JPH05184423A - Portable toothbrush case - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To slow and carry a toothbrush under sanitary conditions by providing at least a ultraviolet lamp on a portable toothbrush case. CONSTITUTION:After a lid 2 of a toothbrush case 1 is closed, an ultraviolet lamp 4 is turned on only when a specified period of time has elapsed after frequent opening and closing of the toothbrush case 1 ceases, if possible, and is turned off by a timer after a specified period of time. Therefore, the frequency of turning on and off of the ultraviolet lamp 4 decreases and wasteful consumption of electricity or batteries and a hazard of ultraviolet ray leakage can be prevented. It is preferable that turning on and off of the ultraviolet lamp 4 and operation of the timer are initiated by a pair of switches 7 and 8 which is automatically linked with opening and closing of the lid 2. It is also preferable to provide an electric part housing which is completely isolated from a toothbrush 3 housing by an electric part housing partition and in which electric circuits and electric parts are housed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable toothbrush case equipped with an ultraviolet lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, water, dental plaque, residual food residue, and harmful bacteria such as dental caries and Escherichia coli are attached to the brush portion of a toothbrush after use, which makes the toothbrush extremely unhygienic. It was being handled. Particularly, in recent toothbrushes, the flocking density of the brush portion has been increased in order to remove plaque, which has become more unsanitary.

[0003] In a portable toothbrush case for storing and carrying these toothbrushes, because the drying is insufficient, the inside of the toothbrush brush portion is further unsanitary. In addition, the case was filled with an offensive odor generated by the propagation of various bacteria adhering to the brush portion, and even in such an environment, the toothbrush was stored in an unsanitary state.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional portable toothbrush case, and a completely new portable device which has not been known in the past. To provide a toothbrush case for use.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a portable toothbrush case characterized by including at least an ultraviolet lamp. It is what

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a portable toothbrush case in which a toothbrush can be stored and carried in a sanitary manner. The constituent factors of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

The "portable toothbrush case" in the present invention is not particularly limited and may be any portable toothbrush case. For example, a portable toothbrush case that is carried when traveling, going to work, etc., At home, it refers to a small toothbrush case used by individuals and small groups.

The shape of the toothbrush case of the present invention is not particularly limited and may be any shape, for example, a flat box type such as a writing case type and an eyeglass case type, a cap case type capable of being put in and taken out by a cap, and a cylindrical type. And prismatic type.

The position of the toothbrush inlet / outlet port of the toothbrush case may be any of the upper part, the middle part, the lower part, the front side and the lateral side of the case. It is preferable to design the positional relationship and shape of the case body and the lid body according to the above.
Generally, it is convenient to provide an inlet / outlet for the toothbrush on the front surface, the lower portion or the side surface of the toothbrush case.

The number of toothbrushes accommodated in the toothbrush case is not particularly limited and may be any number, but it is generally 1 to 4 and preferably 1 to 2, and the brush portion of these toothbrushes is It is desirable to have a structure that can be installed toward an ultraviolet lamp. The type, shape, size, and mounting position of the UV lamp are selected so that the UV light from the UV lamp is most efficiently applied to the brush portion of the toothbrush according to the form of the toothbrush stored in the toothbrush case. There is a need.

The materials used for the "toothbrush case body 1" and the "cover 2" of the portable toothbrush case are as follows:
Without leaking the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp to the outside of the system, any material can be used as long as it is a material that completely shields it, but generally, there are plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, wood, etc., among them, among others. Plastics, glass and wood are preferred, with plastics being especially preferred.

Examples of plastics include acrylic resins (PA), styrene resins (PS), vinyl chloride resins (PVC), polycarbonate resins (PC), poamide resins (NY), polyacetal resins (PA).
C), polypropylene resin (PP), cellulose resin and a mixture of any of these resins, among which PA, PS, PC and PAC are preferable, and PA is particularly preferable. The term "PA" as used in the present invention is not a specified compound but a methacrylate ester, particularly a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and an acrylate ester. Acrylic esters generally include, for example, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, and 2-tylhexyl acrylate. Methyl, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate are preferable, and butyl acrylate is particularly preferable.

Further, preferable combinations of methacrylic acid ester, especially methyl methacrylate and acrylate ester include, for example, methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate, and the like.

The toothbrush case made of the plastic of the present invention can be manufactured by a known plastic molding technique such as injection molding, hollow molding, casting, extrusion molding and the like.

Further, the cover 2 of the toothbrush case does not particularly leak the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp to the outside of the system,
In order to provide the function of completely shielding, it is desirable that the joint portion between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 has a structure that substantially prevents ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside over the entire circumference. For this reason, it is preferable that the joint portion between the main body and the lid body not only be in contact with each other but also have a structure in which they overlap each other over the entire circumference of the joint portion. The overlapping structure may be any structure as long as it can substantially prevent the leakage of ultraviolet rays from the toothbrush case and does not hinder the opening and closing of the lid.

[0016] As an example thereof, a structure in which a joint portion of a main body and a lid body simply overlaps each other in a double manner, and a structure in which the joint portion is engaged with each other in a hook shape and a hook shape in its sectional shape Alternatively, a structure in which one or both of the main body and the lid body at the joint portion are provided with continuous ribs protruding toward the other side can be cited.

Further, the lid 2 of the toothbrush case needs to have a function of completely blocking the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp without leaking out of the system, but the visible rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp are transmitted as much as possible. It is desirable to have something to do. As a result, not only is it safe for the human body, but it is possible to detect from outside the system that the ultraviolet lamp is on.

For this purpose, in the case of a plastic lid, it is preferable to add an ultraviolet absorber to the plastic. The ultraviolet absorber to be added is appropriately used alone or in combination of two or more from a wide range of types in consideration of the ultraviolet absorbing ability of the ultraviolet absorber and the compatibility with the copolymer to be used. be able to. Examples of usable ultraviolet absorbers include the following.

(A) Hydroquinone type; hydroquinone, hydroquinone disalicylate

(B) Salicylic acid type; phenyl salicylate, paraoctyl phenyl salicylate

(C) Benzophenone-based; 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4
-n-octoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-
Methoxy-2'-carboxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4
´-Dimethoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-
Nazoyloxybenzophenone, 2,2'-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-
Methoxy-5-sulfonebenzophenone, 2,2 ', 4,4'-
Tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'dimethoxy-5-sodium sulfobenzophenone, 4-dodecyloxy-2-hydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzophenone

(D) Benzotriazole type; 2- (2
′ -Hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl) -5-butoxycarbonylbenzotriazole, 2- (2
´-Hydroxy-5´-methylphenyl) -5,6-dichlorobenzotriazole, 2- (2´-hydroxy-5´
-Methylphenyl) -5-ethylsulfone benzotriazo-
2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-tert-butylphenyl)
-5-Chlorobenzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy
-5'-tert-butylphenyl) benzotriazole,

2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-amylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-3)
´, 5´-Dimethylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2
′ -Hydroxy-3 ′, 5′-dimethylphenyl) -5-methoxybenzotriazole, 2- (2′-methyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2′-stearyloxy- 3 ', 5'-Dimethylphenyl) -5-methylbenzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5-ethoxycarbonylphenyl) benzotriazole

2- (2'-hydroxy-3'-methyl-5'-t
ert-Butylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-
Hydroxy-3 ', 5'-ditert-butylphenyl) -5-
Chloro-benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy
-5'-methoxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2
′ -Hydroxy-5′-phenylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2- (2′-hydroxy-5′-cyclohexylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2 ′
-Hydroxy-5'-cyclohexylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'cyclohexylphenyl) benzotriazole,

2- (2'-hydroxy-4 ', 5'-dimethylphenyl) -5-butoxycarbonylbenzotriazo-
2- (2'-hydroxy-3 ', 5'-dichlorophenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-4
′, 5′-Dichlorophenyl) benzotriazole, 2-
(2'-hydroxy-3 ', 5'-dimethylphenyl) -5
-Cylsulfone benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-phenylphenyl) benzotriazole,
2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-methoxyphenyl) -5-
Methylbenzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5
′ -Methylphenyl) -5-ethoxycarbonylbenzotriazole, 2- (2′-acetoxy-5′-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2 (2′-hydroxy-3 ′, 5
′ -Ditert-butylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole.

Of these ultraviolet absorbers, those of benzophenone type and benzotriazole type are preferable,
Among the benzophenone series, 2,2'-dihydroxy-
4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and 2,2 ', 4,4'-
Tetrahydroxybenzophenone;

In the benzotriazole system, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl) benzotriazo-
2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-
5,6-dichlorobenzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-tert-butylphenyl) benzotriazo-
2- (2'-hydroxy-3'-methyl-5'-tert-butylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-3 ', 5'-ditert-butylphenyl) -5- Chlorobenzotriazole and 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-phenylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole are effective.

Further, among these ultraviolet absorbers, particularly preferable ones are 2- (2'-hydroxy-3 ', 5'-ditert.
-Butylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, and 2- (2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-methylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole.

The amount of the above-mentioned ultraviolet absorber to be mixed with the above-mentioned plastics is not critical and can be widely varied depending on the material, thickness and shape, but in general, the plastic which can be present with the synthetic resin constituting the toothbrush case is used. Total amount with agent 100
0.001 to 3 parts by weight relative to parts by weight, preferably
It can be in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight.

In the portable toothbrush case of the present invention, an inorganic filler or an inorganic pigment having an ultraviolet characteristic or an ultraviolet reflecting characteristic may be added to the plastic together with the above-mentioned ultraviolet absorber, if necessary. Titanium oxide (especially rutile type titanium oxide) is added to the transparent plastic together with the above-mentioned UV absorber in an amount that does not completely block visible light from the UV lamp to make the case semi-transparent or close to it. When it is set, visible light is emitted to the outside of the system through the toothbrush case while completely preventing the leakage of ultraviolet rays to the outside of the case when the ultraviolet lamp is turned on, and it is possible to confirm the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp and an aesthetic effect on the toothbrush case. Can be generated.

For example, when the plate thickness of the toothbrush case is about 3 mm, the particle size is about 0.05 to 2 together with the ultraviolet absorber.
By adding about 0.01 to 1% by weight of micron rutile type titanium oxide, the above visible light transmitting effect can be exhibited.

The "ultraviolet lamp" referred to in the present invention is not particularly limited, and the wavelength range of the ultraviolet region is about 200.
Any ultraviolet lamp can be used as long as it has a capability of emitting a light ray containing a light having a wavelength of 400 nm to 400 nm, preferably 220 to 280 nm, and more preferably 250 to 260 nm. These ultraviolet lamps may partially contain visible light, and it is desirable that they be as small as possible.

The shapes of these ultraviolet lamps include a straight tube type, a U-shaped type and a spherical type, among which a U-shaped type and a spherical type are preferable, and a spherical type is particularly preferable.

Concretely, for example, various ultraviolet lamps described in a catalog "Ultraviolet germicidal lamp" (875-5000) manufactured by Sankyo Electric Co., Ltd., particularly a small U-shaped tube (GUL) are used.
4), spherical type (GTL2, GGL3.5), Toshiba Corporation, Lighting Division, general catalog "TOSHIBA Lamp"'88 -9, black light fluorescent lamp, insect trap fluorescent lamp, health line For example, a fluorescent lamp for use can be mentioned.

The toothbrush case of the present invention has means for turning off the ultraviolet lamp when the lid 2 is opened, and the ultraviolet lamp is turned on only when the lid is closed. However, it does not have to be always on when the lid is closed, and it is possible to sterilize the toothbrush by turning on the ultraviolet lamp for a predetermined time of the day, so opening and closing the lid of the toothbrush case Along with a control means that turns on the ultraviolet lamp for a predetermined time in conjunction with it, a timer that turns on the ultraviolet lamp for a predetermined time when the lid is closed and then turns it off is incorporated to safely and wastelessly sterilize with the ultraviolet lamp. It is good to be able to do it efficiently and automatically. Therefore, a lid lock device that also serves as a switch can be attached to the lid body, and a switch corresponding to the switch of the lid body can be installed in the main body 1.

In the above case, the toothbrush case is closed because the time zone in which the toothbrush is used, that is, the time zone in which the toothbrush case is opened and closed is usually concentrated in a predetermined time zone such as morning, after lunch, and at night. If the electric circuit is designed to turn on the ultraviolet lamp immediately after being turned on, during those times when the toothbrush case is frequently opened and closed, the ultraviolet lamp will be turned on and off many times within a short time. It is easy to cause early consumption of electric parts of the UV lamp, wasteful consumption of electricity and batteries, and risk of UV leakage from the case.

Therefore, the ultraviolet lamp may be turned on immediately after the lid of the toothbrush case is closed. However, if possible, the ultraviolet lamp is turned on for the first time after a predetermined time after the opening and closing of the toothbrush case is completed. , After turning on for a predetermined time, turn off the light with a timer (for example,
About 30 minutes after the lid is closed, the UV lamp lights up and
5 seconds to 3 minutes, preferably for about 20 to 40 seconds, and then turn off the light), the frequency of turning on and off the ultraviolet lamp decreases, leading to early consumption of electric parts, wasteful consumption of electricity and batteries, and from the case. It is more preferable because it can prevent the danger of ultraviolet ray leakage. At that time, it is preferable that the turning-on and turning-off of the ultraviolet lamp and the operation of the timer are performed by a single switch that automatically interlocks with the opening and closing of the lid of the toothbrush case.

In the toothbrush case of the present invention, its power source may be either a battery, a commercial power source from an outlet, or both of them depending on the situation. Also,
Since the toothbrush case is used under conditions of extremely high humidity and moisture due to its nature, it is necessary to have a structure that protects electrical components from humidity and moisture. It is desirable to provide a stored electric circuit and electric component storage unit and store them therein.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto.

Example A (Preparation of Toothbrush Case) A flat brush-type portable toothbrush case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was prepared. The joint portion between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 is overlapped with each other over the entire circumference so that ultraviolet rays do not leak to the outside. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the appearance of the toothbrush case when the cover 2 is opened, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the state of the main body 1 when the electrical component storage partition of the main body 1 is removed.

The specific contents of each part of the above toothbrush case are as follows. (1) Case body 1 and lid 2 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone per 100 parts by weight of acrylic resin [Acrypet VH # 000, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., UV absorber-free grade] (Ultraviolet absorber) 0.05 part by weight and 0.1 part by weight of rutile type titanium oxide having an average particle size of about 1 micron were mixed and injection-molded to have a wall thickness of 2.5 mm.

(2) UV lamp 4 GTL2 (spherical type) manufactured by Sankyo Denki Co., Ltd. (3) Power source dry battery (9V, 006P) (4) Electric circuit After the lid is closed, the UV light is emitted. Light is automatically 3
An automatic control circuit with a timer that lights continuously for 0 seconds and then turns off.

[0042]

[Table 1]

Example B (Evaluation of Portable Toothbrush Case) (1) Evaluation Method For 20 test subjects, the dentition was divided into two right and left teeth, and two toothbrushes were used to brush the teeth for 3 minutes each, and then the flow rate was 100 cc per second. The toothbrush was washed in tap water for 15 seconds. Example A except that one of these toothbrushes was housed in the portable toothbrush case prepared in Example A (hereinafter referred to as "a method treatment") and the other toothbrush was not equipped with an ultraviolet lamp. It was stored in a portable toothbrush case obtained in the same manner as described above (hereinafter, this was treated by "b method treatment")
That). Then take out these toothbrushes and
The cells adhered to the toothbrush were recovered in the solution by shaking in a sterile phosphate buffer of mM. This solution was appropriately diluted, inoculated on a blood agar medium, cultured in an anaerobic glow box for 1 week, and the number of growing colonies was counted.

(2) Evaluation Results The ratio of the number average value of the colony numerical values obtained from each of the 20 subjects by the method a and the number average value by the method b was 1: 1200. From these results, it can be seen how the bactericidal action of the portable toothbrush case of the present invention is excellent. In addition, in the above evaluation method, when the method a and the method b were continuously performed for 15 days respectively, an offensive odor was detected in the toothbrush case by the method b, but was completely detected by the toothbrush case by the method a. There wasn't.

Further, when the lid of the portable toothbrush case of the present invention is closed and the ultraviolet lamp is turned on, the presence or absence of ultraviolet rays leaking out of the case is checked by an ultraviolet intensity meter (UVP. Inc.).
Manufactured by UVX UV intensity meter), but no UV light in a wavelength range of 380 nm or less was observed from any part of the case, and the UV light was completely shielded.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a portable toothbrush case in which a toothbrush can be stored and carried in a sanitary manner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an external appearance of a portable toothbrush case when a lid 2 is opened.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing a planar state of the main body 1 when the partition wall for storing the electrical components of the main body 1 is removed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a cross section of a cylindrical cap-type portable toothbrush case, in which screws are formed in the middle part of the cap, and by opening and closing the part, the battery Maintenance such as replacement and cleaning can be performed.

[Explanation of sign]

 1 Portable Toothbrush Case Main Body 2 Portable Toothbrush Case Lid 3 Toothbrush 4 Ultraviolet Lamp 5 Electrical Component Storage Partition 6 Electric Circuit Board 7 Switch 8 Switch and Lid Locking Device 9 Screw

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A portable toothbrush case comprising at least an ultraviolet lamp. 2. The portable toothbrush case according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet lamp is a germicidal lamp.