JP6872345B2 - Interdental cleaning tool and interdental cleaning tool forming body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning tool and an interdental cleaning tool forming body.

Interdental cleaning tools such as interdental brushes are mainly used as auxiliary cleaning tools for cleaning the gaps between teeth (adjacent teeth) that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush. Regarding the inter-tooth cleaning tool, in addition to the basic performance of the inter-tooth cleaning tool such as "insertability", "feeling of cleaning", and "ease of cleaning", "no pain to the gums" and "comfort". Therefore, the non-harmfulness is also regarded as important.

As the interdental cleaning tool, an interdental cleaning tool (for example, Patent Document 1) in which an elastic wire is bent into a U shape and a handle is attached to the tip thereof to form a space at the tip portion is disclosed. ing. Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of shaft members formed by coating a synthetic resin core portion extending from the tip of the grip portion (handle portion) with an elastomer and a plurality of shaft members radially viewed from the extending direction of the shaft member are provided. An interdental brush with a protrusion made of an elastomer is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-290353 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-192866

However, since the interdental cleaning tool described in Patent Document 1 uses a metal wire for the brush portion, there is a risk that the operation may be mistakenly damaged when the brush portion is inserted between the teeth, which is harmful due to the above. There is a problem with the lack.
Further, in the interdental cleaning tool described in Patent Document 2, since the portion in contact with the teeth and gums is made of soft resin, the problem when a metal wire is used for the brush portion can be solved, but the protrusions are soft and the protrusion spacing is large. Because it is wide, there is a problem that the cleaning power between the teeth and the user's feeling of cleaning are low.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interdental cleaning tool and an interdental cleaning tool forming body that improve cleaning power and cleaning feeling while eliminating harmful effects. To do.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of flat plate-shaped grip portions joined to each other in the thickness direction,
A band-shaped portion made of synthetic resin and connecting the pair of grip portions includes a brush portion formed in the extending axial direction extending from the pair of grip portions, and the brush portion extends by elastic deformation. The band-shaped portions twisted around the axis surround the central axis orthogonal to the extending axis, and have a plurality of frame-shaped portions arranged along the extending axis direction. The portion is provided with an interdental cleaning tool, characterized in that the central axes of adjacent frame-shaped portions are arranged at different positions in the direction around the extension axis.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention, the frame-shaped portion is arranged on one side of the direction orthogonal to the extending axis and the other side of the orthogonal direction. It is characterized in that the cleaning portion is provided, and the maximum width of the cleaning portion is wider than the maximum width of the introduction portion.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention, assuming that the thickness of the cleaning portion is T1 and the maximum width is W1, W1 / T1 is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. It is a feature.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention, assuming that the thickness of the introduction portion is T2 and the maximum width is W2, W2 / T2 is 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less. It is a feature.

Further, the interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surface of the frame-shaped portion.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention, the grip portion is made of the synthetic resin.

Further, the interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by including an alignment portion for aligning the relative positions of the pair of grip portions.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is an interdental cleaning tool forming body for forming an interdental cleaning tool having a grip portion and a brush portion, and the grip portion is formed in a flat plate shape and is oriented in the first direction. The brush portions are arranged in pairs at intervals, and the brush portions are formed of a band-shaped portion that is made of synthetic resin and connects one side of the pair of grip portions in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Is around the central axis orthogonal to the extension axis by the strips twisted around the extension axis extending in the second direction due to elastic deformation when the pair of grips are joined in the thickness direction. It has a plurality of frame-shaped portions arranged along the extension axis direction, and the plurality of frame-shaped portions have positions where the central axes of the adjacent frame-shaped portions are different in the direction around the extension axis. An interdental cleaning tool forming body is provided, which is characterized in that it is arranged in.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention, the strip-shaped portion extends from each of the pair of grip portions and gradually approaches each other as it goes toward one side of the second direction. A pair of first portions, a pair of second portions extending from the tips of the pair of first portions to one side in the second direction, and a pair of second portions extending from the tips of the pair of second portions, respectively. A pair of third portions that bend in opposite directions in the thickness direction, and a pair of fourth portions that extend from the tips of the pair of third portions and gradually approach each other toward one side in the second direction. The distance between the tips of the pair of first portions in the first direction is shorter than the arrangement pitch of the pair of grip portions in the first direction, and the pair of grip portions are arranged in the thickness direction. When joined, the pair of first portions in which the positional relationship of the tips in the first direction changes to the positional relationship on the opposite side across a gap, and the pair of second portions in which the tips overlap due to elastic deformation. As a result, a first frame-shaped portion whose central axis is orthogonal to the extension axis is formed, and the third portion and the fourth portion whose tips are separated by a gap in the thickness direction are described. On one side of the first frame-shaped portion along the extension axis, a second frame-shaped portion whose position of the central axis in the direction around the extension axis is different from that of the first frame-shaped central axis is formed. It is characterized by that.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention, the frame-shaped portion is an introduction portion arranged on one side in a direction orthogonal to the extension axis and the other side in the orthogonal direction. The cleaning unit is arranged in the above, and the maximum width of the cleaning unit is wider than the maximum width of the introduction unit.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention, assuming that the thickness of the cleaning portion is T1 and the maximum width is W1, W1 / T1 is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. It is characterized by that.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention, assuming that the thickness of the introduction portion is T2 and the maximum width is W2, W2 / T2 is 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less. It is characterized by that.

Further, the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surface of the frame-shaped portion.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention, the grip portion is made of the synthetic resin.

Further, the interdental cleaning tool forming body according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by including an alignment portion for aligning the relative positions of the pair of grip portions.

In the present invention, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaning tool and an interdental cleaning tool forming body that improve the cleaning power and the feeling of cleaning while eliminating harmful effects.

It is a figure which shows the embodiment of this invention, and is the external perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool 1. It is a figure which shows the embodiment of this invention, and is the plan view which developed the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2. It is a figure for demonstrating the cleaning operation using the interdental cleaning tool 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the cleaning operation using the interdental cleaning tool 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the interdental cleaning tool and the interdental cleaning tool forming body of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
It should be noted that the following embodiments show one aspect of the present invention, do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure are different from the actual structure.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the interdental cleaning tool 1. The interdental cleaning tool 1 is made of synthetic resin and includes a grip portion 10 and a brush portion 20. The grip portion 10 has the same rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a pair of flat plate-shaped grip plates 10A and 10B joined in the thickness direction. The grip plates 10A and 10B are aligned with each other in the surface direction by the alignment portion 11.

As the synthetic resin constituting the interdental cleaning tool 1, a soft resin or a hard resin can be used, but it is preferable to use a soft resin in consideration of insertion between the teeth. Examples of the soft resin include resins having a shore A hardness of 90 or less measured in accordance with JIS K 7215, such as thermoplastic elastomers, silicone rubbers, and urethane rubbers. Examples of the hard resin include resins such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) having a flexural modulus of 1000 MPa or less measured in accordance with JIS K7203.

The brush portion 20 extends from the grip portion 10 along the extension axis 40. The brush portion 20 includes a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) frame-shaped portions (first frame-shaped portion) 21 arranged along the extension axis 40, and a frame-shaped portion (second frame-shaped portion). Has 22.

In the following description, the direction in which the extension axis 40 extends (that is, the direction in which the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are arranged) is defined as the X-axis direction (second direction), and the direction in which the grip plates 10A and 10B are joined is defined as the X-axis direction. The Z-axis direction and the directions orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction will be appropriately described as the axis Y direction (first direction).

The frame-shaped portion 21 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that surrounds the circumference of the central axis 21a that is orthogonal to the extending axis 40 and parallel to the Z axis. The frame-shaped portion 22 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that surrounds the circumference of the central axis 22a that is orthogonal to the extending axis 40 and parallel to the Y-axis. The central axis 21a and the central axis 22a are arranged at different positions in the direction around the extension axis 40, specifically, 90 ° different positions. The frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 in the present embodiment are formed in a diamond shape in which diagonal lines are orthogonal to each other and the longer diagonal line extends in the X-axis direction.

The frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are formed by, for example, a strip-shaped portion 30 having a rectangular cross section and extending in a strip shape. The band-shaped portion 30 is elastically deformed and twisted around the extending axis 40 (clockwise in FIG. 1) to form the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 in the previous stage in which the gripping plates 10A and 10B form the interdental cleaning tool 1 in a non-joined state.
As shown in FIG. 2, the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 has a band-shaped portion 30 that connects the grip plates 10A and 10B arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction and the + X-side sides of the grip plates 10A and 10B. And have.

The positioning portion 11 includes a shaft portion 11A projecting from the −Z side surface of the grip plate 10A and a hole portion 11B that opens to the + Z side surface of the grip plate 10B and into which the shaft portion 11A fits. .. A plurality (two in the figure) of the shaft portion 11A and the hole portion 11B are provided so as to be separated from each other. The hole 11B is formed so as not to penetrate. If the hole 11B penetrates, the grip plates 10A and 10B may be joined in the wrong direction, but since the hole 11B is open only on one side, the grip plates 10A and 10B are erroneously joined. It is possible to avoid joining in the vertical direction.

The band-shaped portion 30 is formed in a U shape extending from one of the grip plates 10A and 10B to the + X side and then changing direction to reach one of the grip plates 10A and 10B. The band-shaped portions 30 extend from the grip plates 10A and 10B, respectively, and gradually approach each other toward the + X side toward the + X side from the tips of the pair of first portions 31A and 31B and the first portions 31A and 31B, respectively. A pair of third portions that extend in opposite directions from the pair of second portions 32A and 32B and the bent portions 35A and 35B at the tips of the second portions 32A and 32B, respectively, in the thickness direction of the second portions 32A and 32B. It has portions 33A, 33B and a pair of fourth portions 34A, 34B extending from the tips of the third portions 33A, 33B and gradually approaching each other toward the + X side.

The distance 31L between the tips of the first portions 31A and 31B in the Y-axis direction is formed to be shorter than the arrangement pitch 10L of the grip plates 10A and 10B in the Y-axis direction.

The first portions 31A and 31B and the second portions 32A and 32B form a frame-shaped portion 21. The third portions 33A and 33B and the fourth portions 34A and 34B form a frame-shaped portion 22. Of the first portions 31A and 31B and the second portions 32A and 32B forming the frame-shaped portion 21, the first portion 31B and the second portion 32B located on the −Y side in FIG. 1 are introduced to be deformed at the time of interdental insertion. Part 21G is formed. Further, the first portion 31A and the second portion 32A located on the + Y side in FIG. 1 have a maximum width wider than the maximum width of the first portion 31B and the second portion 32B, and scrape the tooth surface at the time of interdental insertion. The cleaning unit 21C is formed.

Of the third portions 33A and 33B and the fourth portions 34A and 34B forming the frame-shaped portion 22, the third portion 33A and the fourth portion 34A located on the −Z side in FIG. 1 are introduction portions that are deformed during interdental insertion. Form 22G. Further, the third portion 33B and the fourth portion 34B located on the + Z side in FIG. 1 have a maximum width wider than the maximum width of the third portion 33A and the fourth portion 34A, and scrape the tooth surface at the time of interdental insertion. The cleaning unit 22C is formed.

The third portion 33A is formed by bending (so-called mountain fold) to the −Z side with the bent portion 35A as a base point. The third portion 33B is formed by bending (so-called valley fold) to the + Z side with the bent portion 35B as a base point. The bent portion 35A is inclined with respect to the X-axis toward the + X side so that the central axis 22a is arranged at a position 90 ° different from the central axis 21a in the direction around the extension axis 40. doing. Similarly, the bent portion 35B has an X axis in a direction toward the −Y side toward the + X side so that the central axis 22a is arranged at a position 90 ° different from the central axis 21a in the direction around the extension axis 40. It is inclined with respect to.

The cleaning portion 21C is formed so that the boundary portion between the first portion 31A and the second portion 32A has the maximum width, and the width gradually narrows toward the grip portion 10 and the bent portion 35A. Similarly, the cleaning portion 22C is formed so that the boundary portion between the third portion 33B and the fourth portion 34B has the maximum width, and the width gradually narrows toward the tip portion on the + X side and the bent portion 35B. The introduction portion 21G is formed so that the boundary portion between the first portion 31B and the second portion 32B has the maximum width, and the width gradually narrows toward the grip portion 10 and the bending portion 35B. Similarly, the introduction portion 22G is formed so that the boundary portion between the third portion 33A and the fourth portion 34A has the maximum width, and the width gradually narrows toward the tip portion on the + X side and the bending portion 35A.

The thickness of the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 (frame-shaped portions 21, 22) can be arbitrarily set to 0.1 mm or more.
Assuming that the maximum width of the cleaning portions 21C and 22C is W1 and the thickness is T1, the ratios represented by W1 / T1 are preferably 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less, and 1.2 or more and 1. It is more preferably 5 or less. If the ratio represented by W1 / T1 is less than 1.0, the plaque scraping force may decrease. Further, if the ratio represented by W1 / T1 exceeds 1.5, it may be difficult to insert the tooth into the tooth. Therefore, when the ratio represented by W1 / T1 is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less, both the improvement of the plaque scraping power (cleaning power) and the ease of insertion between the teeth are achieved. Becomes possible.

Assuming that the maximum width of the introduction portions 21G and 22G is W2 and the thickness is T2, the ratio represented by W2 / T2 is preferably 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less, and 0.6 or more and 1. It is more preferably 0 or less. If the ratio represented by W2 / T2 is less than 0.5 or more than 1.0, it may be difficult to insert it between teeth. Therefore, when the ratio represented by W2 / T2 is 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less, the insertability between teeth can be improved.

As an example, the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 having the above configuration can be manufactured by injection molding using the above synthetic resin. When manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 by injection molding, for example, using a mold in which a parting line is set at an intermediate position in the thickness direction of each of the grip plates 10A and 10B and the strip portion 30, the grip plate is used. The interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 is filled with a molten synthetic resin into the cavity of the mold through a gate portion arranged in one or both of 10A and 10B, and the molded product is separated from the mold after cooling. Can be obtained. As the gate portion, a configuration in which the grip plates 10A and 10B are arranged on the joint surface where the grip plates 10A and 10B are joined and a configuration in which the grip plates 10A and 10B are arranged on the −X side side surface of the grip plates 10A and 10B are preferably adopted in consideration of appearance and the like. it can.

Next, an operation of forming the interdental cleaning tool 1 using the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 having the above configuration will be described.
First, the shaft portion 11A and the hole portion 11B in the alignment portion 11 are fitted, and the grip plates 10A and 10B are joined in the thickness direction so that the grip plate 10A is arranged on the + Z side, and the grip portion 10 To form. As a result, the first portion 31A and the second portion 32A are also arranged on the + Z side of the first portion 31B and the second portion 32B.

Here, in the Y-axis direction, the distance 31L between the tips of the first portions 31A and 31B is shorter than the arrangement pitch 10 of the grip plates 10A and 10B, so that the grip plates 10A and 10B are joined in the Y-axis direction in order to join. When moved to the side closer to each other, the positional relationship between the tips of the first portions 31A and 31B in the Y-axis direction is opposite to that before the movement with the gap S1 in between, as shown in FIG. Changes to. Further, as the grip plates 10A and 10B move, the third portion 33A engages with the second portion 32B from the −Y side in the bent portion 35A, so that the first portion 31A and the second portion 32A are bent. The portion 35A (that is, the tip of the second portion 32A) is elastically deformed and flexed so as to be substantially located on the extension axis 40. Similarly, with the movement of the grip plates 10A and 10B, in the bent portion 35B, the third portion 33B engages with the second portion 32A from the + Y side, so that the first portion 31B and the second portion 32B are bent. The portion 35B (that is, the tip of the second portion 32B) is elastically deformed and flexed so as to be substantially located on the extension axis 40.

As a result, the first portion 31A, the second portion 32A, the first portion 31B, and the second portion 32B, which are elastically deformed and bent, surround the central axis 21a extending in the Z-axis direction and are substantially parallel to the XY plane. A substantially rhombic frame-shaped portion 21 is formed in a plan view in the Z-axis direction in which the arrangement is made. At this time, in the first portion 31A, the second portion 32A, the first portion 31B, and the second portion 32B, as an example, the edge on the side close to the gap S1 is located on the + Z side, and the edge on the side far from the gap S1 is located. A frame-shaped portion 21 having an outer peripheral contour of a substantially pyramidal table is formed, which is inclined with respect to the central axis 21a so as to be located on the −Z side.

Further, at the same time as the frame-shaped portion 21 is formed, on the tip side of the bent portions 35A and 35B, as shown in FIG. 2, the third portion 33A extends toward the substantially −Z side, and the third portion 33A is formed. Part 33B extends substantially toward the + Z side. From the tip of the third portion 33A, the fourth portion 34A elastically deformed and flexed extends to the + X side, and from the tip of the third portion 33B, the fourth portion 34B elastically deformed and flexed by intersecting with the fourth portion 34A. Extends to the + X side.

As a result, the third portion 33A, the fourth portion 34A, the third portion 33B, and the fourth portion 34B, which are elastically deformed and bent, surround the void S2 including the central axis 22a extending in the Y-axis direction, and surround the XZ plane. A substantially rhombic frame-shaped portion 22 is formed in a plan view in the Y-axis direction arranged substantially parallel to the above. At this time, in the third portion 33A, the fourth portion 34A, the third portion 33B, and the fourth portion 34B, as an example, the edge on the side close to the gap S2 is at the position on the −Y side, and the edge on the side far from the gap S2. Is inclined with respect to the central axis 22a so that the position on the + Y side is formed, and the outer peripheral contour-shaped frame-shaped portion 22 of the substantially pyramidal base is formed.

When cleaning the interdental space using the interdental cleaning tool 1 having the above configuration, the interdental cleaning tool 1 (brush) grips the grip portion 10 and has the interdental S of the tooth surface T as shown in FIG. Part 20) is inserted. Since the tip of the interdental cleaning tool 1 has the narrowest width, it is smoothly inserted into the interdental S. In the frame-shaped portion 22 first inserted into the interdental S, when both the introduction portion 22G and the cleaning portion 22C come into contact with the tooth surface T or the gingiva, the introduction portion 22G is narrower in width and lower in bending strength than the cleaning portion 22C. Is elastically deformed with a large amount of deformation following the tooth surface T or the gingiva, and the cleaning portion 22C is elastically deformed with a smaller amount of deformation than the introduction portion 22G. Therefore, when the frame-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the interdental S and pushed inward, the introduction portion 22G contacts the tooth surface T with a small contact pressure, and the cleaning portion 22C has a larger contact pressure than the introduction portion 22G. It slides with respect to the tooth surface T in contact with T. As a result, the introduction unit 22G and the cleaning unit 22C can clean the tooth surface T and the inter-tooth S with a scraping force corresponding to their respective contact pressures.

When the interdental cleaning tool 1 is further pushed in, as shown in FIG. 4, the frame-shaped portion 22 is separated from the interdental portion S to the back side, and the frame-shaped portion 21 is inserted into the interdental portion S. In the frame-shaped portion 21, similarly to the frame-shaped portion 22, the introduction portion 21G, which is narrower in width and lower in bending strength than the cleaning portion 21C, elastically deforms with a large amount of deformation following the gingiva (or tooth surface T), and the cleaning portion 21C elastically deforms following the tooth surface T with a smaller amount of deformation than the introduction portion 21G.

Here, since the frame-shaped portion 21 and the frame-shaped portion 22 are arranged so as to intersect with each other by 90 ° around the extension axis 40, the frame-shaped portion 21 is different from the frame-shaped portion 22 with respect to the tooth surface T. It touches and slides in different positions. Therefore, the tooth surface T can be cleaned over a wide range by continuously inserting the frame-shaped portion 22 and the frame-shaped portion 21 into the interdental S. Further, the position of the cleaning portion 22C and the position of the cleaning portion 21C in the direction around the extension axis 40 are different between the frame-shaped portion 22 and the frame-shaped portion 21, and the position where the cleaning portion 22C comes into contact with the tooth surface T and the cleaning portion Since the position where the 21C contacts the tooth surface T fluctuates, when the frame-shaped portion 22 and the frame-shaped portion 21 are continuously inserted into the interdental S, the interdental cleaning tool 1 is provided with the extension axis 40 in the circumferential direction. Rotational force is generated. Therefore, the tooth surface T and the interdental S should be cleaned by the scraping force in both directions of the insertion direction of the interdental cleaning tool 1 and the scraping force in both directions around the extension axis 40. Can be done.

Then, by reciprocating the interdental cleaning tool 1, the tooth surface T and the interdental S can be repeatedly cleaned by the frame-shaped portion 22 and the frame-shaped portion 21. In this case, the rotation direction is opposite between the case where the interdental cleaning tool 1 is moved to the back side and the case where the tooth cleaning tool 1 is moved to the front side. It is possible to efficiently clean the tooth surface T and the inter-tooth S.

As described above, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, the band-shaped portion 30 connecting the pair of grip portions 10A and 10B is elastically deformed and twisted around the extension axis 40, and the central axes 21a and 22a extend. Since the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 made of synthetic resin have different positions in the direction around the axis 40, the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 inserted into the interdental S while eliminating harmful effects are extending axes. 40 It is possible to efficiently perform cleaning by sliding on the tooth surface T at different positions in the circumferential direction.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are greatly elastically deformed on one side in the direction orthogonal to the extension axis 40 when inserted into the interdental S to facilitate insertion. Cleaning portions 21C, 22C having introduction portions 21G and 22G and having a large cleaning force in contact with the tooth surface T with a large contact pressure when inserted into the interdental S on the other side in the direction orthogonal to the extension axis 40. Therefore, both the ease of insertion into the interdental S and the large cleaning force into the tooth surface T and the interdental S can be exhibited. In particular, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, since the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are arranged at different positions in the direction around the extension axis 40, the interdental cleaning tool 1 rotates by being inserted into the interdental S. Since the force is generated, the tooth surface T and the inter-tooth S can be cleaned more efficiently. Further, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, since the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are elastically deformed into the outer peripheral contour of the substantially angular frustum inclined with respect to the central axes 21a and 22a, the tooth surface T or When it comes into contact with the gingiva, a rotational force in the direction around the extension axis 40 is likely to be generated, and more efficient cleaning becomes possible.

In addition, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, since the longer diagonal line of the substantially rhombic frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 extends in the X-axis direction which is the insertion direction of the brush portion 20, the frame When the rhombuses 21 and 22 come into contact with the tooth surface, they can be inserted between the teeth without buckling.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, since the grip portion 10 and the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are made of a synthetic resin material, the interdental cleaning tool 1 can be manufactured by injection molding. It enables cost reduction and mass production. For example, even if the grip portion 10 is formed of a hard resin and the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are formed of a soft resin, two-color molding in which injection molding is sequentially performed using different resins is adopted. It is possible to correspond with.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, by joining the grip plates 10A and 10B in the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 formed by injection molding, the strip-shaped portion 30 is elastically deformed and easily and quickly described above. It is possible to form the interdental cleaning tool 1. Further, in the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 of the present embodiment, since the grip plates 10A and 10B are aligned with each other in the surface direction by the positioning portion 11, the interdental cleaning tool having a predetermined cleaning characteristic. 1 can be stably formed. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the hole portion 11B is open only on one surface, it is possible to avoid joining the grip plates 10A and 10B in the wrong direction when fitting the shaft portion 11A and the hole portion 11B. it can.

Although the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples. The various shapes and combinations of the constituent members shown in the above-mentioned examples are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which two frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are connected along the extension axis 40 is illustrated, but a configuration in which three or more frame-shaped portions are connected may be used. Even in the case where three or more frame-shaped portions are connected, it is preferable that the central axes of the adjacent frame-shaped portions are arranged at different positions in the direction around the extension axis 40.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the strip-shaped portion 30 is elastically deformed to form the rectangular frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 is illustrated, but for example, a configuration in which an annular frame-shaped portion is formed or a circle. An annular rectangular portion and a rectangular frame-shaped portion may be mixed. When the frame-shaped portion is annular, it is preferable that the brush portion 20 has an elliptical shape or an oval shape having a major axis in the X-axis direction, which is the insertion direction, so that the brush portion 20 does not buckle due to contact with the tooth surface. ..

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are arranged at different positions by 90 ° in the direction around the extension axis 40 is illustrated, but it can be set to an arbitrary angle at 1 ° or more and 179 ° or less. However, 45 ° or more and 135 ° or less are preferable, 70 ° or more and 110 ° or less are more preferable, and 90 ° is most preferable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the surfaces of the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 slide on the tooth surface T for cleaning is illustrated, but in addition to this configuration, for example, a brush is applied to the surfaces of the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22. A large number (plurality) of microprojections may be provided in a shape to enhance plaque removal and massage properties. As a method for forming the microprojections, the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 may be integrally molded, or secondary molding may be performed by electric discharge machining or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the thickness of the band-shaped portion 30 is constant has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. The portion where the portion 32A, the third portion 33A, the fourth portion 34A, the fourth portion 34B, the third portion 33B, the second portion 32B, and the first portion 31B intersect with each other is thinner than the other portions. May be good. By adopting this configuration, the intersecting portion that is bent or elastically deformed becomes easily deformed, and the operation when forming the interdental cleaning tool 1 from the interdental cleaning tool forming body 2 becomes easy.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the cross sections of the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are square or rectangular is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be, for example, a perfect circle or an elliptical shape. If the cross sections of the frame-shaped portions 21 and 22 are rectangular in shape, cleaning power and massage power are improved, which is preferable.

1 ... Interdental cleaning tool, 10 ... Grip part, 11 ... Alignment part, 20 ... Brush part, 21 ... Frame-shaped part (first frame-shaped part), 22 ... Frame-shaped part (second frame-shaped part) , 21a, 22a ... central axis, 21C, 22C ... cleaning part, 21G, 22G ... introduction part, 30 ... strip-shaped part, 31A, 31B ... first part, 32A, 32B ... second part, 33A, 33B ... third part , 34A, 34B ... 4th part, 40 ... Extension axis

Claims (18)

A pair of flat plate-shaped grips joined to each other in the thickness direction,
A band-shaped portion made of synthetic resin and connecting the pair of grip portions includes a brush portion formed in the extending axis direction extending from the pair of grip portions.
The brush portion is surrounded by a strip-shaped portion twisted around the extension axis due to elastic deformation, each surrounding a central axis orthogonal to the extension axis, and a plurality of frames arranged along the extension axis direction. Has an shape
In the plurality of frame-shaped portions, the central axes of the adjacent frame-shaped portions are arranged at different positions in the direction around the extending axis .
Of the plurality of frame-shaped portions, the first frame-shaped portion is formed along a first plane including the extending axis and orthogonal to the central axis of the first frame-shaped portion.
The second frame-shaped portion adjacent to the first frame-shaped portion is formed along a second plane including the extending axis and orthogonal to the central axis of the second frame-shaped portion.
An interdental cleaning tool characterized in that the first plane and the second plane intersect with each other. The strip-shaped portion has a first extending portion extending from one of the pair of grip portions and a second extending portion extending from the other of the pair of grip portions.
The first extension portion and the second extension portion each have a surface portion orthogonal to the central axis at each of the plurality of frame-shaped portions.
The plurality of frame-shaped portions are arranged in parallel with a plane orthogonal to each of the central axes.
At the intersection of the plurality of frame-shaped portions, the surface portion of the first extension portion and the surface portion of the second extension portion are formed in accordance with the position of the central axis in the direction around the extension axis. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein a bent portion that bends in the opposite direction to each other in the thickness direction is provided. The frame-shaped portion has an introduction portion arranged on one side in a direction orthogonal to the extension axis and a cleaning portion arranged on the other side in the orthogonal direction.
The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the maximum width of the cleaning portion is wider than the maximum width of the introduction portion. Assuming that the thickness of the cleaning portion is T1 and the maximum width is W1.
The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 3 , wherein W1 / T1 is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. Assuming that the thickness of the introduction portion is T2 and the maximum width is W2,
The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein W2 / T2 is 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less. The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surface of the frame-shaped portion. The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the grip portion is made of the synthetic resin. The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising an alignment portion for aligning the relative positions of the pair of grip portions. The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tooth cleaning tool is made of one kind of synthetic resin. An interdental cleaning tool forming body that forms an interdental cleaning tool having a grip portion and a brush portion.
The grip portions are formed in a flat plate shape and arranged in pairs at intervals in the first direction.
The brush portion is made of synthetic resin and is formed by a band-shaped portion connecting the pair of grip portions on one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
The strip is
A pair of first portions extending from the pair of grips toward the other side in the second direction and approaching each other in the first direction.
A pair of second portions extending from the tip of the first portion to the other side in the second direction, respectively.
A pair of third portions extending from the tip of the second portion to the other side in the second direction via a pair of bent portions, respectively.
It has a pair of fourth portions that extend from the tip of the third portion toward the other side in the second direction and extend toward the side approaching each other in the first direction and intersect with each other.
The pair of bent portions are bent in opposite directions in the thickness direction of the third portion, which is an interdental cleaning tool forming body. Wherein the first distance in the direction of the tip of the previous SL pair of first portions, interdental cleaning tool formed according to claim 10, wherein the short go Metropolitan than the first direction arrangement pitch of the pair of gripping portions body. The frame-shaped portion has an introduction portion arranged on one side in a direction orthogonal to the extension axis and a cleaning portion arranged on the other side in the orthogonal direction.
The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the maximum width of the cleaning portion is wider than the maximum width of the introduction portion. Assuming that the thickness of the cleaning portion is T1 and the maximum width is W1.
The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to claim 12 , wherein W1 / T1 is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. Assuming that the thickness of the introduction portion is T2 and the maximum width is W2,
The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein W2 / T2 is 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less. The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to any one of claims 10 to 14 , wherein a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surface of the frame-shaped portion. The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to any one of claims 10 to 15 , wherein the grip portion is formed of the synthetic resin. The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to any one of claims 10 to 16 , further comprising an alignment portion for aligning the relative positions of the pair of grip portions. The interdental cleaning tool forming body according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the interdental cleaning tool forming body is composed of one kind of synthetic resin.

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