JP2011160839A - Oral cavity cleaning instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oral cavity cleaning instrument which enables a user to easily operate to clean while operating to open and close a hollow branched passage opening when he/she switches to hold a handle in various directions. <P>SOLUTION: The oral cavity cleaning instrument 10 includes a bar-shaped body having a hollow passage for suction in an axial direction as a basic frame and head side openings 12a, 12b of the hollow passage and a sponge 13 in a head part 21, a tail side opening 14 of the hollow passage, and a connecting part 15 to a suction device in a tail part. In a body part, a handle part 16 bulging in the entire circumferential direction from an axial center is provided. In the handle part 16, the opening 18 of a hollow branched passage branching from the hollow passage is formed, and two recessed parts 17 with the hollow branched passage opening 18 in between are formed. When the oral cavity cleaning instrument is seen in cross-section, the hollow branched passage opening and the recessed parts are in a positional relationship in such a manner that angles θ<SB>1</SB>and θ<SB>2</SB>between the center of the hollow branched passage opening 18 and the centers of the recessed parts 17 with respect to the axial center are each 80-140°. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an oral cleaning tool that can perform cleaning while sucking saliva or cleaning liquid in the oral cavity.

  Surgery due to brain diseases or the like, various obstacles, or aging may make it difficult to exhale the cleaning solution in the oral cavity. Usually, a toothbrush is used for cleaning the oral cavity, but for those who have difficulty in discharging as described above, the oral cavity is cleaned by using a suction catheter and a toothbrush (or a cleaning tool with a sponge) together. ing. Furthermore, in recent years, it has been proposed to use a toothbrush with a suction function or a cleaning tool with a sponge (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a sponge-type cleaning tool).

  As a toothbrush with a suction function, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a suction hollow path 61 is provided so as to penetrate the axis of the toothbrush, and one opening 62 of the hollow path 61 is formed at the tip of the toothbrush, while the other Is formed at the rear end of the toothbrush (see, for example, Patent Document 1). At the time of use, a suction device is connected to the opening 63 at the rear end and suction is performed, so that the cleaning liquid in the oral cavity is discharged from the tip of the toothbrush. Further, the toothbrush 60 with a suction function is formed with a hollow branch path 64 branched from the hollow path 61, and an opening 65 of the hollow branch path 64 is provided at the center in the toothbrush axial direction. The suction force from the toothbrush tip opening 62 can be adjusted by opening and closing with a finger.

  A sponge-type cleaning tool 70 with a suction function as shown in FIG. 15 is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This sponge-type cleaning device 70 with a suction function has a sponge 69 attached to one end portion of a cylindrical body 68, and a hollow branch path 64 stands up from the cylindrical body 68. A flange 66 is formed around the opening 65 of the hollow branch path 64, and a non-opening base 67 is formed on the opposite side across the cylindrical body 68. The suction force is adjusted by holding the cleaning tool 70 by placing a finger on each of the collar portion 66 and the base 67 and lifting and lowering the hollow branch passage opening 65 by slightly lifting the belly of the finger of the collar portion 66.

  According to such toothbrushes and sponge-type cleaning tools with suction function, those who become physically disabled due to brain disease or paralysis, patients who are accommodated in ICU (intensive care unit) It is also convenient when a caregiver performs oral cleaning for those who cannot. In particular, ICU patients with endotracheal intubation tubes have a risk that bacteria that have propagated in the oropharynx can enter the lower respiratory tract through the outer wall of the endotracheal intubation tube and cause VAP (ventilator-associated pneumonia). In order to avoid this, it is important to keep the oral cavity clean and clean.

JP 2006-174857 A Japanese Patent No. 3174487

  When cleaning the oral cavity, brush the front and back surfaces and top surface of the upper, lower, left and right teeth, or remove food residues attached to the tongue and palate. Rotate the toothbrush handle to change the orientation of the brush surface.

  However, in the case of the toothbrush 60 with a suction function, the hollow branch passage opening 65 is polished while performing with a finger. For them, patience is required, and the pain is hard to understand for those without experience.

  In the case of the sponge type cleaning tool 70 with the suction function shown in FIG. 15, since the cleaning surface of the sponge 69 is 360 °, at first glance, it seems that the rotation of the handle is unnecessary. However, the direction of polishing for hands with a handle is exclusively on the palm side, and polishing toward the back of the hand is not usually done. Accordingly, it is necessary to perform a polishing operation while turning the wrist in various directions, and the hollow branch opening 65 is also directed in various directions as the wrist rotates. It takes considerable skill to carry out the cleaning operation while performing the above.

  Therefore, caregivers actually respond to each individual skill, such as changing the finger applied to the opening 65 and changing the direction and holding of the finger while rotating the toothbrush or sponge type cleaning tool around the axis. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a caregiver (the patient may be affected by the degree of disability, even when the handle is rotated in various directions or the angle is changed). In some cases, the present invention provides an oral cleaning tool that can be easily opened and closed and can be easily opened and closed while flexibly adapting to being held by a patient).

An oral cleaning tool according to the present invention has a rod-like body having a suction hollow path in the axial direction as a basic skeleton, and a head side opening of the hollow path is formed on the head, and a cleaning member is provided, A tail-side opening of the hollow passage is formed in the tail portion of the rod-shaped body, and a hollow branch passage branched from the hollow passage (hereinafter simply referred to as “branch passage”) is provided with a connecting portion with the suction device. A suction-type oral cleaning device comprising:
A grip portion is provided on the body portion of the rod-shaped body,
The grip portion includes a first dent portion and a second dent portion that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rod-shaped body, and includes an opening of the hollow branch path between the first dent portion and the second dent portion,
When viewed in a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped body, the center of the hollow branch passage opening and the center of the first recess are formed with respect to the axis (C ₀ ) of the rod-shaped body. The angle θ ₁ and the angle θ ₂ formed by the center of the hollow branch opening and the center of the second recess are in a positional relationship of 80 to 140 °, respectively.

  Here, the grip portion will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the grip portion (a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-like body)).

  In the following description, reference numerals used in the drawings described below will be given as appropriate, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples, and the invention-specific matters are not limited by the reference numerals.

First, terms used in the following description will be described. The axis C ₀ is the center of gravity of the cross section of the rod-shaped body 22 that is the basic skeleton (cross section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped body). Since the hollow portion 11 is formed at the center of FIG. 5 in the rod-shaped body 22, the center of the hollow portion 11 is the axis C _0. The center C ₃ of the branch path opening 18 is the center when the branch path opening 18 is, for example, a circle, the intersection of the major axis and the minor axis in the case of an ellipse, and the intersection of diagonal lines in the case of a quadrangle. . The center C ₂ of the center C ₁ and the second recessed portion 27 of the first recess portion 17, for example, if the first and second recessed portions 17, 27 are recessed in a semispherical shape is its center, semi-major sphere ( When the long sphere is recessed in a shape obtained by dividing the long sphere in the longitudinal direction, it is a position on the recess corresponding to the intersection of the long axis and the short axis. And the center of the recess in the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27, when the difficult to understand the major axis and minor axis, (lowest bottom center of the recess) of the first and second recess nearest point on the axis C ₀ The centers C ₁ and C _{2 of} 17 and 27 are assumed.

  As described above, in the present invention, two recess portions (first and second recess portions 17 and 27) are formed in the body portion of the rod-shaped body, and the branch passage opening 18 is formed, and this is used as a grip portion. 16 is set.

The branch path opening 18 is located between the first recess 17 and the second recess 27 in the circumferential direction of the rod-shaped body (two between the first recess 17 and the second recess 27 in the circumferential direction (see FIG. The upper and lower sides at 5), but the branch opening 18 is located on either side). However, regarding the positional relationship in the rod-shaped body axis direction, the centers C ₃ , C ₁ , C ₂ of the branch passage opening 18, the first dent portion 17, and the second dent portion 27 are positioned on the same circumference (same cross section). However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the center C ₃ , C ₁ , C ₂ may be separated in the axial direction as will be described later.

The detailed positional relationship among the branch passage opening 18, the first dent portion 17, and the second dent portion 27 is such that the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are 80 to 140 ° when viewed in the cross section of the rod-shaped body. theta ₁ is the axial center C ₀ and a line S ₃ connecting the centers C ₃ branch passage opening 18 of the rod-like body, a line S that connects the axis C ₀ of the rod-shaped body center C ₁ of the first recess portion 17 _This is the angle formed by ₁ . theta ₂ is the angle between the line S _3, the axial center C ₀ and the line S ₂ connecting the center C ₂ of the second recessed portion 27 of the rod-shaped body.

As described above, in the present invention, since the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27 are formed in the grip portion, a finger can easily fit in the two recessed portions, and in particular, the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27 are formed. As described above, the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are determined to be 80 to 140 ° as the positional relationship between the opening 18 and the branch passage opening 18, so that there is an advantage that it can be used in various ways as will be described below. Easy to hold for caregivers.

  Further, in the present invention, the gripping portion 16 bulges from the axial center of the rod-like body 22 in the entire circumferential direction from a portion other than the gripping portion in the rod-like body trunk portion, and the first recess 17 and the It is preferable that the second recess 27 is formed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the grip 16 is formed thicker than the outer diameter of the basic skeleton with respect to the thickness T ₁ when the basic skeleton has a constant thickness (T ₂ ). The thickened outer periphery (thickness T ₂ ) is recessed as a reference line to form first and second recessed portions 17 and 27.

  The head portion of the oral cleaning tool is preferably thinner because it is inserted into the oral cavity, but the grip portion 16 is easier to hold if it is relatively thick. In this respect, both the ease of holding the gripping portion 16 and the reduction in discomfort when inserted into the oral cavity by making the gripping portion 16 thicker and the head portion relatively thin as described above. There is an effect.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the center C ₃ of the branch passage opening 18, is preferably located on the head side of the center C ₂ of the center C ₁ and the second recessed portion 27 of the first recess portion 17 (See FIGS. 1, 7, and 9). With this arrangement, the branch path opening 18 is on the head side, so that it is easy to recognize the position of the branch path opening 18 when holding the gripping part 16, and it is easy to perform opening and closing operations.

  Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that a part of the gripping portion 16 bulges out in the shape of a truncated body, and the branch passage opening 18 is formed on the top surface of the truncated body portion 26 (FIGS. 9). Since the branch opening portion bulges, the position of the branch opening 18 can be easily recognized, which is convenient for opening and closing operations.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the top surface of the truncated body portion 26 is inclined downward toward the head direction (see FIG. 3). By tilting in this manner, the finger is brought into contact with the fingertip in the direction of the fingertip, and it is easier to hold in view of ergonomics and the degree of freedom of operation is increased.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said branch path 19 is formed so that it may incline along a suction direction (refer FIG.2, 3,10). Thereby, the sucked saliva etc. becomes difficult to leak from a branch path.

  In addition, in the present invention, the gripping portion 16 includes a third recessed portion 28 on the tail side of the opening 18 of the branch path 19 and is on the opposite side in the circumferential direction with respect to the third recessed portion 28. It is preferable that a raised portion 29 is provided on the head side of the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 10).

  Examples of how to hold the gripping part 16 include a pen grip and a palm grip. However, by providing the third recessed part 28 and the raised part 29, the grip part 16 can be held more easily when held by the palm grip. When held with a pen grip, the first and second recesses 17 and 27 can be held easily.

  In the present invention, the cleaning member is a sponge 13 attached to cover the head 21, and the sponge 13 has through holes 13 a and 13 b corresponding to the head-side openings 12 a and 12 b. It is preferable that the cross-sectional areas of the holes 13a and 13b are smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the head-side openings 12a and 12b (see FIG. 8). The head-side openings 12a and 12b may be plural or one. When there are a plurality of head side openings 12a and 12b, a plurality of the through holes 13a and 13b may be formed accordingly.

  Or in this invention, the said cleaning member is a brush by which the said head is flocked, Comprising: The flocked surface of the said brush protrudes in the center part in the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the said axial direction. Preferred (see FIG. 13).

  In addition, the oral cleaning device according to the present invention is one in which the suction device is connected via the connecting portion 15, and the connecting portion 15 is formed with a ring-shaped convex portion 15a on the outer periphery of the rod-like body. The caudal opening 14 is formed on the caudal side of the convex portion 15a, and the suction device includes a cylindrical connecting member 41, and the connecting member 41 is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion. 15a has a concave portion 41a that can be rotatably fitted, and when the connecting portion 15 and the connection member 41 are connected by fitting the convex portion 15a and the concave portion 41a, the tail opening 14 and the connection It is preferable that the hole 41 of the member 41 communicates (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The ring-shaped convex part 15a and the concave part 41a may be one or plural.

  According to the oral cleaner according to the present invention, the direction of rotating the handle of the cleaner is changed in various ways, and when cleaning in various directions in the oral cavity, it is easy to hold in any direction. In addition, it is easy to open and close the branch opening. Therefore, it is easy to clean the oral cavity.

It is a perspective view which shows the cleaning tool for oral cavity (sponge type) which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an axial sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) of the oral cleaning tool of the first embodiment. It is an axial sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) showing a rear member in the oral cleaning tool of the first embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the direction orthogonal to the axial center) of the rear member in the oral cleaning tool of Embodiment 1, (a) is a DD cross section shown in FIG. 3, (b) is shown in FIG. EE cross section, (c) represents the FF cross section shown in FIG. It is a transverse cross section for demonstrating the structure of a holding part (cross section of the direction orthogonal to an axial center). It is sectional drawing showing a mode that the connection member and the rubber tube following this were attached to the rear member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view (perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6) showing the rear member which attached the connection member. It is an expanded sectional view of the head and sponge of the oral cleaner in Embodiment 1. It is a perspective view which shows the oral cleaner (toothbrush type) which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is an axial sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) of the oral cleaning tool of the second embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view near the head of the oral cleaner according to the second embodiment. It is a side view of the vicinity of the head of the oral cleaning tool of Embodiment 2. It is the front view which looked at the head of the oral cleaning tool of Embodiment 2 from the front side. It is a side view which shows the conventional toothbrush with a suction function. It is a partially broken side view which shows the conventional sponge with a suction function.

<Embodiment 1>
The oral cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in order by dividing it into 1: the entire configuration of the oral cleaner, 2: the gripping part, 3: the connecting part with the suction device, and 4: the head part. .

1: Overall Configuration of Oral Cleaner FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an oral cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

  The oral cleaner 10 of Embodiment 1 is a sponge-type cleaner. The basic skeleton is a rod-like body having a suction hollow path 11 in the axial direction, and this rod-like body can be detachably divided into two parts, a front-side front member 24 and a tail-side rear member 25. Yes.

  Head-side openings 12a and 12b of the hollow passage 11 are formed in the head portion 21 of the rod-like body, and a sponge (cleaning member) 13 is attached to cover the head portion 21. The sponge 13 has through holes 13a and 13b corresponding to the head side openings 12a and 12b.

  A tail-side opening 14 of the hollow path 11 is formed in the tail portion 23 of the rod-shaped body and a connecting portion 15 is formed, and a suction device (not shown) can be connected via the connecting portion 15. Yes.

The barrel portion of the rod-shaped body is provided with a gripping portion 16 that is thickened so as to bulge in the entire circumferential direction from the axis C ₀ of the rod-shaped body (bulge in the entire radial direction from the axis C ₀ ). (Refer to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2 (Note that FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram, and does not represent Embodiment 1)). The holding portion 16 is formed with two recessed portions (a first recessed portion 17 and a second recessed portion 27) and one branch passage opening 18. The branch path opening 18 is an opening of the branch path 19 branched from the hollow path 11. The number of branch paths 19 from the hollow path 11 is one.

  The division position (M) between the front member 24 and the rear member 25 is a position on the head side with respect to the grip portion 16. Further, the front member 24 has a shape in which the rod shape is slightly bent at a position (N) facing the tail side slightly from the head 21.

  Examples of the material of the sponge 13 include a sponge made of synthetic resin such as polyurethane, a natural sponge such as sponge, a cellulose sponge, and compressed cotton (thickened absorbent cotton). As materials for the oral cleaning device other than the sponge 13 (oral cleaning device body), various synthetic resins (for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide, polystyrene, acrylonitrile). -Butadiene / styrene copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyacetal) and metals.

  In using the oral cleaning device 10, a suction device (not shown) is connected via the connecting portion 15, and the tail opening 14, the hollow passage 11, and the head openings 12a and 12b are connected by driving the suction device. Then, the cleaning liquid or saliva in the oral cavity is sucked from the through holes 13a and 13b of the sponge 13 (arrow A).

  At this time, the suction force is adjusted by opening and closing the branch path opening 18 with a finger or adjusting the opening degree. Specifically, when the branch path opening 18 is opened, outside air is sucked through the branch path 19 (arrow B), and accordingly, the suction force from the sponge through holes 13a and 13b is weakened. On the other hand, when the branch path opening 18 is closed with a finger, all of the suction force due to the drive of the suction device reaches the sponge through holes 13a and 13b, so that strong suction can be performed.

  The user polishes the front and back surfaces, top surface, tongue, and palate of the upper, lower, left and right teeth while appropriately opening / closing or opening the branch path opening 18. At this time, the oral cleaning tool 10 is rotated about its axis, and the grip portion 16 is changed in various ways.

  After use, the entire oral cleaning device 10 may be replaced for each patient. However, in the first embodiment, since the front member 24 and the rear member 25 can be divided, only the front member 24 may be replaced. good.

2: Gripping part FIG. 3: is sectional drawing of the axial direction (longitudinal direction) which shows the rear member 25 in the cleaning tool 10 for oral cavity of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 corresponds to an enlarged view of the rear member 25 in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rear member 25 in the lateral direction (direction orthogonal to the axis), (a) is a DD cross section shown in FIG. 3, (b) is an EE cross section shown in FIG. (C) represents the FF cross section shown in FIG.

As described above, the gripping portion 16 is thick so as to bulge from the axial center C ₀ of the rod-shaped body 22 in the entire circumferential direction, that is, thicker than the rod-shaped body 22 that is the basic skeleton. The thickness of the rod-shaped body 22 is the thickness G of the front member 24 (excluding the detachable part) shown in FIGS. For comparison of the thicknesses of the gripping portion 16 and the rod-shaped body 22, the rod-shaped body 22 is represented by a virtual line (two-dot chain line) in FIG.

  The 1st, 2nd dent parts 17 and 27 formed in this holding | grip part 16 are recessed parts rather than the said bulging position.

  In the grip 16, one side between the first and second dents 17, 27, that is, the upper side in FIG. 4A swells further in the shape of a truncated body. The opening 18 of the branch path 19 is formed in the surface 26a (FIGS. 3 and 4). A third recessed portion 28 is formed on the caudal side of the pier body portion 26.

The top surface 26a of the truncated body part is inclined downward toward the head 21 direction. Specifically, the top surface 26a is inclined 3 to 20 ° (angle θ ₄ shown in FIG. 3) with respect to the axis C ₀ . In Embodiment 1, it is 7 °. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the top surface 26a of the truncated body part has a shape that is slightly depressed in an arc shape in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the oral cavity cleaning tool 10.

As for the axial positional relationship between the branch path opening 18 and the first and second recesses 17 and 27, the center C ₃ of the branch path opening 18 is positioned closer to the head 21 than the centers C ₁ and C _{2 of the} recess 17. ing. Specifically, the center C _{3 of the} branch opening 18 with respect to the position of the center C ₁ or C ₂ of the recess 17 (see the EE line in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B showing this cross section). Is preferably 4 to 12 mm (length K) in the axial direction on the head side, more preferably 6 (see the DD line in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A showing this cross section). -10 mm. In the first embodiment, the center C ₃ of the branch path opening 18 is 8 mm (length K) in the axial direction and is located on the head side.

As the positional relationship in the circumferential direction between the branch path opening 18 and the first and second recesses 17 and 27, when viewed in a cross section of the rod-shaped body (cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped body) (FIG. 4). ) With respect to the axis C ₀ , angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ formed by the center C ₃ of the branch passage opening 18 and the centers C ₁ and C ₂ of the _first and second recessed portions 17 and 27 are 80 to 140, respectively. °. In the first embodiment, both θ ₁ and θ ₂ are 98 °. The center C ₃ of the branch path opening 18 and the centers C ₁ and C _{2 of the} recess 17 are positioned apart from each other in the axial direction (not located in the same cross section), but in a state viewed in the cross section of the rod-shaped body. projected, (see FIG. 4 (a)) lines S ₃ which connects the axial center C ₀ of the rod-like body center C ₃ branch passage opening 18, the center C of the axial center C ₀ of the rod-shaped body first recess 17 _{From the} line S ₁ connecting ₁ (see FIG. 4B) and the line S ₂ connecting the axis C ₀ of the rod-like body and the center C ₂ of the second recess 27 (see FIG. 4B), angle theta ₁ of S ₃ and line S _1, the angle theta ₂ of the line S ₃ and line S _1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a raised portion 29 is formed in the gripping portion 16 on the opposite side of the circumferential direction of the third recessed portion 28 and on the head side of the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27. . The raised portion 29 is a portion that is relatively raised as a result of forming the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27 by making the gripping portion 16 thicker than the basic skeleton rod-like body 22 as described above. .

  Next, how the grasping part 16 is held by hand when the oral cleaning tool 10 is used will be described.

  Caregivers and the like use the oral cleaner 10 in various ways such as palm grip and pen grip according to their preference. Further, it is necessary to direct the cleaning surface of the oral cleaner 10 in various directions for cleaning the teeth. In this respect, if the shape is like the gripping part 16 of the first embodiment, the opening and closing operation of the branch path opening 18 is performed with a finger, regardless of how it is held or in any direction, You can have a good fit.

  For example, when holding with a pen grip, [1] How to hold the index finger on the branch opening 18, the first finger 17 on the index finger side of the middle finger first joint, and the thumb 27 on the second recess 27. [2] The index finger side surface of the first joint of the middle finger at the branch opening 18, a holding method in which the belly of the thumb is brought into contact with the first recess 17, and the index finger at the second recess 27, [3] the branch opening 18 It is envisaged to hold the belly of the thumb, the index finger on the first recess 17 and the index finger side surface of the first joint of the middle finger on the second recess 27, but these [1], [2], [3] Either way, it has a good fit and is easy to hold. When holding with a palm grip, <1> How to hold the belly of the thumb against the branch opening 18 and with the first and second recesses 17 and 27 in contact with the entire index finger bent, <2> Branch It is envisaged that the index finger is placed on the road opening 18, the belly of the thumb is brought into contact with the caudal side (or the head side) of the raised portion 29, and the middle finger is brought into contact with the third recessed portion 28 in a bent state. However, it has a good fit and is easy to hold, regardless of how it is held in <1> or <2>.

Regarding the ease of holding, the positional relationship between the first and second recesses 17 and 27 and the branch path opening 18 is important. As described above, the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are 80 to 140 °, respectively. Because there is, it can support how to hold in various directions. Preferably they are 85 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less, More preferably, they are 90 degrees or more and 110 degrees or less.

If the upper limits of the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are too small, the two fingers supported by the first and second recesses 17 and 27, or the three supported by the periphery of the branch path opening 18 and the first and second recesses 17 and 27, Since the finger is biased in one direction with respect to the axis C ₀ , it becomes difficult to support the oral cleaner 10. On the other hand, if the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are too large, when the branch path opening 18 is closed with a finger, that is, when it is supported at the periphery of the branch path opening 18 and the three first and second recessed portions 17 and 27. Although good, when the finger is released to open the branch passage opening 18, two fingers supporting at first and second recessed portions 17 and 27, because so biased in one direction the axis C ₀ as a reference It becomes difficult to support the oral cleaner 10. Therefore, it was set as the said range.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the branch path opening 18 is located on the head side with respect to the first and second recesses 17 and 27, so that it is on the head side when the grip 16 is held in the hand. It is easy to recognize the branch opening 18 and is convenient for opening and closing operations. In addition, since the location of the branch opening 18 is formed on the top surface 26a of the bulged body portion 26, the branch opening 18 is conspicuous, and therefore, the branch opening 18 can be easily recognized and opened and closed easily. A small braille-like projection may be provided on the top surface 26a around the branch opening 18 around the branch passage opening 18 so that the touch can be recognized without being visually recognized.

When the oral cleaner 10 is held and operated as described above, the first and second recessed portions 17 and 27 and the branch passage opening 18 (in the case of a palm grip, the third recessed portion 28 and the raised portion 29 are further removed). Hold your finger against the head / tail side. At this time, since the top surface 26a (the branch path opening 18 is formed) of the bunched body portion 26 located on the head 21 side is a downward slope toward the head 21 (θ ₄ ), Since the force is applied to the finger so as to sandwich the recesses 17 and 27 and the truncated body part top surface 26a in the axial direction, it is easy to hold. Further, since the finger is held in the direction of the fingertip, it is easy to hold from this point and the degree of freedom of operation is increased.

  The shape of the top surface 26a of the pier body portion 26 is not limited to the arcuate plane shape as in the first embodiment, but may be a horizontal plane, a bowl shape recessed in a bowl shape, or the like. However, in the case of the arcuate plane as in the first embodiment, the fitting feeling with the vicinity of the first joint of the middle finger, the index finger pad, and the thumb pad is preferable.

  Next, the branch path 19 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the branch path 19 branched from the hollow path 11 has an axial direction (arrow B) inclined in a direction along the suction direction (arrow A). Specifically, the angle θ ₅ formed by the axis of the branch path 19 and the rod-shaped body axis C ₀ is preferably 20 to 70 ° (FIG. 3). More preferably, θ ₅ is 50 ° or less. In the first embodiment, it is 23 °.

  Thus, since the branch path 19 from the hollow path 11 is inclined toward the head so as to follow the suction direction (arrow A), the sucked saliva or the like hardly flows out from the branch path 19. This is because the discharge direction from the branch passage opening 18 (the reverse direction of the arrow B) is substantially opposite to the suction direction (the arrow A).

3: Connection part with suction device As shown in FIG. 3, the tail side opening 14 of the said hollow path 11 is formed in the end surface of the tail part 23 of the cleaning tool 10 for oral cavity.

  The connecting portion 15 formed on the tail portion 23 is composed of a plurality of ring-shaped convex portions 15a formed on the outer periphery of the rod-shaped body. The height of the convex portion 15 a decreases toward the end of the tail portion 23.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connecting member 41 and the rubber tube 42 following the connecting member 41 are attached to the rear member 25 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the rear member 25 to which the connection member 41 is attached (the rubber tube 42 is indicated by a virtual line), and corresponds to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member 41 is formed with a concave portion 41 a corresponding to the convex portion 15 a of the connecting portion 15 on the inner wall thereof. A plurality of convex portions 41 b for preventing slipping are formed on the tail side of the connection member 41, so that the rubber tube 42 connected to the tail side of the connection member 41 is difficult to come off.

  Moreover, when the convex part 15a of the connection part 15 and the recessed part 41a of the connection member 41 are fitted, the connection part 15 and the connection member 41 will be connected rotatably (arrow J of FIG. 7). Accordingly, when the oral cleaner 10 is used, the gripping portion 16 is rotated and held, and the rear member 25 is rotated (arrow J), so that the connecting portion of the connecting portion 15 and the connecting member 41 is rotated. No twisting force is applied to the tube 42.

  Further, when the connecting portion 15 and the connecting member 41 are connected by fitting the convex portion 15a and the concave portion 41a, the tail opening 14 and the hole 43 of the connecting member 41 communicate with each other. The rubber tube 42 attached to the connection member 41 is connected to a drive unit of a suction device (not shown), and the suction force generated by the operation of this drive unit is the inside of the rubber tube 42, and subsequently the hole of the connection member 41. 43, through the hollow passage 11 of the rear member 25 and the front member 24, and acting on the through holes 13a and 13b of the sponge 13 through the head side openings 12a and 12b (FIGS. 2 and 6), and the through hole 13a of the sponge 13 , 13b, the saliva and the cleaning liquid in the oral cavity are aspirated.

4: Head FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the head 21 and the sponge 13 of the oral cleaner 10 according to the first embodiment.

  In communication with the hollow passage 11, a head-side opening 12 a is provided at the tip of the head 21, and two head-side openings 12 b are provided at the sides of the head 21. Through holes 13a and 13b are formed in the sponge 13 corresponding to the head side openings 12a and 12b. The cross-sectional areas of the through holes 13a and 13b are smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the head-side openings 12a and 12b.

  If the through-hole 13a is large and cannot be sufficiently different from the tip surface size of the head 21, the through-hole 13a may spread and the tip of the head 21 may protrude. In this respect, as described above, the through-hole 13a is smaller than the head-side opening 12a, and is thus sufficiently smaller than the tip of the head 21, so that it is possible to sufficiently prevent the tip of the head 21 from jumping out.

  Incidentally, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the through hole provided in the solid body covering the head is larger than the opening of the head, thereby facilitating the suction of mucus with high viscosity. However, even if the opening of the through holes 13a and 13b provided in the sponge 13 is smaller in size as in the first embodiment, it has been confirmed that the suction performance is not inferior.

  The suction force at the head-side openings 12a and 12b acts exclusively on the through holes 13a and 13b of the sponge 13 and thereby sucks saliva and the like. The

  A flange 35 is provided at the base of the head 21 so that the sponge 13 can be stopped without being inserted too much when the sponge 13 is attached. The tail side surface 35a of the collar portion 35 has an arc shape so as to spread toward the head side, and is difficult to be caught when the sponge 13 portion of the oral cleaner 10 is taken in and out of the patient's oral cavity. The tail side surface 35a is not limited to an arc shape, and may be a shape that extends straight to the head side.

  In use, it is preferable to wash the inside of the oral cavity after dampening the sponge 13 in water and then squeezing it lightly to reduce the sense of discomfort in the oral cavity. As the liquid to be immersed, lemon water, green tea, oolong tea, chlorohexidine gluconate solution, popidone solution, sodium bicarbonate water, hydrogen peroxide solution, azulene preparation and the like may be used in addition to the above water.

  Further, in the case where the head 21 is covered with the sponge 13 or the like as in the first embodiment, there is almost no risk of damaging the oral mucosa because the main body portion of the hard oral cleaner hardly hits the oral cavity.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an oral cleaning tool according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view in the axial direction (longitudinal direction). In addition, the part which attached | subjected the code | symbol same as FIGS. 1-4, 6, 7 is the same component as the example of FIGS.

  The oral cleaning tool 20 of Embodiment 2 is a toothbrush type. In the first embodiment, the front member 24 and the rear member 25 are divided into two types, but in the second embodiment, the type is not divided.

The basic skeleton of the oral cleaning tool 20 is a rod-shaped body having the suction hollow passage 11 in the axial direction, and, like the first embodiment, the body portion swells from the axial center C ₀ of the rod-shaped body in the entire circumferential direction. A gripping portion 16 that protrudes (expands in the whole radial direction from the axis C ₀ ) is provided, and the gripping portion 16 is formed with two recessed portions 17 and 27 and one branch passage opening 18. Yes. In the second embodiment, θ ₁ and θ ₂ are both 95 °, θ ₄ (angle of the top surface 26a of the truncated body portion 26 with respect to the axis C ₀ ) is 10 °, and θ ₅ (axis of the branch 19). angle) between the axis C ₀ and a is 35 °.

  The structure of the connection part 15 and the tail side opening 14 in Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1. FIG.

  Next, the head 31 of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the head 31 of the oral cleaning tool 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view of the vicinity of the head 31 and FIG. 13 is a front view of the head 31 viewed from the front side.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when viewed from the front side, the head portion 31 has a stepped central portion in the axial direction. Then, the bristles (cleaning members) 32a and 32b are implanted in three vertical rows using the stepped surface as a flocked surface. In the portion (mountain portion 33) that is raised and thickened, short bristle is used, and the height of the brush tip is uniform. The length of the bristle (exposed length of the bristle) is preferably 5 to 12 mm, and both the short bristle 32a having a bristle planted in the center and the long bristle 32b having both bristle on both sides are 5 It is desirable to be within a range of ˜12 mm.

  Examples of the material for the brush hair include polyamide (for example, nylon 6-10, nylon 6-12), polyester (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate), polybutylene terephthalate, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a suction hole 34 is formed in the peak portion 33 in the axial direction, and the suction hole 34 communicates with the hollow path 11 continuing from the trunk portion. In addition, the suction hole 34 has an opening 34a on the tip surface of the head 31 (FIGS. 11 to 13), branches to the flocked surface side, and has an opening 34b at the center of the flocked surface (FIG. 11).

  In a toothbrush provided with a suction hole, the head tends to be thick, but in the second embodiment, the suction hole 34 is formed at the stepped portion (mountain 33) as described above. The thickness of 31 can be made relatively thin. Therefore, there is little discomfort even if it is inserted into the oral cavity.

  In particular, if the suction hole 34 is formed in a flat shape, the head 31 can be made thinner, so that a sense of discomfort in the oral cavity is reduced.

  The oral cleaning device 20 having the thin head 31 is particularly useful for a patient who cannot open his / her mouth greatly due to brain disease or paralysis.

  In using the oral cleaning tool 20 of the second embodiment, the inside of the oral cavity is cleaned with a brush, and the branch passage opening 18 is opened and closed to suck the saliva and the like as appropriate (the suction force is weak when opening, and when closing) Has a strong suction force). At that time, the suction hole opening 34a opened at the tip of the head 31 is useful for sucking saliva, cleaning liquid, etc. accumulated in the oral cavity, and the suction hole opening 34b opened in the flocked surface is used for cleaning the cleaning liquid while cleaning the teeth. Useful when aspirating etc.

  In addition, in Embodiment 2, although the thing of the structure which the brush flocking surface raised in the step shape was shown, not only this but the structure which raised in the arc shape etc. may be sufficient.

<Others>
As mentioned above, the present invention has been described more specifically with examples. However, the present invention is not limited by the above examples, and may be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range that can be adapted to the above purpose. Of course, they are all possible and are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, a plurality of head side openings (head side openings 12a and 12b, suction hole openings 34a and 34b) are provided, but even if there is only one head side opening. good.

  In the first embodiment, a sponge is used as the cleaning member. However, a foam-free flexible material may be used instead. Examples of the material include polyamide, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, polyisobrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer, silicon, and nitrile rubber. Alternatively, cotton may be used in place of the sponge, and examples of the material include absorbent cotton, hemp, silk, acetate, rayon, polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof.

  In the said Embodiment 2, although the thing which planted the brush hair in one direction was shown as a head which provided the cleaning member, the brush hair could be planted over the radial direction perimeter.

  In the first embodiment, a configuration in which the front member 24 and the rear member 25 can be divided into two at a position slightly on the head side from the gripping portion 16 is shown, but the division position is not limited to this, for example, the root of the head 21 The position may be set arbitrarily.

10 Oral Cleaner (Sponge Type)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Hollow path 12a, 12b Head side opening 13 Sponge 13a, 13b Through-hole 14 Caudal side opening 15 Connection part 16 Gripping part 17 Recessed part 18 Branching path opening 19 Branching path 20 Oral cleaning tool (toothbrush type)
21, 31 Head 22 Bar-shaped body 23 Tail 24 Front member 25 Rear member 26 Wing body part 26a Top surface 28 Third recessed part 29 Raised part 32a, 32b Brush hair 33 Mountain part 34 Suction hole 34a, 34b Opening of suction hole Center of C ₀ axis C ₁ and C ₂ dent part C ₃ Center of branch path opening

Claims (10)

A rod-shaped body having a hollow passage for suction in the axial direction is used as a basic skeleton, a head-side opening of the hollow passage is formed at the head, and a cleaning member is provided. A suction-type oral cleaner comprising a hollow branch passage formed from the hollow passage and having a connecting portion with a suction device formed with a caudal opening,
A grip portion is provided on the body portion of the rod-shaped body,
The grip portion includes a first dent portion and a second dent portion that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rod-shaped body, and includes an opening of the hollow branch path between the first dent portion and the second dent portion,
An angle θ ₁ formed between the center of the hollow branch opening and the center of the first recess portion with respect to the axial center of the rod-like body when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-like body, And an oral cleaning tool characterized in that the angle θ ₂ formed by the center of the hollow branch opening and the center of the second recess is 80 to 140 °, respectively.   The gripping portion bulges from the axial center of the rod-shaped body to the entire circumferential direction from a portion other than the gripping portion in the rod-shaped body trunk portion, and the first recess portion and the second recess portion are formed here. The oral cleaning tool according to claim 1, which has a shape.   The oral cavity cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the center of the hollow branch path opening is located closer to the head than the center of the first recess and the center of the second recess.   The oral cavity cleaning according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of the gripping portion bulges out in a truncated body shape, and the hollow branch passage opening is formed on a top surface of the truncated body part. Ingredients.   The oral cleaner according to claim 4, wherein a top surface of the truncated body part is inclined downward toward the head direction.   The oral cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hollow branch passage is formed so as to be inclined along the suction direction. The grip portion includes a third recess on the tail side of the opening of the hollow branch path,
The oral cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a raised portion on a side opposite to the third dent portion in a circumferential direction and on a head side of the first and second dent portions. The cleaning member is a sponge attached to cover the head,
The oral cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sponge has a through-hole corresponding to the head-side opening, and a cross-sectional area of the through-hole is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the head-side opening. . The cleaning member is a brush planted on the head,
8. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a center portion of a cross-section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction is raised on the flocked surface of the brush. It is a cleaning tool for oral cavity to which the suction device is connected via the connecting part,
The connecting portion is formed by forming a ring-shaped convex portion on the outer periphery of the rod-shaped body, and the tail side opening is formed on the tail side from the convex portion,
The suction device includes a cylindrical connection member, and the connection member has a concave portion that can be rotatably fitted to the convex portion on the inner wall of the cylinder,
The fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tail opening and the hole of the connecting member communicate with each other when the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted to connect the connecting portion and the connecting member. Oral cleaner.