JP4619396B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundles formed by bundling a plurality of bristles are implanted on a flocking table.

  A toothbrush is formed by implanting and fixing a bunch of bristles, such as a method of driving a flat wire into a plurality of flock holes provided on a flocking table or fusing them with heat. It is. In addition, the toothbrush is designed to efficiently perform appropriate cleaning according to the tooth part such as the tooth surface part, interdental part, and tooth neck part, and the type of tooth such as the front tooth and the back tooth. Various ideas have been made on the arrangement and the shape of the bristle tips.

  In general, the bristle is often made of monofilaments, which are individual fiber materials, and its outer peripheral surface has a shape with little unevenness. On the other hand, the toothbrush is considered to be able to remove plaque by contacting the tooth surface with the outer peripheral surface of the bristle in addition to removing the plaque when the bristle tip hits the tooth surface with an appropriate pressure. However, if there is no unevenness on the outer peripheral surface of the bristle, the frictional force is insufficient and the outer peripheral surface cannot sufficiently remove plaque.

  Known as a toothbrush that forms an irregularity on the outer peripheral surface of the bristle to increase the frictional force with the tooth surface, the bristle tip portion is wave-shaped, or the bristle is twisted to form an irregularity. However, since these process one monofilament, fine irregularities cannot be formed on the outer peripheral surface, and sufficient frictional force with the tooth surface cannot be obtained. In addition, it is conceivable that a plurality of filaments are knitted into, for example, a three-knitted shape to form a bristle with irregularities formed on the outer peripheral surface. However, a simple knitted filament is easy to loosen during use of the toothbrush. It is also difficult to form fine irregularities.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush capable of easily and firmly forming fine irregularities on the outer peripheral surface of a bristle and improving the plaque removal effect on the tooth surface by contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bristle. .

  The present invention is a toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundles formed by bundling a plurality of bristles are planted on a flocking table, wherein a part or all of the bristles are made of, for example, one or a plurality of monofilaments The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing a toothbrush that is a string bristle in which a plurality of fine yarns are knitted by string making around the periphery of the thread.

  Here, the fine yarn knitted by stringing is a yarn thinner than the core material, and has a thickness of, for example, 1 to 200 μm, preferably 25 to 150 μm, particularly preferably 50 to 100 μm. It can be formed from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, metal fibers and the like. In addition, stringing is performed in accordance with various known weaving methods (knitting methods) using a general string-making machine (braiding machine) known as a machine for assembling a string or the like by assembling yarns. Although it can be carried out, it is preferable to knitting with eight strokes rather than sixteen strokes, for example, in order to increase the unevenness due to knitting.

  And according to the toothbrush of this invention, at least one part of the bristle planted by the flocking table becomes a string-making bristle, and these string-making bristles are made of a plurality of strings by stringing around the core material. Since it has a structure in which fine yarns are knitted, on its outer peripheral surface, fine irregularities due to the stitches of the knitting yarn formed by stringing and finer irregularities due to each of the plural fine yarns constituting the knitting yarn And will be formed. These irregularities ensure sufficient frictional force against the tooth surface of the outer peripheral surface of the string bristle, so that the plaque removal effect on the tooth surface can be easily achieved by contact with the outer peripheral surface of the string bristle at the time of cleaning. It becomes possible to improve.

  Also, for example, polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber (PTT fiber or 3GT fiber) is excellent in durability when used as a toothbrush bristle, but it is known that if the filament is slightly scratched, it will break. . Such filaments could not be used alone for toothbrushes, but these filaments were used as a core material, and the outside was covered and protected by, for example, other polyester resin or polyamide resin. By doing so, it can be used for a toothbrush.

  Furthermore, according to the toothbrush of the present invention, stringing of the string bristle can be easily performed using a known string processing machine, and the stitches formed by the string processing machine are tightly knitted. Therefore, the unevenness of the outer peripheral surface can be firmly held by the tightness even during the cleaning.

  According to the toothbrush of the present invention, fine irregularities can be easily and firmly formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bristle, and the plaque removal effect on the tooth surface due to contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bristle can be improved.

  Further, for example, polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber (PTT fiber or 3GT fiber) is excellent in durability when used as a toothbrush, but is known to break from a slight scratch on the filament. Such filaments could not be used alone for toothbrushes, but these filaments were used as a core material, and the outside was covered with, for example, other polyester resin or polyamide resin. By protecting it, it can be used for a toothbrush. As a result, polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber (PTT fiber or 3GT fiber) that is easy to break when the filament is slightly scratched is protected by coating with a stringed fabric covered on the outside, and polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber ( PTT fiber or 3GT fiber) can make full use of the excellent durability as a core material.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a flocking table 14 of a toothbrush main body including a gripping part (not shown), a flocking table 14, and a neck 15 connecting them. The hair bundle (tuft) 12 formed by bundling a plurality of bristles 11 is planted (planted) in each of the plurality of flock holes 13 formed in the above.

  Further, according to the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment, all of the bristle 11 constituting each bristle bundle 12 is a string bristle formed by braiding a plurality of thin yarns 17 around the core material 16 by string making. It has become.

  According to the first embodiment, the toothbrush body is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or ABS resin, and the flat surface of the flocked portion 14 has a circular cross section with a diameter of about 0.8 to 3.0 mm, for example. A plurality of flock holes 13 are formed so as to be aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions. In addition, each flock hole 13 has a depth of about 2.0 to 4.0 mm, and a plurality of hair bundles 12 including a plurality of string-made bristle 11 are driven into each flock hole 13 with, for example, a flat wire. They are each planted by the method of fusing with heat.

  Each hair bundle 12 is formed by bundling, for example, dozens to dozens of string bristle 11, and a plurality of bristles 12 have a hair length of about 7.0 to 14.0 mm from the surface of the flocking table 14. Each of the flock holes 13 is flocked. As a result, each hair bundle 12 has a substantially circular shape with a bundle diameter of about 0.8 to 3.0 mm, which is substantially the same in cross-sectional shape as the flock hole 13 at the root portion.

  And according to this 1st Embodiment, the string-making bristle 11 which comprises each hair | bristle bundle 12 is the outer peripheral surface by braiding the several thin thread 17 by the string-making process around the thread | yarn material 16, respectively. Are formed to have fine irregularities.

  According to this embodiment, the core material 16 of each string bristle 11 is a single monofilament made of a synthetic resin such as nylon and having a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm. Around the thread material 16, using a known stringing machine (braiding machine), for example, 1 to 200 μm, preferably 25 to 150 μm, more preferably 50 to 100 μm in thickness 1 By knitting up to 16, preferably 4 to 8, the string bristle 11 in which a plurality of fine yarns 17 are knitted around the core 16 is easily formed.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the string bristle 11 formed by weaving a plurality of thin threads 17 into the thread material 16 using the string processing machine is suitable for being planted on the flocking table 14. After being cut into lengths, the hair is to be planted. By cutting the ends of the cut string bristle 11 by heat-melting and rounding, the cut ends of the string bristle 11 at the time of cleaning are cut. It is possible to effectively avoid loosening of the thin yarn 17 from the portion and to soften the tooth contact.

  According to the first embodiment, the core material 16 can be formed of a monofilament made of a polyamide resin such as nylon or a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). preferable. Moreover, it is also possible to use para-amide fiber generally called high-tech fiber, aromatic polyester fiber, high-strength polyethylene fiber represented by Dyneema (Toyobo), carbon fiber and PBO fiber. Furthermore, not only monofilaments of a normal shape, but also hollow fibers, sea-island structure fibers, rice-type split fibers, multilayer structures, core-sheath structures, and orange-type split structure fibers may be used.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the core member 16 is not limited to a normal circular shape but may be a star shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. Alternatively, a core material 16 may be formed by integrating two or three or more monofilaments, and a plurality of thin yarns 17 may be knitted around the core material 16.

  Further, as the fine yarn 17 used for stringing, it is preferable to use a material made of polyamide fiber, polyester fiber or the like, like the core material 16. Further, high-tech fibers or the like may be used in the same manner as the core material 16, or hollow fibers, sea-island structure fibers, rice-type split fibers, multi-layer structures, core-sheath structures, and orange-type split structure fibers may be used. . Further, the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a normal circular shape, but may be a star shape or a rectangular shape.

  And according to the toothbrush 10 of this 1st Embodiment, fine unevenness | corrugation is formed easily and firmly in the outer peripheral surface of the string bristle 11, and the dental plaque removal effect by contact with the outer peripheral surface of a bristle is improved. It becomes possible to make it. That is, according to the first embodiment, the string bristle 11 planted on the flocking table 14 has a configuration in which a plurality of thin yarns 17 are knitted around the core material 16 by stringing. Therefore, fine irregularities due to the stitches of the knitting yarn 18 formed by stringing and finer irregularities due to the plurality of fine yarns 17 constituting the knitting yarn 18 are formed on the outer peripheral surface. . Therefore, since these irregularities ensure a sufficient frictional force against the tooth surface of the outer peripheral surface of the string bristle 11, the plaque removal effect on the tooth surface is brought about by contact with the outer peripheral surface of the string bristle 11 at the time of cleaning. Can be easily improved.

  In addition, according to the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment, stringing of the string bristle 11 can be easily performed using a known stringing machine, and the stitches given by the stringing machine are as follows: Since it can be tightly knitted so as not to be easily loosened, it is possible to firmly hold the irregularities on the outer peripheral surface by the tightness even during printing.

  Furthermore, for example, polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber (PTT fiber or 3GT fiber) is excellent in durability when used as a toothbrush bristle, but it is known that if the filament is slightly scratched, it will break. . Such filaments could not be used alone for toothbrushes, but these filaments were used as the core material 16 and the outside was covered with, for example, another polyester resin or polyamide resin. It can be used for toothbrushes.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the plurality of fine yarns 17 knitted by the string making process are knitted in a sleeve shape that covers the periphery of the core material 16, the knitted fabric can be manufactured by water retention. It becomes possible to infiltrate the chemical solution around the string bristle 11, thereby enabling the chemical solution to be effectively conveyed to the affected part at the time of cleaning.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the string bristle 19 constituting the hair bundle 12 implanted in the flocking table 14 in the toothbrush according to the second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment, each of the string bristle 19 to be planted on the flocking table 14 includes a plurality of spiral yarns 21 made of a monofilament and spirally wound around the core material 20. It is formed by knitting the fine yarn 22 by string making.

  In addition, according to the toothbrush of this 2nd Embodiment, the hair-brush hole formed in the toothbrush main body which consists of a holding part, the flocking base 14, and the neck 15, the flocking hole 13 formed in the flocking base 14, or the hair bundle planted by the flocking hole 13 12 and the like have substantially the same configuration as the toothbrush 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  And according to this 2nd Embodiment, the core material 20 of each string bristle 19 is formed by the monofilament which consists of synthetic resins, such as nylon, for example, and has a thickness of 50-400 micrometers, Preferably it is 100-250 micrometers. The spiral yarn 21 was wound around the core material 20 while the spiral yarn 21 made of the same monofilament having a thickness of, for example, 10 to 400 μm, preferably 50 to 250 μm, more preferably 100 to 200 μm was wound. For example, 1 to 16 fine yarns 22 having a thickness of 1 to 200 μm, preferably 25 to 150 μm, and more preferably 50 to 100 μm are further knitted around the core material 20. As a result, the string bristle 19 in which a plurality of fine yarns 22 are knitted around the core material 20 and the spiral yarn 21 is easily formed.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment, the spiral thread 21 wound spirally around the core material 20 is similar to the core material 20, such as polyamide resin such as nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, It is preferable to use a monofilament made of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin or the like. Moreover, it is also possible to use para-amide fiber generally called high-tech fiber, aromatic polyester fiber, high-strength polyethylene fiber represented by Dyneema (Toyobo), carbon fiber and PBO fiber. Furthermore, not only monofilaments of a normal shape, but also hollow fibers, sea-island structure fibers, rice-type split fibers, multilayer structures, core-sheath structures, and orange-type split structure fibers may be used.

  Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the spiral yarn 21 is not limited to a normal circular shape, but may be a star shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. The spiral yarn 21 can also be formed using a multifilament made of the same material.

  According to the toothbrush of the second embodiment, the string bristle 19 planted on the flocking table 14 has a plurality of fine threads around the core material 20 around which the spiral thread 21 is wound by stringing. 22 is formed by weaving, and provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof with fine irregularities due to the stitches of the knitting yarn 23 and finer irregularities due to the plurality of fine yarns 22 constituting the knitting yarn 23. The same effect as the toothbrush 10 of a form is show | played. Further, since the spiral yarn 21 wound in a spiral shape reinforces the core member 20, the bending recovery rate of the entire bristle 19 is improved, the durability of the bristle 19 is improved, and the toothbrush becomes difficult to spread. Furthermore, since the unevenness becomes large, the massage effect of the gums is also improved over the conventional toothbrush.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since the spiral thread 23 thicker than the thin thread 22 is wound around the core material 20, the coarse thread formed around the core material 20 by the spiral thread 21. The unevenness can further improve the effect of removing plaque and dirt on the tooth surface. In addition, the spiral yarn 21 wound around the core material 20 is firmly fixed around the core material 20 via a knitting yarn 23 tightly knitted around the core material 20, and around the yarn material 20 at the time of cleaning. There is no deviation along.

  The present invention can be variously modified without being limited to the above embodiments. For example, it is not always necessary to use all the bristle planted on the flocking table as a string bristle, and the bristle bristle can be implanted only in a part that contributes to the tooth surface cleaning. It can also be planted with mixed string bristle. Further, a core material in which a large number of fine yarns are integrated can be used.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, without processing the end portion of the string bristle 11 cut to a length suitable for implantation on the flocking table, the knitted fine yarn 17 is formed at the end portion. It can also be loosened and left in a branched state, which makes it softer against the gums and can be polished to fine details.

It is a perspective view which shows the toothbrush which concerns on preferable 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the elements on larger scale explaining the structure of the string manufacturing bristle in the toothbrush which concerns on preferable 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the elements on larger scale explaining the structure of the string manufacturing bristle in the toothbrush which concerns on preferable 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the elements on larger scale which show the front-end | tip part of the string manufacturing bristle which branched the knitted fine thread.

Explanation of symbols

10 Toothbrushes 11, 19 Bristle (string bristle)
12 Hair bundle 13 Flocking hole 14 Flocking table 15 Neck portion 16, 20 Core material 17, 22 Fine yarn 18, 23 Knitting yarn 21 Spiral yarn

Claims (4)

A toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundling bristles are planted on a flocking table,
At least a part of the bristle is a string bristle formed by braiding a plurality of fine threads around the core material by string making,
The fine yarn is knitted into a sleeve shape that covers the periphery of the core material,
A toothbrush in which the end of the string bristle that touches the teeth at the time of brushing is rolled by heating and melting together with the end of the knitted fine yarn.     The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the core material is composed of one or a plurality of monofilaments.   The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the core material is made of polytrimethylene terephthalate monofilament or multifilament.   The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein a spiral yarn made of monofilament or multifilament is wound around the core material, and the plurality of fine yarns are further knitted.

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