JP7320731B1 - Brush bristle stopper for metal-less flocked toothbrush. - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To eliminate the metal flat wire from the main bristle toothbrushes currently on the market, and to make a single synthetic resin. At the same time, we will inquire about a technique for fixing brush bristles that is sufficiently compatible with biodegradable resins. In addition, by not changing the flocking process, equipment costs can be minimized. [Solution] In place of the driving method that applies impact force, which is often used in the previous patent documents, a brush bristle fixing method that makes use of the characteristics of the raw material is used. The U-shaped brush bristles are strongly fixed at three points by internal and external forces and repulsive forces with respect to each wall of the bristle-implanted small holes. [Selection drawing] Fig. 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bristle stopper for a metal-less flocked toothbrush.

About 150 years after the birth of the bristle toothbrush, the anchor method using a metal (brass) flat wire (a method of fixing the brush bristles at the bottom of the bristle bristle hole by driving a flat metal wire into the side wall of the bristle bristle hole and making it bite) The bristles have remained fixed. In the meantime, the idea of changing to a synthetic resin (broad-molecular substance) has been made many times, but has not materialized. However, in recent years, due to the deterioration of the environment, complete recycling has become important, and the ultimate goal is to develop a biodegradable resin toothbrush. As a first step, it is necessary to use synthetic resin for the flat metal wire.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-054715 JP 2011-101734 Patent 3861320

To eliminate metal from a flocked toothbrush and make it a single synthetic resin. If this is successful, metal will be eliminated, and the completion of a biodegradable toothbrush will come closer.

However, the means described in the above-mentioned document "Removing Metal from Flocked Toothbrushes" cannot achieve stable flocking. The reason for this is that, in order to change from a metal flat wire with high toughness (metal molecular bonding product) to a synthetic resin flat wire (broad molecular bonding product), it is necessary to replace the conventional anchoring method with the means shown by the present invention. It is necessary to change to a method that does not apply much impact force or a welding method. If we continue to use the conventional anchoring method, we have no choice but to invent a synthetic resin that has a toughness comparable to that of metal molecule bonding.

Until a synthetic resin with toughness comparable to metal molecular bonding is born, the conventional anchor effect will not be used as a binder = there are no restrictions such as Izod impact strength (notched), Rockwell hardness, etc., and it can be implemented. , A flat wire is manufactured from synthetic resins, rubbers, etc., which have surface frictional force and elastic restoring force, and the brush bristles are folded in two near the center and inserted together into the bristle flocking holes in the same way as before (however, bristles A groove is dug by biting into the side wall of the small hole, and an anchor effect is not sought). By inserting the flat wire from its normal non-resistance shape, there is a force that tries to restore from the compressed state caused by inserting it into the hair-implanted small hole with a small volume, a repulsive force that tries to prevent it, and a surface frictional force that works in various places. is used to secure the brush bristles in the bristle holes.

There is no metal in the toothbrush with flocked bristles, and it becomes a single synthetic resin, making it easier to recycle. In addition, safety has been improved by eliminating concerns about metal corrosion. The development of biodegradable resin-flocked toothbrushes has also taken a step forward.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 shows a conventional anchoring effect (a flat metal wire is driven into the bristle bristle hole wall diagonal and fixed by biting into the bristle, and the bristles are pressed against the bottom surface of the bristle bristle hole with that force and fixed. Method) describes the step of fixing the brush bristles in the hair-implanted pores. A brief description of the content is as follows.

A brush bristle 2 is folded in half by a metal flat wire 1 near the center, and is placed on the upper surface of a pedestal portion 4 which is a base material of a toothbrush. Insert (drive) into two diagonal corners of the wall in a manner of “biting and digging a groove”.
A plan view of this state seen from above is the plan view indicated by the arrow on the upper right side, and the flat metal wire both-end anchor portions 1C, which are arranged to obtain the above-mentioned anchor effect, are "biting fixing portions". Other figures show the pedestal portion 4 of the flocked toothbrush.

Next, refer to Table 1 shown in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-101734) described above, paragraph [0058].

All of the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 to 3 are documents utilizing the conventional anchor effect. Patent Document 1 (JP-A-06-054715) uses a metal flat wire as a synthetic resin flat wire, and Patent Document 2 (JP-A-2011-101734) is a document showing Table 1 described above. Conditions: We experimented with general-purpose synthetic resin, but due to the inconveniences (a), (b), and (c) (cracking and chipping of the flat brush wire), it is impossible to use the synthetic resin flat wire at this time. Thoughts, no conclusions.
Patent document 3 is a document of a metal-free bristle toothbrush composed of biodegradable resin, although there is no invention of new materials etc. for using a synthetic resin flat wire.
In other words, the conclusion is that the conventional "anchor method" is impossible with the current synthetic resin.
And if it takes 150 years to invent a new component synthetic resin (which has a molecular bonding force equivalent to that of metal, which means it has toughness), recycling will not progress and the earth will go crazy due to the rise in temperature due to carbon dioxide.

In such a case, stop using the anchor effect and change the brush bristle fixing method to a method that matches the characteristics of the synthetic resin, such as [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3].
The method will be described below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the fastener 1A (synthetic resin/rubber) of the present invention as a rubber ball for easy understanding.
The fastener 1A is inserted into the small hole 3 provided on the flat surface of the toothbrush pedestal 4 without metal-free flocking, and the brush bristles 2 are folded in two from the vicinity of the center in the direction of the insertion direction arrow X of the fastener 1A. and insert them together.

The fastener 1A pushed (driven) into the small hair-implanted hole 3 together with the brush bristles 2 is forcibly inserted at high speed into the small hair-implanted hole 3 plus and into the small hair-implanted hole 3 occupied by the brush bristles 2. Due to the narrow space in the hair-implanted small hole 3, it is deformed into a compressed shape of a "double-circle" such as the fastener compressed shape image shape 1B shown in FIG.

This is the state of being compressed by inserting the hair-implanted small hole from the normal non-resistance shape shown in [Claim 1], and the fastener compressed shape image shape 1B shows the original fastener. A force (positive force) acts in multiple directions to return to 1A. In response to the positive force, from the brush bristles 2 sandwiched between the side wall of the flocking small hole 3 and the fastener 1A, the internal pressure and the force of the repulsion arrow W of the same magnitude as the positive force act.
This force is also applied to the inner side walls of the hair-implanted small holes 3 and the entire surface of the brush bristles 2. As a result, the brush bristles 2 that have been folded in two and inserted into the small hair-implanted holes 3 are displaced as shown in FIGS. As can be understood from the above, in contrast to the conventional anchoring method using a flat metal wire at one place (three bottoms of hair-implanted small holes), in the present invention, in principle, the whole surface is fixed at three or more places.

Next, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 will be described with FIG. 4 as the last description. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a hair-implanted small hole 3 using a conventional anchor effect (using a metal flat wire 1) and a cross-sectional view cut from the YY cross section, and FIG. ) and a cross-sectional view cut from the ZZ cross section.
5 and 6 are exactly 20 times enlarged views, and the positional relationship between the brush bristles 2 and each flat wire (metal flat wire 1 and fastener 1A) in the hair-implanted small hole 3, Know your occupancy.
Table 2 shows the calculated occupied area and occupancy rate. And Table 2 thereof is shown below.

The method of using Table 2 will be explained. First, an example will be explained.

The normal shape of the commercially available flocked toothbrush is as follows, and is referred to as Example 1.
1. Hair flocking hole diameter = 1.5mm (unit = mm)
2, brush bristle diameter = 0, 15mm
3. Number of brush bristles = 18 = 36 to fold in half
Hair-implanted pore area = 0, 75 x 0, 75 x π (3, 14) = 1, 7663 mm ² (100%)
Brush hair occupied area = 0, 075 × 0, 075 × π (3, 14) × 18 × 2 = 0, 6359 mm ² (36, 0%)
・In other words, if the area of the flocked small pores is 100%, the area occupied by the brush bristles will be 36%. 64% obtained by subtracting 36% from 100% is the area occupied by the flat line of the present invention.
In the present invention, the hair-implanted small hole diameter is 1.5 mm because it is the length (longitudinal direction) of the flat wire (not driven). Therefore, the thickness of the flat wire is 0.756 mm considering the expansion ratio of the material.
Therefore, it is preferable to select hard rubber or synthetic resin having a thickness of 0.8 mm or more for the flat wire.
- More simply, it is preferable if the sum of the area occupied by the brush bristles and the area occupied by the flat line exceeds the surface area of the flocked small pores (100%).

5 and 6, which are drawn at a scale of exactly 20, are in agreement with the results of the above calculation. It will be about 0.8 mm, which is the same as the calculation.
As can be seen from FIG. 6, if the brush bristles 2 can be fixed with the highest force and state, each space of the brush bristles 2 is also "collapsed" from the circular shape of FIG. shape”.

In addition, various things can be understood from FIG.
First, even if the occupied area of the brush bristles 2 (occupied area = about 36%) and the occupied area of the metal flat wire 1 (occupied area = about 17% with a thickness of 0, 2 mm) is added, it becomes 53%. The inside of the small hole was in a state in which there was a space of about 47%.

There is a reason for this. List the reasons why
1. The toothbrush must be made of a material with strong repulsive force, such as bristles (610/612 for polyamide) that can be used three times a day for one month (90 times).
2. The anchor effect is, as the name suggests, to "stop the boat with anchor", it is shaped like a fishhook that is driven into the seabed and bites into it, converting its weight into kinetic energy and making it bite into the seabed. This is what secures the ship.
Therefore, there is not enough force to press and fix a large amount of brush bristles, which have a strong repulsive force, against the insertion bottom surface in the bristle-implanted small holes. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the length of the driven part of the flat metal wire 1 is 0.35 mm on one side (0.7 mm on both sides, which is 32% of the total length), but the frictional resistance of the groove part is If a large amount of brush bristles 2 are implanted, the flat metal wire 1 is lifted by the repulsive force, leaving the flat metal wire 1 in the small holes 3 for bristle implantation, leaving only the brush bristles out. put away. This anchoring method has a large appearance and impact force, but if the brush bristles 2 are to be fixed, the method of the present invention is the best. In particular, it is suitable if the flat wire is a broad molecular bond such as a synthetic resin, and unlike other documents that use anchoring methods, restrictions such as Izod impact strength and Rockwell hardness are required. do not have.

Finally, the following Table 3 shows the checkpoints for changing to the fastener 1A (synthetic resin/rubber) of the present invention without changing the process using the conventional high-speed flocking machine equipment, and they were checked at the same time.

With this check, the metal flat wire 1 can be changed to the fastener (synthetic resin/rubber) 1A of the present invention simply by adjusting the conventional equipment. A toothbrush made only from natural materials such as toothbrushes and wood will also be completed.

The reason why this method of fixing the brush bristles 2 has come into being today is as follows. I don't think I could have done it without one of those conditions.
1. The side walls of the hair-implanted small holes 3 are thick and have sufficient strength to receive a positive force such as an insertion force. As a result, the repulsive force can be used without loss.
2. The accuracy of the flocked small holes 3 is as high as ±0.05, and there is no variation in the dimensions of the flocked small holes 3 . As a result, there is no variation in the fixing force of the brush bristles 2.例文帳に追加
3. The insertion speed of the fastener 1A into the hair-implanted small hole 3 is fast. This is also important, and the fastener 1A, which cannot be inserted by hand, can be made with a high-speed flocking machine. However, as with the conventional anchoring method, it is difficult to restore once it is pulled out.
4. Since the diameter of the hair-implanted small hole 3 is small, the force spreads to every corner. Besides, the toothbrush has a short lifespan unlike other brushes.
All these conditions are in place, making this method easy to use.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the shape of the flat metal wire 1 wound around the coil 5 in the conventional high-speed flocking machine, and 1D is a cross-sectional view of the fastener coil winding. As a result, the fastener 1A of the present invention can be used with a conventional high-speed flocking machine.
However, the cross-sectional shape of this fastener 1A is only for the above-mentioned example (bristle bristle diameter = 1.5 mm, brush bristle diameter = 0.15 mm x 18, 36 when folded in half), and is suitable. It is necessary to consider and calculate (occupancy) the cross-sectional shape and material of the fastener.
However, the calculation is easy, and the material should be consulted with a person skilled in the art (professional) of synthetic resins and the like.
This is considered to be effective in principle, and instead of the one-point anchoring method, it is a three-point fixing press-fit method, and it is the world's first flocked toothbrush that can fix the bristles without using a metal flat wire. think. And there is no similar literature.

The inventor of the present application has continued to watch the high-speed flocking machine in reality and on YouTube videos, and has repeatedly considered the fixing method through experiments.
Prior to this document, a patent document (T-6) with the same content was filed on December 01, 2022, so if possible, the two documents will be combined into one document, and the filing date will be changed to the above date with priority. I want to put it back on.
that's all.

The process drawing which showed the manufacturing process of the flocked toothbrush. FIG. 1 is a process drawing 1 explaining a method of fixing brush bristles with a fastener of the present invention using a spherical shape. Process drawing 2 which demonstrated the fixing method of the brush hair with the fastener of this invention with a spherical shape. Fig. 2 is an overall view showing a coil-wound fastener and its cross-sectional shape (the shrinkage of the cross-sectional shape is 10 times); A plan view showing a method of fixing brush bristles with a conventional metal flat wire at a magnification of 20 times, and a front view cut along the YY plane. FIG. 10 shows a method of fixing brush bristles with a fastener of the present invention, which is considered to be suitable at present, and a front view cut along the ZZ plane at a magnification of 20 times.

Code description

1. Metal flat wire,
1A, fastener (synthetic resin/rubber),
1B, fastener compression shape (image shape),
1C, metal flat wire both ends anchor part,
1D, fastener coil winding and cross-sectional view,
2, brush bristles,
3. Hair flocking stoma,
4, pedestal,
5, coil,
X, fastener insertion direction arrow,
W, internal pressure, repulsion arrow,
YY, FIG. 5 section.
ZZ, FIG. 6 section.

Claims (3)

A fastener that is inserted into a flocking small hole of a metal-less flocked toothbrush base material together with the brush bristles and functions to fix the brush bristles in the flocking small hole, and is outside the flocking small hole of the brush bristle. The sum of the occupied area of the fastener and the area occupied outside the hair-implanted small hole is equal to or larger than the surface area of the hair-implanted small hole, and is folded in two and inserted into the hair-implanted small hole A fastener for a metal-less flocked toothbrush, characterized in that the bristles are simultaneously fixed at three locations, i.e., the two left and right side surfaces of the flocked small holes and the bottom surface, with frictional force and elastic force. 2. A fastener for a metal-free flocked toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the constituent component thereof is a biodegradable resin. 3. The fastener according to claim 1 or 2, which is wound on a bobbin and consists of cut pieces thereof A fastener for a metal-less flocked toothbrush characterized by:

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