JP2021074401A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush capable of achieving both softness in touching the gum and the tooth rows, and cleaning property.SOLUTION: An implanting base 11 in a toothbrush 10 comprises: an inside hair bundle region 17 implanted with inside hair bundles 15a and 15b, and an outside hair bundle region 18 of an outer peripheral part of the inside hair bundle region 17, implanted with outside hair bundles 15c and 15d. A tip inside brush surface 20 formed by connecting the tips of bristles 16 constituting the inside hair bundles 15a and 15b has a contour shape projecting upward when viewed from a short-side direction Y of the implanting base 11. A tip outside brush surface 21 formed by connecting the tips of the bristles 16 constituting the outside hair bundles 15c and 15d has a contour shape recessed downward when viewed from the short-side direction Y of the implanting base 11. The toothbrush 10 has a part in which the tip inside brush surface 20 projects more upward than the tip outside brush surface 21 when viewed from the short-side direction Y of the implanting base 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush, and relates to a toothbrush in which a bristles formed by bundling bristles are planted in a plurality of flocking holes formed in a flocking table.

In a toothbrush, generally, a tuft (hair follicle) formed by bundling a plurality of bristle is planted and fixed in a plurality of flocking holes formed on the flocking surface of a flocking table. Various studies have been conducted on the arrangement of hair bundles and the shape of bristles from the viewpoint of performing appropriate cleaning according to the tooth site and improving the fit of hair bundles to teeth and gums. It has been done.

For example, when viewed from the side surface of the flocking table facing the lateral side, the applicant has a μ-shaped shape in which the brush surface in which the tips of the bristle are connected is curved in a downwardly convex arc shape. We have proposed a toothbrush that has a chevron shape with the central portion as the top when viewed from the tip side facing the longitudinal direction of the flocking table (Patent Document 1).
In addition, the applicant has previously planted an inner hair bundle region in which a tall inner hair bundle is planted and an outer hair bundle having a short hair height in the outer peripheral portion of the inner hair bundle region. We have proposed a toothbrush having an outer bristles region (Patent Document 2). The outer peripheral edge of each of the virtual tip inner brush surface formed by connecting the tips of these inner hair bundles and the virtual tip outer brush surface formed by connecting the tips of the outer hair bundles downwards toward the outside. It is an inclined surface that is inclined.

JP-A-2007-151795 JP-A-2018-198911

Toothbrushes are required to have high sweepability that can effectively remove those clogged in gaps where hair bundles are difficult to enter, such as the boundary between teeth and gums and between teeth. On the other hand, when the gums are swollen or inflamed, the contact of the toothbrush tends to cause pain when brushing the teeth. In particular, if the toothpaste is carefully brushed to remove the clogged gap, not only is it painful, but bleeding may occur from the gums. From the above points, there is a demand for a toothbrush that has a soft contact with the gums and the dentition and has a high sweepability that effectively removes the clogging in the gap.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush capable of achieving both softness of contact with the gums and dentition and sweepability.

The present invention is a toothbrush in which a bristles formed by bundling a plurality of bristle are each planted in a plurality of flocking holes formed in a flocking table.
The hair transplantation table has an inner hair bundle region in which a plurality of inner hair bundles are planted and an outer hair bundle arranged in an outer peripheral portion thereof surrounding the inner hair bundle region in which a plurality of outer hair bundles are planted. It has a bunch area and
The tip inner brush surface formed by connecting the tips of the bristles constituting the plurality of inner bristles planted in the inner bristles region is convex upward when viewed from the lateral direction of the flocking table. Has the contour shape of
The tip outer brush surface formed by connecting the tips of the bristle constituting the plurality of outer hair bundles planted in the outer hair bundle region is concave downward when viewed from the lateral direction of the flocking table. Has the contour shape of
The present invention provides a toothbrush in which the tip inner brush surface has a portion protruding upward from the tip outer brush surface when viewed from the lateral side of the flocking table.

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, both the softness of contact with the gums and the dentition and the sweepability can be achieved at the same time.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the toothbrush shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the toothbrush shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the lateral side of the flocking table. FIG. 5 is a front view of a main part of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the flocking table. 6 (a) to 6 (d) are explanatory views for explaining the action and effect of the toothbrush shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 is in contact with the teeth and gums. 8 (a) to 8 (c) are views corresponding to FIG. 4 showing another embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a main part of the toothbrush in Comparative Example 1. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a main part of the toothbrush in Comparative Example 2. FIG. 11A is an image of a dentition model having a second premolar coated with pseudo-plaque on the surface. 11 (b) to 11 (d) are images showing a state after brushing the second premolar shown in FIG. 11 (a). 11 (b) is an image of Example 1, FIG. 11 (c) is an image of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 11 (d) is an image of Comparative Example 2 after brushing with a toothbrush. FIG. 12 is a perspective view (a) and a schematic top view (b) for explaining the evaluation of the clogging removability between teeth using the dentition gap model.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show a toothbrush 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment includes a toothbrush main body 19 including a grip portion 12, a flocking base 11, and a neck portion 13 connecting them. The flocking table 11 constitutes the tip portion of the toothbrush body 19. The flocking table 11 of the present embodiment includes a flat track-shaped flocking surface 11a. The flocking table 11 is formed with a plurality of flocking holes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d which are opened in the flocking surface 11a and in which hair follicles 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d are planted. Hair follicles (tufts) 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d (see FIG. 2), which are formed by bundling a plurality of bristles 16, are planted (flocked) in each of these hair-implanted holes. In the present embodiment, the bristle 16 is a tapered bristle having a tapered portion whose cross-sectional area is reduced toward the tip.

The flocking table 11 of the present embodiment is formed in a flat shape as shown in FIG. 2, and has a long shape in one direction in a plan view as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the flocking table 11 is simply referred to as "longitudinal direction X", and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X is referred to as "short direction Y". In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction X coincides with the extending direction of the toothbrush body 19.
Further, in the present specification, "upper" is "upper" in the vertical direction in a state where the tip of the bristle of the toothbrush 10 is directed upward in the vertical direction and the flocking table 1 is directed downward in the vertical direction. Is below in the vertical direction in this state. The thickness direction Z of the toothbrush 10 is a direction along the extending direction of the bristle, and coincides with the vertical direction in the above state.

In the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an inner hair bundle region 17 in which a plurality of inner hair bundles 15a and 15b are planted and a plurality of outer hair bundles 15c and 15d are planted. It comprises an outer hair bundle region 18 that is present. The outer hair bundle region 18 surrounds the inner hair bundle region 17 and is arranged on the outer peripheral portion thereof. Specifically, the inner hair bundle region 17 is arranged in the central portion of the flocking table 11, and the outer hair bundle region 18 is arranged in the outer peripheral portion of the inner hair bundle region 17. These hair bundle regions 17 and 18 are flocked regions in which hair bundles (tufts) 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are planted.

The hair-implanted holes formed in the hair follicle region of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the hair follicle table 11 of the present embodiment, a plurality of central inner hair follicle holes 14a and a plurality of outer peripheral inner hair follicle holes 14b are formed in the inner hair follicle region 17. The plurality of inner hair follicle holes 14a in the central portion are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction X in the central portion in the lateral direction Y. The central portion inner flocking hole 14a has a so-called track circular shape having a long axis and a short axis in a plan view, and the long axis direction of the shape coincides with the short direction Y. The track circular shape is, for example, R0.5-1.6 (minor axis 0.5 mm, major axis 1.6 mm). The plurality of outer peripheral inner hair follicles 14b are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the outer peripheral portion of the central inner inner hair follicles 14a. That is, the outer peripheral inner hair follicle hole 14b forms the outer edge of the inner hair follicle region. The outer peripheral inner side flocking hole 14b has a circular shape in a plan view, for example, φ1.0 mm. The outer peripheral inner hair follicle holes 14b are arranged so that the position in the longitudinal direction X is deviated from the central inner inner hair follicle holes 14a.

In the flocking table 11 of the present embodiment, a plurality of inner peripheral outer flocking holes 14c and a plurality of outer peripheral outer flocking holes 14d are formed in the outer hair follicle region 18. The plurality of inner peripheral outer hair follicle holes 14c are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral inner hair follicle holes 14b formed in the inner hair follicle region 17. The inner peripheral outer peripheral hair follicle hole 14c has a circular shape in a plan view, for example, φ1.0 mm. In the plan view of the flocking table 11, the inner peripheral outer flocking holes 14c are displaced from the outer peripheral inner flocking holes 14b in the circumferential direction, so that the inner peripheral inner flocking holes 14b have a staggered arrangement. It is formed to be. The "circumferential direction" is a direction around the annulus in which the plurality of inner peripheral hair follicles 14b, the plurality of inner peripheral outer hair follicles 14c, and the outer outer peripheral outer hair follicles 14d are arranged in an annular shape. When the positions in the circumferential direction are deviated, the positions of the adjacent inner peripheral outer flocking holes 14c and the outer peripheral inner flocking holes 14b are deviated when viewed from the longitudinal direction X and when viewed from the lateral direction Y. However, some of the pores may overlap. The plurality of outer peripheral hair follicles 14d are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the outer peripheral portion of the inner peripheral outer hair follicles 14c. These outer peripheral flocking holes 14d are arranged on the outermost peripheral portion of the flocking surface 11a. The outer peripheral flocking hole 14d has a circular shape in a plan view, for example, φ1.0 mm. The outer peripheral hair follicle holes 14d are formed so as to have a staggered arrangement with respect to the inner peripheral outer hair follicle holes 14c because the positions in the circumferential direction are deviated from the inner peripheral outer hair follicle holes 14c. ..

Each of the inner bristles region 17 and the outer bristles region 18 has a brush surface, which is a virtual surface formed by the tips of a plurality of bristles planted in these regions. Specifically, the inner bristles region 17 has a virtual tip inner brush surface 20 formed by connecting the tips of the bristles 16 constituting the plurality of inner bristles 15a and 15b. Further, the outer hair bundle region 18 has a virtual tip outer brush surface 21 formed by connecting the tips of the bristles 16 constituting the plurality of outer hair bundles 15c and 15d.

When the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment is viewed from the lateral direction Y (see FIG. 4), the tip inner brush surface 20 has an upwardly convex contour shape, and the tip outer brush surface 21 has a downward convex shape. It has a concave contour shape. Specifically, the hair length of the bristles constituting the inner hair bundles 15a and 15b gradually increases toward the center of the flocking table 11 in the longitudinal direction X. As a result, the tip inner brush surface 20 is raised at the central portion. On the other hand, the hair length of the bristles constituting the outer hair bundles 15c and 15d is gradually shortened toward the center of the flocking table 11 in the longitudinal direction X, whereby the tip outer brush surface 21 is recessed at the central portion. There is. Hereinafter, when the toothbrush 10 is viewed from the lateral direction Y, a portion having an upwardly convex contour shape on the tip inner brush surface 20 is a “convex contour portion”, and a downwardly concave contour shape on the tip outer brush surface 21. The part forming the shape is also called a "concave contour portion".

When viewed from the lateral side of the flocking table, the tip inner brush surface 20 has a portion protruding upward from the tip outer brush surface 21. For example, in the tip inner brush surface 20, the top of the convex contour portion and a portion in the vicinity thereof protrude above the tip outer brush surface 21. In the present embodiment, a curved surface in which the convex contour portion is curved upward in an arc shape so that the tip inner brush surface 20 is smoothly continuous when viewed from the lateral direction Y (hereinafter, “curved convex surface”). ”), And a curved surface (hereinafter, also referred to as“ curved concave surface ”) in which the concave contour portion is curved downward in a concave arc shape so that the tip outer brush surface 21 is smoothly continuous. It is formed, and the convex contour portion projects upward from the concave contour portion.

The inner bristles 15a and 15b include bristles that are longer than the outer bristles 15c and 15d so that the tip inner brush surface 20 has the protruding portion. In other words, all of the inner hair bundles 15a and 15b may be longer than the outer hair bundles 15c and 15d, and all of them may not be longer than the outer hair bundles 15c and 15d. The "hair length of the hair bundle" in the present specification is the height of the bristle 16 at the center of the hair bundle, that is, the height from the flocked surface 11a of the flocking table 11 to the tip of the bristle 16, and is the average of the hair bundles described later. Distinguished from height.
In the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the hair lengths of the inner hair bundles 15a and 15b and the outer hair bundles 15c and 15d are changed in the longitudinal direction X, but the hair lengths of the inner hair bundles 15a and 15b are the outer hairs. It is longer than the hair length of the bundles 15c and 15d (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 is higher than the uppermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21. In the present embodiment, the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 and the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 are located at the center of the flocking table 11 in the longitudinal direction X. That is, the position of the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 and the position of the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction X. Due to such an arrangement relationship, the height difference between the tip inner brush surface 20 and the tip outer brush surface 21 is maximum at the center of the flocking table 11 in the longitudinal direction X.

In the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment, the tip inner brush surface 20 projecting upward from the tip outer brush surface 21 and having a convex contour portion is pressed against the teeth or gums, and is the boundary between the teeth or between the teeth and gums. It enters the gap P of the portion or the like [see FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b) and (c)]. At this time, the curved concave surface of the tip outer brush surface 21 is brought into contact with the tooth or gum along the curve of the dentition or the bulge of the gum [see FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (d)]. That is, the tip outer brush surface 21 does not penetrate as deep as the tip inner brush surface 20, and comes into contact with the surface of the teeth and gums and the vicinity thereof while following the shape of the teeth and gums. As a result, it is possible to effectively scrape out what is clogged in the gap P between the teeth by the tip inner brush surface 20, while suppressing excessive contact between the tip outer brush surface 21 and the teeth or gums. Tooth. As a result, it is possible to achieve both softness of contact with the gums and dentition and sweepability, and for example, even if the gap is carefully brushed, the gums are not easily damaged. Further, since the concave contour portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 fits well to the swelling of the gums, the massage effect on the gums is easily exerted [see FIG. 6 (d)].

From the viewpoint of further improving the sweepability, the radius of curvature of the curved convex surface of the tip inner brush surface 20 when viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11 is preferably 4 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, and also. It is preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, and preferably 4 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or more and 25 mm or less.
From the viewpoint of further improving the softness of contact with the gums and dentition, the radius of curvature of the curved concave surface of the tip outer brush surface 21 as viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11 is preferably 4 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm. It is more than that, preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, and preferably 4 mm or more and 35 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or more and 25 mm or less.

From the viewpoint of more easily achieving both softness of contact with the gums and dentition and sweepability, when viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11 (see FIG. 4), the tip inner brush surface 20 or the tip The dimensions of each bristle constituting the outer brush surface 21 are preferably within the following range.
When viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11, the height difference L3 (see FIG. 4) between the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 and the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 is preferably 1 mm or more. It is preferably 2 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less, and preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 7 mm or less.
When viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11, the length L1 (see FIG. 4) of the bristle forming the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 is preferably 7 mm or more, more preferably 9 mm or more. Further, it is preferably 16 mm or less, more preferably 14 mm or less, preferably 7 mm or more and 16 mm or less, and more preferably 9 mm or more and 14 mm or less.
When viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11, the length L2 (see FIG. 4) of the bristle forming the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 7 mm or more. Further, it is preferably 12 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less, and preferably 5 mm or more and 12 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

From the viewpoint of further improving the sweepability, the tip inner brush surface 20 has a curved surface that curves upward in an arc shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 11 (see FIG. 5). Is preferable. With such a configuration, the tip inner brush surface 20 easily enters the gap between the teeth or the boundary portion between the teeth and the gums (see FIG. 7).
From the same viewpoint as above, when viewed from the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 11, the height difference L4 (see FIG. 5) between the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 and the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 is It is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, preferably 8 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less, and preferably 0.5 mm or more and 8 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

From the viewpoint of further improving the operability of the toothbrush in the oral cavity, the thickness t1 (see FIG. 4) of the flocking table 11 is preferably 2 mm or more, more preferably 2.5 mm or more, and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably. Is 4 mm or less, preferably 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 2.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less. With such a configuration, the portion of the toothbrush 10 on the flocking table 11 side can be easily delivered to the back teeth.

The toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment covers the entire hair follicle region surrounded by connecting the outer edges of the outer peripheral outer hair follicle holes 14d arranged on the outermost circumference among the plurality of outer hair follicle holes 14c and 14d in the outer hair follicle region 18. Has (not shown). This total hair bundle region is composed of an inner hair bundle region 17 and an outer hair bundle region 18. From the viewpoint of more easily scraping out what is clogged in the gaps such as between the teeth and the boundary between the teeth and the gums, the average occupied unit area of the hair follicle in the entire hair bundle region is preferably 1.5 mm ² or more. preferably at 2 mm ² or more, and preferably 4 mm ² or less, more preferably 3.5 mm ² or less, and preferably 1.5 mm ² or more 4 mm ² or less, more preferably 2 mm ² or more 3.5 mm ² or less is there. The average occupied unit area of the hair follicles in the total hair follicle region is a value obtained by dividing the area of the total hair follicle region by the total number of the hair follicles 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d in the total hair follicle region.

From the same viewpoint as above, the total number of flocking holes in the flocking table 11 is preferably 20 or more, more preferably 35 or more, preferably 90 or less, more preferably 80 or less, and more preferably. Is 20 or more and 90 or less, more preferably 35 or more and 80 or less.

The inner peripheral outer hair follicle holes 14c may be arranged so as to coincide with the outer peripheral inner hair follicle holes 14b in the circumferential direction, but the softness of contact with the gums and dentition and the sweepability From the viewpoint of more easily achieving both, it is preferable that the outer peripheral hair follicles 14c are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the outer outer peripheral inner hair follicles 14b (see FIG. 3). In this way, by arranging the hair transplant holes in the vicinity of the boundary between the inner hair bundle region 17 and the outer hair bundle region 18 in a staggered manner, it is possible to provide the staggered hair follicles with high density on the hair transplant table 11. , The massage effect on the gums, and the good sweepability on the cervical region can be improved.

The forming material, dimensions, and the like of each part of the toothbrush 10 in the above-described embodiment will be described.
The toothbrush body 19 can be formed by using a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile, butadiene, or a styrene copolymer.

In the present embodiment, these hair follicles 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are bundled with a number of bristles 16 corresponding to the cross-sectional area of each of the hair follicles 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are each inserted and fixed and planted. The bristle 16 constituting each hair bundle 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is preferably made of a synthetic resin. As the synthetic resin forming the bristle 16, various known synthetic resins used for the bristle can be used without particular limitation, and for example, nylon (registered trademark), polyamide such as nylon 6, polybutylene terephthalate and the like can be used. Examples thereof include polyester and polyolefin, and polybutylene terephthalate is preferable.

The diameter of the bristle 16 is, for example, 100 to 250 μm, preferably 120 to 220 μm, and more preferably 140 to 200 μm. When the bristle 16 is a tapered bristle, the diameter of the bristle 16 is the diameter of the portion excluding the tapered portion. The tapered portion of the tapered bristle can be sharpened into a tapered shape by polishing the tip of the bristle with a known polishing device, or the tip of the bristle can be immersed in a known dissolving solvent to a predetermined depth. It can be easily provided by sharpening the taper shape with. The tapered bristle is preferably provided by immersing the tip portion of the bristle in a dissolving solvent and processing it. The length of the tapered portion of the tapered bristle is preferably 6 to 10 mm, more preferably 6 to 8 mm.

As a method of planting the hair follicles 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d in the respective hair transplant holes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, various known hair transplanting methods can be adopted. For example, (1) a method of folding a hair follicle in half along a flat line and driving it, or (2) heating one end of the hair follicle to form a molten mass, and then placing the molten resin in a mold in which the molten mass is placed. (3) Insertion step of inserting a hair follicle into the flocking hole of the flocking base having a flocking hole (through hole), and one end of the hair follicle protruding from the flocking hole. A method of obtaining a flocking table or a toothbrush in a state in which hair follicles are planted can be used through a heat processing step of heating to form a molten mass and a coating step of coating the molten mass.

The method of planting the hair follicles 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d allows the hair follicles to be efficiently transplanted into the relatively small-diameter flocking holes, and the thickness of the flocking table can be reduced, so that the back teeth can be easily brushed and the operability can be reduced. It is preferable to adopt fusion flocking including the above methods (2) and (3) for forming a molten mass at one end of a hair bundle from the viewpoint of improving the hair follicles and having an excellent appearance. ) Is more preferable. Specific examples of the method (3) above include the methods described in JP-A-9-182632 and JP-A-2003-310353. In the method described in JP-A-2003-310353, one end of a hair follicle is heated with a non-contact heat source such as a laser beam to form a molten mass, and the molten mass and the peripheral edge of the opening of the hair follicle are formed. Is designed to be fused.

The filling rate of the hair follicles 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d into the hair-implanted holes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d is preferably 0.6 to 0.85%, preferably 0.65 to 0.85%. It is more preferable that it is. The filling rate is the "total cross-sectional area / cross-sectional area of the pores" of the bristle 16. When the bristle 16 is a tapered bristle, the filling rate is "total cross-sectional area / cross-sectional area of hair follicle holes" of the portion excluding the tapered shaped portion.

The hair follicles 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d planted in the flocking holes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d have the height (hair length) from the flocking surface 11a of the flocking table 11 to the tip of the bristles 16, respectively. The average height of each bundle 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is preferably, for example, 7 to 16 mm. Further, in the case of the inner hair bundles 15a and 15b, the average height is preferably set to, for example, 9 to 14 mm, and in the case of the outer hair bundles 15c and 15d, the average height is preferably set to, for example, 5 to 12 mm. In the present embodiment, the average height of the inner hair bundles 15a and 15b is designed to be higher than the average height of the outer hair bundles 15c and 15d.

8 (a) to 8 (c) show a main part in another embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention, specifically, a flocking table 11 when viewed from the lateral direction Y. Regarding these embodiments, components different from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be mainly described, and the same components will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The description of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is appropriately applied to the components not particularly described.

In the toothbrush 10a shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of convex contour portions are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction X on the tip inner brush surface 20a when viewed from the lateral direction Y, and the tip outer brush surface. In 21a, a plurality of concave contour portions are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction X.
In the toothbrush 10b shown in FIG. 8B, when viewed from the lateral direction Y, a plurality of convex contour portions are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 11 on the tip inner brush surface 20b, and the tip is formed. A single concave contour is formed on the outer brush surface 21b.
In the toothbrush 10c shown in FIG. 8C, when viewed from the lateral direction Y, a single convex contour portion is formed on the tip inner brush surface 20c, and the concave contour portion is flocked on the tip outer brush surface 21c. A plurality of pedestals 11 are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction X.
As described above, when viewed from the lateral direction Y, the tip inner brush surface 20 may have a single convex contour portion or may have a plurality of convex contour portions. Similarly, when viewed from the lateral direction Y, the tip outer brush surface 21 may have a single concave contour portion or may have a plurality of concave contour portions.

When the tip inner brush surface 20 has a plurality of convex contour portions, the convex contour portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 is viewed from the lateral direction Y from the viewpoint of further improving the sweepability. The number is preferably 5 or less.
When the tip outer brush surface 21 has a plurality of concave contour portions, the tip outer brush surface 21 is viewed from the lateral direction Y from the viewpoint of further improving the softness of contact with the gums and dentition. The number of concave contour portions of the above is preferably 5 or less.

When the tip inner brush surface 20 has a plurality of convex contour portions, the preferred configuration in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can be appropriately applied to the individual convex contour portions. When the tip outer brush surface 21 has a plurality of concave contour portions, the preferred configuration in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can be appropriately applied to the individual concave contour portions.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be appropriately modified. Moreover, you may combine the above-described embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the convex contour portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 has a shape that curves upward so that the center of the longitudinal direction X is the uppermost portion, but the shape of the convex contour portion is Not limited to this. For example, the convex contour portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 may have a shape in which the uppermost position is biased to one side in the longitudinal direction X, or may have a shape in which the height changes stepwise. It may have a shape in which the height changes linearly.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the concave contour portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 has a shape that curves downward so that the center of the longitudinal direction X is the lowermost portion, but the shape of the concave contour portion is this. Not limited. For example, the concave contour portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 may have a shape in which the position of the lowermost portion is biased to one side in the longitudinal direction X, or may have a shape in which the height changes stepwise, and is a straight line. The shape may be changed in height.

Further, the tip inner brush surface 20 shown in FIG. 5 described above was a curved surface curved upwardly in an arc shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 11, but was viewed from the longitudinal direction X. The inner tip inner brush surface 20 may be a substantially flat surface.
Further, in the inner hair follicle region 17 of the above-described embodiment, the size and shape of the inner hair follicle hole 14a in the central portion and the inner hair follicle hole 14b in the outer peripheral portion were different (see FIG. 3), but the size or shape was the same. There may be.
Further, the outer hair follicle region 18 of the above-described embodiment has the inner peripheral outer hair follicle hole 14c and the outer peripheral outer hair follicle hole 14d, but the outer hair follicle region 18 has only the inner peripheral outer hair follicle hole 14c. May have. In this case, the outer edge of the outer hair follicle region 18 is formed by the inner peripheral outer hair follicle hole 14c.

Hereinafter, the toothbrush of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited by the description of the following Examples and Comparative Examples.

[Example 1]
A toothbrush having the same configuration as the toothbrush of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 described above was used as the toothbrush of Example 1. Specifically, a hair transplantation table 11 having a thickness of 3.0 mm is provided, and R0.5-1.6 (minor axis 0.5 mm, major axis 1.6 mm) is planted inside the center of the hair transplantation table 11. Six pores 14a were formed along the longitudinal direction X. In addition, 16 outer peripheral inner flocking holes 14b having a hole diameter of φ1.0 mm are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the central inner inner flocking hole 14a, and the inner peripheral outer peripheral flocking holes 14c having a hole diameter of φ1.0 mm are formed inside the outer peripheral portion. Twenty-one places were formed on the outer peripheral portion of the flocking hole 14b. Further, 26 outer peripheral flocking holes 14d having a hole diameter of φ1.0 mm were formed on the outer peripheral portion of the inner peripheral outer flocking holes 14c. 37 tapered bristle was planted in the central inner hair follicle hole 14a. Twenty-one tapered bristle was planted in the other hair follicles 14b, 14c, 14d. As these tapered bristle, those made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) were used. The specifications of the pores and tapered bristle are shown in Table 1 below. The toothbrush of Example 1 has a tip inner brush surface 20 having a single curved convex surface and a tip outer brush surface 21 having a single curved concave surface when viewed from the lateral direction Y of the flocking table 11. There was (see Fig. 4). In Example 1, the height difference L3 between the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface 20 and the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface 21 was 3.5 mm.

[Comparative Example 1]
The toothbrush 10d shown in FIG. 9 was used as the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1. The toothbrush 10d of Comparative Example 1 has the same configuration as the toothbrush of Example 1 except that both the tip inner brush surface and the tip outer brush surface are substantially flat surfaces when viewed from the lateral direction Y. doing. Specifically, the hair lengths of all the hair bundles constituting the tip inner brush surface and the tip outer brush surface were set to substantially the same hair length of 11 to 12.5 mm.

[Comparative Example 2]
The toothbrush 10e shown in FIG. 10 was used as the toothbrush of Comparative Example 2. The toothbrush 10e of Comparative Example 2 has the same configuration as the toothbrush of Example 1 except that the tip outer brush surface is a substantially flat surface when viewed from the lateral direction Y. Specifically, the hair lengths of all the hair bundles constituting the outer tip outer brush surface were set to be substantially the same hair length of 10.5-12.5 mm.

[Evaluation of plaque removal by brushing]
A dentition model with retracted gingiva was created as shown in FIG. 11 (a). This dentition model imitated the state in which the gums were retracted in the buccal part of the mandibular molars. Gingival recession is caused by the progress of destruction of the alveolar bone and the thinning and lowering of the gums at the boundary with the teeth, and the lowering of the gums due to swelling and inflammation. In the dentition model, alcohol-based ink (manufactured by Kokuyo Co., Ltd., trade name "whiteboard marker") was applied as pseudo-plaque to the lower surface (near the cervical part) of the second premolar Q and left for 3 minutes. .. Next, the surface of the second premolar Q was carefully brushed using a general-purpose brushing machine equipped with the toothbrushes of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2. The brushing conditions are shown below. Further, the state of the surface of the second premolar Q after the brushing is shown in FIGS. 11B, 11C, and 11D.
Load: 200g
Stroke speed: 70 rpm
Stroke width (amplitude): 20 mm
Number of strokes: 30 times

[Evaluation of clogging removal between teeth]
A dentition gap model as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) was created. Such a dentition gap model was provided with a plurality of tooth portions Q1 and Q2 made of stainless steel blocks imitating molars or premolars. The tooth portion Q1 imitating a molar tooth had a curved surface having an R (radius of curvature) of 4 mm at a corner portion, and the tooth surface was projected at a height of about 5 mm. In this dentition gap model, as shown in FIG. 12B, tooth portions Q1 and Q1 imitating molar teeth are adjacent to each other, and the gap between these two tooth portions Q1 and Q1 is about 0.2 mm. there were. Crayons (manufactured by Pentel Co., Ltd., product name "Red_No.11") were squeezed into this gap. Next, the brush surfaces of the toothbrushes of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were made horizontal (head angle was 0 degrees) against the tooth surface of the dentition gap model, and pressed against the tooth surface with a load of 200 g. In this state, each toothbrush was reciprocated five times along the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table under the conditions of a stroke width (amplitude) of 30 mm and a stroke speed of 70 rpm. Next, the gap was visually observed, and the degree of removal of the crayon pressed into the gap was evaluated according to the following criteria. Such evaluation was repeated three times, and the average value of these evaluation points was used as the evaluation result. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
3 points: The crayon between the teeth is completely removed.
2 points: Some crayon between the teeth remains.
1 point: Almost all the crayon between the teeth remains.

[Evaluation of hits on teeth or gums]
Ten panelists (test subjects: adults in their 50s and 60s) were asked to use each of the toothbrushes of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 for one week, and the contact of each toothbrush with the teeth or gums was determined. Sensory evaluation was performed according to the following criteria. In such an evaluation, the average value of the evaluation points scored by each panelist was used as the evaluation result. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
3 points: There is no irritation to the gums and it feels very soft when used.
2 points: There is no irritation to the gums and you feel softness when using.
1 point: I feel a little irritation to the gums.
0 point: I feel irritation to the gums.

As is clear from FIG. 11, the toothbrush of Example 1 has a larger peeling area of pseudo-plaque on the surface of the second premolar than the toothbrush of Comparative Example 1, and removes plaque. The evaluation result was highly sexual. Further, as is clear from Table 2, the toothbrush of Example 1 was evaluated to have a higher evaluation of the clogging-removing property between the teeth than the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. From these results of plaque removing property and clogging removing property between teeth, it was shown that the toothbrush of Example 1 is excellent in wiping property against plaque and clogging between teeth.
Further, as is clear from Table 2, the toothbrush of Example 1 gave a high evaluation of hitting the teeth or gums.
From the above results, it was shown that the toothbrush of Example 1 can achieve both softness of contact with the gums and dentition and sweepability.

10 Toothbrush 11 Flocking table 12 Grip 13 Neck 14a Central inner hair follicle 14b Outer outer inner hair follicle 14c Inner outer outer hair follicle 14d Outer outer outer hair follicle 15a, 15b Inner hair follicle 15c, 15d Outer hair follicle 16 Bristle 17 Inner hair follicle area 18 Outer hair follicle area 19 Toothbrush body 20 Tip inner brush surface 21 Tip outer brush surface X Longitudinal direction of the flocking table Y Short direction of the flocking table

Claims (10)

A bristles formed by bundling a plurality of bristles are toothbrushes that are individually planted in a plurality of flocking holes formed in a flocking table.
The hair transplantation table has an inner hair bundle region in which a plurality of inner hair bundles are planted and an outer hair bundle arranged in an outer peripheral portion thereof surrounding the inner hair bundle region in which a plurality of outer hair bundles are planted. It has a bunch area and
The tip inner brush surface formed by connecting the tips of the bristles constituting the plurality of inner bristles planted in the inner bristles region is convex upward when viewed from the lateral direction of the flocking table. Has the contour shape of
The tip outer brush surface formed by connecting the tips of the bristle constituting the plurality of outer hair bundles planted in the outer hair bundle region is concave downward when viewed from the lateral direction of the flocking table. Has the contour shape of
A toothbrush having a portion in which the tip inner brush surface projects upward from the tip outer brush surface when viewed from the lateral direction of the flocking table. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the portion having an upwardly convex contour shape is formed by an upwardly convex curved surface curved in an arc shape. The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion having a concave contour shape downward is formed by a curved surface having a concave arc shape downward. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hair length of the inner hair bundle is longer than the hair length of the outer hair bundle. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tip inner brush surface has a curved surface that curves upward in an arc shape that is convex upward when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the flocking table. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the flocking table is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the height difference between the uppermost portion of the tip inner brush surface and the lowermost portion of the tip outer brush surface is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bristle is a tapered bristle having a tapered portion whose cross-sectional area is reduced toward the tip. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of the convex contoured portions are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction of the flocking table. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a plurality of concave contoured portions are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction of the flocking table.

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