JP2014124505A

JP2014124505A - Interdental floss

Info

Publication number: JP2014124505A
Application number: JP2012285921A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoshihiro Hachisuga; 良祐蜂須賀
Original assignee: Lion Corp
Current assignee: Lion Corp
Priority date: 2012-12-27
Filing date: 2012-12-27
Publication date: 2014-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-27
Also published as: JP6012459B2

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interdental floss capable of solving the deflection of a floss part easily, irrespective of the region of teeth, the position of an interproximal contact point and the direction to touch the interproximal contact point when inserting the floss part into the interproximal contact point.SOLUTION: The invention has a grip part 11, first and second arm parts 12A and 12B (a pair of arm parts) extending from a tip 11x of the grip part 11 and a floss part 14 which is stretched between tips 13A and 13B of the first and second arm parts 12A and 12B. In the first and second arm parts 12A and 12B, ends 18A and 18B are fixed to the first and second arm parts 12A and 12B, respectively and an operation part 21 is attached to expand a space between the tips 13A and 13B by pressing extension parts 15A and 15B extending from the ends 18A and 18B, respectively.

Description

本発明は、歯間フロスに関する。 The present invention relates to an interdental floss.

一般に、歯ブラシでは届かない歯と歯の間の狭い場所（隣接歯間）を清掃する補助清掃用具として、主に歯間ブラシや歯間フロスが使用されている。歯と歯が接触する点（歯間接触点）を清掃できない歯間ブラシに対して、歯間フロスは樹脂製や金属製のアーム部間に張設されたフィラメント状のフロス部を咬合面側から歯間接触点を通過させ、歯間領域に挿入して使用されるため、歯間接触点の清掃を可能とする。 In general, interdental brushes and interdental floss are mainly used as auxiliary cleaning tools for cleaning narrow spaces (between adjacent teeth) between teeth that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. For interdental brushes that cannot clean the point where the teeth contact each other (interdental contact point), the interdental floss has a filament-shaped floss stretched between resin or metal arm sections on the occlusal surface side Since the interdental contact point is passed through and inserted into the interdental region, the interdental contact point can be cleaned.

上記歯間フロスのアーム部や該アーム部が連設されている把持部の形状や材質は、清掃対象の歯の部位等に応じて、その歯と隣接する歯との歯間領域にフロス部が容易に挿入されるように種々工夫されている。例えば、特許文献１には、把持部と、把持部の一端側に設けられたＵ字型のアーム部と、このアーム部の先端部間に張設されたフロス部と、前記アーム部の一部に着脱可能に設けられて熱可性エラストマーにより構成されたアタッチメント及び複数のブラシと、を備えた歯間フロスが開示されている。特許文献１に開示されている歯間フロスを用いた際には、前記フロス部により歯間接触点の清掃が可能になると共に、前記複数のブラシにより歯ブラシでは清掃できない歯の隙間の清掃が可能になる。 The shape and material of the arm part of the interdental floss and the grip part to which the arm part is connected are determined according to the part of the tooth to be cleaned and the floss part in the interdental area between the tooth and the adjacent tooth. Various devices have been devised to facilitate insertion. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gripping portion, a U-shaped arm portion provided on one end side of the gripping portion, a floss portion stretched between distal ends of the arm portion, and one of the arm portions. An interdental floss provided with an attachment and a plurality of brushes that are detachably provided on the part and are made of a heatable elastomer is disclosed. When the interdental floss disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, the floss portion can clean the interdental contact point and the plurality of brushes can clean the tooth gap that cannot be cleaned with a toothbrush. become.

ところが、このような歯間フロスでは、アーム部の製造後に該アーム部の先端部間にフロス部を張設すると、フロス部の材質の後収縮等によりフロス部にたわみが生じる。また、歯間フロスの製造完了直後にはフロス部のたわみが生じていなかったとしても、歯間接触点を清掃するために該歯間接触点へのフロス部の挿抜を繰り返すと、フロス部が延びてたわんでしまう。このようにフロス部にたわみが生じると、歯間接触点に挿入する際に、フロス部に対する力加減のコントロールが難しくなり、無理やり挿入すると歯肉を傷つけてしまう虞がある。 However, in such an interdental floss, when the floss part is stretched between the end parts of the arm part after the arm part is manufactured, the floss part is deflected due to post-contraction of the material of the floss part. In addition, even if there is no deflection of the floss part immediately after the manufacture of the interdental floss, if the insertion / extraction of the floss part to the interdental contact point is repeated to clean the interdental contact point, the floss part It stretches and bends. When the floss portion is bent in this way, it is difficult to control the force applied to the floss portion when inserting it at the interdental contact point, and there is a risk that the gingiva will be damaged if it is forcibly inserted.

上記フロス部のたわみを解消するために、例えば、特許文献２には、ヒンジ部により互いに結合された一対のアーム部と、このアーム部の先端部間に張設されたフロス部と、を備えた歯間フロスが開示されている。前記一対の各アーム部は、前記ヒンジ部で対向する第一及び第二の端部を備えており、該第二端部は前記一対のアーム部の第一端部と互いに離れている第一位置と、前記第一端部と当接する第二位置との間を移動可能に設けられている。また、前記歯間フロスの前記フロス部の材料は、前記第二端部が第一位置にある時の第一張力と、前記第二端部が第二位置にある時の第二張力とを有し、前記第一張力は前記第二張力よりも大きく設定されている。従って、特許文献２に開示されている歯間フロスでは、第二端部の第一及び第二の位置間の移動により、フロス部の張力が調節される。 In order to eliminate the deflection of the floss part, for example, Patent Document 2 includes a pair of arm parts coupled to each other by a hinge part, and a floss part stretched between the distal ends of the arm parts. An interdental floss is disclosed. Each of the pair of arm portions includes first and second end portions facing each other at the hinge portion, and the second end portion is separated from a first end portion of the pair of arm portions. It is provided so as to be movable between a position and a second position in contact with the first end portion. Further, the material of the floss part of the interdental floss includes a first tension when the second end is in the first position and a second tension when the second end is in the second position. And the first tension is set larger than the second tension. Therefore, in the interdental floss disclosed in Patent Document 2, the tension of the floss part is adjusted by the movement of the second end part between the first and second positions.

実用新案登録第３１３２６７０号公報Utility Model Registration No. 3132670 特開２００９−０４５４８１号公報JP 2009-054881 A

しかしながら、特許文献２に記載の歯間フロスでは、フロス部の張力を調節するための力点と支点と作用点がそれぞれ第一及び第二端部とヒンジ部とフロス部の両端であって、力点と支点及び作用点が遠いため、奥歯間等の見えにくい歯間接触点又は歯間フロスを当てる方向が変化し易い歯間接触点の清掃においてフロス部を挿入する際に、依然としてフロス部に対する力加減のコントロールが難しい問題があった。 However, in the interdental floss described in Patent Document 2, the force point, the fulcrum, and the action point for adjusting the tension of the floss part are the first and second ends, the hinge part, and the floss part, respectively. When the floss part is inserted in cleaning the interdental contact point that is difficult to see, such as between the back teeth, or the interdental flossing direction is easy to change, the force on the floss part is still There was a problem that it was difficult to control.

本発明は、上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであって、フロス部を歯間接触点に挿入する際に、歯の部位や歯間接触点の位置及び歯間接触点に当てる方向によらず、フロス部のたわみを容易に解消可能な歯間フロスを提供することを課題とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when inserting the floss part into the interdental contact point, it does not depend on the position of the tooth part, the interdental contact point, and the direction applied to the interdental contact point. It is an object of the present invention to provide an interdental floss that can easily eliminate the deflection of the floss portion.

上記の課題を解決するために、本発明は以下の構成を採用した。
すなわち、本発明の歯間フロスは、把持部と、該把持部の先端に連設された一対のアーム部と、これら一対のアーム部の先端部間に張設されたフロス部とを備え、前記一対の各アーム部には、それぞれ端部が該アーム部に固定され、それぞれの端部から伸びる延出部を押圧して前記先端部間を拡開させる操作部が設けられていることを特徴とする。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.
That is, the interdental floss of the present invention comprises a gripping part, a pair of arm parts connected to the tip of the gripping part, and a floss part stretched between the tip parts of the pair of arm parts, Each of the pair of arm portions is provided with an operation portion that has an end portion fixed to the arm portion and presses an extending portion extending from each end portion to expand the tip portion. Features.

また、本発明の歯間フロスは前記把持部が一方向に延びる長尺部材とされ、前記一対の各アーム部は、前記把持部の延長軸線を通る仮想平面の一方の側に屈曲して設けられていることが好ましい。
更に、前記操作部は前記一対の各アーム部から互いに接近する方向へ延び、この延びる先端部間に一定の間隔をおいて対向配置されていることが好ましい。
また、本発明の歯間フロスは、前記延出部及びその周辺部に保護部が被覆されていることが好ましい。 Further, the interdental floss of the present invention is an elongated member in which the grip portion extends in one direction, and each of the pair of arm portions is bent and provided on one side of an imaginary plane passing through the extension axis of the grip portion. It is preferable that
Furthermore, it is preferable that the operation portion extends in a direction approaching each other from the pair of arm portions, and is disposed to face each other with a certain distance between the extending tip portions.
Moreover, as for the interdental floss of this invention, it is preferable that the extension part and its peripheral part are coat | covered with the protection part.

また、本発明の歯間フロスでは、前記保護部はショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ７０である材質で構成されていることが好ましく、ショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ５０である材質で構成されていることがより好ましい。
更に、本発明の歯間フロスでは、前記把持部と前記アーム部と前記延在部はポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、ポリスチレン、ポリカーボネート、ＡＢＳ樹脂（アクリロニトリルとブタジエンとスチレンとの共重合合成樹脂）、ポリブチレンテレフタレート、ポリアセタールからなる群より選ばれた一種で構成されていることが好ましい。
更にまた、本発明の歯間フロスでは、前記フロス部は６−１０ナイロン、６−１２ナイロンからなる群、又は、ポリエチレンテレフタレート、ポリプロピレンテレフタレート、ポリブチレンテレフタレートからなる群より選ばれた一種で構成されていることが好ましい。 In the interdental floss of the present invention, the protective portion is preferably made of a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A70, and more preferably made of a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A50. .
Furthermore, in the interdental floss of the present invention, the grip part, the arm part, and the extension part are polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS resin (copolymer synthetic resin of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), polybutylene terephthalate. It is preferably composed of one kind selected from the group consisting of polyacetals.
Furthermore, in the interdental floss of the present invention, the floss part is composed of one kind selected from the group consisting of 6-10 nylon and 6-12 nylon, or the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate. It is preferable.

上記の構成によれば、歯間フロスの使用者により操作部の延出部が押圧されると、端部を介してアーム部の先端間が拡開され、フロス部の張力が高められてたわみが解消される。このとき、フロス部の張力を調整するための力点、支点、作用点が延出部の先端、延出部がアーム部に接続されている端部、アーム部の先端のそれぞれの２箇所になり、力点、支点、作用点が近距離間に位置する。これにより、操作部を介してフロス部の張力が正確且つ容易に調整される。また、使用者が把持部を保持しながら延出部を押圧することができるため、歯間接触点に対して歯間フロスを当てる方向が変化しても、操作部を介してフロス部の張力が正確且つ容易に調整される。 According to said structure, when the extension part of an operation part is pressed by the user of interdental floss, the end part of an arm part is expanded via an edge part, and the tension | tensile_strength of a floss part is raised and it bends. Is resolved. At this time, the force point, fulcrum, and action point for adjusting the tension of the floss part are the tip of the extension part, the extension part is connected to the arm part, and the tip part of the arm part. , Force point, fulcrum, and action point are located in a short distance. Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength of a floss part is adjusted correctly and easily via an operation part. In addition, since the user can press the extension part while holding the grip part, even if the direction in which the interdental floss is applied to the interdental contact point changes, the tension of the floss part can be changed via the operation part. Is accurately and easily adjusted.

また、上記の構成によれば、把持部が一方向に延びる長尺部材とされているため、使用者の何れかの指で延出部が押圧される際に他の指で把持部が握られる。同時に、一対の各アーム部が把持部の延長軸線を通る仮想平面の一方の側に屈曲しているため、使用者の自然な指の配置で延出部が押圧されると共に把持部が支持されて、フロス部の張力がより正確且つ容易に調整される。
また、上記の構成によれば、操作部が一対の各アーム部から互いに接近する方向へ延び、この延びる先端部間に一定の間隔をおいて対向配置されているため、力点と支点が一層近づき、延出部の押圧が瞬時かつ大きな力となってフロス部の張力増大に作用する。
また、上記の構成によれば、延出部及びその周辺部に保護部が被覆されているため、フロス部を歯間接触点に挿入又は歯間接触点から抜出する際に、延出部及びその周辺部が口腔内に接触してもその接触箇所が痛まない。同時に、延出部を押圧する歯間フロスの使用者の指も保護される。 In addition, according to the above configuration, since the grip portion is a long member extending in one direction, when the extension portion is pressed by one of the user's fingers, the grip portion is gripped by another finger. It is done. At the same time, since each of the pair of arm portions is bent to one side of an imaginary plane passing through the extension axis of the grip portion, the extension portion is pressed and the grip portion is supported by the natural finger placement of the user. Thus, the tension of the floss portion can be adjusted more accurately and easily.
Further, according to the above configuration, the operating portion extends from the pair of arm portions in a direction approaching each other, and is disposed so as to be opposed to each other with a certain distance between the extending tip portions, so that the power point and the fulcrum are further closer. The pressing of the extending portion acts as an instantaneous and large force to increase the tension of the floss portion.
Moreover, according to said structure, since the extension part and its peripheral part are coat | covered with the protection part, when inserting a floss part in an interdental contact point or extracting from an interdental contact point, an extended part And even if the peripheral part contacts the oral cavity, the contact part does not hurt. At the same time, the user's finger of the interdental floss that presses the extension is also protected.

更に、上記の構成によれば、保護部にはショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ７０である材質が用いられているため、フロス部を歯間接触点に挿入又は歯間接触点から抜出する際の口腔内の保護性及びフロス部の張力を調整する際の歯間フロス使用者の保護性が高まる。ショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ５０である材質が用いられる場合は、前記口腔内の保護性及び前記歯間フロス使用者の保護性がより一層高まる。
更にまた、上記の構成によれば、前記把持部と前記アーム部と前記延在部はポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、ポリスチレン、ポリカーボネート、ＡＢＳ樹脂、ポリブチレンテレフタレート、ポリアセタールからなる群より選ばれた一種で構成されているため、金型を用いた射出成形等により成形され、歯間フロスの生産性が向上する。
また、上記の構成によれば、フロス部が機械強度と伸縮性に優れた６−１０ナイロン、６−１２ナイロン等のナイロン、又は、ポリエチレンテレフタレート、ポリプロピレンテレフタレート、ポリブチレンテレフタレート等のポリエステルで構成されているため、フロス部に適度な耐老化性が付与されると共に、その張力の調整が容易になる。 Furthermore, according to said structure, since the material whose Shore hardness is A10-A70 is used for the protection part, the oral cavity at the time of inserting a floss part in an interdental contact point, or extracting from an interdental contact point The protection of the interdental floss user when adjusting the inner protection and the tension of the floss part is enhanced. When a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A50 is used, the protection in the oral cavity and the protection of the interdental floss user are further enhanced.
Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the gripping portion, the arm portion, and the extending portion are made of one type selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS resin, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyacetal. Therefore, it is molded by injection molding using a mold and the interdental floss productivity is improved.
Moreover, according to said structure, the floss part is comprised with nylon, such as 6-10 nylon and 6-12 nylon excellent in mechanical strength and elasticity, or polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate. Therefore, moderate aging resistance is imparted to the floss portion and the tension can be easily adjusted.

本発明によれば、フロス部を歯間接触点に挿入する際に、歯の部位や歯間接触点の位置及び歯間接触点に当てる方向によらず、フロス部のたわみを容易に解消可能な歯間フロスを提供できる。 According to the present invention, when the floss part is inserted into the interdental contact point, the deflection of the floss part can be easily eliminated regardless of the position of the tooth part, the interdental contact point, and the direction of contact with the interdental contact point. Can provide the proper interdental floss.

本発明の実施形態の歯間フロスの斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the interdental floss of the embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施形態の歯間フロスの側面図である。It is a side view of the interdental floss of the embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施形態の歯間フロスの正面図である。It is a front view of the interdental floss of the embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施形態の歯間フロスの動作を説明するための図であって、（ａ）は歯間フロスの延出部が押圧される直前の状態を歯間フロスの正面方向から見た図であり、（ｂ）は歯間フロスの延出部が押圧されて一対のアーム部の先端部間が拡開した状態を歯間フロスの正面方向から見た図である。It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the interdental floss of embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the figure which looked at the state just before the extension part of interdental floss is pressed from the front direction of the interdental floss. (B) is the figure which looked at the state where the extension part of interdental floss was pressed and the end part of a pair of arm parts expanded from the front direction of interdental floss. 本発明の実施形態の歯間フロスを用いて隣接歯間を清掃する様子を示す図である。It is a figure which shows a mode that the adjacent interdental is cleaned using the interdental floss of embodiment of this invention.

以下、本発明を適用した実施形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１〜図３はそれぞれ、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０の斜視図、側面図、正面図である。図１に示すように、歯間フロス１０は、把持部１１と、把持部１１の先端１１ｘに連設された一対のアーム部１２と、一対のアーム部１２の先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間に張設されたフロス部１４と、アーム部１２の一対のアーム部１２の先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間を拡開させるための操作部２１と、を有している。 1 to 3 are a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of the interdental floss 10 of the present embodiment, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the interdental floss 10 is formed between a gripping part 11, a pair of arm parts 12 connected to the tip 11 x of the gripping part 11, and tip parts 13 A and 13 B of the pair of arm parts 12. It has a stretched floss portion 14 and an operation portion 21 for expanding the tip portions 13A and 13B of the pair of arm portions 12 of the arm portion 12.

把持部１１は、歯間フロス１０の使用者の指で把持できる形状であれば特に制限されず、例えば、断面視が円柱状、角柱状（三角柱状、四角柱状等）である部材が挙げられる。図１及び図２に示すように、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０の把持部１１は、Ｄ方向（一方向）に延びる長尺部材である。把持部１１の表面や端部１１ｙには、グリップ性を高めるための凸部２３や凹部（図示略）、天然ゴムや合成ゴム等の滑り止め部材（図示略）等が被覆されている。 The grip 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape that can be gripped by the user's finger of the interdental floss 10, and examples thereof include a member whose cross-sectional view is cylindrical or prismatic (triangular prism, quadrangular prism, etc.). . As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the holding part 11 of the interdental floss 10 of this embodiment is an elongate member extended in a D direction (one direction). The surface of the gripping part 11 and the end part 11y are covered with a convex part 23 and a concave part (not shown) for improving grip properties, a non-slip member (not shown) such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber, and the like.

図１に示すように、一対のアーム部１２は、把持部１１の延長軸線２０を通る仮想平面２２のＳ方向（一方の側）に屈曲して設けられており、その基端１２ｂが把持部１１の先端１１ｘに固定されている。アーム部１２は、対をなす一のアーム部１２Ａと二のアーム部１２Ｂから構成され、これら一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂはアーム部１２の基端１２ｂからＤ方向に前進しつつＳ方向に屈曲する棒状の部材である。 As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of arm portions 12 are provided to be bent in the S direction (one side) of a virtual plane 22 that passes through the extension axis 20 of the grip portion 11, and its base end 12 b is a grip portion. 11 is fixed to the tip 11x. The arm portion 12 is composed of a pair of one arm portion 12A and two arm portions 12B, and these one and two arm portions 12A and 12B advance from the base end 12b of the arm portion 12 in the D direction while moving in the S direction. It is a rod-shaped member that bends in a straight line.

把持部１１と一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの材質としては、例えばポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、ポリスチレン、ポリカーボネート、ＡＢＳ樹脂（アクリロニトリルとブタジエンとスチレンとの共重合合成樹脂）、ポリブチレンテレフタレート、ポリアセタールのうちの何れか一種の硬化樹脂が挙げられる。これらの硬化樹脂は、衛生的であり、金型を用いた射出成形に適している。 Examples of the material of the grip portion 11 and the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B include polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS resin (copolymer synthetic resin of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene), polybutylene terephthalate, and polyacetal. Any one kind of cured resin is mentioned. These cured resins are hygienic and are suitable for injection molding using a mold.

図１及び図３に示すように、フロス部１４は、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの各先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間に張設されており、操作部２１の延出部１５が押圧されていないときはたるんでいる。フロス部１４の材質は、清掃対象の隣接歯間の大きさ等を勘案して決定されるが、歯間接触点に挿入又は歯間接触点からの抜出の繰り返しに耐え得る材質であれば特に制限されない。機械強度と伸縮性に優れている点から、フロス部１４の材質には、例えば、６−１０ナイロン、６−１２ナイロン等のナイロン、又は、ポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ）、ポリプロピレンテレフタレート（ＰＰＴ）、ポリブチレンテレフタレート（ＰＢＴ）等のポリエステルが用いられることが好ましい。また、フロス部１４は、前記材質からなる単一のフィラメント糸からなるモノフィラメントであってもよく、前記材質のうち２種類からなるフィラメント糸を撚り合わせたマルチフィラメントであってもよい。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the floss portion 14 is stretched between the tip portions 13A and 13B of the one and two arm portions 12A and 12B, and the extension portion 15 of the operation portion 21 is pressed. When it is not, it is slack. The material of the floss part 14 is determined in consideration of the size between adjacent teeth to be cleaned, etc., as long as the material can withstand repeated insertion or extraction from the interdental contact point. There is no particular limitation. The material of the floss part 14 is, for example, nylon such as 6-10 nylon and 6-12 nylon, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), Polyester such as butylene terephthalate (PBT) is preferably used. Further, the floss portion 14 may be a monofilament made of a single filament yarn made of the above material, or may be a multifilament obtained by twisting together two types of filament yarns of the above materials.

図１に示すように、操作部２１は、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間を拡開させるために設けられたものである。具体的には、操作部２１には、延出部１５が設けられており、延出部１５が押圧されることにより、先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間が拡開する。延出部１５は、それぞれ一方の端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂが一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂに固定され、端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂから互いに伸びて形成された延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂにより構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, the operation part 21 is provided in order to expand between the front-end | tip parts 13A and 13B of the one and two arm parts 12A and 12B. Specifically, the operating portion 21 is provided with an extending portion 15, and when the extending portion 15 is pressed, the space between the distal end portions 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B is expanded. The extending portion 15 is configured by extending portions 15A and 15B formed such that one end portions 18A and 18B are fixed to one and two arm portions 12A and 12B, respectively, and extend from the end portions 18A and 18B. Yes.

操作部２１の延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂは、押圧されることにより一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間を拡開できれば、その配置は特に制限されない。図３に示すように、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０の延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂは、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂから互いに接近するＥ_Ａ，Ｅ_Ｂ方向へ延び、この延びる先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂの間に一定の間隔１６をおいて対向配置されている。間隔１６のＥ_Ａ又はＥ_Ｂ方向の距離は、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの材質の弾性等を勘案して設定されることが好ましい。 The arrangement of the extending portions 15A and 15B of the operation portion 21 is not particularly limited as long as the space between the distal end portions 13A and 13B of the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B can be expanded by being pressed. As shown in FIG. 3, the extending portions 15A, 15B of the interdental floss 10 of the present embodiment, _E A, extends the _{E B} direction, tip the extending approaching each other from the first and second arm portions 12A, 12B Opposed to each other with a constant interval 16 between 19A and 19B. _{E A} or _{E B} direction distance interval 16 is preferably set in consideration of the extended portion 15A, such as elasticity of the material of 15B.

延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂと一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂとの各接合位置、即ち一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂにおける端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂの位置は、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間を拡開させるために、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂを力点、先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂを作用点として、支点となり得る位置であれば特に限定されない。このような支点となり得る位置であって歯間接触点の清掃を円滑にする端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂの位置としては、図１に示すように一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂが仮想平面２２の一方の側Ｓに屈曲完了した位置付近が好適である。 The joint positions of the extending portions 15A and 15B and the one and two arm portions 12A and 12B, that is, the positions of the end portions 18A and 18B in the one and two arm portions 12A and 12B are the same as the first and second arm portions 12A and 12A. In order to expand the space between the tip portions 13A and 13B of the 12B, there is a particular limitation as long as it can serve as a fulcrum with the tip portions 19A and 19B of the extension portions 15A and 15B as the force points and the tip portions 13A and 13B as the action points. Not. As the positions of the end portions 18A and 18B that can serve as fulcrums and facilitate the cleaning of the interdental contact point, the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B are provided on the virtual plane 22 as shown in FIG. The vicinity of the position where the bending on one side S is completed is preferable.

延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの材質としては、把持部１１及び一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂと同様に上記の硬化樹脂が挙げられる。これらの硬化樹脂は前述のように衛生的であることに加えて、金型を用いた射出成形に適している。そのため、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂは把持部１１及び一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂと一体化して効率的に製造される。また、上記の硬化樹脂は、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂが押圧されたときに端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂで折れることなく、先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間を拡開可能とする適度な機械強度と弾性を有するため、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの材質に好適である。 As the material of the extending portions 15A and 15B, the above-mentioned cured resin can be used in the same manner as the grip portion 11 and the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B. In addition to being hygienic as described above, these cured resins are suitable for injection molding using a mold. Therefore, the extending portions 15A and 15B are efficiently manufactured by being integrated with the grip portion 11 and the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B. In addition, the cured resin has an appropriate mechanical strength and elasticity that allows the space between the end portions 13A and 13B to be expanded without breaking at the end portions 18A and 18B when the extending portions 15A and 15B are pressed. Since it has, it is suitable for the material of extension part 15A, 15B.

図１及び図３に示すように、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂ及びその周辺部２５Ａ，２５Ｂには、柔軟性を有する保護部１７が被覆されている。保護部１７には、フロス部１４を歯間接触点に挿入又は歯間接触点から抜出する際の口腔内の保護性、及び、フロス部１４の張力を調整する際の歯間フロス１０の使用者の指等の保護性を高める点から、ショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ７０である材質が用いられることが好ましく、ショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ５０である材質が用いられることがより好ましい。このような保護部１７の好適な材質としては、例えば熱可塑性エラストマーが挙げられる。該材質を用いることにより、保護部１７は、二次金型を用いた成形後の延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂとの連続射出成形により成形される。 As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3, the front-end | tip part 19A, 19B of extension part 15A, 15B and its peripheral part 25A, 25B are coat | covered with the protection part 17 which has a softness | flexibility. The protector 17 includes the protection of the oral cavity when the floss part 14 is inserted into or extracted from the interdental contact point, and the interdental floss 10 when adjusting the tension of the floss part 14. From the viewpoint of enhancing the protection of the user's finger or the like, a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A70 is preferably used, and a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A50 is more preferably used. As a suitable material of such a protection part 17, a thermoplastic elastomer is mentioned, for example. By using this material, the protection part 17 is molded by continuous injection molding with the extended parts 15A and 15B after molding using a secondary mold.

次いで、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０の使用方法について説明する。
先ず、図４（ａ）に示すように、指等で歯間フロス１０の保護部１７を押さえると共に他の指等で歯間フロス１０の把持部１１を保持した状態で、歯間フロス１０を口腔内の清掃対象の歯間接触点に向けて挿入する。なお、図４においては、把持部１１を保持している指と口腔内部及び歯間接触点の図示は省略している。 Then, the usage method of the interdental floss 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the interdental floss 10 is held in a state where the protective portion 17 of the interdental floss 10 is pressed with a finger or the like and the gripping portion 11 of the interdental floss 10 is held with another finger or the like. Insert toward the interdental contact point to be cleaned in the oral cavity. In addition, in FIG. 4, illustration of the finger | toe holding the holding | grip part 11, the oral cavity inside, and an interdental contact point is abbreviate | omitted.

歯間フロス１０を清掃対象の歯間接触点に近づけたところで、図４（ａ）に示すように、保護部１７をＧ方向（即ち、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間を拡開させる方向）に押圧する。これにより、図４（ｂ）に示すように、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂの間隔１６が拡大され、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂにおける端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂが支点となって、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂが弾性変形して、それぞれＨ_Ａ，Ｈ_Ｂ方向に押し広げられる。そして、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間が拡開されて、フロス部１４がＩ_Ａ，Ｉ_Ｂ方向に引っ張られてフロス部１４の張力が増大し、たわみが解消される。保護部１７のＧ方向での変形量によりフロス部１４の張力の加減がコントロールされるため、保護部１７のＧ方向への押圧量を変えることでフロス部１４の張力の加減が細かく調整される。 When the interdental floss 10 is brought close to the interdental contact point to be cleaned, as shown in FIG. 4A, the protective portion 17 is moved in the G direction (that is, the tip portions 13A, 12A, 12B of the first and second arm portions 12A, 12B). 13B) in the direction of expanding). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the interval 16 between the tip portions 19A and 19B of the extending portions 15A and 15B is enlarged, and the end portions 18A and 18B of the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B are used as fulcrums. Thus, the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B are elastically deformed and spread in the directions H _A and H _B , respectively. The first and second arm portions 12A, 12B of tip portion 13A, while the 13B is widened, the floss portion 14 _I A, is pulled _{I B} direction increases the tension of the floss portion 14, deflection It will be resolved. Since the amount of tension of the floss portion 14 is controlled by the amount of deformation of the protective portion 17 in the G direction, the amount of tension of the floss portion 14 is finely adjusted by changing the amount of pressing of the protective portion 17 in the G direction. .

次に、図５に示すように、歯間フロス１０のフロス部１４のたるみを解消した状態で、フロス部１４を口腔内の清掃対象の歯間接触点Ｔに挿入し、Ｊ方向に往復させる。このようなフロス部１４の往復により、歯間接触点Ｔが清掃される。清掃後はフロス部１４を歯間接触点Ｔから抜出して、歯間フロス１０を口腔内から出してもよく、連続的に別の歯間接触点を上記の歯間接触点Ｔの清掃と同様の操作により清掃してもよい。この間、Ｇ方向への保護部１７の押圧の力加減を変更して、フロス部１４の張力を自在に調節できる。Ｇ方向への保護部１７の押圧を弱めると、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂが弾性復帰して先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間が閉じられ、フロス部１４にたわみが生じる。 Next, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the slack of the floss portion 14 of the interdental floss 10 is eliminated, the floss portion 14 is inserted into the interdental contact point T to be cleaned in the oral cavity and reciprocated in the J direction. . The interdental contact point T is cleaned by such reciprocation of the floss portion 14. After cleaning, the floss part 14 may be extracted from the interdental contact point T, and the interdental floss 10 may be extracted from the oral cavity, and another interdental contact point is continuously cleaned as in the above interdental contact point T. You may clean by operation. In the meantime, the tension of the floss part 14 can be freely adjusted by changing the pressing force of the protection part 17 in the G direction. When the pressure of the protective portion 17 in the G direction is weakened, the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B are elastically restored to close the tip portions 13A and 13B, and the floss portion 14 is deflected.

上記説明したように、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０によれば、使用者により操作部２１の保護部１７を介して延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂが押圧されると、端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂを介して一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間が拡開され、フロス部１４の張力が高められてたわみが解消される。このとき、フロス部１４の張力を調整するための力点、支点、作用点がそれぞれ、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂ、端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂ、アーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂになり、力点、支点、作用点が近距離間に位置する。従って、操作部２１における保護部１７のＧ方向への押圧量でフロス部１４の張力が正確且つ容易に調整することができる。また、使用者は把持部１１を保持しながら延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂを押圧することができるため、歯の部位や歯間接触点Ｔの位置及び清掃対象の歯間接触点Ｔに対して歯間フロス１０を当てる方向が変化しても、歯間フロス１０の姿勢を安定させて、フロス部１４のたわみを解消し、張力を正確且つ容易に調整することができる。 As described above, according to the interdental floss 10 of the present embodiment, when the extension portions 15A and 15B are pressed via the protection portion 17 of the operation portion 21 by the user, the end portions 18A and 18B are interposed. Thus, the space between the tip portions 13A and 13B of the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B is expanded, and the tension of the floss portion 14 is increased to eliminate the deflection. At this time, the force point, the fulcrum, and the action point for adjusting the tension of the floss portion 14 are the tip portions 19A and 19B of the extension portions 15A and 15B, the end portions 18A and 18B, and the tip portions 13A of the arm portions 12A and 12B, respectively. , 13B, and the power point, fulcrum, and action point are located in a short distance. Therefore, the tension of the floss portion 14 can be accurately and easily adjusted by the amount of pressing of the protection portion 17 in the G direction in the operation portion 21. In addition, since the user can press the extension portions 15A and 15B while holding the grip portion 11, the tooth portion and the position of the interdental contact point T and the interdental contact point T to be cleaned Even if the direction in which the floss 10 is applied changes, the posture of the interdental floss 10 can be stabilized, the deflection of the floss portion 14 can be eliminated, and the tension can be adjusted accurately and easily.

また、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０によれば、把持部１１がＤ方向に延びる長尺部材とされているため、使用者が何れかの指で延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂを押圧する際に、他の指で把持部１１を握って安定させることができる。同時に、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂが図１に示す仮想平面２２のＳ方向に屈曲しているため、使用者が自然な指の配置で延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂを押圧すると共に把持部１１を支持して、フロス部１４の張力をより正確且つ容易に調整することができる。また、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂが一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂから互いに接近するＥ_Ａ，Ｅ_Ｂ方向へ延び、先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂの間に間隔１６をおいて対向配置されているため、力点と支点がより一層近づき、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの押圧を瞬時かつ大きな力としてフロス部１４の張力増大に作用させることができる。更に、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂの先端部１９Ａ，１９Ｂ及びその周辺部２５Ａ，２５Ｂに保護部１７が被覆されているため、フロス部１４を歯間接触点Ｔに挿入又は歯間接触点Ｔから抜出する際に、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂ及びその周辺部２５Ａ，２５Ｂで口腔内を痛めない。同時に、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂを押圧する歯間フロス１０の使用者の指も保護される。 Moreover, according to the interdental floss 10 of this embodiment, since the holding part 11 is made into the elongate member extended in a D direction, when a user presses extension part 15A, 15B with one of fingers. The gripping part 11 can be held and stabilized with other fingers. At the same time, since the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B are bent in the S direction of the imaginary plane 22 shown in FIG. 1, the user presses the extension portions 15A and 15B with natural finger placement and holds the grip portion. 11 can be supported, and the tension of the floss part 14 can be adjusted more accurately and easily. Further, the extension portions 15A and 15B extend from the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B in the directions E _A and E _B that are close to each other, and are opposed to each other with a space 16 between the tip portions 19A and 19B. Further, the force point and the fulcrum come closer to each other, and the pressing of the extending portions 15A and 15B can be applied to increase the tension of the floss portion 14 as an instantaneous and large force. Further, since the protective portions 17 are covered on the tip portions 19A and 19B and the peripheral portions 25A and 25B of the extending portions 15A and 15B, the floss portion 14 is inserted into the interdental contact point T or from the interdental contact point T. When extracting, the oral cavity is not damaged by the extension parts 15A and 15B and the peripheral parts 25A and 25B. At the same time, the user's finger of the interdental floss 10 that presses the extension portions 15A and 15B is also protected.

更に、本実施形態の歯間フロス１０によれば、保護部１７にはショア硬度がＡ１０〜Ａ７０、より好ましくはＡ１０〜Ａ５０である材質が用いられているため、フロス部１４を歯間接触点Ｔに挿入又は歯間接触点Ｔから抜出する際の口腔内の保護性及びフロス部１４の張力を調整する際の使用者の保護性を向上させることができる。また、把持部１１と一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂと操作部２１の延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂは、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、ポリスチレン、ポリカーボネート、ＡＢＳ樹脂、ポリブチレンテレフタレート、ポリアセタールからなる硬化樹脂群より選ばれた一種で構成されているため、金型を用いた射出成形等により成形できる。保護部１７は二次金型に挿入して、成形後の延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂに連続させて射出成形することができる。このような製造工程により、歯間フロス１０の生産性を向上することができる。また、フロス部１４の材質は清掃対象の歯間接触点Ｔの大きさ等を勘案して設定され、特に機械強度と伸縮性に優れたナイロン又はポリエステル等で構成されているため、フロス部１４に適度な耐老化性を付与すると共に、フロス部１４の張力を容易に調整することができる。 Furthermore, according to the interdental floss 10 of the present embodiment, the protective portion 17 is made of a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A70, more preferably A10 to A50. It is possible to improve the protection in the oral cavity when inserting into T or withdrawing from the interdental contact point T and the protection of the user when adjusting the tension of the floss portion 14. Further, the grip portion 11, the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B, and the extending portions 15A and 15B of the operation portion 21 are made of a cured resin group made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS resin, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyacetal. Since it is comprised by the selected 1 type | mold, it can shape | mold by injection molding etc. which used the metal mold | die. The protection part 17 can be inserted into a secondary mold and injection molded by being continued to the extended parts 15A and 15B after molding. With such a manufacturing process, the productivity of the interdental floss 10 can be improved. The material of the floss part 14 is set in consideration of the size of the interdental contact point T to be cleaned, and is made of nylon or polyester that is particularly excellent in mechanical strength and stretchability. It is possible to easily adjust the tension of the floss portion 14 while imparting appropriate aging resistance to the floss portion 14.

以上、本発明を適用した実施形態について説明したが、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で、上記の実施形態における構成要素を周知の構成要素に置き換えることは適宜可能である。例えば、延出部１５Ａ，１５Ｂが連結した一つの延出部１５とされていてもよく、延出部１５が仮想平面２２と平行な板面を有する板状部材からなり、押圧される部分が端部１８Ａ，１８Ｂに対して、一及び二のアーム部１２Ａ，１２Ｂの先端部１３Ａ，１３Ｂとは反対側に湾曲するように突出して設けられていてもよい。 The embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above. However, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above embodiment with known components without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the extending portions 15 </ b> A and 15 </ b> B may be formed as one extending portion 15, and the extending portion 15 is made of a plate-like member having a plate surface parallel to the virtual plane 22, and the pressed portion is The end portions 18A and 18B may be provided so as to bend toward the opposite side to the tip portions 13A and 13B of the first and second arm portions 12A and 12B.

１０…歯間フロス、１１…把持部、１１ｘ…先端、１２Ａ…一のアーム部（一対のアーム部），１２Ｂ…二のアーム部（一対のアーム部）、１３Ａ，１３Ｂ，１９Ａ，１９Ｂ…先端部、１４…フロス部、１５…延出部、１６…間隔、１７…保護部、１８Ａ，１８Ｂ…端部、２０…延長軸線、２１…操作部、２２…仮想平面、２５Ａ，２５Ｂ…周辺部、Ｄ…方向（一方向）、Ｓ…方向（一方の側） DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Interdental floss, 11 ... Holding part, 11x ... Tip, 12A ... One arm part (a pair of arm part), 12B ... Two arm part (a pair of arm part), 13A, 13B, 19A, 19B ... Tip Part 14, Floss part 15 Extensible part 16 Interval 17 Protective part 18 A, 18 B End part 20 Extension axis 21 Operation part 22 Virtual plane 25 A, 25 B Peripheral part , D ... direction (one direction), S ... direction (one side)

Claims

A gripping part, a pair of arm parts connected to the tip of the gripping part, and a floss part stretched between the tip parts of the pair of arm parts,
Each of the pair of arm portions is provided with an operation portion that has an end portion fixed to the arm portion and presses an extending portion extending from each end portion to expand the tip portion. Features interdental floss.

The grip portion is a long member extending in one direction,
2. The interdental floss according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of arm portions is bent and provided on one side of an imaginary plane passing through an extension axis of the gripping portion.

3. The interdental system according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion extends in a direction approaching each other from the pair of arm portions, and is disposed to be opposed to each other with a predetermined interval between the extending tip portions. Floss.

The interdental floss according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a protection part is coated on the extension part and its peripheral part.

The interdental floss according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective portion is made of a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A70.

The interdental floss according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective part is made of a material having a Shore hardness of A10 to A50.

The grip part, the arm part, and the extension part are one kind selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS resin (copolymer synthetic resin of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), polybutylene terephthalate, and polyacetal. The interdental floss as described in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.

The said floss part is comprised by the 1 type chosen from the group which consists of 6-10 nylon, the group which consists of 6-12 nylon, or a polyethylene terephthalate, a polypropylene terephthalate, and a polybutylene terephthalate. The interdental floss according to any one of 7.