JP6071386B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

The toothbrush has a configuration in which a hair bundle obtained by bundling a plurality of bristles is implanted in a plurality of flock holes formed in a flocking table. Hair bundles are also called tufts.
Regarding the size of the flock hole of the toothbrush, in Patent Document 1, considering the comfort of hitting the gums, the flock hole area of the toothbrush (cross-sectional area of the flock hole) should be reduced to 0.635 to 1.131 mm ^2. Is described.
In addition, the applicant previously described that the flocking table has a central region in which a plurality of central flock holes having a cross-sectional area of 1.0 to 1.6 mm ² are formed, and an outer periphery having a cross-sectional area of 0.4 to 1.0 mm ² . The toothbrush which has the outer peripheral area | region in which many flock holes were formed is proposed (refer patent document 2).

Further, in Patent Document 3, the flocking density ρ ₁ of the hair bundle of the central hair bundle region located in the short direction center portion of the flocking table and the flocking density ρ ₂ of the outer hair bundle region sandwiching the central hair bundle region, It has been proposed to set so as to satisfy the relationship of 0.40 ≦ ρ ₁ ≦ 0.70, 0.20 ≦ ρ ₂ ≦ 0.40, and ρ ₁ / ρ ₂ = 1.2 to 2.4. In the same publication, it is also described that the maximum height of the hair bundles planted in the central hair bundle region is made lower than the maximum height of the hair bundles planted in the outer hair bundle region.

JP 2006-181174 A JP 2011-103952 A Utility Model Registration No. 3146543

However, as in Patent Document 1, if the cross-sectional area of the flock hole is reduced to make the hair bundle thinner, the insertion property of the hair bundle or bristle into the gingival sulcus (periodontal pocket) is improved. Since the scavenging pressure becomes low, the brushing performance of the tooth surface decreases.
Further, as in Patent Document 2, when the hair bundle of the outer hair bundle region is made narrower by reducing the cross-sectional area of the flock hole compared to the hair bundle of the central hair bundle region, The insertion of the hair bundle in the hair bundle region into the gingival crevice is good and the cleaning of the tooth surface including the gingival crevice and the interdental part is excellent, but the gums are inflamed due to periodontal disease such as alveolar pyorrhea. Therefore, for users who tend to brush with a light force, there is room for further improvement in the wiping performance of the tooth surface in the gingival sulcus. Further, the thinner the hair bundle in the outer hair bundle region, the easier it is for the hair tips to open to the left and right relatively early, and it is necessary to frequently replace the toothbrush.
The toothbrush of patent document 3 is also inserted into the gingival crevice (periodontal pocket) of a hair bundle and a bristle by making the hair bundle of an outer side hair bundle area | region into the hair follicle density small compared with the hair bundle of a center hair bundle area | region. However, the wiping of the tooth surface at the gingival sulcus is not sufficient.

  Therefore, this invention relates to the toothbrush excellent in the wiping property in a gingival crevice and durability.

  The present invention is a toothbrush in which a bristles bundled with bristles is planted in a flock hole formed in a flocking table, and the flocking table has a central tuft region in the center in the short direction of the flocking table. And having an outer tuft region on both sides of the central tuft region, and the hair bundle implanted in the central tuft region is higher in height than the hair bundle implanted in the outer tuft region. In the central tuft region, a horizontally long first flocking hole in which the length in the short direction of the flocking table is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table and the short flock direction of the flocking table are formed. A pair of second flocking holes are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table, and the second flocking hole has a shorter length in the short direction of the flocking table than the first flocking hole. The first flocking hole is short, and the length in the short direction of the flocking table is between the pair of second flocking holes. Longer than away, there is provided a toothbrush.

  The toothbrush of this invention is excellent in the wiping property and durability in a gingival crevice, and does not give pain to a gum.

It is a side view which shows 1st Embodiment of the toothbrush of this invention. Fig.2 (a) is an enlarged plan view of the flocking table of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1, FIG.2 (b) is an enlarged side view of the brush part of the toothbrush. It is explanatory drawing of arrangement | positioning of the flock hole in the toothbrush shown in FIG. Fig.4 (a) is an enlarged plan view of the flock base of the toothbrush of 2nd Embodiment, FIG.4 (b) is an enlarged side view of the brush part of the toothbrush. Fig.5 (a) is an enlarged plan view of the flocking base of the toothbrush of 3rd Embodiment, FIG.5 (b) is an enlarged side view of the brush part of the toothbrush. Fig.6 (a) is an enlarged plan view of the flock base of the toothbrush of the comparative example 1, FIG.6 (b) is an enlarged side view of the brush part of the toothbrush. Fig.7 (a) is an enlarged plan view of the flock base of the toothbrush of the comparative example 2, FIG.7 (b) is an enlarged side view of the brush part of the toothbrush. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a durability evaluation method. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state of the hair tip before the test and the state of the hair tip after 6000 strokes in the durability evaluation test. For each of (a) and (b), the upper diagram shows the state before the test. The lower diagram is a diagram showing a state after 6000 strokes. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of strokes and the hair tip spreading rate. Fig.11 (a) is a perspective view which shows the marginal dentition model used for evaluation of the wiping property of a tooth surface, FIG.11 (b) is the II sectional view taken on the line of FIG.11 (a). is there. FIG. 12 is a photograph showing the surface state of the tape after brushing used for evaluating the brushing property of the tooth surface.

The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter also simply referred to as the toothbrush 1) is formed by planting a plurality of hair bundles in which a plurality of bristles are bundled on a flocking table 21. The brush part 2 has a handle part 3 which is a part held by the user when in use, and a neck part 4 connecting the brush part 2 and the handle part 3.

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the flocking table 21 of the toothbrush 1 has a longitudinal direction X and a lateral direction Y, and has a central tuft region 22 at the center of the lateral direction Y, Outer tuft regions 23 are provided on both sides of the central tuft region 22.
The hair bundles 24 and 25 planted in the central tuft region 22 are higher than the hair bundles 26 planted in the outer tuft region 23.
In the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, the hair bundles 24 and 25 in the central tuft region 22 are higher in height than the hair bundle 26 in the outer tuft region, and the hair bundle 26 in the outer tuft region is in the central tuft region 22. The hair bundles 24 and 25 are lower in height. In the toothbrush 1 of the embodiment, the central tuft region 22 is a region where hair bundles 24 and 25 having a length longer than the hair bundle 26 planted in the outer tuft region 23 are planted, and the outer tuft region 23 is This is a region where a hair bundle 26 having a shorter length than the hair bundles 24 and 25 planted in the central tuft region 22 is implanted.

  In the central tuft region 22 of the toothbrush 1, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, two types of flocking holes 24 </ b> A and 25 </ b> A having different shapes in plan view and opening areas (transverse areas on the surface of the flocking table 21) are different. Is formed. That is, one is the first flocking hole 24A having a horizontally long shape in which the length L1 in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 is longer than the length L2 in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21, and the other is the flocking table. 21 is a second flocked hole 25A in which the length L3 in the short direction Y is shorter than the length L1 in the same direction Y of the first flocked hole 24A.

  The first bristles 24A have the bristles 24 higher than the bristles 26 planted in the outer tuft region 23, and each second flock hole 25A has an outer tuft. The hair bundle 25 having a height higher than that of the hair bundle 26 implanted in the region 23 is implanted [see FIG. 2 (b)]. Each of the hair bundles 24 to 26 planted in the first flocking hole 24A, the second flocking hole 25A, and the outer flocking hole 26A described later has a cross-sectional shape of the root located on the surface 21a of the flocking table, and is fixedly inserted. This corresponds to the planar view shape of the flocked hole.

The length L1 and the length L2 for the first flocking hole 24A, the length L3 for the second flocking hole 25A, lengths L4 to L6 and distances L7, L8, and LS (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, It is the dimension on the surface of the flocking table. When the hair bundle is planted by a flat line, the dimension is measured so as not to include the portion cut by the flat line in the opening of the tuft hole.
The opening area (cross-sectional area) of the flocked hole is an area of a cross section perpendicular to the depth direction of the flocked hole, and is usually the area of the flocked hole on the surface 21a of the flocked table. In addition, when the hair bundle is flocked by a flat line, the area shaved by the flat line at the opening of the flock hole is not included in the cross-sectional area of the flock hole.

  The second flocking holes 25 </ b> A are formed so that two second flocking holes 25 </ b> A are aligned in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 to form a pair. Two second flocking holes 25 </ b> A forming a pair are formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21. The first flocking hole 24 </ b> A and the pair of second flocking holes 25 are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the length L1 in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 of the first flocking hole 24A is longer than the distance L7 between the pair of second flocking holes 25, 25. The length L1 in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 of the first flocking hole 24A is the maximum length in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 of the first flocking hole 24A, and a pair of second flocking holes 25A, The distance L7 between 25A is the shortest distance between the pair of second flocking holes 25A and 25A.

In the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment, the first flocked hole 24A has an elliptical shape in plan view, and the second flocked hole 25A has a circular shape in plan view.
In addition, three sets of flocking holes S (see FIG. 3) including one first flocking hole 24 </ b> A and a pair of second flocking holes 25 </ b> A and 25 </ b> A are formed in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21. The flocking holes 24A and the pair of second flocking holes 25A are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21 [see FIG. 2 (a)]. Here, the set S of flocked holes composed of one first flocked hole 24A and a pair of second flocked holes 25A, 25A is preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 8, and most preferably 3 to 3. Seven sets are formed.

  On the other hand, an outer flock hole 26A is formed in the outer tuft region 23 of the toothbrush 1. The outer flocking hole 26 </ b> A is formed outside the central tuft region 22 in at least the short direction Y of the longitudinal direction X and the short direction Y of the flocking table 21. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the outer flock hole 26A has a height higher than each of the flocks 24 planted in the first flock holes 24A and the flocks 25 planted in the second flock holes 25A. A low hair bundle 26 is planted.

  In the outer flocking hole 26A in the present embodiment, the length L5 in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 is shorter than the length L1 in the same direction Y of the first flocking hole 24A. Further, the outer flocking hole 26A in the present embodiment has a circular shape in plan view like the second flocking hole 25A, and the length L5 in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 is the same direction Y of the second flocking hole 25A. The length L6 in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21 is also substantially the same as the length L4 in the same direction X of the second flocking hole 25A. The expression “substantially the same” here includes a case where the length L5 is 90 to 110% of the length L3 and a case where the length L6 is 90 to 110% of the length L4.

In each of the first flocking hole 24A, the second flocking hole 25A, and the outer flocking hole 26A described above, hair bundles 24, 25, and 26 made of bristles corresponding to the cross-sectional area of each flocking hole are inserted and fixed. .
The bristle that forms the hair bundle is formed of a synthetic resin. Examples of the synthetic resin for bristle include polyamide such as nylon and nylon 6, polyester such as polybutylene terephthalate, and polyolefin.

The diameter of the bristle is preferably 250 μm or less, more preferably 220 μm or less, and even more preferably 200 μm or less, from the viewpoint of the insertability of the bristle into the gingival sulcus and the comfort of brushing. Further, the diameter of the bristle is preferably 130 μm or more, more preferably 150 μm or more, from the viewpoint of brushing of the tooth surface including the inside of the gingival sulcus, brushing comfort during brushing, durability of the bristle, etc. Preferably it is 170 micrometers or more, Most preferably, it is 180 micrometers or more.
Here, the diameter of the bristle is the diameter of the root bristle located on the surface 21 a of the flocking table 21. Also, the thickness and material of the bristle may be different between the first flocking hole 24A, the second flocking hole 25A, and the outer flocking hole 26A. The difference in bristle diameter is preferably 100 μm or less, more preferably 50 μm or less. The material is preferably the same for all bristle.

  Various known methods can be used as a method of planting the hair bundle for each flock hole. For example, (1) a method in which the hair bundle is folded in half with a flat wire, or (2) one end of the hair bundle To form a molten lump by heating and then injecting molten resin into a mold in which the molten lump is arranged to inject and form a flocking table, (3) the flocked base having a flocked hole (through hole) The hair bundle is planted through an insertion process for inserting the hair bundle into the flocked hole, a thermal processing process for heating one end of the hair bundle protruding from the flocked hole to form a molten lump, and a covering process for covering the molten lump. A method of obtaining a flocked table or a toothbrush in an installed state can be used.

  The method of planting the hair bundle is to form a molten mass at one end of the hair bundle from the viewpoint of being able to efficiently and sufficiently fix the hair bundle in a small-diameter flock hole and having excellent appearance (2 ) And flocking including the method (3) are preferable, and the method (3) is particularly preferable. Specific examples of the method (3) include the methods described in JP-A-9-182632 and JP-A-2003-310353. In the method described in JP-A-2003-310353, one end of the hair bundle is heated with a non-contact heat source such as a laser beam to form a molten lump, and the molten lump and the peripheral edge of the flock hole opening Are fused.

  Moreover, in the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, all the bristle which comprises the hair | bristle bundles 24, 25, and 26 planted in each of the 1st flocking hole 24A, the 2nd flocking hole 25A, and the outer flocking hole 26A is the tip. It is a taper bristle provided with the taper-shaped part sharpened in the part. By using the taper bristle, the insertability of the bristle into the gingival sulcus, the scrubbing ability of the tooth surface in the gingival sulcus, and the brushing comfort during brushing are improved.

The length of the tapered portion in the tapered bristle is preferably, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably 6 mm to 8 mm. The taper bristle formation method includes a mechanical treatment step of grinding or polishing the bristle tip, and a chemical treatment step of treating the bristle tip with a solvent capable of dissolving the resin constituting the bristle. And a method including a chemical treatment step after a mechanical treatment step of grinding or polishing the tip of a bristle, and the like, including a step by chemical treatment from the viewpoint of making the touch on the gums softer Is preferred.
Solvents capable of dissolving the resin constituting the bristle include, for example, when the bristle contains polyester, an alkaline aqueous solution such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and when the bristle contains polyamide, calcium chloride and methanol. And oleyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, and zinc chloride aqueous solution.

  Moreover, the filling rate (total cross-sectional area of the bristle / cross-sectional area of the flocked hole) of the hair bundles 24, 25, and 26 to be implanted in the first flocked hole 24A, the second flocked hole 25A, and the outer flocked hole 26A, respectively, From the viewpoints of wiping of the tooth surface including the inside of the gingival sulcus, brushing comfort during brushing, durability of the bristle, etc., 45% or more is preferable, 60% or more is more preferable, and 85% or less is preferable. 80% or less is more preferable. Moreover, 45% or more and 85% or less are preferable, and 60% or more and 80% or less are more preferable.

  The toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment is suitable for cleaning the gingival sulcus, is excellent in insertability of the bristle into the gingival sulcus and in the wiping of the tooth surface in the gingival sulcus, is excellent in durability, and has a long period. The tip of the hair is difficult to open even by using. In particular, the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment is used in a user (low-load brushing) who tends to brush with a light force because the gums are inflamed due to periodontal disease such as alveolar pyorrhea. Excellent brushing of the tooth surface.

The reason why such an effect can be obtained is considered as follows.
In the central tuft region 22, a horizontally elongated first flocking hole 24 </ b> A and a pair of second flocking holes formed so that the length in the short direction of the flocking table is shorter than the first flocking hole and aligned in the short direction. 25A, 25A are formed so as to be adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table, and the first bristles 24A and the pair of second flocking holes 25A, 25A have hair bundles 24 having a height higher than the bristles 26, 25, and the length in the short direction of the first flocking hole 24A is longer than the distance between the pair of second flocking holes 25A, 25A. Even if a force for tilting the hair bundle is applied to 25, the hair bundle 24 of the first flocking hole 24A and the hair bundle 25 of the second flocking hole 25A, 25A are supported from each other and are prevented from falling excessively. Therefore, the brushing pressure on the tooth surfaces of the hair bundles 24 and 25 can be increased, and the brushing pressure on the tooth surfaces can be increased even when a thin hair bundle that easily enters the gingival sulcus is used, and the durability is excellent. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2A, the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment has a flocked hole set S (see FIG. 3) including a first flocked hole 24A and a pair of second flocked holes 25A, 25A. A plurality of sets are formed in the longitudinal direction X of the table 21. For this reason, the brushing pressure in the gingival sulcus is further excellent at a light brushing pressure.

  Further, in the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, the length L1 in the short direction of the flocking table of the first flocking hole 24A is longer than the length L5 in the same direction of the outer flocking hole 26A in the outer tuft region. Excellent cleanability and cleanliness of the tooth surface including the part.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer tuft region 23 in the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment is the space between the outermost portions of the first flocking hole 24A and the pair of second flocking holes 25A in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21. That is, it has at least one outer flock hole 26A within the range indicated by LS in FIG. Therefore, the durability of the hair tip in the short direction Y is excellent.

  Further, the outer flocking hole 26A in the outer tuft region of the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment is arranged between the first flocking hole 24A and the second flocking hole 25A in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table 21, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, the plurality of outer flocking holes 26A are formed so that the first flocking hole 24A or the second flocking hole 25A and the outer flocking hole 26A are in a staggered arrangement. . Therefore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of durability of the hair end in the longitudinal direction X.

  Further, in the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, the outer tuft region 23 is formed so as to surround the center tuft region 22. Therefore, it is particularly excellent in wiping and durability in the gingival sulcus.

  Moreover, in the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, the height of the hair | bristle bundle 24 planted in 24A of 1st flocking holes and the hair | bristle bundle 25 planted in 25A of 2nd flocking holes is the same. Therefore, it is excellent that the feeling of inserting the bristle into the gingival sulcus and the tooth surface in the gingival sulcus can be completely wiped.

Moreover, in the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, as for the flocking holes 24A, 25A, and 26A formed in the flocking table 21, the lengths L2, L4, and L6 in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21 are 0.7 mm. It is 1.2 mm or less.
The lengths L2, L4, and L6 in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21 of the first flocking hole 24A, the second flocking hole 25A, and the outer flocking hole 26A are respectively determined when brushing or brushing the tooth surface in the gingival crevice. Is preferably 0.8 mm or more, more preferably 0.9 mm or more, and 1.15 mm or less from the viewpoint of insertability into the gingival sulcus and brushing comfort during tooth brushing, etc. It is preferable that it is 1.1 mm or less.

  The toothbrush of the present invention has the following configuration from the viewpoint of more reliably achieving one or more effects such as insertability of the bristle into the gingival sulcus, wiping and durability of the tooth surface in the gingival sulcus, etc. It is preferable to provide one or two or more.

  The difference (T1-T3) between the height T1 of the hair bundle 24 planted in the first tuft 24A and the height T3 of the hair bundle 26 planted in the outer tuft 26A is 0.5 mm or more, In particular, it is preferably 1.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.0 mm or less, particularly 3.0 mm or less.

  The difference (T2-T3) between the height T2 of the hair bundle 25 planted in the second tuft 25A and the height T3 of the hair bundle 26 planted in the outer tuft 26A is 0.5 mm or more, In particular, it is preferably 1.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.0 mm or less, particularly 3.0 mm or less. The said difference (T1-T3) and the said difference (T2-T3) here are the same as the magnitude | size of the level | step difference produced between the hair ends of both hair | bristle bundles.

  The hair bundles 24, 25 of the first flocking hole 24A and the second flocking hole 25A preferably have a height T1, T2 of 9.0 mm or more and 16.0 mm or less, and 11.0 mm or more and 14.5 mm or less. It is more preferable that The height T3 of the hair bundle 26 of the outer flock hole 26A is preferably 7.0 mm or greater and 14.0 mm or less, and particularly preferably 8.5 mm or greater and 12.0 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the hair bundle heights T1 to T3 here are the heights from the surface 21a of the flocking table, and there are bristles of different heights in the individual flock holes. In this case, the height of the highest bristle in the flock hole is set as the height of the hair bundle planted in each flock hole.

In the first flocking hole 24A, the ratio (L1 / L2) of the length L1 in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 to the length L2 in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21 is 1.1 or more and 3.2 or less. Preferably, it is 1.5 or more and 2.5 or less.
The length L1 of the first flocking hole 24A is preferably such that the ratio (L1 / L3) of the second flocking hole 25A to the length L3 is 1.1 or more and 3.2 or less, and is 1.5 or more and 2.5 or less. Is more preferable.
The length L1 of the first flocking hole 24A has a ratio (L1 / L7) to the distance L7 between the pair of second flocking holes 25A of preferably 1.1 or more and 4.5 or less, and preferably 1.5 or more and 3.0. The distance L7 between the pair of second flock holes 25A is preferably 0.4 mm or greater and 1.6 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or greater and 1.2 mm or less. On the other hand, the length L1 in the lateral direction Y of the first flocking hole 24A in the flocking table 21 is preferably 1.2 mm or more and 2.4 mm or less, and more preferably 1.4 mm or more and 2.2 mm or less.

  The length L1 of the first flocking hole 24A is a ratio (L1) of the pair of second flocking holes 25A to the distance L8 between the outermost edges in the longitudinal direction of the first flocking hole or the short direction Y of the flocking table 21. / L8) is preferably 1.0 or less, and more preferably 0.5 or more and 0.9 or less. The distance LS between the outermost edges of the first flocking hole 24A and the pair of second flocking holes 25A in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 has a ratio (LS / L8) of 0.7 or more to the distance L8. 1.2 or less is preferable, and 0.75 or more and 1.1 or less is more preferable.

  Next, toothbrushes 1A and 1B according to second and third embodiments of the present invention will be described. About the toothbrush of 2nd and 3rd embodiment, the point which is different from the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated, and description is abbreviate | omitted about the same point. For the points that are not particularly described, the description in the first embodiment is applied as appropriate. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment.

  In the first and second flock holes 24A and 25A formed in the central tuft region 22 of the toothbrush 1A of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the hair bundle 24 and the hair bundle 25 are made of bristle. The tip brush surface formed by connecting the tips is planted with a step in the hair length so that the vicinity of the center portion in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21 has a highest convex shape.

As shown in FIG. 5, the central tuft region 22 in the toothbrush 1 </ b> B of the third embodiment extends over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table 21, and on both sides of the central tuft region 22 in the longitudinal direction X, The tuft region 23 does not extend.
According to the toothbrush of 2nd and 3rd embodiment, the same thru | or similar effect is show | played.

  Although the toothbrush of the present invention has been described with respect to a plurality of preferred embodiments thereof, the toothbrush of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the shape of the tip of the bristle can be a normal round cut, a tip crack, or the like. Moreover, only the bristle of the hair | bristle bundle planted in a 1st and 2nd flocking hole can be made into a taper bristle, and only the bristle of the hair | bristle bundle planted in an outer flocking hole can also be made into a bristle which is not a taper bristle.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the second flocking hole 25A and the outer flocking hole 26A have a circular shape in plan view. However, the second flocking hole 25A and the outer flocking hole 26A have a rounded shape, a pentagonal shape, and the like in plan view. You can also. Also, the first flocking hole 24A may be an ellipse or a shape obtained by rounding each corner of the rectangle instead of the oval shape.
In addition, the description omitted in one embodiment and the requirements of only one embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as appropriate, and the requirements in each embodiment can be appropriately applied between the embodiments. Can be substituted for each other.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example and a comparative example demonstrate this invention further in detail, this invention is not restrict | limited at all by description of a following example and a comparative example.

Examples 1 and 2
The toothbrush of Example 1 having the same configuration as the toothbrush of the first embodiment was manufactured, and the toothbrush of Example 2 having the same configuration as the toothbrush of the second embodiment was manufactured. Table 1 shows the number and dimensions of the flock holes in each toothbrush, the thickness of the bristle to be flocked, the number of flocks, the height of the bunch, and the like. The length L1 of the first flocking hole was 1.8 mm, and the distance L7 between the pair of second flocking holes was 0.7 mm. In Table 1, R0.5-1.8 represents the size of the oval tuft hole diameter, the semicircles on both sides are R0.5 mm, and the total length of the oval is 1.8 mm. To do.
The bristle inserted and fixed in each flock hole is a tapered bristle made of polybutylene terephthalate in which a tapered portion is sharpened at the tip by chemical treatment. The thickness of the bristle in Table 1 is the thickness (diameter) of the root portion.

[Comparative Examples 1 and 2]
It has the same configuration as that of Example 1 except that the three first flock holes in the toothbrush of Example 1 are planted so that the height is 10.5 mm in the same manner as the hair bundle to be planted in the outer flock hole. The toothbrush (refer FIG. 6) of the comparative example 1 was manufactured.
The same configuration as in Example 1 except that a total of six second flock holes in the toothbrush of Example 1 were planted so as to have a height of 10.5 mm similar to the hair bundle planted in the outer flock hole. A toothbrush of Comparative Example 2 (see FIG. 7) having

[Evaluation]
The toothbrushes of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were evaluated for durability, tooth surface brushing properties, and brushing comfort by the methods described below.

[Evaluation of durability]
(Evaluation method)
Using a brushing device having a mechanism for moving back and forth along the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table, as shown in FIG. 8, the semi-cylindrical acrylic plate was brushed (brushed) with each toothbrush. The brushing was performed by applying a load of 400 g to the back surface 21b of the flocking table 21, and under the conditions of a stroke width of 30 mm and a stroke speed of 120 rpm, the number of strokes reached 6000. In addition, for the brushing, about 10 g of a commercially available dentifrice (“Clear Clean (Registered Trademark) Regular” manufactured by Kao Corporation) was taken out into a container, stirred with 100 ml of water, and diluted with an acrylic plate in a diluted solution about 10 times. And it carried out in the state which immersed the hairbrush part of the toothbrush.

(result)
For each 1200 strokes, the width W of the hair bundle having a height of 12.5 mm spreading in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21 (hereinafter referred to as the width W of the hair tip) was measured. The width W of the hair tip is the width in the short direction Y of the flocking table 21, as shown in FIG.
From the hair tip width Wi before the test and the hair tip width W measured every 1,200 strokes, the hair tip spreading rate (%) for each 1,200 strokes is obtained by the following formula, and FIG. The graph which shows the relationship between a hair tip spread rate was shown.
Hair tip spreading ratio (%) = [(width of hair tip W at each stage−width of hair tip Wi before test) / width of hair tip Wi before test] × 100
Further, FIG. 9A shows the state of the hair tip before the test for Example 1 and the state of the hair tip after 6000 strokes, and FIG. 9B shows the hair before the test for Comparative Example 1 The previous state and the state of the hair tip after 6000 strokes are shown. Moreover, about each toothbrush, the width | variety of the hair tip before a test and the width | variety of the hair tip after 6000 strokes were shown in Table 2.

  From the graph shown in FIG. 10 and the results shown in Table 2, the toothbrushes of Examples 1 and 2 are less likely to spread even when used for a long time than the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, and have excellent durability. understood.

(Evaluation of tooth surface brushability inside the gingival sulcus)
(Evaluation method)
Using the marginal dentition model 5 shown in FIG. 11, the wiping performance of the tooth surface inside the gingival sulcus by low-load brushing was evaluated. As shown in FIG. 11A, the marginal dentition model 5 includes a gum part 51 simulating the shape of a gum, and a plurality of tooth parts 52 simulating teeth (molar teeth and premolars) protruding from the gums. Further, a sheet 53 such as a magnetic tape for video tape whose surface state changes by brushing is formed on the surface of some of the plurality of tooth portions 52A (molar teeth). 52 can be detachably fixed so as to extend up and down the side edge portion 55 of the groove 54 imitating a gingival groove formed between them. When evaluating the brushing ability of the tooth surface by brushing, a soft elastic material such as silicone is generally used as a material imitating the gums of the oral jaw model. It is difficult to keep the gap amount too wide. Therefore, the marginal dentition model 5 used this time imitates the elasticity of the gums, as shown in FIG. 11B, and the tooth part 52 is opposite to the gum part 51 (in the direction of the arrow 56). When the pressure is higher than the elasticity of the gums, it moves backward so that a certain amount of gap of about 0.35 mm is generated between the gum part 51 and the tooth part 52.
Video tape tape 53 (type: S'RIBBON standard type (120 minutes, model number 3T-120SR) of Seiyu private brand) is fixed to one tooth portion 52A of this marginal dentition model 5, and examples and comparisons The toothbrush of the example was pressed near the boundary between the gum part 51 and the tooth part 52 with a low load of 150 gf in a state tilted by 30 degrees with respect to the tooth surface. It was reciprocated under the conditions of a stroke width of 10 mm and a stroke speed of 120 rpm in the direction X. As a dentifrice, 0.3 g of “Guard Hello (registered trademark)” manufactured by Kao Corporation was used.

〔result〕
FIG. 12 is a photograph of the unfolded state of the tape 53 for videotape taken after being removed from the tooth portion 52A after the 60-second or 180-second brushing, and the curve R in the photograph indicates the boundary between the inside and outside of the gingival crevice. It is a curve which shows the position of the edge part 55 of the groove | channel 54 which becomes.
When the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are used, as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, a portion that is not partially cut away in the direction along the curve R is widely generated. On the other hand, when the toothbrushes of Examples 1 and 2 are used, the lower vicinity of the curve R is compared with Comparative Examples 1 and 2 as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). The magnetic layer on the tape surface is evenly cut along the curve R.
Therefore, according to the toothbrush of the present invention, the tooth surface can be favorably brushed both inside and outside the gingival sulcus even by low load brushing, especially in the inside, whereas the toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 Was found to have low wiping ability of the tooth surface in the gingival sulcus.

Further, the brush removal area ratio was determined by the following formula, and the results are shown in Table 3.
Brush removal area ratio (%) = [Brush removal area (X) / Measurement range area (17.0 mm ² )] × 100
Here, the measurement range area is a part of the curve R in the gingival crevice between the gingival margin and the tooth and the vicinity of the boundary between the gingival margin and the subgingival margin along the gingival margin. The video tape magnetic layer was unfolded after printing, taken with a digital camera, and analyzed. The area where the magnetic layer is peeled off and whitened in the measurement area is calculated as the ratio of the area to be removed, and the area ratio of the tooth surface including the gingival sulcus (so-called plaque removal area) is calculated. Rate). In FIG. 12, the range surrounded by the white line rectangle is the measurement range.

[Evaluation of polishing comfort]
(Evaluation method)
A sensory test was conducted with five monitors in their 40s on the comfort of gums, especially the softness of the gums. Table 4 shows the evaluation results of the five monitors and the average values according to the following criteria.
Evaluation criteria 3 points: There is no pain in the gums and the brushing feeling is very good.
Two points: There is no pain in the gums and it is comfortable to brush.
1 point: A little pain in gums.
0 points: Strong pain in the gums.

  From the results shown in Table 4, it can be seen that the toothbrush of the present invention hardly gives pain to the gums and is excellent in polishing comfort.

1, 1A, 1B Toothbrush 2 Brush part 21 Flocking table 21a Surface of flocking table 22 Central tuft region 24A First flocking hole 24 Hair bundle planted in first flocking hole 25A Second flocking hole 25 Planting in second flocking hole Bundled hair bundle 26A Outer flock hole 26 Flock of hair planted in outer flock hole 5 Edge dentition model 51 Gum part 52 Tooth part 52A Tooth part 53 Sheet 53 Tape 54 Groove 55 Edge part

Claims (9)

A toothbrush in which a bristle bundle is bundled in a flock hole formed in a flocking table,
The flocking table has a central tuft region at the center in the short direction of the flocking table, and has outer tuft regions on both sides sandwiching the central tuft region,
The hair bundle planted in the central tuft region is higher in height than the hair bundle planted in the outer tuft region,
In the central tuft region, the length of the flocking table in the short direction was formed side by side in the laterally long first flocking hole longer than the length of the flocking table in the longitudinal direction, and in the short direction of the flocking table. A pair of second flocking holes are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table , and no other flocking holes are formed between the pair of second flocking holes,
The second flocking hole has a shorter length in the short direction of the flocking table than the first flocking hole,
The first planting pores, the length of the bristle base in the short direction L1 is rather longer than the distance L7 between the pair of second planting pores,
The length (L1) in the short direction of the flocking table of the first flocking hole is a ratio (L1 / L8) to the distance L8 between the outermost edges of the pair of second flocking holes in the short direction of the flocking table. A toothbrush that is 1.0 or less .   The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of flocking holes including the first flocking hole and the pair of second flocking holes are formed in a longitudinal direction of the flocking table.   The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length of the first flocking hole in a short direction of the flocking table is longer than a length of the flocking hole formed in the outer tuft region in the same direction.   The flock hole of the said outer tuft area is formed so that it may become a staggered arrangement relation between the 1st flock hole and the 2nd flock hole in the longitudinal direction of the said flocking table. The toothbrush of any one of Claims.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer tuft region is formed to surround the central tuft region.   The toothbrush in any one of Claims 1-5 whose height of the hair | bristle bundle planted by the 1st flock hole and the bristles planted by the 2nd flock hole is the same.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bristle of the hair bundle implanted in the first and second flock holes is a tapered bristle.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the flock holes formed in the flocking table has a length in the longitudinal direction of the flocking table of 0.7 mm or more and 1.2 mm or less.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein two second flocking holes forming a pair are formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction X of the flocking table.