JP2020198963A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush capable of securing tender contact feeling to a gingiva and not damaging cleaning force and cleaning actual sensation.SOLUTION: A toothbrush comprises a plurality of bristle bundles planted on a planting plane. The plurality of bristle bundles are arranged on the planting plane, in an axial direction and in a width direction being orthogonal to the axial direction. The planting plane comprises: a center region; a first outside region arranged on one side of the center region along the width direction; and a second outside region arranged on the other side of the center region along the width direction. The plurality of bristle bundles include a first bristle bundle formed of harder bristles, and a second bristle bundle formed of softer bristles. On each of the first and second outside regions, a ratio of the second bristle bundles with respect to total sum of the first and second bristle bundles is higher than that in the center region. On the first and second outside regions, at least one first bristle bundle is arranged, and on both the ends of the axial direction, there are provided the second bristle bundles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

When the gums are inflamed due to alveolar pyorrhea or the like, a toothbrush with soft bristles is preferably used in order to avoid damage to the gums. However, with such a toothbrush, since the bristles are weak, the cleaning power for removing plaque is insufficient, and further, the actual feeling of cleaning cannot be sufficiently obtained.

In Patent Document 1, hair bundles made of harder hair are arranged in the central region of the flocked surface of the head portion of the toothbrush, and hair bundles made of soft hair are arranged in a region outside the central region in the left-right direction. The toothbrush is disclosed. According to this toothbrush, the outer bristles ensure the massage effect of the tooth surface and gums, while the inner bristles secure the cleaning power.

JP-A-2016-10498

However, in the toothbrush of Patent Document 1, when the outer hair bundle row is moved so as to slide along the tooth surface or the gum, the outer hair bundle row is soft and therefore falls down along the sliding direction. In this case, even if the outer row of hair bundles can ensure a gentle touch to the gums, the hair bundles do not come into firm contact with the tooth surface and gums, reducing the cleaning power and further impairing the feeling of cleaning. obtain.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that does not impair the cleaning power and the feeling of cleaning while ensuring a gentle touch on the gums.

The toothbrush according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a rod-shaped handle portion, a head portion connected to the axial tip portion of the handle portion and having a flocked surface, and a plurality of hair bundles planted on the flocked surface. ,
To be equipped. The plurality of hair bundles are arranged on the flocked surface in the axial direction and the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The flocked surface has a central region, a first outer region arranged on one side of the central region along the width direction, and a second arranged on the other side of the central region along the width direction. Includes 2 outer regions. The plurality of hair bundles include a first hair bundle composed of harder hair and a second hair bundle composed of softer hair. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, the ratio of the second hair bundle to the total of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle is higher than that in the central region. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, at least one of the first hair bundles is arranged, and the second hair bundles are arranged at both ends in the axial direction.

The toothbrush according to the second aspect of the present invention is the toothbrush according to the first aspect, and in both the first outer region and the second outer region, the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle The ratio of the first hair bundle to the total is 50% or less.

The toothbrush according to the third aspect of the present invention is the toothbrush according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and in both the first outer region and the second outer region, the first hair bundle is the said. It is located in the central part in the axial direction.

The toothbrush according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush according to any one of the first to third aspects, and in both the first outer region and the second outer region, at least two rows of bristles are formed. A bundle row is arranged, and the at least two rows of hair bundle rows are arranged in the width direction, and each is composed of a plurality of hair bundles arranged in the axial direction.

The toothbrush according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the toothbrush according to the fourth aspect, and in both the first outer region and the second outer region, the outermost hair bundle row in the width direction is used. Does not include the first hair bundle.

The toothbrush according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the hair bundle row is 2 in both the first outer region and the second outer region. Only rows are arranged, and the two rows of hair bundles are arranged in the width direction, and each is composed of a plurality of hair bundles arranged in the axial direction.

The toothbrush according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and in both the first outer region and the second outer region, the first hair bundle Is placed only one.

According to the above viewpoint, a first hair bundle made of harder hair and a second hair bundle made of softer hair are transplanted on the flocked surface. Further, in the outer regions (first outer region and second outer region) on both sides in the width direction on the flocked surface, the second hair with respect to the total of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle is compared with the central region. The proportion of bundles is high. Therefore, the hair bundles in the outer region are relatively soft as a whole. In addition, second hair bundles are arranged at both ends of the outer region in the axial direction. Therefore, when brushing so that the hair bundle row in the outer region slides along the tooth surface (including the cervical region; the same applies hereinafter) and the gums, first, the tip in the slide direction included in the hair bundle row is included. The softer second bristles located in gently contact the tooth surface and gums. Therefore, after that, the entire hair bundle row starts to slide smoothly. Therefore, no excessive force is applied to the gums during such brushing. In addition, at least one harder first hair bundle is arranged in both the first outer region and the second outer region. As a result, when brushing so that the hair bundle row in the outer region slides along the tooth surface and gums, the harder first hair bundle becomes resistance, and the softer second hair bundle is less likely to fall in the sliding direction and stands up. It becomes easier to maintain the state. Therefore, the hair bundle row in the outer region can firmly polish the tooth surface and gums. From the above, a toothbrush that does not impair the cleaning power and the feeling of cleaning while ensuring a gentle touch on the gums is provided.

The perspective view of the toothbrush which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. A plan view of a head portion included in the toothbrush of FIG. 1 and a plurality of hair bundles attached to the head portion. Side view of FIG. Front view of FIG. A side view of one hair contained in a hair bundle. A plan view of a head portion according to a modified example and a plurality of hair bundles attached to the head portion. A plan view of a head portion according to another modification and a plurality of hair bundles attached to the head portion. A plan view of a head portion and a plurality of hair bundles attached to the head portion according to yet another modification. A plan view of a head portion and a plurality of hair bundles attached to the head portion according to yet another modification. A plan view of a head portion and a plurality of hair bundles attached to the head portion according to yet another modification.

Hereinafter, the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Overview of toothbrush>
As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment has a rod-shaped handle portion 1, a head portion 2 connected to an axial tip portion of the handle portion 1, and a flocked surface A1 of the head portion 2. It is provided with a plurality of hair bundles 3 that have been transplanted. Unless otherwise specified, in the description of the present specification, front-back, left-right, and top-bottom are defined as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The front-rear direction coincides with the axial direction of the handle portion 1, and the front end portion side to which the head portion 2 is connected is "front" and the opposite side is "rear". The left-right direction is parallel to the flocked surface A1 and orthogonal to the axial direction of the handle portion 1, the left side is "left" and the right side is "right" with respect to the flocked surface A1. The vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the left-right direction, and the root side of the hair bundle 3 is "down" and the tip side of the hair bundle 3 is "up". Hereinafter, each of the parts 1, 2 and 3 will be described in detail.

<1-1. Handle part ＞
The handle portion 1 includes a rod-shaped base portion 11 for the user to hold by hand, and a connecting portion 12 for connecting the base portion 11 and the head portion 2, and these portions 11 and 12 are integrally formed. Has been done. The connecting portion 12 is formed in a rod shape thinner than the base portion 11. On the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the tip portion of the base portion 11, a mounting portion 13 on which a user rests a finger is formed. The mounting portion 13 can be formed in an uneven shape so as to exert a non-slip effect of the finger, and rubber or the like can be arranged in this portion.

The material of the handle portion 1 is not particularly limited, but can be typically formed of a synthetic resin except for the portion where the rubber or the like described above is arranged.

<1-2. Head part>
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the head portion 2 and a plurality of hair bundles 3 attached to the head portion 2, FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a front view thereof. As shown in these figures, the head portion 2 is formed in a thin plate shape in the vertical direction, and has a flocked surface A1 on the upper surface side thereof. The flocked surface A1 is substantially flat in the present embodiment. The flocked surface A1 which is the upper surface of the head portion 2 has a substantially octagonal shape which is long in the front-rear direction. The contour of the flocked surface A1 has a tip side 21, a first right side 22, a first left side 23, a second right side 24, a second left side 25, a third right side 26, and a third left side 27.

The tip side 21 is the shortest side of the tip of the head portion 2, and extends in the left-right direction while being slightly rounded. A first right side 22 and a first left side 23 are connected to both ends of the tip side 21, respectively, and these sides 22 and 23 extend so as to be separated from each other from the tip side 21 toward the rear. .. The second right side 24 and the second left side 25 are connected to the rear ends of the first right side 22 and the first left side 23, respectively, and extend parallel to each other and in the front-rear direction. The third right side 26 and the third left side 27 are connected to the rear ends of the second right side 24 and the second left side 25, respectively. These sides 27 and 26 extend so as to approach each other toward the rear, and are connected to both ends of the tip of the handle portion 1 in the left-right direction.

As described above, the flocked surface A1 has a substantially rectangular central region A11, a substantially trapezoidal front region A12 adjacent to the front side of the central region A11, and a substantially inverted trapezoidal rear side adjacent to the rear side of the central region A11. It has a region A13. When the hair-planted surface A1 is divided from another viewpoint, the hair-planted surface A1 has a central region A21 in the left-right direction, a first outer region A22 arranged on one side of the central region A21 along the left-right direction, and left and right. Includes a second outer region A23 located on the other side of the central region A21 along the direction. In FIG. 2, the boundary lines of these regions A21 to A23 are shown by alternate long and short dash lines. The first outer region A22 is adjacent to the left side of the central region A21 and is in contact with the left edge of the flocked surface A1. The second outer region A23 is adjacent to the right side of the central region A21 and is in contact with the right edge of the flocked surface A1.

A plurality of flocked holes 28 into which the hair follicles 3 are flocked are formed on the flocked surface A1 of the head portion 2 (see FIG. 3). In the side view of FIG. 3, the hair follicle hole 28 is originally invisible, but in the figure, the position of the hair follicle hole 28 is indicated by a dotted line for convenience. The flocking holes 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on the flocking surface A1. The shape of the hair follicle hole 28 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a perfect circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. In the present embodiment, the shapes and diameters of the plurality of flocked holes 28 on the flocked surface A1 are substantially the same. The diameter of each hair follicle hole 28 can be, for example, 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The shape of the hair follicle hole 28 referred to here is a shape in a plan view, and the diameter of the hair follicle hole 28 here is the maximum diameter of the contour of the hair follicle hole 28 in a plan view.

The width W of the head portion 2 is not particularly limited as long as there is no problem in handling the head portion 2 in the oral cavity, but is preferably 10 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 13 mm to 17 mm, and further preferably. Is 14 mm to 16 mm. As the width W of the head portion 2 becomes larger, the number of rows of hair bundles that can be arranged in the left-right direction on the flocking surface A1 increases, and a large area can be cleaned at one time. For example, on the flocked surface A1, preferably 5 rows or more, more preferably 6 or more rows of hair bundles 3 can be arranged in the left-right direction. The width of the head portion 2 means the maximum width of the head portion 2 in the left-right direction, and corresponds to the distance between the second right side 24 and the second left side 25 in the present embodiment.

The material of the head portion 2 is not particularly limited, but can be typically formed of a synthetic resin. The head portion 2 can be integrally formed of the same material as the handle portion 1.

<1-3. Hair bundle>
A plurality of hair bundles 3 are transplanted on the flocked surface A1 of the head portion 2. Each hair bundle 3 is an aggregate of a large number of hairs. These hair follicles 3 are planted one by one in a plurality of flocked holes 28 on the flocked surface A1.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the flocked surface A1, a plurality of hair bundles 3 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, thereby forming a plurality of hair bundle rows arranged in the left-right direction. The "row" here means a row of elements arranged in the front-rear direction, and each hair bundle row is composed of a plurality of hair bundles 3 arranged in the front-rear direction. It should be noted that the hair bundle row is not always a straight line in the front-back direction, and includes those that can be visually recognized as a row.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, six rows of hair bundles are arranged on the flocked surface A1. More specifically, in the central region A21 in the left-right direction of the flocked surface A1, two rows of hair bundles (hereinafter, may be referred to as inner hair bundle rows) L1 extend in the front-rear direction. Further, another hair bundle row (hereinafter, may be referred to as an intermediate hair bundle row) L2 extends in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich these two rows of inner hair bundle rows L1 from both sides in the left-right direction. The intermediate hair bundle row L2 is arranged in two rows, one row on each side of the inner hair bundle row L1. Further, another hair bundle row (hereinafter referred to as an outer hair bundle row) L3 extends in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich these two rows of intermediate hair bundle rows L2 from both sides in the left-right direction. The outer hair bundle row L3 is arranged in two rows, one row on each side of the intermediate hair bundle row L2. The outer hair bundle row L3 is arranged on the outermost side in the left-right direction among all the hair bundle rows. Therefore, the two rows of outer hair bundles L3 extend along the second right side 24 and the second left side 25, respectively. In the first outer region A22, the intermediate hair bundle row L2 and the outer hair bundle row L3 are arranged one row at a time, and in the second outer region A23, the intermediate hair bundle row L2 and the outer hair bundle row L3 are also arranged in one row. They are arranged one by one.

In the present embodiment, as described above, since the flocked surface A1 has a substantially octagonal shape that is long in the front-rear direction, the inner hair bundle row L1 and the intermediate hair bundle row L2 are parallel to each other in the front-rear direction over the entire length in the front-back direction. Is not extended. More specifically, on the flocked surface A1, in the substantially rectangular central region A11, the inner hair bundle row L1, the middle hair bundle row L2, and the outer hair bundle row L3 all extend in parallel in the anteroposterior direction. However, the inner hair bundle row L1 and the intermediate hair bundle row L2 are bent outward from the front end of the central region A11 in the front side region A12 in the left-right direction, and in the rear side region A13 from the rear end of the central region A11. It shifts outward in the left-right direction. Further, in this way, in the gap between the two rows of inner hair bundle rows L1 formed in the front side region A12 and the rear side region A13, another plurality of hair bundles 3 are arranged so as to fill the gap. There is.

FIG. 5 is a side view of one hair included in the hair bundle 3. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, each hair planted on the flocked surface A1 is composed of a large number of branched hairs at the tip (upper end) 32. That is, each hair contained in the hair bundle 3 has one base portion 31 standing up from the flocked surface A1 and a tip portion 32 composed of a large number of branched hairs extending so as to branch from the upper end of the base portion 31. The number of branched hairs branching from one base 31 is typically not limited to this, but is typically 2 to 7, and more preferably 3 to 5. Since each branch hair at the tip portion 32 is thinner than the base portion 31, it can enter into a narrow gap such as between teeth or a periodontal pocket, and can improve the cleaning power in the mouth. Further, in the case of the structure in which the tip portion 32 has a large number of branched hairs, the area of the hairs that hit the tooth surface is larger than that in the case where the tip portion 32 is not branched, so that the cleaning power is increased. In addition, the bifurcated hair can also exert a function of retaining toothpaste.

In the present embodiment, the lengths H of all the hairs transplanted on the flocked surface A1 are substantially uniform. However, there are variations. The length H of the hair is not particularly limited, but the average value thereof is preferably 8 mm to 13 mm, more preferably 9 mm to 13 mm, and further preferably 10 mm to 12 m. The hair length H is the length from the flocked surface A1 to the tip of the hair.

The hair bundle 3 planted on the flocked surface A1 includes a plurality of types of hair bundles. In the present embodiment, the hair bundle 3 includes two types of hair bundles, more specifically, a first hair bundle 3a which is a harder hair bundle and a second hair bundle 3b which is a softer hair bundle. And are included. In FIG. 2, the first hair bundle 3a is shown in white, and the second hair bundle 3b is shown in a darker color. The same applies to FIGS. 6A to 6E described later. However, this is for convenience of explanation, and in practice, all the hair bundles can be colored in the same color, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6A to 6E, the type of hair bundle is selected. Depending on the color, it can be colored with a different color.

In addition, "hard" here means that the hair is strong, and the first hair bundle 3a can firmly remove stains in the mouth such as plaque when it touches the teeth and gums. .. On the other hand, "soft" here means that the hair is weak, and the second hair bundle 3b can provide a gentle touch when touching the teeth and gums. That is, the first hair bundle 3a contributes to enhancing the cleaning power and the feeling of cleaning during brushing. On the other hand, the second hair bundle 3b has a high massage effect on the gums and can avoid damage to the gums during brushing.

In the present embodiment, each hair contained in the second hair bundle 3b is thinner than each hair contained in the first hair bundle 3a. The diameter of each hair contained in the second hair bundle 3b is not particularly limited as long as the above massage effect can be exhibited, but is preferably 3 mil (0.0762 mm) to 7 mil (0.1778 mm). Yes, more preferably 4 mil (0.1016 mm) to 6 mil (0.1524 mm). On the other hand, the diameter of each hair contained in the first hair bundle 3a is not particularly limited as long as sufficient cleaning power and a feeling of cleaning can be obtained, but is preferably 4 mil (0.1016 mm) to 10 mil (0.254 mm). Yes, more preferably 5 mil (0.127 mm) to 9 mil (0.2286 mm). The bristles used for the toothbrush 100 include, for example, the above-mentioned bristles composed of branched bristles having a tip portion 32 branched, flat bristles having a substantially uniform diameter over the entire length, and a taper that becomes thinner toward the tip. There are various types of hair, such as hair and round hair with a rounded tip, but the diameter of the hair here is the diameter measured at the root of the hair. Further, the hair diameter referred to here is the maximum diameter of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hair.

In the present embodiment, the number of hairs per hair bundle contained in the second hair bundle 3b is larger than the number of hairs per hair bundle contained in the first hair bundle 3a. The number of hairs per hair bundle contained in the second hair bundle 3b is not particularly limited, but is preferably 60 to 200, and more preferably 80 to 120. The number of hairs per hair bundle contained in the first hair bundle 3a is also not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 to 150, and more preferably 60 to 100. The number of hairs per hair bundle referred to here is the number of hairs per hair bundle protruding from the flocked surface A1.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the inner hair bundle row L1 arranged in the central region A21 in the left-right direction on the flocked surface A1 does not include the second hair bundle 3b, but only the first hair bundle 3a. Is included. Further, the hair bundles 3 arranged between the two rows of inner hair bundle rows L1 in the front side region A12 and the rear side region A13 are also the first hair bundles 3a. On the other hand, the outermost hair bundle row L3 arranged on the flocked surface A1 in the left-right direction does not include the first hair bundle 3a, but includes only the second hair bundle 3b. Further, the intermediate hair bundle row L2 sandwiched between the inner hair bundle row L1 and the outer hair bundle row L3 is mainly composed of the second hair bundle 3b, although it contains a small amount of the first hair bundle 3a. More specifically, each intermediate hair bundle row L2 includes one first hair bundle 3a in the central portion in the front-rear direction, and is arranged so as to sandwich the first hair bundle 3a from both sides in the front-rear direction. Includes 2 hair bundles 3b. In each intermediate hair bundle row L2, the second hair bundle 3b is arranged three each in front of and behind the first hair bundle 3a, for a total of six, and is arranged on the outermost side along the front-rear direction.

By arranging the first hair bundle 3a and the second hair bundle 3b as described above, in the present embodiment, in the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23, the first hair bundle 3a is formed. One is arranged, and the first hair bundle 3a is arranged in the central portion in the front-rear direction. Further, in both the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23, the second hair bundles 3b are arranged at both ends in the front-rear direction. Further, in both the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23, the ratio of the number of the second hair bundles 3b to the total of the number of the first hair bundles 3a and the number of the second hair bundles 3b (hereinafter, the first). (2 hair bundle ratio) is higher than in the central region A21. Further, the inner hair bundle row L1, the intermediate hair bundle row L2, and the outer hair bundle row L3 have a higher second hair bundle ratio in this order. Therefore, the inner hair bundle 3 in the left-right direction is hard, and the outer hair bundle 3 in the left-right direction is soft.

Here, the ratio of the number of the first hair bundles 3a to the total number of the first hair bundles 3a and the number of the second hair bundles 3b is defined as the first hair bundle ratio. At this time, the ratio of the first hair bundles in the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23 is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, and more preferably 30% or less. Is even more preferable, and 20% or less is particularly preferable. On the other hand, the ratio of the first hair bundle in the central region A21 is preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, further preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 90% or more. It is preferably 95% or more, and most preferably 95% or more.

The material constituting the hair of the hair bundle 3 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, saturated polyester resin, nylon, or the like.

<2. How to use a toothbrush>
The method of using the toothbrush 100 configured as described above will be described below.

First, consider when brushing the occlusal surface of teeth. When polishing the occlusal surface, the toothbrush 100 is slid in the front-rear direction while touching the entire upper surface of the hair bundle 3 against the occlusal surface. As a result, the inner hair bundle row L1 located in the central region A21 in the left-right direction firmly contacts the occlusal surface. At this time, the inner hair bundle row L1 composed of only the first hair bundle 3a is relatively hard and has a high cleaning power, so that dirt such as plaque adhering to the occlusal surface can be firmly removed. .. In addition, at this time, a firm feeling of cleaning can be obtained.

Next, consider the case of cleaning the tooth surface of the tooth. When cleaning the tooth surface, the toothbrush 100 is slid in the front-rear direction while applying the entire side surface of the hair bundle 3 to the tooth surface and gums. As a result, the hair bundle rows L2 and L3 included in the first outer region A22 or the second outer region A23, particularly the outer hair bundle rows L3 located on the outermost side in the left-right direction, come into contact with the tooth surface and gums. At this time, since the outer hair bundle row L3 composed of only the second hair bundle 3b is relatively soft, it gently contacts the gums. Further, the intermediate hair bundle row L2 adjacent to the inside of the outer hair bundle row L3 in the left-right direction also mainly includes the second hair bundle 3b, so that it is relatively soft, though not as much as the outer hair bundle row L3. Therefore, the entire hair bundle 3 contained in the first outer region A22 or the second outer region A23 can be brushed as if the tooth surface and gums are gently massaged.

When the hair bundle rows L2 and L3 included in the first outer region A22 or the second outer region A23 are brushed so as to slide along the tooth surface and gums (hereinafter, such brushing is referred to as side brushing). First, the softer second hair bundle 3b contained in the hair bundle rows L2 and L3 located at the tip in the slide direction gently contacts the tooth surface and gums. Therefore, after that, the entire hair bundle rows L2 and L3 start sliding smoothly. Therefore, no excessive force is applied to the gums during lateral brushing. As described above, at the time of side brushing, it is possible to clean the gums as if massaging the gums and the tooth surface while working and protecting the gums. Further, at the time of side brushing, the tip portion 32 of the outer hair bundle row L3 enters the periodontal pocket and can scrape out dirt.

By the way, as described above, each of the intermediate hair bundle rows L2 of the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23 includes a harder first hair bundle 3a at a position other than the end portion in the front-rear direction thereof. .. Therefore, at the time of side brushing, the first hair bundle 3a becomes a resistance, and the second hair bundle 3b included in the intermediate hair bundle row L2 that sandwiches the first hair bundle 3a back and forth is less likely to fall in the sliding direction and stands up. It becomes easier to maintain the state. Further, as the intermediate hair bundle row L2 moves in this way, the second hair bundle 3b included in the outer hair bundle row L3 also tends to maintain an upright state. Therefore, the outer hair bundle row L3 and the intermediate hair bundle row L2 can firmly polish the tooth surface and gums. From the above, according to the toothbrush 100, it is possible to maintain the cleaning power and the feeling of cleaning while ensuring a gentle touch on the gums.

<3. Modification example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The gist of the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

<3-1>
The number of hair bundle rows included in the central region A21, the first outer region A22, and the second outer region A23 is not limited to those described above. For example, the hair bundle row included in the central region A21 may be only one row or three or more rows. Further, the hair bundle row included in the first outer region A22 may be only one row, or may be three or more rows. Further, the hair bundle row included in the second outer region A23 may be only one row, or may be three or more rows. However, it is preferable that the same number of hair bundle rows are arranged in the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23.

<3-2>
In the above embodiment, all the hairs transplanted on the flocked surface A1 have a branched structure in which the tip portion 32 is composed of a large number of branched hairs. However, the hair transplanted on the flocked surface A1 is not limited to the hair having a branched structure, and may be, for example, the above-mentioned flat hair, tapered hair, round hair, or the like, and various types of hair such as this. You may use a mixture of a plurality of types of hairs. At this time, different types of hair can be mixed in one hair bundle, or the same type of hair can be used in one hair bundle and different types of hair can be used in different hair bundles. Good.

<3-3>
The arrangement of the first hair bundle 3a and the second hair bundle 3b in the central region A21, the first outer region A22, and the second outer region A23 is not limited to that described above. For example, the intermediate hair bundle row L2 included in the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23 may include a plurality of first hair bundles 3a as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the outer hair bundle row L3 may include the first hair bundle 3a. In particular, as in the example of FIG. 6C, the first hair bundle 3a included in the outer hair bundle row L3 is preferably arranged in the central portion in the front-rear direction, and the first hair bundle 3a included in the intermediate hair bundle row L2. It is preferable that one hair bundle 3a is arranged so as to be adjacent to the left and right. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, the inner hair bundle row L1 may contain a small amount of the second hair bundle 3b.

In the first outer region A22 and the second outer region A23, a plurality of first hair bundles 3a may be arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, as in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 6A to 6E. In addition, it is better not to line up adjacent to each other in the front-back direction. In the latter case, the second hair bundle 3b is less likely to bend due to the presence of the first hair bundle 3a during side brushing, and the feeling of cleaning is improved.

100 Toothbrush 1 Handle 2 Head 3 Hair bundle 3a 1st hair bundle 3b 2nd hair bundle 31 Base 32 Tip A1 Flocked surface L1 Inner hair bundle row L2 Intermediate hair bundle row L3 Outer hair bundle row

Claims (7)

With a rod-shaped handle
A head portion connected to the axial tip portion of the handle portion and having a flocked surface, and a head portion.
A plurality of hair bundles planted on the flocked surface and
With
The plurality of hair bundles are arranged on the flocked surface in the axial direction and the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction.
The flocked surface has a central region, a first outer region arranged on one side of the central region along the width direction, and a first outer region arranged on the other side of the central region along the width direction. Including 2 outer regions
The plurality of hair bundles include a first hair bundle composed of harder hair and a second hair bundle composed of softer hair.
In both the first outer region and the second outer region, the ratio of the second hair bundle to the total of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle is higher than that in the central region.
In both the first outer region and the second outer region, at least one of the first hair bundles is arranged, and the second hair bundles are arranged at both ends in the axial direction.
toothbrush. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, the ratio of the first hair bundle to the total of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle is 50% or less.
The toothbrush according to claim 1. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, the first hair bundle is arranged at the central portion in the axial direction.
The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, at least two rows of hair bundles are arranged, and the at least two rows of hair bundles are arranged in the width direction, respectively, in the axial direction. Consists of multiple hair bundles lined up,
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, the outermost hair bundle row in the width direction does not include the first hair bundle.
The toothbrush according to claim 4. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, only two rows of hair bundles are arranged, and the two rows of hair bundles are arranged in the width direction, and a plurality of hair bundle rows are arranged in the axial direction. Composed of hair bundles,
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In both the first outer region and the second outer region, only one first hair bundle is arranged.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6.