JP5690525B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

 It is said that the sites where caries are likely to occur (caries favored site) are the back teeth, interdental region, and cervical region. Since it is important to apply a high pressure to the occlusal surface for cleaning the back teeth, a hair bundle having high rigidity and high density is suitable. On the other hand, for the cleaning of interdental and cervical parts, it is important that the hair bundle can be inserted into narrow spaces such as the interdental or periodontal pockets, and that the contact comfort is soft. Is suitable. Thus, since the back teeth, interdental part, and tooth neck part have different specifications of toothbrushes suitable for cleaning, in order to properly clean these parts, it is necessary to use toothbrushes equipped with appropriate hair bundles. It was necessary.

 In order to properly clean the back teeth, interdental part, and tooth neck part with a single toothbrush, toothbrushes that combine hairs and hair bundles with different diameters or hair bundles with different hair lengths have been used. . This toothbrush generally has a bristle bundle with high rigidity on the distal end side of the head part, and a thin, low bristle bundle on the handle part side (base end side) of the head part. . A toothbrush with increased rigidity of the hair bundle on the distal end side of the head part has high rigidity on the distal end side, so that the hair bundle on the distal end side is stretched, and the hair bundle on the proximal end side is interdental or toothed. There was a problem that it was not fully inserted into the neck.

To cope with such problems, toothbrushes have been proposed in which the hair bundle is inclined with respect to the flocked surface of the head portion and the cleaning property is improved without increasing the rigidity of the hair bundle itself.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a toothbrush including a hair bundle planting surface of a handle head portion having a horizontal portion along the handle shaft, and a tip portion having an obtuse inclined surface with respect to the hair implantation surface of the horizontal portion. Proposed.
Patent Document 2 proposes a toothbrush in which a group of hair bundles located on the front end side of a hair transplant table is inclined in the center direction.
Patent Document 3 proposes a toothbrush that is implanted so as to incline forward with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush.

JP 9-182625 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-143936 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-153938

However, since the invention of Patent Document 1 cannot plant hair at the boundary between the horizontal portion and the tip portion, the head portion must be lengthened to secure the number of hair bundles, and the operability is lowered when the head portion is lengthened. In addition, the usability deteriorates. In addition, it is difficult to plant with a single planter, which increases the manufacturing cost.
Moreover, although invention of patent document 2 can raise the density (tip density) of the bristles of the hair in the center of the flock bundle group located in the flocking base front end side, it is brushed by reciprocating the toothbrush in the longitudinal direction. The scuffing power when scrubbing is not enough.
Moreover, although the invention of patent document 3 can raise the scraping force in a back tooth, it does not assume cleaning narrow parts, such as an interdental part and a tooth neck part.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that can enhance the scraping force on the back teeth and can well clean narrow portions such as interdental portions and tooth neck portions.

 As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors gradually inclined the hair bundle on the distal end side of the head portion, and the bristle strength of the hair bundle on the distal end side and the bristle strength of the hair bundle on the handle portion side. By making it into a specific ratio, it discovered that a back tooth, an interdental part, and a tooth neck part could be cleaned favorably, and resulted in this invention.

That is, the toothbrush of the present invention includes a head portion and a handle portion, and in the toothbrush in which a plurality of hair bundles formed by bundling a plurality of hairs are implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion, the flocked surface includes: A front end side region that is a front end side region of the head portion and a proximal end side region that is a region on the handle portion side are formed, and the front end side region extends from the front end of the head portion to the handle portion side. A front end side hair bundle group in which a plurality of the hair bundles are arranged side by side is provided, and the front end side hair bundle group is formed by the length direction of an arbitrary hair bundle constituting the hair bundle surface and the flocked surface. The angle on the side is smaller than the angle on the handle portion side formed by the length direction of the other hair bundle adjacent to the arbitrary hair bundle on the handle portion side and the flocked surface, and the proximal end In the side region, a plurality of the hair bundles are implanted substantially perpendicular to the flocked surface. Prosthetic-side hair bundle group is provided, and the lumbar strength ratio represented by [hair strength at the actual length of the distal-side hair bundle group] / [hair strength at the actual length of the proximal-side hair bundle group] Is one or more.
In the distal-side hair bundle group, it is preferable that the distal-side hair bundle closest to the proximal-side hair bundle group is implanted substantially perpendicular to the flocked surface, It is preferable that the distance from the flocked surface to the distal end of the distal end side hair bundle becomes longer as it goes toward the distal end of the head part, and the distal end portion of the hair constituting the proximal end side hair bundle group has a distal end. It is preferable to reduce the diameter as it goes to.

According to the present invention, a tip side hair bundle group in which a plurality of hair bundles are arranged and planted from the tip of the head portion to the handle portion side is provided in the tip side region, and the tip side hair bundle group constitutes this. The angle of the handle portion side formed by the length direction of an arbitrary hair bundle and the flocked surface is such that the length direction of another hair bundle adjacent to the arbitrary hair bundle on the handle portion side and the flocked surface are The base end side region is provided with a proximal end side hair bundle group in which a plurality of the hair bundles are implanted substantially perpendicularly to the flocked surface. Since the fur-lumbar strength ratio represented by the fur-lumbar strength at the actual length of the distal-side bristle bundle group] / [the fur-lumbar strength at the actual length of the proximal-end bristle bundle group] is 1 or more, In addition to increasing the scraping force, it is possible to satisfactorily clean narrow parts such as interdental parts and tooth neck parts.
According to the present invention, the tip side hair bundle group has a hair tip density because the tip side hair bundle closest to the base end side hair bundle group is implanted substantially perpendicularly to the flocked surface. Can be increased and the scraping force on the back teeth can be further increased.
According to the present invention, the tip-side hair bundle has a longer distance from the flocked surface to the tip of the tip-side hair bundle as it goes toward the tip of the head portion, so that the scraping force on the back teeth can be further increased.
According to the present invention, since the tip part of the hair constituting the proximal-end-side hair bundle group is reduced in diameter toward the tip, the interdental part and the tooth neck part can be cleaned better.

It is a side view of the toothbrush concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the toothbrush concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the hair used for the toothbrush of this invention. It is a side view of the toothbrush concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the toothbrush concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the toothbrush concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the toothbrush used for the comparative example.

(First embodiment)
The toothbrush concerning 1st embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1-2 below. The toothbrush 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a handle portion 2, a head portion 4 extended to the handle portion 2 via a neck portion 3, and a distal end side hair bundle group provided on a flocked surface 6 of the head portion 4. 20 and the proximal end hair bundle group 10.

The head portion 4 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with the connecting direction of the head portion 4 and the handle portion 2 as a longitudinal direction, and an arbitrary surface is a flocking surface 6 for planting a hair bundle in which a plurality of hairs are bundled. It is said that.
A plurality of substantially cylindrical flock holes 9 for planting hair bundles are formed on the flocked surface 6, and a tip side region 21 that is a region on the head portion tip 7 side and a handle portion 2 side, that is, the head portion 4 side. A proximal side region 11 that is a proximal side region is formed.

In the distal end side region 21, in order from the head portion distal end 7, two first distal side hair bundles 22 provided in the first row and three second distal side hairs provided in the second row. A front end side hair bundle group 20 including a bundle 24 and three third front end side hair bundles 26 provided in the third row is provided. The position where the third tip side hair bundle 26 is planted can be determined in consideration of the area of the flocked surface 6 and the like, for example, planted in the range of 5 to 15 mm from the head unit tip 7 to the handle unit 2 side. It is preferable that it is planted in the range of 8 to 12 mm.
The first tip side hair bundle 22, the second tip side hair bundle 24, and the third tip side hair bundle 26 may be collectively referred to as a tip side hair bundle.
In the present embodiment, the tip side region 21 is a region surrounded by an annular line that connects the outer edges of the flock holes 9 located on the outermost periphery of the entire tip side hair bundle group 20.

In the proximal end region 11, three in the width direction of the head portion 4 and five in the connecting direction of the head portion 4 and the handle portion 2 are arranged between the third distal end side hair bundle 26 and the neck portion 3. A proximal-side hair bundle group 10 including the first proximal-side hair bundles 12 is provided.
In the present embodiment, the proximal side region 11 is a region surrounded by an annular line that connects the outer edges of the flock holes 9 located on the outermost periphery of the entire proximal side hair bundle group 10.

The first distal-side hair bundle 22 and the second distal-side hair bundle 24 have their distal ends inclined toward the handle portion 2, and the third distal-end side closest to the proximal-side hair bundle group 10. The hair bundle 26 is substantially perpendicular to the flocked surface 6.
The inclination angle θ1, which is the angle on the handle portion 2 side formed by the length direction P1 of the first tip side hair bundle 22 and the flocked surface 6, is the length direction P2 of the second tip side hair bundle 24 and the flocked surface. 6 is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 that is the angle on the handle portion 2 side formed by the angle 6. In addition, the inclination angle θ2 of the second tip side hair bundle 24 is more than the inclination angle θ3 that is the angle on the handle portion 2 side formed by the length direction P3 of the third tip side hair bundle 26 and the flocked surface 6. It is supposed to be small. That is, the tip-side hair bundle constituting the tip-side hair bundle group 20 has an inclination of the tip of the tip-side hair bundle toward the handle portion 2 side increases from the handle portion 2 toward the head portion tip 7. Yes. Thus, the tip of the first tip side hair bundle 22 and the tip of the second tip side hair bundle 24 are brought closer to the third tip side hair bundle 26 side, so that the tip side region 21 has a tip side. A portion where the hair end density of the hair bundle is increased is formed.
In the present embodiment, the first tip side hair bundle 22, the second tip side hair bundle 24, and the third tip side hair bundle 26 have substantially the same distance L2 from the flocked surface 6 to each tip. Has been.

 The length direction of the first proximal-side hair bundle 12 is substantially orthogonal to the flocked surface 6. “Substantially orthogonal” means intersecting at 87 to 93 °.

In the toothbrush 1, the handle portion 2, the neck portion 3, and the head portion 4 are integrally formed in a long shape as a whole, and are obtained, for example, by injection molding using a resin as a material.
The resin can be determined in consideration of the rigidity and mechanical characteristics required for the toothbrush 1, and is necessary for the toothbrush 1 by using, for example, a high-hardness resin having a flexural modulus (JIS K7203) in the range of 500 to 3000 MPa. The mechanical properties are obtained. Examples of such high-hardness resins include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene (PS), and acrylonitrile. Examples include butadiene styrene (ABS), cellulose propionate (CP), polyarylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile styrene (AS), and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The size of the head portion 4 can be determined in consideration of the operability in the oral cavity, for example, the width is 8 to 12 mm, and the thickness is 3 to 6 mm.

 The diameter of the flock hole 9 in the proximal side region 11 can be determined according to the hair bundle diameter of the first proximal side hair bundle 12.

 The first proximal end hair bundle 12 in the present embodiment is substantially cylindrical. The hair bundle diameter of the first proximal-end hair bundle 12 can be determined in consideration of the material of the hair, the bristle strength required for the first proximal-end hair bundle 12, and the like, for example, 1.0 to 2 4 mm.

 The distance L1 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the first proximal-side hair bundle 12 can be determined in consideration of the bristle strength required for the proximal-side hair bundle group 10 and is, for example, 6 to 13 mm.

  The shape of the hair constituting the proximal-end-side hair bundle group 10 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a true circular shape or an elliptical cylindrical shape in plan view, or a polygonal column shape such as a triangular shape, square shape, or pentagonal shape in plan view. . Alternatively, as in the hair 13 shown in FIG. 3, a so-called tapered hair having a substantially columnar shape and a tip portion gradually decreasing from the base portion 13 b toward the tip end 13 a may be used. Among these, a taper hair is preferable for the hair which comprises the base end side hair | bristle bundle group 10. FIG. This is because by using the tapered hair, the first proximal-side hair bundle 12 can be easily inserted into a narrow portion such as an interdental portion or a tooth neck portion.

  The hair diameter of the hair constituting the proximal-side hair bundle group 10 can be determined in consideration of the material and the like, for example, 6 to 9 mil (1 mil = 1/1000 inch = 0.025 mm). If it is 6 mils or more, the fur waist which can clean a tooth neck part well is ensured, and if it is 9 mils or less, the softness | flexibility which can relieve irritation | stimulation to a gum etc. is ensured. In addition, the bristle diameter in a taper hair is a diameter in the base 13b of a front-end | tip part, just before a diameter becomes small gradually toward the front-end | tip 13a. Further, when the shape of the bristle is other than a substantially columnar shape, the bristle diameter is the diameter of a perfect circle circumscribing the shape in plan view.

 The material of the hair constituting the proximal end side hair bundle group 10 is not particularly limited. For example, polyamide such as 6-12 nylon and 6-10 nylon, PET, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate ( Synthetic resin materials such as polyesters such as PTT), polyolefins such as PP, olefin elastomers, and styrene elastomers can be used. A plurality of these resin materials may be used in combination. For example, different resin materials may be used for the core and the sheath, such as a core-sheath structure.

For example, 50 to 85 N / cm ² is preferable, and 60 to 75 N / cm ² is more preferable as the bristle strength in the actual length of the proximal end hair bundle group 10. If it is less than 50 N / cm ² , the first proximal hair bundle 12 is too soft, and the scraping force such as plaque adhering to the interproximal part and the tooth neck part becomes insufficient. If it exceeds 85 N / cm ² , the first proximal hair bundle 12 is difficult to bend and difficult to insert into the interdental or cervical region, and the stimulation to the gums becomes too strong, The feeling of use decreases. It should be noted that the actual length of the bristle strength is the length (actual length) of the planted hair without trimming the length of the toothbrush bristles, in accordance with the “hair hardness” test of JIS S3106. ) Measured with a toothbrush as a sample.
In addition, the bristle strength of the actual length can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the hair and the hair diameter.

 The diameter of the flock hole 9 in the tip side region 21 can be determined according to the hair bundle diameter of the tip side hair bundle.

The front end side hair bundle in this embodiment is substantially cylindrical.
The hair bundle diameter of the first tip side hair bundle 22 can be determined in consideration of the material of the hair, the hair strength required for the first tip side hair bundle 22, and the like, for example, 1.0 to 2.4 mm. It is said.
The hair bundle diameter of the second tip side hair bundle 24 is the same as that of the first tip side hair bundle 22, and the hair bundle diameter of the third tip side hair bundle 26 is the same as that of the first tip side hair bundle 22. It is the same.
The first tip side hair bundle 22, the second tip side hair bundle 24, and the third tip side hair bundle 26 may have mutually different hair bundle diameters, and the hair bundle diameters are substantially the same. There may be. From the viewpoint of improving the productivity of the toothbrush 1, the hair bundle diameters of the first tip side hair bundle 22, the second tip side hair bundle 24, and the third tip side hair bundle 26 are preferably substantially equal.
Further, the hair bundle diameter of the distal end side hair bundle and the hair bundle diameter of the proximal end side hair bundle 12 may be different from each other or may be substantially equivalent. From the viewpoint of improving the productivity of the toothbrush 1, the hair bundle diameter of the distal end side hair bundle and the hair bundle diameter of the proximal end side hair bundle 12 are preferably substantially equal.

The distance L2 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the front-end side hair bundle is shorter than the distance L1. In the present embodiment, the distance L2 is not particularly limited as long as it is shorter than the distance L1, but is, for example, 5 to 12 mm.
Further, the hair length difference represented by “L1−L2” can be determined in consideration of the bristle strength of the distal end side hair bundle group 20, the bristle strength of the proximal end side hair bundle group 10, and the like. 5-2.0 mm is preferable and 0.5-1.5 mm is more preferable. If it is less than 0.5 mm, it becomes difficult to insert the interdental portion. If it exceeds 2.0 mm, the stimulation to the tooth neck is too strong and the feeling of use is reduced, or the tip hair bundle group 20 is less likely to come into contact with the back teeth, and the cleaning properties of the back teeth are reduced.

The shape of the hair constituting the distal end side hair bundle group 20 is the same as the shape of the hair constituting the proximal end side hair bundle group 10.
The hair diameter of the hair constituting the distal end side hair bundle group 20 is the same as the hair diameter of the hair constituting the proximal end side hair bundle group 10.
The material of the hair constituting the distal-side hair bundle group 20 is the same as the material of the hair constituting the proximal-side hair bundle group 10.

The inclination angle θ1 can be determined in consideration of the material, diameter, length, and the like of the hair used for the first tip side hair bundle 22, and is set to, for example, 80 to 87 °.
The inclination angle θ2 can be determined according to the inclination angle θ1 of the first tip side hair bundle 22, and is set to 85 to 89 °, for example.
The inclination angle θ3 can be determined according to the inclination angle θ2 of the second distal end side hair bundle 24, and is, for example, 87 to 93 °, preferably 87 to 90 °. If it exceeds 90 °, the scraping force on the back teeth may be reduced.

For example, 50 to 85 N / cm ² is preferable and 65 to 80 N / cm ² is more preferable as the bristle strength in the actual length of the distal side hair bundle group 20. If it is less than 50 N / cm ² , the cleaning property of the occlusal surface of the back teeth may be insufficient, and if it is more than 85 N / cm ² , stimulation to the gums becomes too strong and the feeling of use decreases.

  The bristle strength ratio represented by [hair strength at the actual length of the front-side hair bundle group] / [hair strength at the actual length of the proximal-side hair bundle group] is 1 or more, and 1-1. .2 is preferable. If it is less than 1, the proximal-side hair bundle 12 is stretched without bending, making it difficult to brush the back teeth. Moreover, if it is 1.2 or less, the balance with the cleaning property of the occlusal surface of a back tooth and the cleaning property of an interdental part and a tooth neck part will improve more.

  The manufacturing method of the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment can use a conventionally well-known method, for example, folds a bristle bundle, and implants a bristle bundle by driving a flat line pinched | interposed between them into a flock hole. Flat wire type flocking, heat fusion method that presses and fixes the lower end of the hair bundle into the molten resin that becomes the flocked part, heats the lower end of the hair bundle to form a molten lump, and then the molten resin in the mold And an in-mold method for forming a hair transplantation part.

According to this embodiment, since the first and second tip side hair bundles inclined toward the handle portion side are provided, the oral cavity is cleaned by the scrub method so that the toothbrush is pulled out from the back of the oral cavity. At this time, the first and second tip side hair bundles act so as to scrape plaque and the like on the occlusal surface of the back teeth. For this reason, the scraping force can be increased without excessively increasing the rigidity of the distal end side hair bundle or the hair for constituting the tip side hair bundle.
In addition, in the tip side hair bundle group, the inclination angle of any tip side hair bundle constituting the tip side hair bundle group is θ1 <θ2 <θ3. The formed part is formed. For this reason, the cleaning property to the occlusal surface of the back teeth and other tooth surfaces can be enhanced.
Further, when the tip side hair bundle is brought into contact with the tooth surface so that the flocked surface is substantially parallel to the tooth surface to be cleaned, the first and second tip side hair bundles are inclined with respect to the tooth surface. Contact and bend easily. For this reason, the 1st base end side hair | bristle bundle is easily inserted in an interdental part and a tooth neck part, and can clean an interdental part and a tooth neck part favorably.

  According to this embodiment, since the hair-lumbar strength ratio between the distal-side hair bundle group and the proximal-side hair bundle group is 1 or more, when the oral cavity is cleaned by the scrub method, the distal-side hair bundle group is The occlusal surface of the back teeth and the plaque on the other tooth surfaces are scraped well, and the first proximal hair bundle group having low bristle strength is easily inserted into the interdental portion and the cervical portion. For this reason, a back tooth, an interdental part, and a tooth neck part can be cleaned favorably with one toothbrush.

 According to this embodiment, since the distance from the flocked surface to the tip of the front side hair bundle is shorter than the distance from the flocked surface to the first proximal side hair bundle, the first base end The side hair bundle can be easily inserted into the interdental portion and the neck portion, and the interdental portion and the neck portion can be cleaned well.

(Second embodiment)
The toothbrush concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 4 below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point from 1st embodiment is mainly demonstrated. The difference from the first embodiment is that the distance from the flocked surface to the tip of the front-side hair bundle is substantially the same as the distance from the flocked surface to the tip of the first proximal-side hair bundle. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the toothbrush 100 is provided with a distal end side hair bundle group 120 and a proximal end side hair bundle group 10 on the flocked surface 6 of the head portion 4.
In the present embodiment, the distal end side hair bundle group 120 includes a first distal side hair bundle 122, a second distal side hair bundle 124, and a third distal side hair bundle 126.
The first tip-side hair bundle 122, the second tip-side hair bundle 124, and the third tip-side hair bundle 126 have substantially the same distance L3 from the flocked surface 6 to each tip, and the distance L3 is the flocked hair. The distance L1 from the surface 6 to the tip of the first proximal-side hair bundle 12 is substantially equal.

The hairs that make up the distal-side hair bundle group 120 are the same as the hairs that make up the distal-side hair bundle group 20.
Further, the fluff strength of the actual length of the tip side hair bundle group 120 is the same as the fluff strength of the actual length of the tip side hair bundle group 20.

(Third embodiment)
The toothbrush concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 5 below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point from 1st embodiment is mainly demonstrated. The difference from the first embodiment is that the heights from the flocked surface to the tips of the first to third tip side hair bundles are different from each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the toothbrush 200 is provided with a distal end side hair bundle group 220 and a proximal end side hair bundle group 10 on the flocked surface 6 of the head portion 4.
In the present embodiment, the distal end side hair bundle group 220 includes a first distal side hair bundle 222, a second distal side hair bundle 224, and a third distal side hair bundle 226.
The distance l1 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the first tip side hair bundle 122, the distance l2 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the second tip side hair bundle 124, and the third tip side hair from the flocked surface 6 The distance l3 to the tip of the bundle 126 is l1>l2> l3. That is, the tip-side hair bundle constituting the tip-side hair bundle group 220 has a height on the flocked surface 6 that decreases from the head portion tip 7 toward the handle portion 2. In addition, since the distance l1 is shorter than the distance L1, the height of the distal-side hair bundle group 220 on the flocked surface 6 is lower than the height of the proximal-side hair bundle group 10 on the flocked surface 6. It is supposed to be.

The distance l1 can be determined in consideration of the distance L1 and the bristle strength required for the distal side hair bundle group 220, and is set to 8 to 11.5 mm, for example.
The distance l2 can be determined in consideration of the distance l1 and the bristle strength required for the front end side hair bundle group 220, and is, for example, 7 to 11 mm.
The distance l3 can be determined in consideration of the distance l2 and the bristle strength required for the front side hair bundle group 220, and is set to, for example, 6 to 10.5 mm.
In addition, the hair height difference represented by “l1−l2” can be determined in consideration of the bristle strength and the like required for the front end side hair bundle group 220, and is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm is more preferable. If it is less than 0.5 mm, the tip side hair bundle is less likely to contact the back teeth, and if it exceeds 2 mm, the tip of the tip side hair bundle does not fit the occlusal surface of the back teeth, making it difficult to clean. .
Further, the hair length difference represented by “l2-l3” can be determined in consideration of the bristle strength and the like required for the front-end side hair bundle group 220, and is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm. Is more preferable. If it is less than 0.5 mm, the tip side hair bundle is less likely to contact the back teeth, and if it exceeds 2 mm, the tip of the tip side hair bundle does not fit the occlusal surface of the back teeth, making it difficult to clean. .

The bristles constituting the front end side hair bundle group 220 are the same as the bristles constituting the front end side hair bundle group 20.
In addition, the fluff strength of the actual length of the distal-side hair bundle group 220 is the same as the fluff strength of the actual length of the distal-side hair bundle group 20.

 According to the present embodiment, since the height of the tip side hair bundle on the flocked surface is lowered toward the handle portion, the tips of the first to third tip side hair bundles are brought close to each other. Even so, the tips of the first to third tip side hair bundles do not interfere with each other. For this reason, when the tip side hair bundle is brought into contact with the tooth surface so that the flocked surface is substantially parallel to the tooth surface to be cleaned, the tip side hair bundle is further easily bent, and the first base side hair bundle Is more easily inserted into the interdental region or the neck region. In addition, since the first to third tip side hair bundles do not interfere with each other, the tips of the first to third tip side hair bundles can be brought closer to each other. Thereby, tooth surfaces, such as the occlusal surface of a back tooth, can be cleaned more favorably.

(Fourth embodiment)
A toothbrush according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st and 3rd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point from 1st and 3rd embodiment is mainly demonstrated. The difference from the first embodiment is that the height from the flocked surface to the respective tips of the first to third tip side hair bundles is different from each other, and the difference from the third embodiment is that The proximal-end hair bundle group is configured by proximal-end hair bundles having different heights on the flocked surface.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toothbrush 300 is provided with a distal end side hair bundle group 220 and a proximal end side hair bundle group 310 on the flocked surface 6 of the head portion 4.
In the present embodiment, the proximal-side hair bundle group 310 is provided in the second row and three second proximal-side hair bundles 312 provided in the first row in order from the head portion distal end 7 side. Three first proximal-side hair bundles 314, three second proximal-end hair bundles 312 provided in the third row, and first proximal-end hairs provided in the fourth row The bundle 314 includes three second proximal-side hair bundles 312 provided in the fifth row.

The material of the hair constituting the first proximal-side hair bundle 314 is the same as the hair constituting the first proximal-side hair bundle 12, and is used for constituting the first proximal-side hair bundle 314. The shape of the hair is the same as that of the hair for constituting the first proximal hair bundle 12. The shape of the first proximal-side hair bundle 314 is the same as that of the first proximal-side hair bundle 12, and the hair bundle diameter of the first proximal-side hair bundle 314 is the first proximal-end hair bundle. 12 is the same.
The distance L5 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the first proximal hair bundle 314, that is, the height of the first proximal hair bundle 314 on the flocked surface is the hair of the first proximal hair bundle 314. It can be determined in consideration of the bundle diameter and the material of the hair, and is, for example, 6 to 13 mm.

The material of the hair constituting the second proximal-side hair bundle 312 is the same as the hair constituting the first proximal-side hair bundle 12, and is used for constituting the second proximal-side hair bundle 312. The shape of the hair is the same as that of the hair for constituting the first proximal hair bundle 12. The shape of the second proximal-end hair bundle 312 is the same as that of the first proximal-end hair bundle 12, and the diameter of the second proximal-end hair bundle 312 is the first proximal-end hair bundle. 12 is the same.
The distance L4 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the second proximal hair bundle 312, that is, the height of the second proximal hair bundle 312 on the flocked surface 6 is not particularly limited as long as it is shorter than the distance L5. For example, it is 5-12 mm.

  Further, the hair length difference represented by “L5-L4” can be determined in consideration of the bristle strength of the second proximal-end bristle bundle 312, the bristle strength of the first proximal-end bristle bundle 314, and the like. For example, 0.5-3.0 mm is preferable and 1.0-2.0 mm is more preferable. If it is less than 0.5 mm, the hair end of the first proximal hair bundle 314 is difficult to be inserted into the interproximal part or the tooth neck, and if it is 3.0 mm or more, the first proximal hair bundle 314. This is because the stimulation of the tooth neck by the tip of the hair is too strong.

The distance L4 is preferably equal to or longer than the distance l3, which is the height of the third tip side hair bundle 226 on the flocked surface 6, and more preferably longer than the distance l3. In the present embodiment, l2>L4> l3. By setting it as this structure, the freedom degree of the movement of the hair | bristle tip of the 1st base end part side hair | bristle bundle 314 is made appropriate, and an interdental part and a tooth neck part can be cleaned efficiently.
The distance L5 is preferably equal to or longer than the distance l1, which is the height on the flocked surface 6 of the first tip side hair bundle 222, and more preferably longer than the distance l1.

 According to the present embodiment, since the proximal-side hair bundle group includes the first proximal-side hair bundle whose height on the flocked surface is higher than the second proximal-side hair bundle, the first proximal-side side A space is formed between the hair bundles and above the second proximal hair bundle. For this reason, when the inside of the oral cavity is cleaned by the scrub method, the first proximal hair bundle is not interfered with each other above the second proximal hair bundle, and the degree of freedom of movement is increased. And insertion into a narrow part such as a tooth neck part becomes easier.

(Other embodiments)
In 1st-4th embodiment, although the front end side hair | bristle bundle group is comprised by 3 rows, this invention is not limited to this, For example, 2 rows may be sufficient and it is 4 rows or more. There may be. In addition, as the flocking pattern of the tip side hair bundle group, any flocking pattern such as a lattice shape or a staggered shape can be adopted.
Further, the first row is constituted by two first tip side hair bundles, the second row is constituted by three second tip side hair bundles, and the third row is constituted by three third tip side hair bundles. However, the number of tip side hair bundles constituting each row is not limited to this.

 In 1st-4th embodiment, although the 3rd front end side hair | bristle bundle is planted substantially perpendicularly with respect to the flocked surface, this invention is not limited to this, The front-end | tip of the 3rd front end side hair | bristle bundle However, it may be inclined toward the head portion tip side or may be inclined toward the handle portion side. However, from the viewpoint of better cleaning the occlusal surface of the back teeth with a scrub type, the third tip side hair bundle should be substantially perpendicular to the flocked surface, or the tip should be inclined toward the handle part side. preferable.

 In 1st-4th embodiment, although the base end side hair | bristle bundle group is carrying out the lattice-like hair-planting pattern by the base end side hair | bristle bundle of 3x5 rows, the base end in a base end side hair | bristle bundle group The flocking pattern of the side hair bundle is not limited to this, and may be a staggered flocking pattern, for example.

 In the first or second embodiment, the height of the front-side hair bundle on the flocked surface is equal to the height on the flocked surface of the first base-side hair bundle or the flocked surface of the first base-side hair bundle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the height on the flocked surface of the first-side hair bundle is higher than the height on the flocked surface of the first proximal-side hair bundle. It may be a thing. However, from the viewpoint of improving the comfort in the oral cavity and improving the insertability of the first proximal hair bundle into the narrow part, the height of the distal hair bundle on the flocked surface is the first proximal edge. It is preferably equal to the height on the flocked surface of the side hair bundle or lower than the height on the flocked surface of the first proximal side hair bundle, and lower than the height on the flocked surface of the first proximal side hair bundle. More preferred.

 In the fourth embodiment, the height on the flocked surface is reduced as the tip side hair bundle moves from the tip of the head portion toward the handle portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may have the front end side hair | bristle bundle group in 1st embodiment, and the front end side hair | bristle bundle group similar to the front end side hair | bristle bundle group in 2nd embodiment.

 In the first to fourth embodiments, the distal-side hair bundle and the proximal-side hair bundle are substantially columnar, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plan view triangle, quadrangle, pentagon, etc. It may be a polygonal column. In addition, when making a front end side hair | bristle bundle and a base end side hair | bristle bundle into a polygonal column shape, let the hair | bristle bundle diameter be the diameter of the perfect circle which circumscribes the shape of planar view.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is shown and this invention is demonstrated in detail, this invention is not limited by the following description.

(Evaluation method)
<Usability>
Usability was evaluated as a back tooth cleaning actual feeling, an interdental / cervical neck cleaning actual feeling.
≪Back teeth cleaning feeling≫
Ten monitors cleaned the oral cavity using the toothbrushes of each example, and evaluated the actual feeling of cleaning the back teeth according to the following criteria. The average value for 10 monitors is 4.0 or higher for “◎”, 3.0 or higher and lower than 4.0 for “O”, 2.0 or higher for less than 3.0 for “△”, 2.0 Less than a point was set as “x”.

[Evaluation criteria]
5 points: I really feel that the dirt on the occlusal surface of the back teeth has been removed.
4 points: Feeling that the dirt on the occlusal surface of the back teeth has been removed.
3 points: I feel a bit of a feeling that the occlusal surface of the back teeth has been removed.
2 points: The feeling that the dirt on the occlusal surface of the back teeth was removed does not feel much.
1 point: There is no real feeling that the dirt on the occlusal surface of the back teeth has been removed.

≪Interdental and dental neck cleaning feeling≫
Ten monitors cleaned the oral cavity using the toothbrushes of each case, and evaluated the cleaning feeling of the interdental part and the cervical part according to the following criteria. The average value for 10 monitors is 4.0 or higher for “◎”, 3.0 or higher and lower than 4.0 for “O”, 2.0 or higher for less than 3.0 for “△”, 2.0 Less than a point was set as “x”.

[Evaluation criteria]
5 points: I feel very much that the interdental and cervical stains have been removed.
4 points: I feel that the dirt on the interdental and cervical parts has been removed.
3 points: I feel a bit of a feeling that the dirt on the interdental part and the neck part has been removed.
2 points: I do not feel the feeling that the interdental and cervical stains have been removed.
1 point: I do not feel that the interdental and cervical stains have been removed.

<Moldability>
As for moldability, 100 toothbrushes of each example were manufactured, and the presence or absence of burrs generated in the vicinity of the flock holes in the tip side region was visually observed for 100 manufactured toothbrushes. The number of toothbrushes in which burr was observed was 0 to 1, "◎", 2 was "O", 3 to 5 was "△", 6 or more. What was there was taken as "x".

(Examples 1-2)
A toothbrush similar to the toothbrush 1 shown in FIG. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 1.

(Example 3)
A toothbrush similar to the toothbrush 200 shown in FIG. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 1.

Example 4
According to the specifications in Table 1, a toothbrush similar to the toothbrush 300 shown in FIG. 6 was produced. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 1.

(Example 5)
A toothbrush was produced in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the bristles constituting the proximal end side hair bundle group were tapered. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 1.

(Examples 6 to 7)
A toothbrush similar to the toothbrush 100 shown in FIG. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 1)
A toothbrush similar to the toothbrush 100 shown in FIG. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 2)
According to the specifications in Table 1, a toothbrush similar to the toothbrush 900 shown in FIG. 7 was produced. About the obtained toothbrush, usability and a moldability were evaluated and the result is shown in Table 2.
A toothbrush 900 shown in FIG. 7 includes a handle portion 2 and a head portion 4 extended to the handle portion 2 via a neck portion 3, and a hair bundle 912 is provided on the flocked surface of the head portion 4. is there. The hair bundling pattern of the bristles 912 is similar to the flocking pattern of the toothbrush 1 shown in FIG. 2, two bunches 912 are implanted in order from the head portion tip 7 side, and then three in the width direction of the head portion 4. These are implanted in seven rows from the head portion tip 7 toward the handle portion 2. In addition, all the hair bundles 912 are implanted substantially perpendicular to the flocked surface 6, and the distance L6 from the flocked surface 6 to the tip of the hair bundle 912 is substantially equal.

As shown in Tables 1-2, in Examples 1 to 7 to which the present invention is applied, the back teeth cleaning feeling is “Δ” to “◎”, and the interdental / tooth neck cleaning feeling is “◯”. Or “◎”. Especially, Example 4 provided with the 2nd base end side hair | bristle bundle was both "◎" in the back tooth cleaning actual feeling and the interdental part and the neck neck cleaning actual feeling. Further, in Example 7 in which the inclination angle θ was less than 80 °, the moldability was “x”.
On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 where the bristle strength ratio is 0.8, the back teeth cleaning feeling was “感”, but the interdental / tooth neck cleaning feeling was “×”. Further, in Comparative Example 2 in which the tip side hair bundle group was not provided, the back tooth cleaning feeling and the interdental / neck portion cleaning feeling were both “x”.
From the above results, it has been found that the toothbrush to which the present invention is applied can satisfactorily clean any of the back teeth, the interdental portion, and the tooth neck portion.

1, 100, 200, 300 Toothbrush 2 Handle portion 4 Head portion 6 Flocked surface 7 Head portion distal end 10, 310 Base end side hair bundle group 11 Base end side region 12, 314 First base end side hair bundle 20, 120, 220 tip side hair bundle group 21 tip side region 22, 122, 222 first tip side hair bundle 24, 124, 224 second tip side hair bundle 26, 126, 226 third tip side hair bundle 312 second Proximal hair bundle

Claims (4)

In a toothbrush comprising a head portion and a handle portion, and a plurality of hair bundles formed by bundling a plurality of hairs are implanted on the flat flocked surface of the head portion,
On the flocked surface, a distal end side region that is a region on the distal end side of the head portion and a proximal end side region that is a region on the handle portion side are formed,
In the tip side region, a tip side hair bundle group in which a plurality of the hair bundles are arranged side by side from the tip of the head part to the handle part side is provided,
An arbitrary hair bundle constituting the distal-end-side hair bundle group and another hair bundle adjacent to the arbitrary hair bundle on the handle portion side are the length direction of the arbitrary hair bundle and the flocked surface. Any of the above-mentioned hair bundles so that the angle on the handle part side to be formed is smaller than the angle on the handle part side formed by the length direction of the other hair bundle and the flocked surface The tip of the other hair bundle is inclined toward the handle part ,
The proximal end side region is provided with a proximal end side hair bundle group in which a plurality of the hair bundles are implanted substantially perpendicularly to the flocked surface,
The lumbar strength ratio represented by [hairiness strength at the actual length of the distal-side hair bundle group] / [hairiness strength at the actual length of the proximal-side hair bundle group] is 1 or more. Toothbrush.  2. The distal end side hair bundle group, wherein the distal end side hair bundle closest to the proximal end side hair bundle group is planted substantially perpendicularly to the flocked surface. toothbrush.  The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance from the flocked surface to a tip of the tip side hair bundle becomes longer as the tip side hair bundle approaches the tip of the head part.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bristles constituting the proximal-end-side bristle bundle group have a distal end portion that is reduced in diameter toward the distal end.

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