JP2019010455A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush in which direction of the brush can be recognized by a simple method and in which a hold can be easily modified.SOLUTION: The toothbrush 1 includes a toothbrush body 10 which is composed of: a grip part 30 that contains an end part 30D; a neck part 70 that connects to the grip part 30; and a head part 80 that connects to the neck part 70. The grip part 30 includes a first portion 31 which is a portion of the neck part 70 side in the grip part 30 and a second portion 32 which is a portion of the end part 30D side in the grip part 30. The side face 30C of the first portion 31 is constituted to generate the feel that is different from the feel generated when a hand touches the neck part 70. The side face 30C of the second portion 32 is constituted to generate the feel that is different from the feel generated when a hand touches the first portion 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

  A toothbrush is used as one of plaque control in hygiene management in the oral cavity. In a well-known toothbrush, the brush is composed of a large number of filament bundles planted in a resin toothbrush body. When the brush is rubbed against the teeth during brushing, plaque and the like adhering to the teeth are removed. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional toothbrush.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-407

  The effect of brushing with a toothbrush is affected by how the toothbrush is gripped during brushing. The proper method of gripping the toothbrush varies depending on the position of the tooth to which the brush is applied and the location of the tooth. In order to increase the effect of brushing, it is possible that the user brushes while checking how the brush touches the tooth surface using a mirror etc., but considering the aspect that brushing is carried out as part of daily life It is preferable that the direction of the brush can be recognized by a simple method and the holding method can be easily corrected.

(1) A toothbrush according to the present invention includes a toothbrush body including a grip part including an end part, a neck part connected to the grip part, and a head part connected to the neck part, and the grip part is included in the grip part. A first portion that is a portion on the neck portion side and a second portion that is a portion on the end portion side of the grip portion, and the side of the first portion touches the neck portion by a hand. A tactile sensation different from the tactile sensation that occurs in some cases is generated, and the side surface of the second portion is configured to generate a tactile sensation different from that generated when a hand touches the first portion.
The first portion and the second portion of the grip portion give different tactile sensations to the hand holding the grip portion. For this reason, when the user grips the grip part with his / her hand, he / she can recognize from the tactile sensation which part of the hand of the hand is touching, and recognize the direction of the brush, thereby brushing the position of each finger. Can be easily adjusted to a suitable position.

(2) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to (1), one of the side surface of the first portion and the side surface of the second portion is constituted by a covering member provided on the toothbrush body, and the side surface of the first portion. The other of the side surfaces of the second part is constituted by a surface processing portion provided in the toothbrush body.
In the above-mentioned toothbrush, the characteristics to be given to the side surface of the first portion can be arbitrarily selected by selecting the material of the covering member. In a gripping method suitable for a general brushing method, a thumb is applied to the first portion. When the covering member is made of a soft resin, a high grip property is ensured even when the side surface of the first portion is wet, so that the position of the toothbrush with respect to the hand is difficult to shift during brushing.

(3) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to (2), the surface-processed portion includes a portion subjected to unevenness processing so that an uneven feel is produced when touched by a hand.
For this reason, it is easy for the user to recognize the difference between the tactile sensation provided by the side surface of the first part and the tactile sensation provided by the side surface of the second part.

(4) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to (3), the surface processed portion includes a portion subjected to a textured process.
For this reason, a soft tactile sensation can be given to the user's hand.

(5) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to (3) or (4), the side surface of the first portion is configured by the covering member, and the side surface of the second portion includes the surface processed portion.
For this reason, it is easier for the user to recognize the difference between the tactile sensation provided by the side surface of the first part and the tactile sensation provided by the side surface of the second part.

(6) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (5), a tactile sensation different from a case where a hand touches the side surface of the first part and the side surface of the second part is generated. And further comprising a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body.
For this reason, the user can recognize the boundary between the first part and the second part by the tactile sensation provided from the third part.

(7) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (6), the side surface of the first portion is a pen grip or palm so that the index finger of the hand contacts the side surface of the first portion. A tactile sensation that occurs on the index finger of the hand when the toothbrush is held by a grip is different from a tactile sensation that occurs when the index finger of the hand touches the neck portion.
For this reason, even when the holding method is frequently changed according to the part to be brushed, the user holds the grip portion with an appropriate pen grip or palm grip using the tactile sensation provided from the first portion. Can do.

(8) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (7), the side surface of the second portion is positioned so that the index finger contacts the side surface of the second portion. The tactile sensation that occurs on the index finger of the hand when pen grip or palm grip is applied is different from the tactile sensation that occurs when the index finger of the hand touches the neck portion.
For this reason, the user can hold the toothbrush with an appropriate pen grip or palm grip without visually recognizing using the tactile sensation provided from the second portion.

(9) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (8), the maximum thickness of the grip portion in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion is the grip portion in the cross section. In the range of 50% to 95% of the maximum width.
It has been confirmed that when the relationship between the maximum thickness and the maximum width of the grip portion is set as described above, the grip portion can be easily gripped.

(10) In a preferred example, in the toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (9), the first part and the second part have a shape of the grip part in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the grip part. Includes a portion having an oval shape or a shape similar to the oval shape.
For this reason, a curved surface is included in the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion, and the grip portion is easily gripped.

  According to the toothbrush of the present invention, the direction of the brush can be recognized by a simple method, and the holding method can be easily corrected.

The perspective view of the front side of the toothbrush of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the back side of the toothbrush of FIG. The left view of the toothbrush of FIG. The front view of the toothbrush of FIG. The rear view of the toothbrush of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the D6-D6 line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the D7-D7 line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the D8-D8 line | wire of FIG. The front view when the toothbrush of FIG. 1 is palm-gripped. The front view which shows the state in which the 1st part was grasped by the pen grip. The front view which shows the state in which the 2nd part was grasped by the pen grip. The perspective view of the front side of the toothbrush of 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view of the back side of the toothbrush of FIG. The left view of the toothbrush of FIG. The front view of the toothbrush of FIG. The rear view of the toothbrush of FIG. The bottom view of the toothbrush of FIG. The top view of the toothbrush of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the D19-D19 line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the D20-D20 line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the D21-D21 line | wire of FIG. The table | surface which shows the test conditions of an Example and a comparative example. The table | surface which shows the test result of an Example and a comparative example. The perspective view of the front side of the toothbrush of a 1st modification. The perspective view of the front side of the toothbrush of a 2nd modification. The perspective view of the front side of the toothbrush of a 3rd modification. The perspective view of the front side of the toothbrush of a 4th modification.

(First embodiment)
The toothbrush 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example of a toothbrush configured to allow a user to brush with an appropriate grip. The main elements constituting the toothbrush 1 are a toothbrush body 10 and a large number of filament bundles 100. A large number of filament bundles 100 constitute a brush. The toothbrush body 10 can take a first form in which a main part is made of a single material and a second form in which a main part is made of a plurality of materials. In the following description, the material constituting the main part of the toothbrush body 10 is referred to as a basic material. In an example of the second form, a main part of the toothbrush body 10 is constituted by a part constituted by the base material and a part covering the surface of the part.

  The basic material which comprises the toothbrush main body 10 can be selected arbitrarily. In a preferred example, the toothbrush body 10 is made of a lightweight base material. An example of the base material is a thermoplastic synthetic resin. Examples of thermoplastic synthetic resins are polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, styrene / acrylonitrile resin, acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin, cellulose propionate, polyamide, polymethyl methacrylate, and Polyarylate. The material constituting the base material can be transparent, translucent, or colored.

  The overall shape of the toothbrush body 10 is an elongated rod-like shape suitable for being grasped by hand. In the following description, a direction parallel to the filament bundle 100 in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 in the front view of the toothbrush 1 is referred to as a thickness direction of the toothbrush 1 and a cross section orthogonal to the thickness direction. The upper direction is referred to as the width direction. Moreover, the cross section of each part of the toothbrush 1 shown below is a cross section along the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1.

  The toothbrush body 10 is divided into a grip part 30, a neck part 70, and a head part 80. The grip part 30, the neck part 70, and the head part 80 constitute main parts of the toothbrush body 10. The grip part 30 is a part for gripping with a hand at the time of brushing. The neck part 70 is a thin part formed between the head part 80 and the grip part 30. An example of the cross-sectional shape of the neck portion 70 is a flat shape, a columnar shape, or a polygonal column shape. A filament bundle 100 composed of a plurality of filaments 100A is planted in the head portion 80 for brushing teeth. The filament 100A has a material and shape suitable for removing plaque and the like from the teeth. An example of a material constituting each filament 100A is a polyamide resin such as nylon and aramid (polyamide 610, polyamide 612, polyamide 6, polyamide 66), polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, or other polyester resin, In addition, it is a polyolefin resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The shape of the hair end of each filament 100A can be arbitrarily selected. One example is flat, round, tapered, ultrafine tip processing, spherical tip processing, or tip branch processing. Examples of the shape of the brush constituted by the filament bundle 100 are a straight line, a mountain fold type, a concave type, a convex type, an inclined type, and a one-tuft type.

  The toothbrush body 10 is provided with a first tactile sensation imparting unit 50 and a second tactile sensation imparting unit 60. Each tactile sensation imparting unit 50, 60 is configured to be able to impart different tactile sensations to the hand 200 (see FIG. 9 and the like). The configuration of each tactile sensation imparting unit 50, 60 can be arbitrarily selected. The following 1st form-5th form are mentioned as an example of the form which each touch provision part 50 and 60 can take. The first form is a covering member that covers a part of the material portion 20 of the toothbrush body 10. A 2nd form is the surface processing part formed in the surface of the raw material part 20 of the toothbrush main body 10. FIG. The third form is a protrusion provided on the surface of the toothbrush body 10. The fourth form is a recess provided on the surface of the toothbrush body 10. The fifth form is a combination of the protrusions of the third form and the recesses of the fourth form. The surface of the toothbrush body 10 in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment includes the surface of the material portion 20 and other portions. An example of the other part is a covering member. In a preferred example, the material constituting the covering member and the protrusion is different from the basic material of the toothbrush body 10.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the first tactile sensation imparting portion 50 is a covering member 51 provided on the toothbrush main body 10, and the second tactile sensation imparting portion 60 is formed on a part of the surface of the material portion 20 of the toothbrush main body 10. It is the surface processing part 61 made. The material portion 20 of the toothbrush body 10 is a portion where the basic material appears on the surface. The material part 20 of the toothbrush body 10 is a resin molded product manufactured by, for example, injection molding. A two-dot chain line PL shown in FIG. 1 and the like is a mold parting line used for injection molding.

  The material constituting the covering member 51 can be arbitrarily selected. In one example, the covering member 51 is made of a soft resin material that gives a soft touch to the hand. One example is elastomer 91. Examples of the elastomer 91 are polystyrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, 1,2-polybutadiene-based thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate-based Thermoplastic elastomers, polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic elastomers, natural elastomer thermoplastic elastomers, fluoroelastomer thermoplastic elastomers, trans-polyisoprene thermoplastic elastomers, and chlorinated polyethylene thermoplastic elastomers. Possible forms of the covering member 51 include a thick layer such as the illustrated elastomer and a thin film that coats the surface of the toothbrush body 10.

  The grip portion 30 is constituted by a part of the material portion 20 of the toothbrush body 10 and a covering member 51. The surface of the grip portion 30 can be divided into a front surface 30A, a back surface 30B, and each side surface 30C according to the viewpoint with respect to the toothbrush 1. The front surface 30A is the surface of the grip portion 30 that appears in the front view of the toothbrush 1 (see FIG. 4). The back surface 30 </ b> B is the surface of the grip portion 30 that appears in the back view of the toothbrush 1 (see FIG. 5). Each side surface 30 </ b> C is a surface of the grip portion 30 that appears in each side view of the toothbrush 1 (see FIG. 3). Note that the front surface 30 </ b> A and each side surface 30 </ b> C may include a portion that partially overlaps due to the shape of the grip portion 30. The same applies to the back surface 30B and the side surfaces 30C. In the toothbrush 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like, the front surface 30A and the side surfaces 30C, and the back surface 30B and the side surfaces 30C each include a portion that partially overlaps.

  In one example, the grip portion 30 can be divided into a first portion 31, a second portion 32, and a third portion 33. The first portion 31 is a portion of the grip portion 30 on the neck portion 70 side. The second portion 32 is a portion including the end portion 30 </ b> D of the grip portion 30 in the grip portion 30. The third portion 33 is a portion between the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1. The section of each part 31 to 33 is related to how the toothbrush 1 is gripped. The main gripping methods related to the section are palm grip and pen grip.

  The palm grip is suitable for brushing the filament bundle 100 firmly against teeth. As shown in FIG. 9, in the palm grip, the grip portion 30 is held by the hand 200 with the belly of the thumb 210 applied to the front surface 30 </ b> A of the grip portion 30 and the belly of the index finger 220 applied to the back surface 30 </ b> B of the grip portion 30. Retained. The pen grip is suitable for brushing by moving the head unit 80 finely. The types of pen grips can be classified into a first pen grip and a second pen grip according to the tooth to be brushed. The first pen grip is mainly suitable for brushing the front teeth. The second pen grip is mainly suitable for molar brushing. As shown in FIG. 10, in the first pen grip, the belly of the thumb 210 is applied to the front surface 30A of the portion of the grip portion 30 on the neck portion 70 side, and the belly of the index finger 220 and the side of the middle finger 230 are each of the same portion. The grip portion 30 is held by the hand 200 in a state of being applied to each of the side surfaces 30C. As shown in FIG. 11, in the second pen grip, the belly of the thumb 210 is applied to the front surface 30A of the end portion 30D side of the grip portion 30, and the belly of the index finger 220 and the side portion of the middle finger 230 are each of the same portion. The grip portion 30 is held by the hand 200 in a state of being applied to each of the side surfaces 30C.

  The first portion 31 shown in FIG. 1 is a portion to which the belly of the thumb 210 and the belly of the index finger 220 are applied when the toothbrush 1 is held by the palm grip (see FIG. 9), and the toothbrush 1 is the first pen grip. When held (see FIG. 10), the belly of the thumb 210, the belly of the index finger 220, and the side part of the middle finger 230 are the parts to be applied. The second portion 32 is a portion to which the belly of the thumb 210, the belly of the index finger 220, and the side of the middle finger 230 are applied when the toothbrush 1 is held by the second pen grip (see FIG. 11). The second portion 32 is also a portion to which the belly of the middle finger 230, the belly of the ring finger 240, and the belly of the little finger 250 are applied when the toothbrush 1 is held by the palm grip (see FIG. 9).

  The covering member 51 which is the first tactile sensation imparting part 50 has not only a role for giving a tactile sensation different from the surface processed part 61 which is the second tactile sensation imparting part 60 but also a role as an anti-slip. Although the formation range of the covering member 51 in the grip part 30 can be selected arbitrarily, in a preferred example, the formation range of the covering member 51 is selected from the relationship with each of the above roles. In one example, the covering member 51 is provided on the front surface 30A, the back surface 30B, and each side surface 30C of the first portion 31. Specifically, the neck portion 70 side portion of the front surface 30A of the first portion 31, the neck portion 70 side portion of the back surface 30B of the first portion 31, and the substantially entire side surfaces 30C of the first portion 31 respectively. A covering member 51 is provided.

  A plurality of protrusions 44 are provided on the first portion 31. Each protrusion 44 is provided to prevent the position of the toothbrush 1 relative to the hand 200 when the toothbrush 1 is held by the palm 200 with the hand 200. The positions at which the plurality of protrusions 44 are provided in the first portion 31 are arbitrary. In the first example shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the plurality of protrusions 44 are provided so as to protrude from the front surface 30A. The protrusions 44 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1. In one example, the shape of the protrusion 44 is long in the width direction of the toothbrush 1. Each protrusion 44 is divided into a first protrusion 44A and a second protrusion 44B. The first protrusion 44 </ b> A is covered with the covering member 51. The second protrusion 44 </ b> B is not covered with the covering member 51. In the second example, the plurality of protrusions 44 are provided so as to protrude from the back surface 30B. In the third example, the plurality of protrusions 44 are provided so as to protrude from the front surface 30A and the back surface 30B. When at least one protrusion 44 is provided on the front surface 30A of the first portion 31 and no protrusion 44 is provided on the back surface 30B of the first portion 31, the orientation of the filament bundle 100 can be recognized more strongly from the tactile sensation.

  The length of the protrusion 44 is preferably determined in consideration of the tactile sensation given to the thumb 210 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) applied to the protrusion 44. The method of defining the length of the protrusion 44 can be arbitrarily selected. In one example, the length of the protrusion 44 is a dimension between one tip and the other tip of the protrusion 44 in the width direction of the toothbrush 1. In a more preferred example, the length of each protrusion 44 is set individually or for each group. As shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the length WA of the first protrusion 44A is longer than the length WB of the second protrusion 44B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first portion 31 is provided with a constricted portion 35 constricted in the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1. The constricted portion 35 is provided on the second portion 32 side with respect to the portion where the covering member 51 is provided on the front surface 30A and the back surface 30B of the first portion 31. The constricted portion 35 includes at least one of a front-side concave portion 35 </ b> A formed on the front surface 30 </ b> A of the first portion 31 and a back-side concave portion 35 </ b> B formed on the back surface 30 </ b> B of the first portion 31. In a preferred example, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the constricted portion 35 includes a concave portion 35A on the front side and a concave portion 35B on the back side. The position of the recess 35A on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 is different from the position of the recess 35B on the back side. The second protrusion 44B is formed on the front surface 30A of the front-side recess 35A. When the toothbrush 1 is held by a palm grip or a pen grip, the belly of the thumb 210 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is applied to the front concave portion 35A, and the side of the index finger 220 is applied to the rear concave portion 35B. . In a preferred example, the recess 35 </ b> A on the front side has a shape that is gently recessed along the belly of the thumb 210. The recess 35B on the back side has a shape that is gently recessed along the side of the index finger 220.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 31 is provided with a constricted portion 36 constricted in the width direction of the toothbrush 1. The constricted portion 36 is provided on the second portion 32 side with respect to the portion where the covering member 51 is provided on each side surface 30 </ b> C of the first portion 31. The constricted portion 36 includes at least one of one concave portion 36A formed on one side surface 30C and the other concave portion 36B formed on the other side surface 30C. In a preferred example, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the constricted portion 36 includes one concave portion 36A and the other concave portion 36B. The position of one recess 36A and the position of the other recess 36B in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 are equal. When the toothbrush 1 is held by the first pen grip, the belly of the index finger 220 (see FIG. 10) is applied to the one recess 36A, and the side portion of the middle finger 230 is applied to the other recess 36B. In a preferred example, one of the recesses 36 </ b> A has a shape that is gently recessed along the belly of the index finger 220. The other recess 36 </ b> B has a shape that is gently recessed along the side of the middle finger 230. A constricted portion similar to or similar to the constricted portion 35 and a constricted portion similar to or similar to the constricted portion 36 may be formed in the second portion 32.

  Each side surface 30C of the second portion 32 is provided with a second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 configured to be able to give a tactile sensation different from the tactile sensation given to each hand 30C of the first portion 31. . The configuration of the second tactile sensation providing unit 60 can be arbitrarily selected. As described above, the second tactile sensation imparting portion 60 is the surface processing portion 61 formed on the surface of the material portion 20 of the toothbrush body 10. One example is a large number of irregularities formed by irregular processing. An example of the uneven processing is texture processing.

  The roughness of the concavo-convex portion formed by the concavo-convex processing (hereinafter referred to as “concave / convex roughness”) is preferably determined in consideration of the tactile sensation given to the hand 200. In an example of the method for measuring the unevenness, the unevenness is measured by observing the cross section of the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 with a microscope. The method of defining the uneven roughness can be arbitrarily selected. In one example, a large numerical value among the absolute value of the depth of the deepest concave portion and the absolute value of the height of the highest convex portion in many concave portions and convex portions formed on the side surface 30C of the second portion 32 by the uneven processing. Can be defined as uneven roughness. A preferable example of the maximum roughness is 60 μm. A more preferable example of the maximum roughness is 50 μm. When the roughness is 60 μm or less, the hand 200 is given a soft touch. When the roughness is 50 μm or less, the hand 200 is given a softer touch. A preferable example of the minimum roughness is 10 μm. A more preferable example of the minimum roughness value is 20 μm. When the roughness of the unevenness is 10 μm or more, it is possible to recognize that the hand 200 has an uneven tactile sensation even if the user does not pay special attention when the hand 200 touches the unevenness of the side surface 30C of the second portion 32. When the unevenness roughness is 20 μm or more, when the hand 200 touches the unevenness of the side surface 30 </ b> C of the second portion 32, the user can more strongly recognize that the hand 200 has an uneven feel.

  It is preferable that a predetermined region centered on the parting line formed in the second portion 32 is provided with a blasted portion (not shown) that is a portion where each side surface 30C of the second portion 32 is formed smoothly. . The dimension of the blasted portion in the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1 (hereinafter referred to as “dimension of the blasted portion”) occurs when the mold comes off during injection molding and the user touches each side surface 30C of the second portion 32. It is preferably determined based on the relationship with the tactile sensation. A preferable example of the maximum dimension of the blasted portion is 2.5 mm. A more preferable example of the maximum value of the dimension of the blasted portion is 2.0 mm. When the size of the blasted portion is 2.5 mm or less, it is easy to recognize that the user touches each side surface 30C of the second portion 32 when the user touches each side surface 30C of the second portion 32. When the dimension of the blasted portion is 2.0 mm or less, when the user touches each side surface 30C of the second portion 32, it is easy to strongly recognize that the user touches each side surface 30C of the second portion 32. A preferable example of the minimum value of the size of the blasted portion is 1.0 mm. A more preferable example of the minimum value of the dimension of the blasted portion is 1.2 mm. When the dimension of the blasted portion is 1.0 mm or more, the mold can be easily released during injection molding. When the dimension of the blasted portion is 1.2 mm or more, the mold can be easily released during injection molding.

  The position of the head part 80 with respect to the grip part 30 in the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1 is arbitrary. In the first example shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the head unit 80 is provided such that the central axis C2 of the head unit 80 is lower than the central axis C1 of the grip unit 30. In the second example, the head unit 80 is provided such that the central axis C2 of the head unit 80 is above the central axis C1 of the grip unit 30. In the third example, the head unit 80 is provided so that the central axis C2 of the head unit 80 and the central axis C1 of the grip unit 30 coincide with each other in the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1. In the first and second examples, it is preferable that the central axis C1 and the central axis C2 are parallel.

  It is preferable that the maximum interval HX (see FIG. 4) of the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 in the width direction of the toothbrush 1 is determined based on ease of recognition of the front surface 30A in the second portion 32 by the user. A preferable example of the maximum value of the distance HX is 10 mm. A more preferable example of the maximum value of the distance HX is 7.5 mm. When the interval HX is 10 mm or less, it is easy to recognize that the user is touching the front surface 30 </ b> A of the second portion 32. When the distance HX is 7.5 mm or less, it is easy to strongly recognize that the user is touching the front surface 30 </ b> A of the second portion 32. A preferable example of the minimum value of the distance HX is 2.5 mm. A more preferable example of the minimum value of the distance HX is 5.0 mm. When the interval HX is 2.5 mm or more, it is easy to recognize that the user is touching the front surface 30 </ b> A of the second portion 32. When the distance HX is 5.0 mm or more, it is easy to strongly recognize that the user is touching the front surface 30 </ b> A of the second portion 32. An example of a preferable range for the distance HX is 2.5 mm to 10 mm. An example of a more preferable range regarding the distance HX is 5.0 mm to 7.5 mm. An example of a preferable distance HX is 6.0 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the width HB of the second portion 32 is substantially constant. The thickness of the thickest part of the second part 32 is larger than the thickness of the thickest part of the first part 31. The method of defining the width HB of the second portion 32 can be arbitrarily selected. In one example, the width HB of the second portion 32 is the width HB of the thickest portion of the second portion 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness TB of the second portion 32 becomes thicker from the end portion 30 </ b> D toward the first portion 31. The method of defining the thickness TB of the second portion 32 can be arbitrarily selected. In one example, the thickness TB of the second portion 32 is the thickest portion of the second portion 32. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the second portion 32 closest to the third portion 33 is the thickest.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in one example, the cross-sectional shape of the second portion 32 is an oval shape or a shape similar to an oval shape. This shape is set with the intention of fitting the toothbrush 1 with the palm-gripped hand 200. In a preferred example, the ratio of the maximum width HB of the second portion 32 to the maximum thickness TB of the second portion 32 is included in the range of 50% to 95%.

  The side surface 30 </ b> C of the third portion 33 is configured to give a tactile sensation different from the side surface 30 </ b> C of the first portion 31 and the side surface 30 </ b> C of the second portion 32. For this reason, the user can accurately recognize the boundary between the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 by the tactile sensation provided from the side surface 30 </ b> C of the third portion 33. The configuration of the side surface 30C of the third portion 33 can be arbitrarily selected. In the first example, the side surface 30 </ b> C of the third portion 33 is a smooth surface formed on the foundation grip portion 30. In the second example, the side surface 30 </ b> C of the third portion 33 is the surface of a covering member (not shown) provided on the surface of the basic grip portion 30. The material constituting the covering member is a material different from the material constituting the first tactile sensation imparting portion 50 and the material constituting the basic grip portion 30. The formation range of the side surface 30C of the third portion 33 can be arbitrarily selected. In the first example, the side surface 30 </ b> C of the third portion 33 is formed on one or both of the side surfaces 30 </ b> C of the grip portion 30. In the second example, the side surface 30 </ b> C of the third portion 33 is formed on one or both of the side surfaces 30 </ b> C of the grip portion 30.

  According to the toothbrush 1, the following operations and effects can be obtained. The first portion 31 and the second portion 32 of the grip portion 30 give different tactile sensations to the hand 200 that holds the toothbrush 1. Therefore, when the user grasps the toothbrush with the hand 200, the user recognizes from the tactile sensation which part of the hand 200 is in contact with the grip part 30, and recognizes the orientation of the filament bundle 100, thereby The filament bundle 100 can be accurately applied to.

(Second embodiment)
The toothbrush 1 of 2nd Embodiment shown by FIGS. 12-21 differs from the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment in the point demonstrated below, and is substantially the same as the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment in another point. It has a configuration. In addition, since the right side view of the toothbrush 1 of 2nd Embodiment appears symmetrically with the left side view of the toothbrush 1 shown by FIG. 14, illustration is abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, in each figure, the part which gave the thin ink is a part in which the 2nd tactile sense provision part 60 was provided in the toothbrush main body 10, ie, the part in which the embossing process was performed in the toothbrush main body 10. Moreover, the toothbrush 1 of 2nd Embodiment can take arbitrary forms the neck part 70, the head part 80, and the filament bundle 100 similarly to the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment. 12 to 16, 18, and 21, in order to emphasize the configuration of the grip portion 30, which is a main change from the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment, the head portion 80 and the filament bundle 100 are arranged. It is indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, in the toothbrush 1 of the second embodiment, the covering member 51 is provided on the back surface 30 </ b> B of the first portion 31 and each side surface 30 </ b> C, and the front surface 30 </ b> A of the first portion 31. Is not provided. Specifically, the covering member 51 is provided on substantially the entire portion of the back surface 30 </ b> B of the first portion 31 on the neck portion 70 side and each side surface 30 </ b> C of the first portion 31.

  A plurality of protrusions 45 protruding from the front surface 30A are provided on the front surface 30A of the first portion 31. Each protrusion 45 is provided in order to prevent the position of the toothbrush 1 with respect to the hand 200 when the toothbrush 1 is gripped by the hand 200 by the palm grip. The protrusions 45 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1. The dimension of each protrusion 45 in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 is arbitrary. In the first example, the dimensions of the protrusions 45 in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 are equal to each other. In the second example, at least one dimension of the plurality of protrusions 45 is different from the dimension of the other protrusions 45 in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1. The dimension of each protrusion 45 in the width direction of the toothbrush 1 is arbitrary. In the first example, the dimensions of the protrusions 45 in the width direction of the toothbrush 1 are equal to each other. In the second example, at least one dimension of the plurality of protrusions 45 is different from the dimensions of the other protrusions 45 in the width direction of the toothbrush 1.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the first portion 31 is provided with a constricted portion 37 constricted in the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1. The constricted portion 37 is a portion where the back surface 30B of the first portion 31 is recessed toward the front surface 30A. The cross-sectional shape of the first portion 31 along the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1 (see FIG. 19) and the cross-sectional shape of the second portion 32 along the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1 (see FIG. 20) are similar to hexagons. It is.

(Example)
The inventor of the present application uses the samples of Examples and Comparative Examples to recognize the configuration of the first tactile sensation imparting unit 50 and the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60, the interval HX, the roughness of the irregularities, and the orientation of the filament bundle 100. The test which confirms the relationship with the strength of the tactile sensation which the 2 tactile sense provision part 60 gives to a user's hand was done. FIG. 22 shows the test conditions of the comparative example and the example regarding the test. FIG. 23 shows the results of the test. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the sample of the example in the sample of the comparative example. The sample of an Example is the toothbrush 1 regarding embodiment. The sample of a comparative example is the toothbrush 1 provided with the structure different from the toothbrush 1 of an Example. The toothbrush 1 of each comparative example is different from the toothbrush 1 of the example in that at least one of the first tactile sensation imparting unit 50 and the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 is a smooth surface, and is the same as the toothbrush 1 of the example in other points. It has a configuration.

  The specifications regarding the sample of each example and each comparative example are as follows. The length of the toothbrush 1 is 180 mm. The maximum width of the toothbrush 1 is 11.2 mm. The maximum thickness of the toothbrush 1 is 13 mm. The material constituting the toothbrush body 10 is polyethylene terephthalate.

  Whether the subject can recognize the orientation of the filament bundle 100 with respect to a specific tooth when the subject is brushing a specific tooth using the samples of the example and the comparative example for evaluation of the recognizability of the orientation of the filament bundle 100 I asked whether or not. The evaluation of the recognizability of the orientation of the filament bundle 100 includes an evaluation item A and an evaluation item B. Evaluation item A is a case where the specific tooth is the front tooth of the subject, and evaluation item B is a case where the specific tooth is the molar tooth of the subject.

  In the evaluation item A, the subject brushed the front teeth while holding the toothbrush 1 in the first pen grip. In the evaluation item B, the subject brushed the molar teeth while holding the toothbrush 1 in the second pen grip. In each of the evaluation items A and B, after the brushing of the specific tooth, the subject was asked whether the orientation of the filament bundle 100 could be recognized during the brushing. There are three answer items to the question presented to the test subject: “substantially recognized”, “appreciably recognized”, and “almost unrecognizable”. When the test subject replied that they were generally recognizable, it was evaluated that the recognizability of the orientation of the filament bundle 100 was good. When the subject replied that they could hardly be recognized, it was evaluated that the recognizability of the orientation of the filament bundle 100 was not good. When the test subject replied that he was able to recognize it first, it was evaluated that the recognizability of the filament bundle 100 was slightly good. In FIG. 22, “◯” in each of the evaluation items A and B indicates a case where the subject replied that the subject was generally recognized, “Δ” represents a case where the subject replied that the subject was recognizable, and “×” indicates that most of the subjects The case where it was answered that it could not be recognized is shown. The number of subjects for each evaluation item A and B is 10 each.

  As shown in FIG. 23, according to the toothbrush 1 of the example, it was confirmed that the orientation of the filament bundle 100 with respect to the anterior or molar can be recognized when the subject brushes the anterior or molar with the toothbrush 1. The main reason is that the subject holds the grip unit 30 by the difference between the tactile sensation that the first tactile sensation imparting unit 50 imparts to the subject's hand 200 and the tactile sensation that the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 imparts to the subject's hand 200. It is considered that this is because it was possible to recognize from the tactile sensation which part of the grip portion 30 is in contact with each finger of the hand 200 when gripping with.

  Evaluation item C shown in FIG. 23 is an item for evaluating the strength of tactile sensation that the embossing process gives to the hand 200 of the subject. In the evaluation item C, when the subject is polishing the buccal side of the front teeth or molars using the samples of the example and the comparative example, the texture processing of the first tactile sensation imparting unit 50 and the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 is performed. I asked if I could recognize the part that was made. There are three answer items to the questions presented to the subjects: “Soft tactile sensation”, “Unable to recognize tactile sensation”, and “Slightly recognizable tactile sensation” . When the test subject replied that a soft tactile sensation was obtained, it was evaluated that the tactile strength given to the hand 200 of the test subject was good. When the subject replied that he / she could not recognize that there was a tactile sensation, it was evaluated that the strength of tactile sensation given to the hand 200 of the subject was not good. When the test subject replied that he / she could slightly recognize that there was a tactile sensation, the strength of the tactile sensation that the texture processing gave to the subject's hand 200 was evaluated to be good. “◯” in the evaluation item C in FIG. 23 indicates a case where the subject replied that a soft tactile sensation was obtained, and “Δ” represents a case where the subject replied that the tactile sensation was slightly recognized. “×” indicates a case where it was answered that the tactile sensation was not recognized. From this test, it was confirmed that the subject can easily recognize the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 when the uneven roughness is included in the range exemplified in the embodiment.

(Modification)
Each above-mentioned embodiment is an illustration of the form which the toothbrush concerning the present invention can take, and does not intend limiting the form. The toothbrush according to the present invention may take a form different from the form exemplified in each embodiment. For example, a part of the configuration of each embodiment is replaced, changed, or omitted, or a new configuration is added to each embodiment. An example of a modification of each embodiment is shown below. Among the following modified examples, a plurality of modified examples that are technically consistent can be combined.

  -Although embodiment has illustrated the case where the form of the 1st tactile sense provision part 50 is a 1st form and the form of the 2nd tactile sense provision part 60 is a 2nd form, form of each tactile sensation provision part 50 and 60 The combination of can be arbitrarily changed. In the first example, the form of the first tactile sensation imparting unit 50 and the form of the second tactile sensation imparting part 60 are different. Specifically, the form of the first tactile sensation providing unit 50 is any one of the first form to the fifth form, and the form of the second tactile sensation providing part 60 is the first tactile sensation of the first form to the fifth form. It is any form except the form of the part 50. In the second example, the form of the first tactile sensation providing part 50 and the form of the second tactile sensation providing part 60 are the same. Specifically, the form of the first tactile sensation providing unit 50 is any one of the first form to the fifth form, and the form of the second tactile sensation providing part 60 is the first tactile sensation of the first form to the fifth form. It is the same form as the form of the part 50.

  -The structure of the surface processing part 61 can be changed arbitrarily. This is common in the case where the surface processed portion 61 is provided in any of the tactile sensation imparting portions 50 and 60. Here, an example of a modification of the surface processing unit 61 will be described by taking the case where the second tactile sensation providing unit 60 is the surface processing unit 61 as an example. In the first modification shown in FIG. 24, one or a plurality of recesses 60 </ b> A that are recessed from the edge of the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 are provided. In the second modified example shown in FIG. 25, one or a plurality of unprocessed portions 60 </ b> B that are not subjected to surface processing are provided in the region of the second tactile sensation imparting portion 60. In the third modified example shown in FIG. 26, the second tactile sensation providing unit 60 is divided in the thickness direction of the toothbrush 1. In the fourth modification shown in FIG. 27, the second tactile sensation imparting unit 60 is divided in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Toothbrush 10: Toothbrush main body 30: Grip part 30C: Side surface 30D: End part 31: 1st part 32: 2nd part 33: 3rd part 70: Neck part 80: Head part 100: Brush 200: Hand 220: Index finger

Claims (10)

A toothbrush body including a grip part including an end part, a neck part connected to the grip part, and a head part connected to the neck part,
The grip portion includes a first portion that is a portion on the neck portion side of the grip portion, and a second portion that is a portion on the end portion side of the grip portion,
The side surface of the first portion is configured to generate a tactile sensation different from a tactile sensation that occurs when a hand touches the neck portion,
The toothbrush is configured such that a side surface of the second part has a tactile sensation different from a tactile sensation that occurs when a hand touches the first part. One of the side surface of the first part and the side surface of the second part is constituted by a covering member provided on the toothbrush body,
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the other of the side surface of the first portion and the side surface of the second portion is configured by a surface processing portion provided in the toothbrush body. The toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the surface-processed portion includes a portion that has been subjected to unevenness processing so that an uneven tactile sensation is produced when touched by a hand. The toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the surface processed portion includes a portion subjected to a textured process. The side surface of the first part is constituted by the covering member,
The toothbrush according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a side surface of the second portion includes the surface processed portion. Provided between the first part and the second part in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body so that a tactile sensation different from when a hand touches the side face of the first part and the side face of the second part is generated. The toothbrush as described in any one of Claims 1-5 further provided with a 3rd part. The side surface of the first part has a tactile sensation that occurs on the index finger of the hand when the grip part is pen gripped or palm gripped by the hand so that the index finger contacts the side surface of the first part, and the index finger of the hand The toothbrush as described in any one of Claims 1-6 comprised so that the tactile sensation produced when the said neck part is touched may differ. The side surface of the second part has a tactile sensation that occurs on the index finger of the hand when the grip part is pen gripped or palm gripped by the hand so that the index finger contacts the side surface of the second part, and the index finger of the hand The toothbrush as described in any one of Claims 1-7 comprised so that the tactile sensation produced when the said neck part is touched may differ. The maximum thickness of the grip part in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grip part is included in a range of 50% to 95% of the maximum width of the grip part in the cross section. Toothbrush as described in. The said 1st part and the said 2nd part include the part whose shape of the said grip part in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the said grip part is an oval shape or a shape similar to an oval shape. The toothbrush according to item.