JP2568858Y2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention can effectively remove plaque in various gaps (or depressions) such as interdental portions, cervical portions or poorly aligned teeth.
The present invention also relates to a toothbrush having a high brushing effect on a smooth surface of a tooth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a normal toothbrush, a large number of bristles bundles made of bristles of the same length are planted on a flocking table according to a regular arrangement pattern in a vertical and horizontal direction. If you are good at brushing your teeth,
By devising the use of the toothbrush, for example, applying a bristle to the tooth surface while slightly inclining the flocking table in both the longitudinal direction and the width direction, a gap portion such as an interdental portion or a cervical portion (or The bristles are well inserted into the depressions. However, most people who do not use the toothbrush properly cannot easily insert the bristles into the gaps (or depressions) as described above, so they tended to leave unpolished portions in the interdental portions and the like. .

[0003] Therefore, the above-mentioned gap (or dent)
As a toothbrush that is devised so that it can be polished well, a toothbrush (hereinafter referred to as toothbrush A) in which the tip of the bristles bundle is cut obliquely and a periodic step is formed on the bristle tip surface in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table. Was Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-15441 discloses a toothbrush in which bristles bundles adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of a flocking table are inclined toward each other to form a periodic step on the bristle tip surface (hereinafter, referred to as a toothbrush).
Toothbrush B) was proposed.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 53-120572, the left and right (widthwise) directions of a bristle bundle are implanted.
The rows of flocking holes are provided so that the left and right sides are alternately staggered in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table, and the bristle bundles planted in the flocking holes are inclined in the width direction so that the bristle bundles are alternately X-shaped. A toothbrush (hereinafter referred to as a toothbrush C; see FIG. 12) crossed so as to form a letter is proposed.
In Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-181323, the bristle bundles of two or more rows (left and right) in a flocking table are implanted such that they intersect in an inverted V shape or substantially in an X shape. Toothbrushes (hereinafter referred to as toothbrushes D) have been proposed in which each bristle bundle abuts or approaches near their top by being inclined in the width direction of the table.

[0005]

However, in the human oral cavity, there are various gaps (for example, boundaries between teeth and gums, between teeth, and places where teeth are not aligned well) that have significantly different forms depending on individuals and their parts. Or a tooth having a periodic step on the bristle tip surface, such as the toothbrushes A and B, the period of the step is the shape of the gap (or depression) of the user. If the period does not match, the gap (or dent) can be effectively cleaned, but if the period does not match, the step has no meaning at all. Therefore, the toothbrushes A and B are not toothbrushes that can cope with all of the above-mentioned gaps (or depressions) having various shapes.

In the toothbrush C, since the flocking holes are arranged in a staggered manner in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table, the number of bristle bundles must be reduced as a whole.
Since the bristle bundles are abutted or approached near their tops in the width direction, the tip of each bristle is gathered in a narrow area. Accordingly, in the toothbrushes C and D, the bristles are inclined in the width direction, so that the bristles can be easily inserted into gaps (or depressions) such as interdental portions. The cleaning power of the smooth surface was inferior to that of the above-mentioned general toothbrush.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide various gaps (or depressions) such as an interdental portion, a cervical portion, and a poorly aligned tooth.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush capable of effectively removing plaque from the skin and having a high brushing effect on the smooth surface of the teeth.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a toothbrush having a plurality of bristle bundles implanted in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the flocking table, respectively. The bristle bundles corresponding to at least one half of the rows are inclined in one direction in the width direction, and the remaining bristles are vertical, and the inclined bristles are alternately arranged for each row in the width direction. It is inclined in the opposite direction, and the width direction at the tip of the flocking table is
In the bristle bundle, each bristle bundle is
This object has been achieved by providing a toothbrush characterized by being inclined toward the rear end .

[0009]

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, the bristles in the bristle bundle planted at a slant in the width direction of the flocking table effectively enter into gaps (or depressions) such as interdental portions and the gaps. The bristle bundles, which are swept in the opposite direction for each row in the width direction, have the width of the bristle surface expanded, and the contact area of the bristle bundle with the smooth surface of the teeth To effectively clean the smooth surface.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention and a reference example <br/> with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a reference example.
5 to 7 show an embodiment, and FIGS. 8 (1) to (7)
Indicates the type of bristle bundle in the figure corresponding to Fig. 1 (b).
9 to 11 are shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, respectively.
Examples in which the shape and structure of the holding portion are variously changed are shown.

FIG . 1 shows a reference example of the toothbrush of the present invention.
(A) is a plan view in which a part of the grip portion is omitted,
(B) is a sectional view taken along line AA of (a). As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush of the present reference example has a flocking table 2 integrally coupled to a grip portion 1, and a plurality of bristle bundles 3 are planted in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the flocking table 2.

[0012] In Thus, in the toothbrush of this reference example,
As shown in FIG. 1, in each row of the bristle bundle 3 in the width direction, two or more adjacent bristle bundles 3 (all in FIG. 1) corresponding to more than half of the rows are arranged in one direction in the width direction. The bristle bundle 3 inclined to
Are alternately inclined in the opposite direction for each row in the width direction. In FIG. 1A, each small circle indicates a bristle bundle 3, and an arrow in each small circle indicates the bristle bundle 3.
Indicates the direction of inclination. In FIG. 1B, the solid line indicates the bristle bundle 3 in the front row with respect to the line AA, and the broken line indicates the bristle bundle 3 in the immediately succeeding row.

[0013] With further described toothbrush of this reference example, the number of bristle bundles 3 disposed in the width direction of the bristle base 2 is preferably a 2-4. The reason is that if the number is one, the brushing force of the smooth surface of the tooth cannot be sufficiently obtained, and if the number is five or more, the width of the flocking table 2 becomes too wide, and the operability is reduced. It is.

The angle of inclination of the bristle bundle 3 is preferably 2 to 10 degrees, and more preferably 2 to 5 degrees.
The reason is that if the inclination angle is less than 2 degrees, the bristles cannot effectively enter the interdental portion and the like, and if the inclination angle exceeds 10 degrees, the width of the tip end of the bristles bundle 3 in the flocking table 2 increases. This is because the brush part (flocked table part) does not enter a place where the teeth are not aligned when the teeth are brushed vertically one by one. On the other hand, when the inclination angle exceeds 5 degrees, the bristles become slightly overly slept, so that the cleaning efficiency is slightly reduced. Therefore, by setting the inclination angle to 2 to 5 degrees, it is possible to make the dirt removal efficiency particularly high.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the bristle bundles 3 which are alternately inclined in the opposite direction for each row in the width direction, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table 2, respectively, have a bristle bundle in a certain row in the width direction. The tip of the bundle 3 may be inclined so that it just overlaps with the tip of the bristle bundle 3 in the immediately preceding (or immediately following) row, or the bristle bundle 3 in each row described above may be inclined.
May be inclined at positions where they mutually fill gaps between them.

The material of the bristle 4 constituting the bristle bundle 3 is not particularly limited, as long as it is a material used for a bristle of a normal toothbrush.
Nylon, PET (polyethylene terephthalate resin), ABS (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin), rubber, pig hair, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate resin), AS (acrylonitrile / styrene resin), PP (polypropylene resin), thermoplastic elastomer, Etc. can be used as appropriate.

The thickness and length of the bristles 4 are also not particularly limited, and may be any thickness and length within the range used in a normal toothbrush. Further, two or more kinds of bristles 4 having different thicknesses may be mixed in each bristle bundle 3.

The material forming the flocking table 2 and the gripping portion 1 is not particularly limited either, and may be any material commonly used for toothbrushes. For example, AS, ABS, P
P, PC (polycarbonate resin), PBT, propionate, thermoplastic elastomer, and the like can be used alone or in combination.

[0019] the toothbrush and traditional toothbrush present embodiment configured as described above, the results of model experiments conducted to compare the effect of removing plaque between teeth (Experiment 1),
As shown in FIG. The experimental method is as follows.

(Method of Experiment 1) (1) An interdental portion of a jaw model coated with artificial plaque was used. (2) As a test toothbrush, a general round-cut toothbrush for comparison (all bristle bundles are vertical and equal in length, and the tip of each bristle is round-cut) The inclination angle of the bristle bundle is 3 time of this reference example of the tilt angle of 5 degrees of the toothbrush bristle bundles of the reference example for toothbrush comparison toothbrush B (above, and the bristle bundles to each other adjacent to the longitudinal direction of the bristle base is inclined to the other side directions Toothbrush). (3) The specifications of the flocking table for each test toothbrush are the same,
It was as follows. -Number of bristle bundles: 2 tips + 3 pieces (width direction) x 7 pieces (longitudinal direction) = 23 pieces. (Same flocking pattern) ・ Flocked hole diameter: 1.8mmφ ・ Bristle diameter: 8/1000 inch φ ・ Bristle length: 11mm (4) Using each of the test toothbrushes, apply a constant cleaning pressure to the artificial plaque-coated part. (200 g / cm ² ) for 20 strokes. (5) The artificial plaque application parts before and after the brushing were photographed, their area was measured with an image analyzer, and the artificial plaque removal rate was calculated by the following equation. Artificial plaque removal rate (%) = {1-(area of artificial plaque after brushing) / (area of artificial plaque before brushing)} x 100 (or more)

As shown in FIG. 13, the toothbrush of the present reference example in which the angle of inclination of the bristle bundle 3 is 3 degrees or 5 degrees is larger than that of a general round-cut toothbrush and the above-described toothbrush B.
It can be seen that the ability to remove plaque in the interdental region is high.

Next, FIG. 14 shows the results of an experiment (Experiment 2) performed to compare the extent of spreading of the bristle bundle tip during brushing between the toothbrush of the present reference example and the conventional toothbrush. The experimental method is as follows.

(Method of Experiment 2) (1) As toothbrushes to be tested, of the toothbrushes used in Experiment 1, and 3 types were used. (2) The specifications of the flocking table for each test toothbrush are shown in Experiment 1.
Was the same as (3) Using each of the test toothbrushes, the surface of the plate glass is cleaned at a constant cleaning pressure (200 g / cm ² ), and the brush portion being brushed is photographed from under the plate glass, and the surface of the glass plate is photographed. The area of the tip of the bristle bundle that spread by contact was measured by an image analyzer. (that's all)

As shown in FIG. 14, the toothbrush of the present reference example in which the angle of inclination of the bristles bundle 3 is 3 degrees has a wider bristle tip during brushing as compared with a general round-cut toothbrush and the above-mentioned toothbrush B. It can be seen that the brushing efficiency is high even on the smooth surface of the teeth.

[0025] As described above, the present in the toothbrush of Example effectively penetrate bristles 4 in bristle bundles 3 inclined gap portion, such as interdental portions to (or recessed portion), the clearance portion (or recess ) Is effectively removed, and the interdental papilla, which is prone to gingivitis, is effectively massaged. The bristle bundles 3 alternately inclined in the opposite direction for each row in the width direction of the flocking table 2 make the width of the bristle tip surface wider, and the bristle bundles 3 with respect to the smooth surface of the teeth.
, And the above-mentioned smooth surface is effectively cleaned.

[0026] Therefore, the toothbrush of the present embodiment may be trimmed various clearance, such as poor at the gullet and tooth neck or row of teeth a plaque (or recessed portion) effectively, and the teeth The cleaning effect on the smooth surface is also high.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a second reference example of a toothbrush of the present invention and is a view corresponding to them respectively, in FIG. 1 (a) and (b). Further, the meaning of each small circle and the arrow therein and the meaning of the solid line and broken line in (b) are the same as those in FIG.

The toothbrush of the second reference example, as shown in FIG. 2, obtained by the two the number of bristle bundles 3 in the width direction, other points are configured in the same manner as the first reference example . The toothbrush of the second reference example also has the same effect as that of the first reference example. When compared with the toothbrushes C and D in which the bristle bundle 3 is inclined in the width direction similarly to this reference example, the toothbrush of the second reference example has the same effect. in the second reference example, it is possible to increase the number of bristle bundles 3 than toothbrushes C (see FIG. 12), also it can be made wider the width of the hair surface than toothbrushes D. Therefore, the toothbrush of the second reference example can not only remove plaque in a gap portion (or depression) such as an interdental portion, but also remove the plaque more than those of the toothbrushes C and D. It also has a higher cleaning force on the smooth surface of the teeth.

[0029] Figure 3 shows a third reference example of a toothbrush of the present invention and is a view corresponding to them respectively, in FIG. 1 (a) and (b). Further, the meaning of each small circle and the arrow therein and the meaning of the solid line and broken line in (b) are the same as those in FIG.

In the toothbrush of the third reference example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the number of the bristle bundles 3 in the width direction of the flocking table 2 is four, and the bristle bundles 3 (not shown by the arrows) located at both ends in the width direction are vertically planted and positioned inside the bristle bundles 3. The bristle bundles 3 are implanted with slant. That is, in each row of the bristle bundle 3 in the width direction, two or more adjacent bristles 3 (corresponding to two and half in FIG. 3) corresponding to more than half of the row are arranged in one direction in the width direction. And the remaining bristle bundle 3 is vertical. In addition, the slanted bristle bundle 3 is implanted such that the tip of the slanted side does not protrude outside the tip of the vertical bristle bundle 3 implanted at the end of the flocking table. The toothbrush of the reference example is
Except for these points, the configuration is the same as that of the first reference example.

The toothbrush third reference example also exhibit the same effects as in the first reference example, also in the third reference example,
Since the tip of the slanted bristle bundle 3 does not protrude outside the tip of the vertical bristle bundle 3 at both ends in the width direction, the bristle tip is unlikely to spread, and therefore has excellent durability,
In addition, by each of the bristle bundles 3 vertically planted,
There is also an effect that the smooth surface of the teeth can be more effectively cleaned.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a fourth reference example of the third of the present invention of the toothbrush in the form of a reference example was partially changed, in view corresponding to them respectively, in FIG. 1 (a) and (b) is there. Further, the meaning of each small circle and the arrow therein and the meaning of the solid line and broken line in (b) are the same as those in FIG.

In the toothbrush of the fourth reference example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the number of bristle bundles 3 in the width direction of the flocking table 2 is three, and the bristle bundles 3 (not indicated by arrows) which are vertically flocking are alternately arranged at the width direction ends of the flocking table 2. The bristle bundles 3 provided so as to be positioned and in each row in the width direction are inclined in a direction opposite to the vertical bristle bundles 3 which are respectively located at the ends of the flocking table 2, and the fourth reference
Toothbrush considered example, except these points are configured as in the third embodiment. The toothbrush of the fourth reference example is also of the first type.
Effect similar to the reference example, and in the fourth reference example, by the bristle bundles 3 which are planted vertically, there are also more effectively brushing can effect smooth surface of the teeth.

FIG. 5 shows the toothbrush of the present invention.1Example of
IndicatesIt is a further improvement of the reference example of FIG.
(A) and (b) respectively correspond to those in FIG.
FIG. Also, each small circle in (a) and its inside
The meanings of the arrows and solid lines and broken lines in (b) are as follows.
This is the same as in FIG.

In the toothbrush of the first embodiment, FIG.
As shown in the figure, in the bristle bundles 31 in the width direction at the leading end of the flocking table 2, each bristle bundle 31 is inclined toward the rear end direction of the flocking table 2;
It is configured similarly to the reference example. Toothbrush of the first embodiment exhibit the same effects as in the first reference example, further, in the first embodiment, since the bristles spread is suppressed at the tip of the bristle base 2, excellent durability There is also an effect.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a second embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention, wherein FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively correspond to those in FIG. Further, the meaning of each small circle and the arrow therein and the meaning of the solid line and broken line in (b) are the same as those in FIG.

In the toothbrush of the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in the figure, in the bristle bundle 32 in the width direction at the tip of the flocking table 2, a part of the bristles 4 in each bristle bundle 32 is inclined toward the rear end direction of the flocking table 2 and the bristle bundle 32 The remaining bristles 4 are inclined in one direction in the width direction.
The configuration is the same as that of the reference example (however, the number of bristle bundles 3 in the width direction is four). Toothbrush of the second embodiment also exerts the same effect as in the first reference example, and the second
This embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a third embodiment of the toothbrush according to the present invention, wherein FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively correspond to those in FIG. However, each small circle described in FIG. 7 (a) is a flocking hole 5 in which the bristle bundle 3 is planted.
The arrow in each small circle indicates the direction in which the bristle bundle 3 implanted in the implanted hole 5 is inclined. The meanings of the solid line and the broken line in FIG. 7B are the same as those in FIG. In the toothbrush of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the flocking holes 5 are alternately shifted in the opposite direction for each row in the width direction, and the inclined one of the bristles bundle 3 The pores 5 are inclined in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pores 5 are shifted. Except for these points, the toothbrush of the third embodiment is similar to the first reference example (however, the number of bristles bundles 3 in the width direction is 4
).

The deviation size δ of the flocking hole 5 is expressed as δ =
Preferably it is in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the inclined bristle bundle 3
It is preferable that the tip does not protrude outside immediately above the flocking hole 5 provided at the end in the width direction (indicated by a two-dot chain line). Further, the interval between the flocked holes 5 is set to 0.
It is preferable to set it in the range of 8 to 2 mm. The toothbrush of the third embodiment has the same effect as that of the first reference example.
In the third embodiment, the bristle tips of the slanted bristle bundles 3 do not protrude from directly above the flocking holes 5 at the ends in the width direction. It also has the effect of being excellent in durability.

[0040] in FIG. 8 (1) to (7), respectively, in FIG. 1 (b) corresponding to FIG, as described below, an example having various types of the bristle bundles 3. FIGS. 9 to 11 each show (a) a side view (partial cross section) of the toothbrush, and (b) a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 (b). · an example having various structures. In either example shown in these FIGS. 8 through 11, the bristle bundles 3 flocking to the flocking stage 2 may be configured as above Symbol examples.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show each bristle.
Change the length of each bundle 3WasFor example, (3) to (5)
The bristle bundle 3 is composed of bristles 4 of different lengths.To
For example, (6) is to perform spherical processing on the tip 41 of each bristle 4.
AlmsWasFor example, (7) shows a tape at the tip 42 of each bristle 4.
Subjected to paddingWasHere is an example. In addition, bristle bunch
The present invention which changed the type of 3ofNot shown as an example
But the general round cut processing at the tip of each bristle 4
GivingWasExamples can be given.

[0042] Figure 9 is a gripping portion 1 and the flocking stage 2 by bending a neck portion 6 which bind together, an example in which tilting the flocked base 2 relative to the grip portion 1, FIG. 10, in the grip portion 1 battery 7, a drive source such as a motor 8 is built in, shown to an example electric toothbrush used by connecting to the recess formed on the end face of the neck portion 6 of the vibrator 9, 11 is built toothpaste 10 in the gripper 1 indicating the example.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. The angle of inclination of the bristle bundle in each row is
Although shown as being the same for each bristle bundle, the angle of inclination in each row may be different for each bristle bundle. Further, it goes without saying that the configuration described in each of the above embodiments can be appropriately applied to other embodiments.

[0044]

Effect of the Invention The toothbrush of the present invention can effectively remove plaque in various gaps (or depressions) such as an interdental portion, a cervical portion or a poorly aligned tooth, and can smoothen teeth. The cleaning effect on the surface is also high.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a reference example of a toothbrush of the present invention in which a part of a grip portion is omitted, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second reference example of the toothbrush of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively correspond to those in FIG.

Figure 3 illustrates a third reference example of a toothbrush of the present invention and is a view corresponding to those in (a) and (b) respectively, of FIG.

Figure 4 shows a fourth reference example of a toothbrush of the present invention and is a view corresponding to those in (a) and (b) respectively, of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention, wherein (a) and (b) are diagrams corresponding to those in FIG. 1, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a second embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention, wherein FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively correspond to those in FIG.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a third embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention, wherein FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively correspond to those in FIG.

8 (1) to 8 (7) correspond to FIG. 1 respectively.
It is a figure corresponding to (b).

9A is a side view of the entire toothbrush in the example of the toothbrush of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1B.

FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a modified example of the grip portion in the example of the toothbrush of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1B.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional side view showing another modified example of the grip portion in the example of the toothbrush of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1B.

12 shows a conventional toothbrush, and (a) and (b) are diagrams corresponding to those in FIG. 1, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing an experimental result regarding a removal ratio of plaque in an interdental part.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing an experimental result on an area of a tip portion of a bristle bundle at the time of cleaning.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grasping part 2 Flocked table 3 Bristle bundle 4 Bristle 5 Flocked hole

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A toothbrush having a plurality of bristle bundles implanted in each of a longitudinal direction and a width direction of a flocking table, wherein two adjacent bristle bundles are arranged in each row in the width direction of the bristle bundle.
The bristle bundles corresponding to at least one half of the rows are inclined in one direction in the width direction, and the remaining bristles are vertical, and the inclined bristles are alternately arranged for each row in the width direction. Slant in the opposite direction , the above flocking
In the width bristle bundle at the tip of the table,
A toothbrush wherein the bristles are inclined toward the rear end of the flocking table . 2. A flocking in which said bristle bundle is flocking.
The holes are alternately shifted in the opposite direction for each row in the width direction.
Of the bristle bundle,
It is characterized that the flocking hole is inclined in the direction opposite to the direction in which it has shifted
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein: