JP2024001382A - Swab for interdental cleaning and interdental cleaner including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a swab for interdental cleaning whose cotton body can enter an interdental part and can sufficiently collect dirt, and an interdental cleaner having the swab for interdental cleaning.

SOLUTION: Provided are a swab for interdental cleaning 11 including a shaft body 12 and a cotton body 14 being an aggregate of a plurality of microfibers 13 held in the shaft body 12, and an interdental cleaner 15 including the swab for interdental cleaning 11. The shaft body 12 includes a twofold wire 17 sandwiching the microfibers 13.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning cotton swab and an interdental cleaning tool having the same, and more particularly to an interdental cleaning cotton swab having a cotton body that is an aggregate of microfibers and an interdental cleaning tool having the same.

Conventionally, there is a cotton swab that is formed by wrapping and bonding fibers around the tip of a paper shaft. The cotton body obtained by winding these fibers is formed into a teardrop shape, a rugby ball shape, a spherical shape, etc. (Patent Document 1).

These conventional cotton swabs have a cotton body from the tip to the vicinity of the tip that can absorb liquids, semi-solids, mixtures of liquids and solids, powders, and the like. Therefore, with conventional cotton swabs, the user holds the shaft with their fingers and applies the swab to body parts such as the ears, nose, and oral cavity to clean dirt attached to these parts. can do.

JP 2022-35457 Publication

In conventional cotton swabs, the cotton body is composed of fibers wound around the shaft from the tip to the vicinity of the tip, so that dirt can be cleaned within the area where the cotton body can be directly contacted. However, since the shaft is made of paper shaped into a rod shape, in order to give the shaft a certain level of strength, it is necessary to ensure a suitable diameter of the shaft. Therefore, if the body part is narrow, the conventional cotton swab cannot be cleaned if the diameter is too large. For example, the diameter of the cotton material wound around the paper shaft is too large in order to clean the inside of the space between the teeth and between the teeth and the gums. Furthermore, even if the most distal end of the cotton body is applied to the entrance between the teeth, the fibers cannot enter between the teeth because the area of this distal end is large. Due to these factors, it is difficult to sufficiently clean between teeth using conventional cotton swabs.

Further, since the cotton body is provided from the tip of the shaft body to the vicinity of the tip, the amount of hair contained in the cotton body in this range is limited. For example, in order to clean stains such as semi-solids such as dental plaque, and mixtures of liquids and solids such as food particles, the cotton swab scrapes the dirt between the teeth so that it does not remain between the teeth. need to be collected. On the other hand, if the amount of hair on the cotton body is small, dirt cannot be sufficiently collected.

Furthermore, since conventional cotton swabs are composed of fibers wrapped around a shaft, if the adhesion of each fiber to the shaft is weak, there is a risk that the cotton may come off the shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these problems, the present invention provides a cotton swab for interdental cleaning and an interdental cleaning tool that allows the cotton material to enter between the teeth and to sufficiently collect stains. With the goal.

(1) The present invention is a cotton swab for interdental cleaning, which has a shaft body and a cotton body that is an aggregate of a plurality of microfibers held by the shaft body, wherein the shaft body holds each of the microfibers. The present invention provides an interdental cleaning cotton swab characterized by having a wire folded in two and an interdental cleaning tool having this interdental cleaning cotton swab.

That is, since the interdental cleaning cotton swab of the present invention is configured so that microfibers, which are fibers contained in the cotton body, are held by a wire, the shaft body can be formed with a small diameter. And, the diameter of the cotton swab for interdental cleaning can be made smaller accordingly. This allows the cotton material to enter between the teeth, making it easier to clean the inside of the interdental space using the interdental cleaning cotton swab and interdental cleaning tool of the present invention.

In addition, since multiple microfibers are held between wires, a larger number of microfibers can be held by increasing the range in which the microfibers are held in the length direction of the shaft. . Therefore, a large amount of cotton can be retained, and dirt can be sufficiently collected by the interdental cleaning cotton swab and interdental cleaning tool of the present invention.

Moreover, since the large amount of cotton can get into the spaces between the teeth, by reciprocating the shaft in its longitudinal direction, dirt between the teeth can be efficiently cleaned.

Furthermore, since each microfiber is sandwiched between two folded wires, there is little risk of the cotton body coming off the shaft.

(2) Moreover, the cotton body may be formed in a rod shape extending in the length direction of the shaft body, and the shaft body may be arranged inside the cotton body when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

That is, since the cotton body is formed into a rod shape, the cotton body can be formed to have a small diameter while holding a large number of microfibers. This allows the cotton material to easily enter between the teeth. Further, since the shaft body is arranged inside the cotton body, the cotton body can surround the shaft body from its entire circumference, and the entire inside between inserted teeth can be cleaned.

(3) Furthermore, each of the microfibers may be sandwiched between the two-folded wires at approximately the center position in the fiber length direction.

That is, since the microfibers are sandwiched at approximately the center position, the possibility of the microfibers coming off from the bifold wire and coming off the interdental cleaning cotton swab is reduced. In addition, since both ends of the microfiber of the cotton body are located approximately at the same distance from the shaft, the space between the teeth can be efficiently cleaned by applying these ends to the inside of the space between the teeth.

(4) Furthermore, the wire may be made of metal, and at least a portion of the shaft body may form a multiple helical structure in which the bifold wire is twisted together.

That is, since the bifold wires are twisted together to form a multiple helical structure, the microfibers can be sandwiched so as to face either direction in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body. As a result, each microfiber can be arranged in all directions in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The tips of all the microfibers can evenly clean the entire inside area between the teeth.

Further, since the shaft body is formed by twisting metal wires together, a multiple spiral structure can be formed with a small diameter. Therefore, the cotton body can more easily enter between the teeth. Moreover, since the metal wires do not return to their original state after being twisted, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the microfibers coming off.

Although a metal wire is used, since the cotton body surrounds the wire, the portion of the wire covered by the cotton body is difficult to directly touch the intraoral region. Thereby, there is little possibility that the wire will stimulate the user due to galvanic current, and there is also little possibility that the wire will injure the intraoral region.

(5) Furthermore, each of the microfibers may be trimmed so that the cotton body is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

That is, by forming the cotton body into a substantially cylindrical shape, the cotton body can be easily reciprocated in the direction of its center line. Thereby, the cotton body can efficiently clean the inside of the interdental space. Further, since the cotton body is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by cutting each microfiber, it can be easily processed.

(6) Alternatively, each of the microfibers may be trimmed so that the cotton body has a substantially truncated conical shape.

That is, since the cotton body is formed into a substantially truncated cone shape, the diameter of the cotton body differs depending on the position in the center line direction of this substantially truncated cone shape. Therefore, the strength of the friction between the inside of the interdental space and the cotton body changes depending on how deep or shallow the interdental cleaning cotton swab is inserted. Therefore, the user can adjust the amount of force applied to the inner side between the teeth by the cotton material. Further, since the cotton body is shaped into a substantially truncated cone shape by trimming each microfiber, it can be easily processed.

(7) Alternatively, each of the microfibers is trimmed, and a portion of the cotton body in the length direction is located closer to the other end than to one end of the shaft with respect to the center line of the shaft. The side may be formed to have a larger diameter.

That is, there are portions in which the diameter of the cotton body differs depending on the position in the centerline direction of the shaft body. Therefore, in such areas, the strength of the friction between the inside of the interdental space and the cotton body changes depending on how deep or shallow the interdental cleaning cotton swab is inserted. Further, depending on the shape of the cotton body, the amount of resistance it receives from the interdental changes when it is inserted into the interdental space or when it is pulled out from the interdental space. These allow the user to adjust the amount of force applied to the inner side between the teeth by the cotton. Additionally, the manufacturer can adjust the amount of resistance generated during insertion or withdrawal. Furthermore, since the cotton body is shaped into such a shape by trimming each microfiber, it can be easily processed.

(8) Further, a gripping portion formed to be thicker than the bifold wire may be provided on one end side of the shaft.

That is, the user can easily operate the interdental cleaning tool by grasping the grip portion formed on the thick shaft with his or her fingers. In addition, it is possible to finely adjust how the force of the cotton material is applied to the inside of the interdental space.

As described above, the present invention provides interdental cleaning cotton swabs and interdental cleaning cotton swabs that allow the cotton material to penetrate between the teeth and efficiently clean interdental stains, and which can sufficiently collect stains. Provide interdental cleaning tools.

(a) It is a front view of the interdental cleaning cotton swab according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (b) It is a right side view of the cotton swab for interdental cleaning of Fig.1 (a). (c) It is a right side view of the interdental cleaning tool which has these cotton swabs for interdental cleaning. It is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the interdental cleaning cotton swab as seen from the line AA shown in FIG. 1(b). (a) It is a right side view before the bifold wire in the cotton swab for interdental cleaning of FIG.1(b) is twisted together. (b) It is a right side view of a state in which the two-folded wires are twisted together. It is a photograph observed from a side view of the interdental cleaning cotton swab of FIG. 1(b). (a) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cotton swab for interdental cleaning of FIG. 1(b) in a state where the microfibers are floating backwards. (b) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a state in which the microfibers are also floating forward. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the interdental cleaning cotton swab taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 1(a). It is a right side view of the interdental cleaning tool which has the cotton swab for interdental cleaning based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a right view of the interdental cleaning tool which has the cotton swab for interdental cleaning based on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the interdental cleaning cotton swab of the present invention and an interdental cleaning tool having the interdental cleaning cotton swab according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), 11 is a cotton swab for interdental cleaning. The interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 includes a shaft 12 and a cotton body 14 that is an aggregate of a plurality of microfibers 13 held by the shaft 12. Moreover, in FIG. 1(c), 15 is an interdental cleaning tool. The interdental cleaning tool 15 includes a cotton swab 11 for interdental cleaning and a grip part 16. In FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c), the direction of arrow F indicates the front of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 and the interdental cleaning tool 15, and the direction of arrow B indicates the rear thereof. FIG. 1(a) shows a front view of the interdental cleaning swab 11, and FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) show right side views of the interdental cleaning swab 11 and the interdental cleaning tool 15, respectively. The cotton body 14 is rod-shaped and formed into a substantially cylindrical shape having a center line in the front-back direction. Further, the shaft body 12 has a front portion extending inside the cotton body 14 along the center line of the cotton body 14, and a rear portion thereof protruding rearward from the cotton body 14. The unillustrated plane, bottom surface, and left side surface of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 and the interdental cleaning tool 15 are respectively represented generally in the same manner as these right side views.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1(b). In FIG. 2, the direction of arrow U indicates the upper part of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11, and the direction of arrow D indicates the lower part of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11. The direction of arrow L indicates the left side of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11, and the direction of arrow R indicates the right side of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11.

The shaft body 12 has two folded wires sandwiching each microfiber 13 therebetween. Of this bifold wire 17, a portion closer to one end than the folded portion is called a first wire portion 17a, and a portion closer to the other end than the folded portion is called a second wire portion 17b. For example, in FIG. 2, the cross section shown on the left side is the cross section of the first wire portion 17a, and the cross section shown on the right side is the cross section of the second wire portion 17b. Each microfiber 13 is sandwiched between a first wire portion 17a and a second wire portion 17b. As the material of the bifold wire 17, austenitic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, Co--Co alloy, tungsten, titanium alloy, etc. used for spring materials are used.

Further, at least a portion of the shaft body 12 forms a multiple helical structure in which the bifold wire 17 is twisted together. 3(a) and 3(b) show the right side of the bifold wire 17. FIG. In the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11, each microfiber 13 (not shown) is sandwiched between a first wire portion 17a and a second wire portion 17b. In the example of FIG. 3(a), the bifold wire 17 is folded in half at the folded portion 17c, and then the first wire portion 17a is placed on the upper side and the second wire portion 17b is placed on the lower side before being twisted together. Place each. Then, the microfiber 13 is sandwiched between them from left and right. Then, as shown in FIG. 3(b), they are twisted together by rotating them multiple times around the center line C1. Thereby, the bifold wire 17 forms a multiple helical structure. This center line C1 corresponds to the center line of the entire shaft body 12.

Although FIG. 3B shows a state in which the bifold wire 17 is twisted along its entire length, the bifold wire 17 may be twisted only on the front end side, for example.

As the microfiber 13, for example, a splitting/splitting type microfiber that is split/splitting after composite spinning can be used. In addition, among the split/split type microfibers, we use split split type microfibers, which have a cross section made by laminating polyester polymers and nylon polymers in a radial or parallel manner, making the material polyester. A combination of microfibers and microfibers made of nylon can be sandwiched between the bifold wires 17. By employing such a peelable and split type microfiber, the microfiber 13 used can have a thickness of 0.5 decitex or more and less than 2.0 decitex.

Each microfiber 13 is sandwiched between two folded wires 17 at approximately the center position in the fiber length direction. After being sandwiched between the bifold wires 17, the cotton body 14 is trimmed into a substantially cylindrical shape in which its center line and the center line C1 of the shaft body 12 coincide.

FIG. 4 shows a photograph of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 in which the microfibers 13 are trimmed and viewed from the side.

The cotton body 14 is a rod-shaped aggregate in which the microfibers 13 extend in the front-rear direction by holding a plurality of microfibers 13 in a bifold wire 17 that is twisted together to form a multi-spiral structure. be. The microfiber 13 is made of synthetic resin and is extremely thin, so it can be bent flexibly. As a result, when the front end of the cotton body 14 is placed between the teeth and the cotton body 14 is moved forward so as to pass between the teeth, the cotton body 14 is moved as shown in FIG. As shown in the longitudinal section in a), it can swing backwards. As a result, the cotton body 14 becomes smaller in diameter as each microfiber 13 bends, and can move back and forth between the teeth more easily than before it swells. In addition, the cotton body 14 contains saliva in the oral cavity, so that the microfibers 13 come into close contact with each other, and the diameter can be further reduced. With these features, the user can easily reciprocate the cotton body 14 in the front-back direction, and can efficiently clean between the teeth.

Further, when the user moves the cotton body 14 backward, each microfiber 13 bends forward, so that the cotton body 14 can float forward as shown in the longitudinal section of FIG. 5(b). As a result, the diameter of the cotton body 14 becomes smaller, and it can move inside between the teeth, as in the case of moving the cotton body 14 forward. As a result, the user can easily move the cotton body 14 back and forth and pull it out from between the teeth. Moreover, the effect of including saliva in the oral cavity is also similar.

A center line C2 shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) represents the center line of the cotton body 14. The center line C2 of the cotton body 14 coincides with the center line C1 of the shaft body. The imaginary lines in the figure represent the cotton body 14 in a state before each microfiber 13 is bent backward or forward. The solid line indicates the state after the cotton body 14 has swung backward or forward and its diameter has become smaller.

The inventor prototyped a plurality of types of cotton swabs 11 for interdental cleaning, and found that each wire part 17a, 17b had sufficient strength and the diameter of each of the thinnest wire parts 17a, 17b was 0.2 mm. It has been found that the diameter of the shaft body 12 is 0.4 mm when a multiple helical structure is manufactured using this method. Then, the microfiber 13 is sandwiched between the shaft body 12 and the cotton body 14 before being swabbed has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the center line C2 and the center line C1 of the shaft body 12 coincide, and the diameter of the cotton body 14 is Each microfiber 13 was trimmed and shaped so that the length was 2.0 mm. As a result, each microfiber 13 was bent, and it was found that the diameter of the entire cotton body 14 in a state where it swung back and forth was 0.6 mm. Note that the length of each microfiber 13 after being trimmed at this time was 2 mm to 4 mm.

On the other hand, it is known that the gap between human teeth is approximately 0.6 mm to 1.8 mm. In response to the size of this gap, the All Japan Brush Industry Cooperative Association enacted the "Union Independent Standards for Interdental Brushes" on August 1, 1999, which states that the minimum passing hole diameter of interdental brushes of the minimum standard size is 0. It also shows that the minimum passing hole diameter of the maximum standard size interdental brush is 1.8 mm or more. Therefore, even if the interdental gap is 0.6 mm, the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 with the cotton material 14 stale can easily clean the inside of the interdental space.

In addition, when the inventor adopts the shaft body 12 with a diameter of 0.6 mm and trims and shapes each microfiber 13 so that the diameter of the cotton body 14 is 3.0 mm, this cotton body 14 It was found that the diameter of the specimen when it was fluctuated back and forth was 1.8 mm. Therefore, even if the gap between the teeth is 1.8 mm, the microfiber 13 of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 in which the cotton body 14 is damp can be used to clean the inside of the gap by just rubbing it. . Therefore, it is preferable that the diameter of the cotton body 14 before being wetted is 2.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. Note that when the diameter of the cotton body 14 was 3.0 mm, the length of each microfiber 13 after being trimmed was 3 mm to 6 mm.

Next, the soft microfibers 13 are bent in different directions in the cotton body 14. Therefore, for example, one microfiber 13 bends vertically or horizontally and intersects with another adjacent microfiber 13.

Further, FIG. 6 shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the cross-section taken along the line DD of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 as seen from the line DD shown in FIG. 1(a). Also here, the soft microfibers 13 are bent in different directions in the cotton body 14. Therefore, as shown in this figure, one microfiber 13 bends in the front-back direction or the up-down direction and intersects with another adjacent microfiber 13.

As shown above, some of the microfibers 13 intersect with each other and become entangled, and the cotton body 14 can easily collect dirt between the teeth between these intertwined microfibers 13. can.

In addition, since the cotton body 14 is shaped into a substantially cylindrical shape by trimming each microfiber 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the exposed tips 13a, which are the tips of some of the microfibers 13, It is expressed on the surface of the body 14. Therefore, the exposed tip 13a of the cotton body 14 comes into contact with the inner surface between the teeth, and dirt adhering to the inner surface between the teeth can be efficiently scraped off. As a result, the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 collects and entangles dirt scraped from the inner surface of the interdental space and dirt floating between the teeth between the microfibers 13. The user can then take out the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 and the dirt collected on it from between the teeth.

Moreover, since each microfiber 13 is held within the cotton body 14 by the bifold wire 17 which is twisted together, the microfiber 13 will not move from the flocking position even if external force is applied during use. As a result, the cotton body 14 always covers the shaft body 12, making it difficult for the bifold wire 17 to directly touch the intraoral region.

By the way, the inventor also prototyped the cotton swab 11 for interdental cleaning under a plurality of conditions regarding the number of microfibers 13 contained in the cotton body 14. Specifically, the number of microfibers 13 sandwiched between the multiple helical structures was changed with respect to the unit length of the shaft body 12 in the front-rear direction. In addition, a cotton swab 11 for interdental cleaning was prepared in which the length of the cotton body 14 in the front-rear direction was 8 mm to 20 mm. At this time, when 100,000 or more microfibers 13 are sandwiched for a length of the shaft 12 of 1 mm, the microfibers 13 must form two or more rows in the diametrical direction of the shaft 12. It has been found that the wire cannot fit completely between the first wire portion 17a and the second wire portion 17b. If 100,000 or more microfibers 13 are forcibly inserted, the bifold wire 17 will not form a multiple helical structure correctly, and the shaft body 12 will not form a straight line.

On the other hand, when less than 250 microfibers 13 are sandwiched for a length of 1 mm, the density of the microfibers 13 in the cotton body 14 is low, and the softness felt in the oral cavity when the density is high cannot be obtained. I found out. Furthermore, it has been found that the detangling effect obtained by collecting interdental dirt cannot be achieved. Furthermore, the sandwiched microfibers 13 are sparse in the linear direction of the twisted bifold wire 17, and each microfiber 13 is not susceptible to the frictional force caused by the adjacent microfibers 13, so that it can be pulled out from the bifold wire 17. I found it easy to do. Accordingly, it is preferable that the number of microfibers 13 is in the range of 250 or more and less than 100,000 per 1 mm length of the shaft body 12.

As described above, since the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 is configured to hold the microfibers 13, which are fibers contained in the cotton body 14, by the bifold wire 17, the shaft body 12 can be formed with a small diameter. can. And, the diameter of the cotton swab 11 for interdental cleaning can be made smaller accordingly. This allows the cotton body 14 to enter between the teeth, making it easier to clean the inside of the interdental space with the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 and the interdental cleaning tool 15 having this interdental cleaning cotton swab 11. .

In addition, since a plurality of microfibers 13 are held between the two folded wires 17, by increasing the range in which the microfibers 13 are held in the front-rear direction, a larger number of microfibers 13 can be held between the two folded wires 17. can. Therefore, a large amount of cotton 14 can be held, and dirt can be sufficiently collected by the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 and the interdental cleaning tool 15.

In addition, since the cotton material 14 having a large amount of bristles can enter between the teeth, by reciprocating the shaft body 12 in the front and back direction, dirt between the teeth can be efficiently cleaned.

Furthermore, since each microfiber 13 is sandwiched between the two folded wires 17, there is little risk that the cotton body 14 will come off the shaft body 12.

Further, since the cotton body 14 is formed into a rod shape, the cotton body 14 can be formed to have a small diameter while holding a large number of microfibers 13. Thereby, the cotton body 14 can easily enter between the teeth. Further, since the bifold wire 17 sandwiches the midway from one exposed tip 13a of each microfiber 13 to the other exposed tip 13a, the shaft body 12 is arranged inside the cotton body 14 when viewed in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the cotton body 14 can surround the shaft body 12 from its entire circumference, and can clean the entire inside between inserted teeth.

In addition, since each microfiber 13 is sandwiched between one exposed tip 13a and the other exposed tip 13a, particularly at approximately the center position, the microfiber 13 is pulled out from the bifold wire 17 and removed from the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11. The possibility of it coming off is reduced. In addition, in the cotton body 14, since the exposed tips 13a of the microfibers 13 are located at approximately the same distance from the shaft body 12, each exposed tip 13a forms one curved surface on the surface of the cotton body 14, By applying these to the inside of the space between the teeth, the space between the teeth can be efficiently cleaned.

Moreover, since the bifold wire 17 is twisted together to form a multiple spiral structure, the microfiber 13 can be sandwiched so as to face either direction of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 when viewed in the front-rear direction. As a result, each microfiber 13 can be arranged in all directions in the front-rear direction. Each of the exposed tips 13a can evenly clean the entire inside area between the teeth.

Further, since the shaft body 12 is formed by twisting two folded metal wires 17, a multiple spiral structure can be formed with a small diameter. Therefore, the cotton body 14 can enter between the teeth more easily. Moreover, since the metal bifold wires 17 do not return to their original state after being twisted, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the microfibers 13 coming off.

Furthermore, even though the metal bifold wire 17 is used, the cotton body 14 surrounds the bifold wire 17, so that the portion of the wire covered by the cotton body 14 is difficult to directly touch the intraoral region. Thereby, there is little possibility that the bifold wire 17 will stimulate the user due to the galvanic current, and there is also little possibility that the portion in the oral cavity will be injured.

Moreover, since the cotton body 14 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, it can be easily reciprocated in the front-back direction. Thereby, the cotton body 14 can efficiently clean the inside between the teeth. Moreover, since the cotton body 14 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by trimming each microfiber 13, it can be easily processed.

The interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 according to the first embodiment described above can constitute an interdental cleaning tool 15 together with the grip portion 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the interdental cleaning tool 15 includes the interdental cleaning cotton swab 11 on the distal end side of the shaft body 12, and a gripping portion that is thicker than the bifold wire 17. 16 is provided on the rear end side of the shaft body 12. The grip portion 16 is made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or saturated polyester (PET). The bifold wire 17 and the gripping part 16 are fixed by, for example, insert-molding the rear end side of the bifold wire 17 when the gripping part 16 is molded by injection molding.

With such a configuration, the user can easily operate the interdental cleaning tool 15 by grasping the grip portion 16 formed on the thick shaft with his or her fingers. Furthermore, the way the force is applied to the inside of the interdental space by the cotton body 14 can be finely adjusted.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 21 of the present invention and an interdental cleaning tool 25 having the interdental cleaning cotton swab 21 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The interdental cleaning cotton swab 21 has a shaft body 22 and a cotton body 24 that is an aggregate of a plurality of microfibers 23 held by the shaft body 22. The interdental cleaning tool 25 includes a cotton swab 21 for interdental cleaning and a grip part 26 . The cotton body 24 has a rod shape and is formed into a substantially truncated cone shape having a center line C2 in the front-rear direction.

The shaft body 22 has a bifold wire 27 sandwiching each microfiber 23 . After each of the microfibers 23 is sandwiched between two folded wires 27, the cotton body 24 is trimmed into a substantially truncated conical shape in which the center line C2 of the cotton body 24 coincides with the center line of the shaft body 22. The cotton body 24 is formed into a substantially truncated conical shape in which the diameter of the rear bottom surface 24b is larger than the diameter of the front bottom surface 24a.

Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

Due to the above configuration, the cotton body 24 is formed into a substantially truncated conical shape, so that the diameter of the cotton body 24 differs depending on the position in the front-back direction. Therefore, the strength of the friction between the inside of the interdental space and the cotton body changes depending on how deep or shallow the interdental cleaning cotton swab 21 and the interdental cleaning tool 25 of the present invention are inserted. Therefore, the user can adjust the amount of force applied to the inner side between the teeth by the cotton body 24. Moreover, since the cotton body 24 is shaped into a substantially truncated cone shape by trimming the microfibers 23, it can be easily processed.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the interdental cleaning cotton swab 31 of the present invention and an interdental cleaning tool 35 having the interdental cleaning cotton swab 31 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The interdental cleaning cotton swab 31 includes a shaft body 32 and a cotton body 34 that is an aggregate of a plurality of microfibers 33 held by the shaft body 32. The interdental cleaning tool 35 includes a cotton swab 31 for interdental cleaning and a grip part 36. The cotton body 34 is rod-shaped, and in order from the front end surface 34a to the rear end surface 34b are a front truncated conical part 38a, a cylindrical column part 39, and a rear truncated conical part 38b. has. The front truncated conical portion 38a, the columnar portion 39, and the rear truncated conical portion 38b each have a common longitudinal center line C2 and are held by a common shaft 32. Further, virtual bottom surfaces 34c and 34d, where the front and rear conical portions 38a and 38b are in contact with the cylindrical portion 39, respectively, are the same size as the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 39. As a result, the front truncated conical part 38a, the columnar part 39, and the rear truncated conical part 38b are continuous in the front and back, and integrally constitute the cotton body 34.

Here, each of the truncated conical portions 38a, 38b, which are a part of the cotton body 34 in the front-rear direction, is formed to have a larger diameter at the virtual bottom surfaces 34c, 34d than at the front and rear end surfaces 34a, 34b. In the front truncated conical portion 38a, the front end surface 34a is located closer to the front end, and the imaginary bottom surface 34c is located closer to the rear end. Further, in the rear truncated conical portion 38b, the virtual bottom surface 34d is located closer to the front end, and the rear end surface 34b is located closer to the rear end.

The shaft body 32 has a bifold wire 37 sandwiching each microfiber 33 therebetween. After each of the microfibers 33 is sandwiched between two folded wires 37, the cotton body 34 is cut into a substantially truncated conical shape and a substantially cylindrical shape in which the center line C2 of the microfiber 34 coincides with the center line of the shaft body 32. It can be arranged.

Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

Due to the above configuration, there are portions where the diameter of the cotton body 34 differs depending on the position in the front-back direction. Therefore, in such a portion, the strength of the friction between the inside of the interdental space and the cotton body 34 changes depending on how deep or shallow the interdental cleaning cotton swab 31 and the interdental cleaning tool 35 are inserted. Furthermore, depending on the shape of the cotton body 34, the amount of resistance it receives from the interdental space changes when it is inserted into the interdental space or when it is pulled out from the interdental space. With these, the user can adjust the degree of force applied to the inner side between the teeth by the cotton body 34. Additionally, the manufacturer can adjust the amount of resistance generated during insertion or withdrawal. Furthermore, since the cotton body 34 is shaped into such a shape by trimming each microfiber 33, it can be easily processed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the example of FIG. 3(b), the bifold wires are twisted together so that each wire section is twisted counterclockwise and goes backwards when viewed from the front, but they may be twisted in the opposite direction. .

In addition, although examples of the cotton body are shown as having a cylindrical shape, a truncated cone shape, and a combination thereof, these three-dimensional shapes may also have rounded corners. For example, the bottom of the cylinder expands into a hemispherical shape. It may have a shape that looks like it has come out. Alternatively, for a shape that is a combination of a truncated conical part and a cylindrical part, the boundary between the truncated conical part and the cylindrical part does not have to be clear, for example, the boundary part may be rounded. It may be a shape.

Furthermore, the approximately truncated conical shape shown as the second embodiment may have an approximately truncated conical shape in which the front and back directions are reversed, and the diameter of the rear bottom surface is smaller than the diameter of the front bottom surface. good. Alternatively, the solid shown in the third embodiment may have only a truncated conical portion at either the front or the rear.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an interdental cleaning cotton swab or an interdental cleaning tool for cleaning between the teeth of a user.

11, 21, 31 Interdental cleaning cotton swab 12, 22, 32 Shaft 13, 23, 33 Microfiber 13a Exposed tip 14, 24, 34 Cotton body 15, 25, 35 Interdental cleaning tool 16, 26, 36 Grip Parts 17, 27, 37 Bi-folded wire (bi-folded wire)
17a First wire part 17b Second wire part 38a Front truncated conical part 38b Rear truncated conical part 39 Cylindrical part

Claims (8)

A cotton swab for interdental cleaning comprising a shaft and a cotton body that is an aggregate of a plurality of microfibers held by the shaft,
A cotton swab for interdental cleaning, wherein the shaft body has a bifold wire sandwiching each of the microfibers.
The cotton body is formed into a rod shape extending in the length direction of the shaft body,
The cotton swab for interdental cleaning according to claim 1, wherein the shaft body is arranged inside the cotton body when viewed in the longitudinal direction.
The cotton swab for interdental cleaning according to claim 2, wherein each of the microfibers is sandwiched between the two-folded wire at a substantially central position in the fiber length direction.
the wire is made of metal;
The cotton swab for interdental cleaning according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the shaft body forms a multiple helical structure in which the bifold wire is twisted together.
The cotton swab for interdental cleaning according to claim 4, wherein each of the microfibers is trimmed and the cotton body is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.
The cotton swab for interdental cleaning according to claim 4, wherein each of the microfibers is trimmed and the cotton body is formed into a substantially truncated cone shape.
Each of the microfibers is trimmed, and a portion of the cotton body in the longitudinal direction is larger on one tip side of the shaft body than on the other tip side with respect to the center line of the shaft body. The cotton swab for interdental cleaning according to claim 4, characterized in that the cotton swab is formed in a diameter.
An interdental cleaning swab comprising the interdental cleaning cotton swab according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a gripping portion formed to have a thicker axis than the bifold wire is provided on one end side of the shaft body. Cleaning tools.

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