JPH1042957A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush preventing the generation of burrs at the bristle plant section of the toothbrush, having good production efficiency, and excellent in the cleaning effect, operability, and external appearance. SOLUTION: Fused connection sections 13 are provided at the terminals of bristle bundles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 having prescribed bristle bundle cross sectional shapes, and the fused connection sections 13 are integrally fixed to a handle head section 10 to form this toothbrush 11. The cross sections of the bristle bundles are parallelograms or triangles. The shape of the bristle bundle cross section when the bristle bundle is collected to be fixed is a parallelogram for parallelogramatic bristles, and it is a parallelogram or a triangle for triangular bristles. Bristles are very densely planted in the bristle bundles, the bristle bundles having higher stiffness than before can be obtained, and the toothbrush 11 having large force to scratch off the tooth filth on the tooth face and excellent in the cleaning effect can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention facilitates brushing operation in the oral cavity and can be applied simultaneously to various brushing methods.
The present invention relates to a toothbrush that can exhibit high cleaning power and gum massage performance, and that can be brushed safely without burrs and without damaging the inside of the mouth with burrs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a toothbrush is manufactured by fixing a bundle of nylon or PBT with a metal piece (flat wire) to a plurality of flocked holes provided in a head portion in advance. In general, polypropylene (PP) is used as a material for the material from the viewpoints of cost and moldability. However, the shape of the brush bundle at the flocked portion of the toothbrush is generally circular, but conventionally, the shape is triangular, rectangular, and elliptical (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 56-58227), non-circular, and horizontally long (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63). 163634) have been proposed. In addition, a brush bundle in which the brush diameter, length, and density are changed so that the rigidity of a part of the bristle is different (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-57232), a mixed brush bundle of a thick and hard brush and a thin and soft brush ( 63-95
No. 828) or a brush having a different rigidity at the center and the periphery of the hair bundle (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-52556).

[0003] Recently, in the case of a toothbrush or the like, instead of a brush in which a bristle bundle is fixed to a flocked hole in a handle using a metal wire, the density of the bristle is increased, and the need to diversify the bristle shape is required. It has been proposed that a handle is formed integrally with a hair bundle when a handle is formed of a synthetic resin without using a wire. Conventionally, as a method not using a metal wire of this type, a method using fusion bonding (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
76104, JP-A-60-241404, JP-A-2
No. 990002) or a method by in-molding in which a hair bunch is introduced into a mold, a handle resin material is injected, and integrally molded (for example, JP-A-60-116303, JP-A-61-103).
No. 268208 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-503150).

Therefore, in fusion fixing or in-mold fixing, in order to prevent burrs generated at the time of fixing the bristle bundle, the material rising at the time of press-fitting the bristle bundle is pressed down by applying pressure to compress the material (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H4-1992). 226610), the opening of the brush guide passage is sealed with a brush melting portion (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-268208), and the bristle fusion portion is densely placed in the opening of the sleeve protruding into the mold. A method of releasing the sleeve from the brush base after contacting and then filling the resin in the handle head (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-503150)
And so on.

[0005]

However, in the prior art having such a hair bundle cross-sectional shape, it is not assumed that the hair bundle is fixed by a method such as fusion or adhesion or an in-mold method. The cross section of the brush itself is not taken into account. Therefore, in a conventional brush having a circular cross section, the total sum of the area of the brush occupying the entire area of the cross section of the bristle cannot be increased, and the filling density cannot be sufficiently increased to use the area of the bristle efficiently. As a result, a gap occurs in the cross section of the bristle bundle, and when the bristle is fixed by the fusion or in-mold method, the brush base portion is removed from the cross section of the bristle bundle or from the gap with the bristle holding hole in the outer peripheral portion. The resin has the disadvantage of causing `` burrs '' to protrude.Also, some combinations of brushes mention both the cross-sectional shape of the brush and the cross-sectional shape of the brush bundle. However, it is not assumed that the hair bundle is fixed by fusion or in-mold method. In addition, there is also a problem that "burrs" occur because the close filling of the hair bundles is not considered. In order to prevent the occurrence of burrs, some conventional techniques have been proposed, but all of them have disadvantages in that productivity cannot be increased, for example, the manufacturing apparatus and the mechanism of the mold are complicated and the number of steps is increased. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to eliminate these conventional drawbacks. The present invention provides a toothbrush which prevents burrs, has good production efficiency, and is excellent in appearance. An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush which can be applied to both the bath method brushing and the rolling method brush at the same time and which also improves the cleaning power and the gum massaging performance with a simple manufacturing apparatus at a low cost.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a hair bundle having a predetermined hair bundle cross-sectional shape provided with a fusion joint at an end thereof, and the fusion joint is fused or fixed to a handle head. Or, in the toothbrush solidified together with the molding of the handle head, the cross section of the brush bundle is a parallelogram or
Triangular, the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle in the state accumulated to fix the brush bundle, in the case of a parallelogram brush,
In the case of a triangular brush, which is a parallelogram, a brush having a parallelogram or triangular shape is provided.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment of the present invention, the cross section of the brush is a parallelogram or a triangle at the planting portion of the toothbrush, and the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle integrated to fix the brush bundle is: In the case of a parallelogram brush, it is a parallelogram, and in the case of a triangular brush, by having a hair bundle that is a parallelogram or a triangle, the inside of the hair bundle, especially the outer periphery Because the brush can be densely filled in the part, there is no gap between the bristle holding hole and the burr does not occur, there is no risk of damaging the gums due to the burr, and a toothbrush excellent in appearance (aesthetic appearance) You can get
Because the brush is very densely implanted in the hair bundle, it can be a bristle with higher bristle strength than before, and the power to scrape plaque on the tooth surface is large, and the brushing effect is excellent It can be a toothbrush. In addition, since a bristle bundle with excellent brushing force can be obtained, in order to obtain the same cleaning power as in the past, the number of brushes to be brushed on the entire brush portion can be reduced, and the size of the entire brush portion can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toothbrush excellent in not only cleaning power but also usability and economy.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an example of a toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 4. In order to implant a brush bundle 1 into a handle head 10 to form a bristle portion, the brush bundle 1 has a predetermined bristle bundle cross-sectional shape. Joint 13 melted at the ends of the hair bundles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
And the fusion bonding portion 13 is fused to the handle head portion 10 or bonded and fixed, or the handle head portion 1
0 is a toothbrush 11 solidified together with the molding of No. 0, the cross section of the brush is a parallelogram or a triangle, and the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle integrated to fix the brush bundle is changed to a parallelogram brush. In the case of a triangular brush, a toothbrush is provided with a bundle of parallelograms or triangles.

In this case, the parallelogram includes a square, a rectangle, a rhombus and the like as specific shapes among them, and the triangle includes an equilateral triangle, an isosceles triangle, a right triangle and the like. If the parallelograms or triangles are densely filled with the brush bundle and a sufficiently high filling rate is obtained, and if the bristle bundle outer shape becomes a roughly parallelogram or triangle with a smooth shape, the mold becomes complicated. The brush diameter can be combined without any particular limitation in terms of efficiency in consideration of mold production or maintenance.However, due to the efficiency of production and inventory management, it is more efficient to use the same brush diameter. desirable. Further, it is preferable that the shape and the diameter of the hair bundle holding hole used when fixing the hair bundle to the handle head portion 10 are adjusted to the brush bundle cross-sectional shape (parallelogram or triangle) so that no gap is generated. .

In the case where a conventional brush, particularly a brush having a circular cross section, is used, the ratio of the total area of the brush to the entire area of the cross section of the bristle is 55 to 65% in a flat line system, Although it is about 70 to 75% in a method such as fusion or in-mold, it is ideally 100% in the present invention, and the brush is very densely implanted in the hair bundle. A bristle bundle having a high strength can be obtained, a force for scraping plaque on the tooth surface is large, and a toothbrush having an excellent cleaning effect can be obtained. In addition, since a bristle bundle having excellent cleaning power is obtained, in order to obtain the same cleaning power as in the past, the number of brushes to be implanted on the entire brush portion can be reduced, and the size of the entire brush portion can be reduced. It becomes possible. As a result, a toothbrush excellent not only in cleaning power but also in usability and economy can be obtained.

Further, the cross section of the brush and the brush bundle is roughly
In a bristle bundle having a similar shape or a brush cross-sectional shape of a triangle, the bristle is further filled by forming a bristle cross-sectional shape substantially similar to a parallelogram formed by combining two triangles. It is preferable because the efficiency is improved. Also, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, when the bristle bundle is a rectangular or rhombic brush of a parallelogram and a brush bundle shape, the long side (long axis) and the short side (short axis) of the brush All directions can be aligned closely. As a result, it is possible to form hair bundles having different feelings in the long side (long axis) direction and the short side (short axis) direction more remarkably than the conventional flocking, and the scrubbing method and the bath method using movements perpendicular to each other. It can be applied to both brushing and roll-type brushing at the same time, and an excellent toothbrush having both cleaning power and massage performance can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hair bundles 1 to 5 pull out hairs from a spool 14 wound with a predetermined number of hairs, collect the hairs into the respective hair bundles, and further remove the hair bundles for the entire flocked portion. The hair bundle guide 19 collectively leads the hair bundle to the hair supply device 15, and the hair bundle supply device 15 alternately moves the hair bundle clamp mechanism 17 in the direction along the hair bundle using the displacement of the gripper plate 16. The hair bundle is supplied to the hair bundle insertion hole 7 provided in the mold outer plate or a part of the mold 6 and cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 18. After that, the ends of the bristle bundle are melted, fused, glued, or incorporated into an injection molding machine (not shown) and fixed by an in-mold molding method to produce a toothbrush.

In the example of FIG. 3, the hair spools 14 are separately provided for each of the hair bundles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and are provided on each spool shelf 20, but the spool shelves 20 are not necessarily divided. It can also be pulled out for each hair bundle in one place. Although there is no particular limitation on the hair diameter for handling,
6 to 10 mils (about 0.15 mm to
0.26 mm), so that the number of brushes to be wound is 5 to 200, so that the number of brushes to be wound is not too large.
Preferably, the number is from 10 to 100.

The hair bundle 1 is connected to the hair bundle clamps 17,1.
In order to supply and fill the hair bundle holding hole 7 at 7, a pair of hairs provided opposite to the hair bundle holding hole 7 in a part of the mold outer plate or the molding die 6 as shown in FIG. Bundle clamp 1
Using the gripper plate 16 clamping the tuft respectively 7, 17 one with slidably in the cylinder 16 _1, separable therefrom the該用tufts clamping portion 17, 17 with respect to the for tuft retention hole 7 The hair bundle is supplied by moving. That is, the bristle bundle clamp unit 16 is separated and positioned above the bristle bundle holding hole 7, and the bristle bundle 1 is inserted into the insertion hole so as to match with the hole of each gripper plate 16 (FIG. 4). (A)]. Next, the gripper plate 16 of the upper hair bundle clamp unit 17 is moved to the cylinder 1
6 with ₁ by shifting to tightened the use tufts 1, the molding die is lowered moves the use tufts clamping portion 17 of the lower 6
(FIG. 4B). When the bristle bundle clamp portion 17 holding and tightening the bristle bundle 1 is moved down, the bristle bundle 1 is guided by the insertion hole of the lower bristle bundle clamp portion 17 while being pulled. It is introduced and filled into the holding hole 7 (FIG. 4C). Further, the gripper plate 16 of the upper hair bundle clamp 17 is returned, and the gripper plate 16 of the lower hair bundle clamp 17 is returned.
The increasing along after tightened the use bristle bundle 1 to be shifted in the cylinder 16 ₁ to use the hair bundle 1 over the use tuft clamp portion 17 [FIG. 4 (d)]. Subsequently, the gripper plate 16 of the upper hair bundle clamp 17 is displaced to tighten and hold the hair bundle 1, and at the same time, the gripper plate 16 of the lower hair bundle clamp 17 is returned to loosen the clamp, and The bristle clamp 17 is raised to leave a gap between the bristle clamp 17 and the molding die 6, and the cutter 18 is advanced into the gap to approach the bristle tuft 1 [FIG. 4 (e)]. Thus, when the cutter 18 is moved and advanced along the molding die 6, the hair bundle 1 is sheared, and cutting is performed in a state where the hair bundle holding hole 7 of the molding die 6 is filled with the hair bundle 1. After the cutting, the gripper plate 16 of the upper hair bundle clamp 17 is returned to the original position (FIG. 4 (f)), and if the cutter 18 is returned again, it is ready for the next hair bundle supply step. If the positions of the hair bundle holding holes 7 are sequentially shifted to match the insertion holes of the hair bundle clamping unit 17 in the same operation steps repeatedly, the filling of the hair bundle holding holes 7 into the hair bundle holding holes 7 is efficient. It can be done well. In addition,
The bristle bundle clamping gripper plate 16 is preferably a perforated plate having the number, arrangement, and shape corresponding to the bristle bundle holding holes 7 in the molding die 6 or the bristle bundle insertion plate.

In any case, before the arbitrary number of hair bundles are drawn into the injection molding machine, the same number of hair bundles and the same number of hair bundle holding holes as the number of hair bundle holding holes in the mold are provided outside the mold. A hair bundle can be cut into a predetermined length and supplied (filled) to a part of a plate or a mold having a holding hole by using a time during which the injection molding of the previous shot is performed. Since the melting step and the hair bundle can be narrowed down as necessary, the molding efficiency is improved. In addition, using part of the plate or mold,
There is also an advantage that the hair bundle supply / hair trimming step and the like can be performed outside the injection molding die, and there is no need to incorporate these mechanisms into the injection molding die, so that the die can be simplified.

In the example of FIG. 5, various cross-sectional shapes (a) to (h) of the brush bundle 1 are shown. However, the shape and arrangement may be similar to the shape of the brush bundle surrounding the outer periphery, The brush bundles 1 may be arranged in all or a part of the flocking portion, or may be a flocking pattern mixed with a known brush bundle. For example,
The cross section of the brush and the bristle bundle may be similar (including a parallelogram in which two triangles are combined), and the shape, size, and pattern are not limited. It is not necessary to limit the packing to a dense packing (filling rate 100%). Even if only rectangles or triangles are used, not all of them may be necessarily the same shape or size. The parallelogram is not limited to a rectangle, and various combinations can be similarly made when the cross-sectional shape of the hair bundle is a square or a rhombus or a general parallelogram.

These bristle-shaped brushes can be manufactured by an ordinary method. That is, the ends of the hair bundles arranged in a predetermined hair bundle cross-sectional shape are melted, and this is fixed to the brush base portion by a method such as fusion or adhesion, or
The brush with the ends of the bristle bundle bundled by melting or the like can be fixed by a method of forming the brush base portion (in-mold method) in a state of being placed in a mold for forming the brush portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, as a brush bundle, a fused joint portion 13 as a fused mass is formed at the base end portion of the brush bundle 1 and in-mold flocking is performed.
Alternatively, adhesion by an adhesive, heat fusion flocking, or the like is used.
From the viewpoint of handle cracking during planting and safety, heat fusion planting and in-mold planting are preferred, and in-mold planting is most preferred from the viewpoint of productivity.

[0019]

According to the present invention, a fusion-bonded portion is provided at the end of a hair bundle having a predetermined hair-bundle cross-sectional shape, and the fusion-bonded portion is fused to a handle head portion, or is adhered and fixed, or the handle head portion is provided. In the toothbrush solidified together with the molding of, the cross section of the brush bundle is a parallelogram or a triangle,
The shape of the cross section of the brush bundle in the state of being accumulated to fix the brush bundle is a parallelogram for a parallelogram brush, and a parallelogram or a triangle for a triangular brush. By providing the bristle bundle, the brush can be densely filled in the bristle bundle, particularly in the outer peripheral portion, so that there is no gap between the bristle holding hole and the burr does not occur, and the burrs may damage the gums. Not only that, a toothbrush having an excellent appearance (aesthetic appearance) can be obtained, and the occurrence of burrs can be suppressed, so that production efficiency can be improved, inspection frequency can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced. In addition, since the brushes are very densely planted in the hair bundle, it is possible to make the hair bundle with a higher bristle strength than before, and the power to scrape plaque on the tooth surface is large, and the cleaning effect is excellent. Can be a toothbrush. In addition, since a bristle bundle having excellent cleaning power is obtained, in order to obtain the same cleaning power as in the past, the number of brushes to be implanted on the entire brush portion can be reduced, and the size of the entire brush portion can be reduced. It becomes possible. As a result, a toothbrush excellent not only in cleaning power but also in usability and economy can be obtained. In addition, it is easy and effective to clean every corner of the mouth, and the rigid brush can be used efficiently, simplifying the supply and management of hair and improving production efficiency. Since it can be produced by using, there is a practical effect that the moldability is good and it can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a plan view thereof, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a molding step of the example of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a system explanatory view showing a hair bundle insertion step of the product of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the hair bundle supply in the example of FIG. 3;
The hair bundle is filled in the step (f).

FIG. 5 shows a hair bundle according to another embodiment of the present invention,
(H).

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 bristle bundle 6 Molding die 7 Bristle bundle holding hole 8 Cavity 10 Handle head 11 Brush 13 Melt joint 14 Spool 15 Bristle bundle supply device 16 Gripper plate 17 Bristle bundle clamp mechanism 18 Cutter 19 Guide plate 20 Spool shelf

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 18, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toothbrush in which a fused portion is provided at the end of a bristle bundle having a predetermined bristle cross section and the fused portion is integrally fixed to a handle head. The cross-section of the bundle is a parallelogram or a triangle, and the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle in an integrated state for fixing the brush bundle is a parallelogram for a parallelogram brush. The brush is provided with a bunch of parallelograms or triangles.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an example of a toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 4. In order to implant a brush bundle 1 into a handle head 10 to form a bristle portion, the brush bundle 1 has a predetermined bristle bundle cross-sectional shape. Joint 13 melted at the ends of the hair bundles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
A toothbrush 11 in which the fusion connection portion 13 is integrally fixed to the handle head portion 10, for example, is fixed by fusion or adhesive bonding or is integrally fixed together with the formation of the handle head portion 10, and the cross section of the brush is parallel The shape of the brush bundle is a shape or a triangle, and the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle that is accumulated to fix the brush bundle is a parallelogram for a parallelogram brush and a parallelogram for a triangular brush. The toothbrush is provided with a bristle bundle of a quadrilateral or triangular shape.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In the example of FIG. 3, the hair spools 14 are separately provided for each of the hair bundles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and are provided on each spool shelf 20, but the spool shelves 20 are not necessarily divided. It can also be pulled out for each hair bundle in one place.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0019]

According to the present invention, there is provided a toothbrush in which a fused portion is provided at the end of a bristle bundle having a predetermined bristle cross-sectional shape and the fused portion is integrally fixed to a handle head portion. In the case of a parallelogram or a triangle, and the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle in the state of being accumulated to fix the brush bundle is a parallelogram brush, it is a parallelogram and a triangular brush. Is provided with a parallelogram or triangular bristle bundle, so that the brush can be densely filled in the bristle bundle, especially in the outer periphery, so that there is no gap between the bristle bundle holding hole and burrs. In addition to the fact that there is no risk of burrs injuring the gums, a toothbrush having an excellent appearance (aesthetic appearance) can be obtained, and the occurrence of burrs can be suppressed, so that production efficiency can be improved and inspection frequency can be reduced. Lower manufacturing costs Rukoto can. In addition, since the brushes are very densely planted in the hair bundle, it is possible to make the hair bundle with a higher bristle strength than before, and the power to scrape plaque on the tooth surface is large, and the cleaning effect is excellent. Can be a toothbrush. Also, since a hair bundle with excellent cleaning power can be obtained,
In order to obtain the same cleaning power as in the prior art, the number of brushes to be implanted on the entire brush portion can be reduced, and the size of the entire brush portion can be reduced. As a result, a toothbrush excellent not only in cleaning power but also in usability and economy can be obtained. In addition, it is easy and effective to clean every corner of the mouth, and the rigid brush can be used efficiently, simplifying the supply and management of hair and improving production efficiency. Since it can be produced by using, there is a practical effect that the moldability is good and it can be provided at low cost.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Explanation of sign

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Description of Signs] 1,2,3,4,5 Hair bundle 6 Molding die 7 Hair bundle holding hole 8 Cavity 10 Handle head 11 Brush 13 Melt joint 14 Spool 15 Hair bundle supply device 16 Gripper plate 16 ₁ Cylinder 17 Hair bundle clamp mechanism 18 Cutter 19 Guide 20 Spool shelf

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A fusion-bonded portion is provided at the end of a hair bundle having a predetermined hair bundle cross-sectional shape, and the fusion-bonded portion is fused or adhered and fixed to a handle head portion or integrally formed with the handle head portion. In the solidified toothbrush, the cross section of the brush bundle is a parallelogram or a triangle, and the shape of the cross section of the brush bundle in an integrated state for fixing the brush bundle is parallelogram. A toothbrush having a shape and a bristle bundle of a parallelogram or a triangle for a triangular brush.