JP4013553B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toothbrush technique, and more specifically, improves the penetrability of the brush between the teeth and the brushing effect on the tooth surface, does not damage the gums, and has a strong bristle and a feeling of brushing. It relates to a toothbrush with improved durability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method for improving the ability of the toothbrush brush to penetrate between teeth, a toothbrush formed by cutting a monofilament cut piece at both ends with a chemical treatment, bending the center portion thereof, and flocking the flocked portion is actually opened. -15834. This toothbrush has a sharp taper that tapers from the base end to the tip of the brush, but the taper effect of the taper weakens the hair and lowers the brushing effect on the tooth surface, resulting in a feeling of brushing. Not only does it become poor, but it also has the disadvantage of reducing durability.
[0003]
To eliminate this drawback, it is conceivable to increase the diameter of the brush and increase its rigidity and durability. However, if this happens, the bristle of the brush will become too strong and the tip of the hair will damage the gums, and the interdental and periodontal pockets. There arises a problem that the insertion property into the lowering. Further, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 58-15812 and 60-88110, a brush having an irregular cross-sectional shape can improve the brushing effect, but the durability can be improved. The degradation problem is not solved.
[0004]
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-169827 discloses a toothbrush in which a brush tip is branched into a plurality of branched hairs, and each of the branched hairs has a sharp tapered shape. Here, the branched hairs of the brush are made by immersing a filament having a clover-shaped cross section in a hydrolyzing agent. The hair length is the same. Therefore, the tip of each branched hair interferes with the tooth surface and the penetration between the teeth stays in a shallow area, and the penetration of the tip of the hair into the interdental crease, deep indentation of the molar tip and periodontal pocket becomes insufficient. A sufficient brushing effect cannot be expected.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above situation, the present invention intends to solve the problem that the brush has a particularly excellent effect on the insertion between the teeth and the periodontal pocket and the brushing property, and the tip of the brush is soft and does not damage the gums. In addition, the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that has an appropriate bristle strength, has a good brushing effect on the uneven surface of the tooth surface, has a high feeling of brushing, and is excellent in durability.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a multi-leaf type in which two or more relatively narrow side-section leaf portions are continuously provided around one specific leaf portion so as to surround the specific leaf portion. A toothbrush was formed by implanting a brush in which tapered branch hairs were formed for each leaf portion of the multi-leaf type cross section by dissolving the front end portion of the monofilament having a cross section.
[0007]
In the dissolution treatment, for example, a large number of monofilaments cut to a predetermined length are bundled by wrapping an alkali-resistant film and immersed in an alkaline solution, and the vicinity of the cut end is caused by the solution entering from the cut end. It melt | dissolves and branches into multiple for every leaf part of a multileaf type cross section, and a sharp tapered branched hair is formed. Here, in the dissolution rate substantially constant for each portion of the monofilament by solution, since it is the thinning speed substantially constant, when the specific leaf became hair branch of the pointed taper shape, side cross-sectional area is small setting leaves are becoming shorter sharp tapered branch bristles than that. That is, other thin branched hairs are shorter than the thickest branched hair, and the length of the branched hair is not uniform in one brush. As a result, a brush having a multi-leaf type cross section with a plurality of branched hairs with a sharp taper at the tip is formed.
[0008]
Here, it is preferable to set the number of leaf portions constituting the multi-leaf type cross section to 3 to 5. More specifically, the mono filament has a 5-leaf cross-section consisting of four of the side設葉portion which bulges radially equally from said particular leaf and the leaves portion, the brush However, one long branch hair is formed from the specific leaf part, and four short branch hairs are formed around the four side leaf parts and are arranged evenly around the long branch hair. arbitrariness also favored ones. In addition, the monofilament has a cross section of three leaves composed of the specific leaf portion and two side-arranged leaf portions that bulge on both sides of the leaf portion, and the brush extends from the specific leaf portion. It is also preferable that one long branched hair is formed and two short branched hairs are formed from the two side leaf portions.
[0009]
The length of the part length branch bristle is preferably in the range of 1 / 10-2 / 3 of the length of the elongated branch hairs. The length of the part length branch hair is shorter than one-tenth of the length of the elongate branch hair, poor short-sized branch hair by brushing effect, when longer than 2/3, the length of the branch hair The effect of unevenness cannot be fully exhibited.
[0010]
The specific leaf portion and the side leaf portion are each preferably circular in a sectional view, and the side leaf portion is continuously provided with a thin joint portion with respect to the specific leaf portion. preferable. In the present invention, a brush having branched hair is planted in a part of the planted portion, and a normal brush is implanted in the other portion, a brush having branched hair is implanted in the whole, or mixed with a normal brush. It is also possible to plant by flocking, or by mixing with brushes having different kinds of branched hairs, it is possible to arrange them appropriately according to the purpose of use.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings, and includes all the various embodiments having the requirements described in the claims. . 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of the toothbrush of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the flocked portion of the toothbrush of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a brush 1 before flocking to the tip flocked portion of the handle of the toothbrush of the present invention. 4 is an enlarged view of the book, FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of the tip of the brush shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brush shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. , (B) is an intermediate part of the leading end branched hair, that is, a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, and (c) is a plan view of the brush as viewed from the leading end side.
[0012]
1 and 2, a toothbrush 1 according to the present invention is composed of a handle 2 and a brush 4 that is planted in a clustered manner at the tip flocking portion 3 of the handle 2. The brush 4 has both ends of the deformed monofilament cut into a dimension (L) (see FIG. 3) slightly longer than about twice the hair length (H) in the flocked state (see FIG. 2). In this way, a plurality of sharply tapered branched hairs having different lengths are formed. Here, the length (L) of the brush 4 is normally about 25 mm to about 35 mm, but is not limited to this range. A plurality of the brushes 4 are bundled and bent at substantially the center, and the bent part is implanted in the hair transplantation part 3 to form the toothbrush 1 shown in FIG.
[0013]
In the toothbrush 1 formed as described above, with respect to the handle 2, the shape shown in the drawing is an example, and the shape is not limited to this and may be various shapes. Moreover, also about arrangement | positioning of the flock hole of the flocking part 3, a figure and said description show an example, You may employ | adopt various arrangement | positioning forms not limiting to these. Moreover, the above-mentioned brush 4 may be used for the whole planted part 3, or may be used for a part, and can be used properly according to the objective.
[0014]
Next, the brush 4 of the toothbrush 1 has various embodiments having different cross-sectional shapes other than those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and will be described later. As shown in FIG. 5A, the brush 4 of the toothbrush 1 in the figure has a central leaf portion 11 having a large-diameter circular cross section and two small circular cross-sections bulging on both sides of the central leaf portion 11. The side leaf portions 12 and 12 are made of a monofilament 10 having a three-leaf multi-leaf type cross section that is connected via a joint portion 13 that is thinner than the minimum cross-sectional dimension of the side leaf portion 12. The brush 4 is cut into a length (L) that is about twice as long as the length (H) of the brush 4 in a state where the monofilament 10 is preliminarily implanted in the handle 2 of the toothbrush. When a film resistant to the lysing solution is wound and bundled, and immersed in the lysing solution, the vicinity of the cutting end is dissolved by the solution that has entered from the cutting end, and each leaf portion of the multileaf type cross section is dissolved. While branching into a plurality (three in the figure), sharp tapered branched hairs are formed. At this time, in the dissolution treatment of the end of the monofilament 10, the degree of dissolution can be adjusted by controlling any one of immersion time, dissolved solution concentration, temperature, or a combination thereof. The branched hairs 11a, 12a, and 12a each have a sharp tapered shape.
[0015]
That is, the branched hairs composed of the narrow side leaf portion 12 due to the difference in the cross-sectional area (that is, the thickness) between the central leaf portion 11 and the side leaf portion 12 of the monofilament 10 constituting the brush 4 as described above. 12a melt | dissolves faster than the branched hair 11a which consists of the thick central leaf part 11, and length becomes short, and each branched hair is formed in the shape of a sharp taper. In this case, the length (h) from the branch point 14 to the hair tip 11b of the longest branch hair 11a (see FIG. 3) and the ratio of the length of the short branch hair 12a to the length of the long branch hair 11a are the center. It can be adjusted by setting the diameter of the leaf portion 11 and the side leaf portion 12 and the thickness of the joint portion 13. In addition, the code | symbol 12b in the figure has shown the hair end of the branched hair 12a.
[0016]
In addition to the above method, a plurality of monofilament cut pieces cut into the above-mentioned lengths are bundled as a method for forming a plurality of non-uniform branched hairs having a sharp tapered shape at the tip of the brush 4. Then, after all of the bristles are implanted in the flocked portion 3 of the toothbrush handle 2, the predetermined length (h) of the brush tip is sequentially immersed in the solution from the tip side, and the joints 13, 13 is melted and branched into a plurality (three in the case of FIGS. 3 to 5), and the tip of each brush has a sharp taper from the branching point 14 so that the length of each brush is not long. A method of forming uniform branched hairs 11a, 12a, 12a may be used. At this time, it is preferable that the brush is gradually pulled up from the solution after the junction 13 of each leaf portion is dissolved and branched. Thereby, each branched hair becomes soaked in a solution for a long time, so that it becomes a hair tip. Further, the brush having branched hairs may be formed by dissolving a material having different dissolution rates into one monofilament by multi-color spinning, welding, fusing, and bonding.
[0017]
Next, as the material of the brush, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, or the like can be used, but a polybutylene terephthalate resin is optimal from the viewpoint of physical properties and costs related to functions required for the brush of the toothbrush of the present invention. It is.
[0018]
Moreover, as a solution used for the dissolution treatment, a chemical selected according to the material of the brush is used. When the brush is a polyester resin, a caustic soda aqueous solution is used.
[0019]
Next, regarding the dimensional relationship of the brush 4, the length (h) from the branching point 14 of the brush 4 is not more than ½ of the brush height (ie, hair length) (H) in the flocked state, desirably Is 1/3 or less, while the cross-sectional area of the monofilament 10 at the base end side of the brush 4, that is, the portion not subjected to the dissolution treatment, varies depending on the cross-sectional shape of the monofilament, etc., but is 0.001 to 0.00. It is optimal to set it to 5 mm ² and usually 0.01 to 0.2 mm ² . If the cross-sectional area of the brush base is less than 0.001 mm ² , the bristle is weak and lacks the rigidity necessary for brushing. If it exceeds 0.5 mm ² , the hair is thick and the insertability into details is poor. Therefore, the lower limit and the upper limit are determined as appropriate in consideration of related elements such as the cross-sectional shape and material.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the toothbrush 1 of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. In the toothbrush 1 according to the present invention, since the tip branch bristles of each brush are sharply tapered and the length is not the same, the long bristles do not stay on the tooth surface, and long branch bristles are deep in the interdental or molar crests. While entering into the dents and periodontal pockets for cleaning, the short branched hairs wipe out the tooth surface and its uneven parts, leaving all the dentition and tooth surface with complex unevenness and gaps remaining. Can be wiped out. Further, the brush of the toothbrush according to the present invention has a base having a large cross-sectional area and an appropriate bristles, while the branched end bristles are thin and flexible. The hair has soft properties and softly touches the gingiva, allowing it to enter the periodontal pocket and clean it without damaging the gingiva.
[0021]
The above is the description of the embodiment of the toothbrush 1 using the brush 4 formed from the monofilament of the three-leaf multi-leaf type cross section shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, but the multi-leaf type cross-section different from the brush of this toothbrush. Various brushes formed from monofilaments are illustrated in FIGS. FIGS. 6 to 10 are common to the drawings, (a) is an enlarged side view of the tip of one brush formed from a deformed monofilament having a different multi-leaf type cross section, and (b) is a view of (a). (C) is a cross-section of the distal end branching portion of the brush shown in (a), that is, a cross-section of an intermediate portion of the branched hair formed by the dissolution treatment, and (d) is a brush. The top view which looked at from the front end side is shown, respectively.
[0022]
Each of the brushes made of monofilaments having different multileaf type cross sections has a multileaf type cross section in which the base portion 15 is formed by connecting the central leaf portion 16 and one or more side leaf portions 17 with a thin joint portion 18. The joint 18 of each leaf portion on the tip side from the branch point 19 in the vicinity of the tip is branched into a plurality by a melting process, and is formed into sharp tapered branch hairs 16a and 17a, respectively. The tip of the branched hair 16a is indicated by 16b, and the tip of the branched hair 17a is indicated by 17b. The brushes shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 have the reference numerals 15, 16, 16a, 16b, 17, 17a, 17b, 18, and 19 in common.
[0023]
In addition, regarding each brush shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, a method of forming a plurality of sharp tapered branched hairs having different lengths at the tip portion, the length and cross-sectional area of the brush base portion and the tip branched hair, and the brush Since the manufacturing method of the toothbrush to be used and the operation of the toothbrush are basically the same as those described in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 described above, descriptions of common matters are omitted.
[0024]
FIG. 6A shows a five-leaf structure comprising a circular central leaf portion 16 with a large diameter at the center and four small-diameter circular side leaf portions 17,... Bulging from the central leaf portion 16 in the radial direction. The front-end | tip part of the brush for toothbrushes formed with the monofilament which has the multileaf type cross section of this is shown, (b) is CC sectional drawing, (c) shows DD sectional drawing. The tip branch bristles of the brush are composed of one long branch hair 16a formed from the large-diameter central leaf portion 16 and four short hairs formed from the side leaf portions 17,. It becomes the form which has the short branched hair 17a. If the cross-sectional area of each side leaf 17 is changed stepwise, the lengths of the four short branch hairs 17a can be changed.
[0025]
FIG. 7A shows a three-leaf structure composed of a large-diameter circular central leaf portion 16 and two small-diameter circular side leaf portions 17 and 17 that bulge in contact with one side surface of the central leaf portion 16. 1 shows a brush for a toothbrush as a reference example formed by a monofilament having a multi-leaf type cross section, (b) shows an EE cross section, and (c) shows an FF cross section. The tip branch hair of this brush has one long branch hair 16a formed from the central leaf portion 16 and two short branch hairs 17a, 17a formed from the side leaf portions 17, 17 thereof. It becomes a form. If the cross-sectional areas of the two side leaf portions 17 and 17 are changed, the lengths of the two short branch hairs 17a and 17a can be changed.
[0026]
FIG. 8A shows a two-leaf multi-leaf type comprising a large-diameter central leaf portion 16 and one small-diameter circular side leaf portion 17 that bulges in contact with one side surface of the central leaf portion 16. A brush for a toothbrush as a reference example formed by a monofilament having a cross section is shown, (b) is a GG cross sectional view, and (c) is a HH cross sectional view. This brush has the simplest form, and at its tip, one long branched hair 16a composed of a large diameter central leaf portion 16 and one short branched hair 17a composed of a small diameter side leaf portion 17 are formed.
[0027]
FIG. 9 (a) shows a multi-leaf multi-leaf shape consisting of a thin circular central leaf portion 16 and four large-diameter circular side leaf portions 17 bulging from the central leaf portion 16 in the radial direction. A brush for a toothbrush as a reference example formed by a monofilament having a leaf-shaped cross section is shown, (b) is a II cross-sectional view, and (c) is a JJ cross-sectional view. The leading end branch hair of this brush has four short hairs 16a formed from the central leaf portion 16 having a small diameter and side leaf portions 17,. It becomes the form which has the long branched hair 17a.
[0028]
As a modification of the shape shown in the reference example of FIG. 9, although not shown, if the cross-sectional area of each side leaf 17,... Is changed stepwise, the four long branched hairs 17 a,. By changing the thickness and changing the rigidity of the base portion 15, it is possible to make brushes having different hairs.
[0029]
As another modification of the brush shown in the reference example of FIG. 9, although not shown, three or five large-diameter side leaf portions 17,... It is also possible to use monofilaments having a four-leaf or six-leaf multi-leaf type cross section.
[0030]
FIG. 10A is a three-leaf multileaf comprising a thin circular central leaf portion 16 and two large-diameter circular side leaf portions 17 and 17 bulging on both side surfaces of the central leaf portion 16. A brush for a toothbrush as a reference example formed by a monofilament having a mold section is shown, (b) is a KK sectional view, and (c) is a LL sectional view. The bristles of the brush have one short branch bristles 16a formed from the central leaf portion 16 at the center and two long lengths of equal arrangement formed from the side leaf portions 17 and 17 on both sides thereof. It is the form which has branch hair 17a, 17a, and is the form which reversed the magnitude | size of each cross-sectional area of the central leaf part 11 in FIG.4 and FIG.5 and the side leaf parts 12 and 12 of both sides.
[0031]
On the other hand, in each figure of the monofilament having the above-mentioned multi-leaf type cross section and the description related thereto, the cross-sectional shapes of the central leaf portions 11 and 16 and the side leaf portions 12 and 17 are all circular. , Oval, triangle, square, rhombus, polygon, and other various shapes. In short, the central leaf portions 11 and 16 and the side leaf portions 12 and 17 have different sizes of cross sections, and the joint portions 13 and 18 of the both are constricted so that the joint portions 13 and 18 are easily melted during the melting process. Thus, the shape may be any shape as long as it can be easily separated and a plurality of sharply tapered branched hairs can be easily formed.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
Toothbrush according to the present onset Ming, since each brush tip branch hair is not the same it becomes and length as each pointed tapered, bristles excellent penetration of the gullet without remaining on the tooth surface and tooth It has a good brushing effect not only on the concave and convex portions on the surface but also on the dent at the tip of the molar. Further, the brush of the toothbrush according to the present invention has a base having a large cross-sectional area and an appropriate bristle, while the branched end hair is thin and rich in flexibility, so that it has excellent brushing feeling and does not damage the gingiva and also in the periodontal pocket. In general, it is possible to satisfy both of the purposes that are generally difficult to achieve, such as entering and erasing.
[0033]
In addition, the tip of monofilament having an irregular multi-leaf type cross section is formed into a sharp tapered shape and branched hairs having different lengths by melting treatment by thinning by melting according to the sectional area and shape of each leaf portion. Depending on the reason that the desired branched hair can be formed more easily than other methods by utilizing the difference in cross-sectional area and shape of the remaining part. The effect of exhibiting the brushing effect can be obtained regardless of the clearance of the portion and the unevenness of the tooth surface. In addition, this brush has a lower density than the monofilament with the same diameter as the circumscribed circle of the multi-leaf type cross section, and the bristle is not stronger than necessary, and it can flexibly cope with radial tightening deformation. In addition, there is an advantage that the compression is flexible, an appropriate waist strength can be obtained, the hair transplanting work is easy, the holding effect of the hair transplanted portion is improved, and the hair can be stably held.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention.
2 is an enlarged side view showing a flocked portion of the toothbrush of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing, in an enlarged manner, a single brush composed of three-shaped deformed monofilaments, which is a brush to be implanted in the toothbrush of FIG.
4 is a side view showing an enlarged front end portion of the brush of FIG. 3 vertically.
5 shows a cross section of the brush in FIG. 4, where (a) is an AA enlarged sectional view, (b) is a BB enlarged sectional view, and (c) is an enlarged plan view of the brush as viewed from the tip side. It is.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show the tip of one brush made of five-shaped deformed monofilaments, wherein FIG. 6A is a side view, FIG. 6B is a CC enlarged sectional view, and FIG. 6C is a DD enlarged sectional view; d) is an enlarged plan view of the brush viewed from the tip side.
7 shows the tip of one brush composed of another three-leaf deformed monofilament according to a reference example , (a) is a side view, (b) is an EE enlarged sectional view, and (c) is F- F enlarged sectional view, (d) is an enlarged plan view of the brush as viewed from the tip side.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show a tip portion of one brush composed of a two-leaf deformed monofilament according to a reference example, wherein FIG. 8A is a side view, FIG. 8B is a GG enlarged sectional view, and FIG. Sectional drawing, (d) is an enlarged plan view of the brush viewed from the tip side.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the tip of one brush composed of a five-leaf deformed monofilament according to a reference example, wherein FIG. 9A is a side view, FIG. 9B is an enlarged sectional view taken along II, and FIG. Sectional drawing, (d) is an enlarged plan view of the brush viewed from the tip side.
FIGS. 10A and 10B show the tip of one brush composed of a three-leaf deformed monofilament according to a reference example, wherein FIG. 10A is a side view, FIG. 10B is a KK enlarged sectional view, and FIG. Sectional drawing, (d) is an enlarged plan view of the brush viewed from the tip side.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toothbrush 2 Handle 3 Brushed part 4 Brush 10 Monofilament 11 Central leaf part 11a Branch hair 11b Branch tip 11a Branch hair 12 Side leaf part 12a Branch hair 12b Tip 13 Joining part 14 Branch point 15 Base 16 Center leaf part 16a Branch hair 16b Hair tip 17 Side leaf portion 17a Branch hair 17b Hair tip 18 Joint portion 19 Branch point

Claims (7)

Dissolving the tip of a monofilament having a multi-leaf type cross section formed by connecting two or more relatively thin side-attached leaf portions around one specific leaf portion so as to surround the specific leaf portion A toothbrush in which a brush having tapered branched hairs is implanted for each leaf portion of a multi-leaf type cross section. The toothbrush of Claim 1 formed by setting the number of the leaf parts which comprise the said multileaf type cross section to 3-5 pieces .   The monofilament has a cross section of five leaves composed of the specific leaf portion and four side-arranged leaf portions that bulge out radially from the leaf portion, and the brush extends from the specific leaf portion. The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one long branch hair is formed, and four short branch hairs formed from the four side leaf portions and arranged uniformly are formed around the long branch hair. .   The monofilament has a three-leaf cross section composed of the specific leaf portion and the two side leaf portions bulging on both sides of the leaf portion, and the brush is one from the specific leaf portion. The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the long branched hairs are formed, and two short branched hairs are formed from the two side leaves. The toothbrush according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a length of the short branched hair is set to a range of 1/10 to 2/3 of a length of the long branched hair. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein each of the specific leaf portion and the side leaf portion is circular in a sectional view. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the side leaf portion is connected to the specific leaf portion by a thin joint portion.

Images