gap formed at the tip, and a second holding part formed at a predetermined interval with respect to the first holding part and having a gap formed at the tip, the first holding part and A main body formed integrally with the second holding portion and having the first holding portion and a grip portion extending from the second holding portion; and a gap between the first holding portion and a gap between the second holding portions; A method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool comprising a cleaning thread stretched between the first holding part and the second holding part,
Applying ultrasonic waves to the gap between the first holding part and the second holding part, inserting the cleaning thread tensioned into the gap between the first holding part, and the gap between the first holding part and the second holding part, respectively. A method of manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool, comprising: sealing each of the gaps by ultrasonic fusion and fixing the cleaning thread to the first holding part and the second holding part.   The method further comprises the step of cutting the outer portions of the first holding portion and the second holding portion of the cleaning thread fixed to the first holding portion and the second holding portion, respectively. A method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool according to 1.   3. The method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the cleaning yarns are fixed to the gap at regular intervals.   The surface of at least one of the gap inner surfaces facing through the gap in the first holding part and the second holding part has a rough surface, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The manufacturing method of the interdental cleaning tool of description.   The method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool according to claim 4, wherein the rough surface is a plurality of fine protrusions extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tension direction of the cleaning thread.   The method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein the top of the protrusion has a triangular cross section. An interdental cleaning tool manufactured by the method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1.

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