KR101152700B1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The toothbrush using this PTT (polytrimethylene terephthalate) brush improves durability further, and also improves operability, a sense of loss of a toothbrush, and a usability as a toothbrush. In the toothbrush using the PTT brush, the hydrothermal shrinkage of the PTT brush was set at 0.4% or less. In addition, in the hysteresis curve measuring the elongation and recovery of the sole, the elongation and recovery of the sole, the elongation TΔmax at which the difference between the load at the time of extension and recovery is maximum is 50% or less with respect to the maximum elongation Tmax. The maximum difference ΔFmax of the load at the same elongation at the time of 70% or less with respect to the maximum load Fmax at the maximum elongation, and the elongation recovery rate with respect to the maximum elongation Tmax of the elongation T0 at which the load decreases to zero at the time of recovery is 50% or more. And the elongation recovery rate in the hysteresis curve at the maximum elongation of 25% was made 50% or more. In addition, the planting area of the sole was 0.8 to 1.5 cm ² and the planting density was 35 to 45%.

Toothbrush, PTT Brush, Height, Recovery, Elongation, Hysteresis, Load, Durability

Description

Toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush employing filament (filament) made of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) as bristles.

Generally, as a brush of a toothbrush, synthetic resins, such as nylon (6-12 nylon, 6-10 nylon), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), are used. On the other hand, as a polyester resin having excellent durability recently, using a filament made of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) or a filament containing polytrimethylene terephthalate as a main component (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "PTT sole"). Toothbrushes (see Patent Documents 1 to 4) have been proposed, but they have not been marketed so far since the raw materials are expensive. However, since PTT raw materials are recently supplied at low cost, toothbrushes using PTT brushes have also been brought into practical use in terms of cost. On the other hand, polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) is also called polypropylene terephthalate (PPT) due to its molecular structure.

PTT is a polycondensation product of n-propanediol and terephthalic acid. It is a polymer having a medium length linear chain of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PBT. Due to its three-dimensional molecular structure, PTT is excellent in elongation and recovery and increases under small stress. Since the resilience is also great, when used as a brush of a toothbrush, the spreading durability of the brush is improved and high durability as a toothbrush is expected.

In practice, however, the use of PTT brushes in toothbrushes proved difficult to achieve as high as originally expected by simply using PTT brushes. Thus, for example, in Patent Document 3, it is proposed that the single yarn size of the PTT sole be 50 dtex or more, the limit viscosity of 0.8 to 1.3dl / g, and the non-aqueous (boiling water) shrinkage of 2% or less. As a table | surface, the range shown in Examples 1-10 of Table 1 (maximum 1.8%-minimum 0.5%) is described as being suitable (refer patent document 23 page 2-8 lines).

However, according to the experiments and studies of the present inventors, the range of the hydrothermal contraction rate is not necessarily the best in the spread durability of the sole, and it cannot be said that sufficient examination has been made. On the other hand, the "non-aqueous shrinkage rate" in the said patent document 3 is interpreted as synonymous with the "hot water shrinkage rate" prescribed | regulated to JIS # L # 1013 (1999).

In addition, in general, the shape of the toothbrush is easy to use, high plaque removal effect, it is preferable that the bristles are compact so that the brush tip reaches every corner of the oral cavity. As such a toothbrush, conventionally, for example, a toothbrush (see Patent Literature 5), which has a planting area of 1.0-0.7 cm ² and a neck bending amount of 5.0-10.0 mm / kg. Toothbrushes of various specifications have been proposed, such as a toothbrush having a hole area of 1.2 mm ² or less and a planting density of 25 to 35% (see Patent Document 6).

However, the toothbrushes of the above specifications, since they are for a toothbrush using a nylon brush or a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) brush as a brush, when applied to a toothbrush using a PTT brush, due to the difference in physical properties with the PTT brush Can't work.

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-173244 (professional)

[Patent Document 2]

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-511379 (full text, conductive surface)

[Patent Document 3]

International publication WO # 01/75200 pamphlet (full text, conductive surface)

[Patent Document 4]

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-245133 (full text, conductive surface)

[Patent Document 5]

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-70632 (professional, conducting surface)

[Patent Document 6]

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-9951 (full text, conducting surface)

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and further examines the hydrothermal shrinkage and hysteresis characteristics of the PTT sole to further improve the brush spreading durability of the PTT sole, thereby providing a more durable toothbrush. It is a first object to do.

In addition, the second object is to further improve the brush spreading durability by adopting a unique hair transplant specification peculiar to the PTT brush, and to further improve the operability, feeling of loss of feeling and usability as a toothbrush.

[Means for solving the problem]

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM The present inventors performed various examination about the hydrothermal shrinkage rate and the hysteresis characteristic of PTT sole in a toothbrush using a PTT sole, in order to achieve the said 1st objective. As a result, the brush spreading durability was further improved by setting the hydrothermal shrinkage rate and the hysteresis characteristics to an optimum value, thereby obtaining a toothbrush having more durability.

That is, in the invention described in claim 1, the hydrothermal shrinkage of the PTT sole is 0.4% or less, and more preferably 0 to 0.3% or less, with respect to the toothbrush which uses the PTT sole for all or part of the brush.

On the other hand, the hydrothermal shrinkage referred to in the present invention refers to the filament shrinkage rate (method B) defined in JIS # L # 1013 (1999), and is a value calculated by the following equation after the PTT brush is submerged in hot water for 30 minutes. .

S _b ： Hydrothermal shrinkage

L: Distance after hydrothermal submersion of two points 500 mm apart on the PTT matrix

In addition, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the toothbrush of claim 1, in the hysteresis curve in which the elongation, recovery elongation and load of the sole are measured as a PTT brush, the difference between the load at the time of extension and the recovery is shown. Is characterized in that the filament having a maximum elongation TΔmax of 50% or less with respect to the maximum elongation Tmax is used.

When bending force acts repeatedly on a brush by use of a toothbrush, the brush gradually curves and the brush tip spreads. At this time, it is thought that the tensile force and the restoring force act repeatedly on the outer circumferential side of the curve of the sole. The characteristics of the tension and recovery of the sole are appropriately expressed by the hysteresis curve as shown in Fig. 1 in which the elongation of the sole is measured with respect to the elongation of the sole and the load at the time of recovery.

In the hysteresis curve, when the trajectory at the time of extension and recovery is the same, it is ideal that the damages associated with extension and recovery remain, but this is difficult in the case of a real polymer material, and the difference in the trajectory at the time of recovery and recovery is different. The so-called hysteresis curve as shown in FIG. 1 is shown. The area enclosed by these hysteresis curves corresponds to the loss of energy exerted by stretching, remaining in the sole and causing distortion of the shape. Here, in order to obtain the characteristic of spreading durability of a brush as a brush of a toothbrush with respect to a PTT brush, it is preferable to make this difference of the trace | stretch of extension | stretch and recovery as small as possible.

As a result of the experiments and examinations of the present inventors, the elongation TΔmax at which the difference in the load at the time of extension and recovery is the maximum for the hysteresis curve of FIG. 1 is 50% or less with respect to the maximum elongation Tmax, preferably 45%. In the following, more preferably, 40% or less, it was found that a toothbrush with a considerably high spreading durability of the brush can be obtained. By employing a PTT brush having an elongation TΔmax in this manner, the spreading durability of the brush can be significantly improved as compared to a toothbrush using a PTT brush.

In general, the load showing the same elongation at the time of extension and recovery is larger at the time of extension. That is, the load at the time of extension> the load at the time of recovery. Therefore, if the elongation TΔmax, which maximizes the difference between the load at the time of extension and recovery, is as close to zero as possible, the difference in the difference between the track at the time of extension and recovery can be reduced, and the spreading durability of the sole is increased as much as possible. You can increase it. It is ideal if this difference can be made zero, but since it is hysteresis in an actual polymer material as described above, it is difficult to make this difference zero, and in reality it is at least 1% or more.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in the toothbrush of claim 2, the maximum difference ΔFmax of the load at the same elongation at the time of stretching and recovery as the PTT brush is 70 to the maximum load Fmax at the maximum elongation. It is characterized by using a filament of less than or equal to%.

To further reduce the difference in the trajectory at the time of extension and recovery, in addition to the configuration of the toothbrush of claim 2, the maximum difference ΔFmax at the same elongation at the time of extension and recovery is the maximum load Fmax at the maximum elongation. The spreading durability of the brush can be further improved by using a brush of 70% or less, preferably 60% or less. Also about this characteristic, it is desirable if it can ideally be made to be small to 0%, However, as mentioned above, it is difficult to make this difference zero, and in reality, it becomes at least 1% or more.

In addition, the invention described in claim 4, in the toothbrush of claim 2 or 3, elongation recovery ratio = ｛(Tmax-T0) / Tmax｝ x 100 with respect to the maximum elongation Tmax of elongation T0 at which the load is reduced to zero at the time of recovery. It is characterized by using more than 50% filament.

To further reduce the difference between the trajectory at the time of extension and recovery, in addition to the configuration of the toothbrush of claim 1 or 2 above, the ratio of elongation T0 to the load which decreases to zero at recovery to maximum elongation Tmax, i.e. When it is 50% or more, preferably 60% or more, the spreading durability of the brush is further improved. The ratio of this characteristic is ideally 100%, but as described, 100% is difficult in actual polymeric materials, and in reality the maximum ratio is 99% or less.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, as the PTT brush, a filament having an elongation recovery rate of 50% or more, preferably 60% or more in a hysteresis curve at a maximum elongation of 25% is used for the toothbrush of claim 4. It is done.

Thus, when the elongation recovery rate is 50% or more, preferably 60% or more with respect to the hysteresis curve of at least 25% of the maximum elongation, more excellent spreading durability of the sole can be obtained.

On the other hand, the inventors of the present invention conducted various experiments and studies on the toothbrushes using the PTT brush as described above, which toothbrushes of the bristles specification were the most superior in terms of operability, plaque removal effect, feeling of loss of feeling and usability. As a result, it was found that, in addition to the brush spreading durability, the operability, the plaque removal effect, the feeling of loss of feeling, and the feeling of use were improved in addition to the brush spread durability.

That is, in the invention described in claim 6, in the toothbrush of claim 1 to 5, the hair transplantation area of the brush on the hair transplantation surface is 0.8 to 1.5 cm ² , and the hair density is 35 to 45%. It is characterized by.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the bristle area of a brush connects the outer side of the tuft hole 3 arrange | positioned on the outer periphery of the tuft surface 2 of the toothbrush head part 1 by a straight line, it points to the area S of the part enclosed by this straight line (JIS S3030 (1995).

In addition, a hair-plant density refers to the ratio of the sum total of the cross-sectional area of each hair hole 3 with respect to the said hair-planting area S. FIG. As the cross-sectional area of the seedling hole, in the case of the flat wire method and the thermal fusion method (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-241404), the cross-sectional area of the seedling hole 3 is adopted as it is, or the in-mold method in which the seedling hole does not exist (particular place 61). In order to hold hair | bristle bundles (or a brush) in the case of hair removal hole not formed previously in the head case also in case of the -268208, the publication of Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 9-512724; The hole cross-sectional area of the through hole of the bristle storage holding tool installed in the mold is adopted.

Generally, in order to increase the operability of the toothbrush, it is effective to reduce the hair transplantation area S described above. However, in the case of a toothbrush using a conventional nylon brush, a PBT brush, or the like, when the hair removal area is made too small, the brush spread durability becomes poor and the brush tip is immediately It spreads. As a result, the tip of the brush does not touch the tooth surface, and the plaque removal force at the first use cannot be maintained for a long time.

On the other hand, since PTT brush is very excellent in brush spread durability, it is possible to reduce the hair area that has not been compact so far due to the deterioration of the brush spread durability, and the reach of the brush tip to the gaps such as the interdental area and the oral cavity In addition to improving the operability, the plaque removal effect can be made of a high quality toothbrush that lasts for a long time.

However, in view of improving the operability, it is preferable that the seedling area S is small. However, if the planting area S is extremely small, more time and effort is required for the debonding, and the operability becomes worse. According to the experiments and examinations of the present inventors, in the case of the toothbrush using the PTT brush, it was found that the planting area S was the best in the range of 0.8 to 1.5 cm ² .

On the other hand, the seedling density is largely related to the feeling of loss of feel and the feeling of use of a toothbrush. When the density of the hair is low, the head of the hair is turned into a low-density brush, resulting in a toothbrush having a low sense of loss. On the contrary, when the hair-plant density is increased, the head-plant hair surface becomes a high-density sole, and the feeling of loss is increased, but as a whole, it becomes hard and the hair | bristle bundle becomes hard to enter into the minute clearances, such as an interdental part. According to the experiments and examinations of the present inventors, in the case of the toothbrush using the PTT brush, the seedling density was found to be the best in the range of 35 to 45%.

The PTT sole having a hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.4% or less used in the present invention can be obtained by performing heat treatment (aging) to remove residual damage in the filament after stretching in a filament spinning process made of PTT. have. In this case, heat treatment online in the spinning process or online heat treatment so that the hydrothermal shrinkage is about 2. 0-1. 0%, and then wind up the filament once, cut it to a certain length, straighten a certain number, and then go offline. It can also be obtained by heat treatment so that the hydrothermal shrinkage is 0.4% or less.

Although 120-160 degreeC of heat processing temperature is preferable, it is possible also at 100 degrees C or less. In particular, in the case of off-line, increasing the time even at 60 to 80 ° C. can make the hydrothermal shrinkage less than 0.4%.

As a spinning process, a method generally used for not only a single material but also a complex structure such as anchovy may be used. The spinning process dissolves or dissolves a resin, such as the raw material of the sole, into a fluid state, and then cools and solidifies it by pushing it into the gas or liquid from the micropores of the spinneret designed to provide the cross-sectional configuration of the target sole. It is very preferable to make a non-stretched brush, and then stretch or relax in hot water or steam bath, and then wind the bobbin or the like. In addition, it can also surface-treat with finishing agents, such as an antistatic agent and a lubricating agent, in a process.

The diameter of the PTT sole to be used is not particularly limited, but in the case of a straight sole which is usually used, for example, in the case of a cylindrical sole having a circular cross section, it is 3 to 3 in terms of feeling of use, feeling of contact with the gum, and durability. 12 mils (0.076-0.305 mm), preferably 5-11 mils (0.127-0.279 mm) is preferred. In the case of thin super brush with thinning brush tip (approximately 0.1 ~ 0.08 mm in diameter), the sole diameter of the base which is not thin is about 5-12 mil (0.127-0.305 mm). It is preferable. Although fine supersol can be manufactured by chemically dissolving and using an alkali and an acid, the method of using an alkali from a practicable viewpoint is preferable.

The cross-sectional shape of the sole is generally circular, but is not particularly limited. Polygons such as ovals, triangles, squares, and pentagons, stars, three-leaf clover forms, four-leaf clover forms, irregular shapes composed of straight lines or curves, etc. Although arbitrary shapes are selected as needed, a circular shape is preferable in terms of physical strength.

Usually, the shape of the sole appearance is a straight shape of the same diameter from the base to the tip except for the rounded portion of the sole tip, but is twisted in a spiral shape at a predetermined pitch toward the longest radial direction in the ellipse of the sole, or You can also add creep processing. Moreover, it can also be set as the form of a thin super brush which diameter becomes thin toward a tip (for example, the diameter of a tip part is 0.01-0.08 mm). The brush tip can also be processed into a spatula, scraper or sphere.

In the case where the brush cross section has a multilayer structure, polyamide (e.g. nylon 6-12, nylon 6-10, 12 nylon, etc.) used in a normal toothbrush, polyester (e.g. polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate) Etc.), PTT and a composite filament obtained by combining them using a hard resin such as polypropylene and a soft resin such as thermoplastic elastomer can be used. In order to maintain the durability of the PTT, the most constituent material, the so-called main ingredient, is PTT.

About coloring of a brush, it can also be made transparent (natural), and can consider the commercial property of an external appearance of a toothbrush, and can perform transparent coloring by an pigment or dye, or opaque coloring (including white). If necessary, the transparent brush or the coloring brush may be used in combination of two or more types, the bristle unit or the brush unit in the hair bundle. It can also be used in combination with.

As a coloring method, it can also color by adding a coloring agent to resin at the time of spinning, as it normally performs, or coloring on the surface of a filament after spinning or accompanying a spinning process. In addition, only the tip of the brush or the entire brush may be colored after being cut (planted with a brush length of about 25 to 35 mm) or before planting on the toothbrush.

In addition, a suitable amount of the stabilizer, flame retardant, filler, surface lubricant, antistatic agent, antiseptic material (antibacterial material), or other hard resins or elastomers may be formulated or applied within a range that does not impair the properties of the brush. .

Although the cross-sectional shape of the hair | bristle bundle which tied the brush is normally circular, it does not necessarily need to be circular, It can also be made into the irregular form which combined polygons, a straight line, or a curve, such as a triangle and a square, according to the design of a hair transplantation part. In particular, in the case of a flat hair, the hair bundle of the irregular cross section and the thin-walled space hair are combined, so that the whole hair bundle group may be continuous in appearance in a straight line or in a curve.

The hair brush does not have to be the same sole diameter or color, for example a 6 mil (0.152 mm) brush and a 7 mil (0.178 mm) brush, or a 6 mil (0.152 mm) brush. Like the 8 mil (0.203 mm) brush, it can be combined appropriately in consideration of appearance, usability, depletion and cleaning effect. In addition, it may be combined with a sole made of a material other than the PTT sole, or may be combined with a sole or chip made of rubber such as silicone or elastomer.

As for the brush cutting shape of a hair | bristle bundle tip, like the conventional toothbrush, the plane cutting which carried out the whole planar shape, the sawtooth shape with ridge, the step shape which has several plane parts, etc. can be selected suitably. In addition, the shape of the cutter may be changed or the brush cutting process may be repeated several times to form various shapes. Usually, the tip part of the brush which comprises a hair | bristle bundle is performed the process which rounds a brush tip. In the case of a fine brush, the brush cutting process may not be performed in order to make the brush tip as thin as possible, in which case the brush tip may not be rounded.

The arrangement of hair bundles is usually arranged in a grid or zigzag shape with hairs of circular cross section and is about 2 to 6 rows (maximum width about 3 to 13 mm) along the head width direction, and about 4 to 12 rows along the head length direction. (Maximum length of about 5 to 35 mm) is arranged, but it is preferable to appropriately select the shape of the bristle cross section and the arrangement according to the purpose and function of the printing.

As a method of fixing the brush or hair bundle to the planting surface of the toothbrush head, a conventionally known method can be used. For example, a holding member called a flat line (brass piece, stainless steel piece, hard resin) can be used. Flattening method to fold the hair bundle into two hairs, and to dissolve and bond one end of the hair bundle by means of heat or the like, and to hold the coupling part in the mold to fill and fix the head resin. Method (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-268208 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 9-512724), and a heat fusion method for melting and bonding one end of a hair bundle and a head part by means of heat (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60). (See -241404).

When the brush is fixed to the toothbrush head part, if the packing factor is 60 to 100%, preferably 70 to 95%, the brush can be well formed, and the brush spread durability and appearance are excellent, and the brush tip is efficiently used for cleaning. Highly effective toothbrushes can be produced. In the case where a soft resin such as a thermoplastic soft resin or a silicone resin is used for a part of the toothbrush head part, the above preferred toothbrush can be manufactured if the packing factor is 60 to 120%.

Here, the packing factor is a percentage obtained by multiplying the sum of the cross sectional area of the brush which is planted in one hole of the hair-fed holes by the cross-sectional area of the hair-fed hole in 100. However, in the case of the flat hat method, the limit value of the area of the flat line in the wool hole is used as the cross section of the wool hole. In addition, in the case of in-mold method in which no hair transplantation hole exists, or in the case of thermal fusion method, in the case where the hair growth hole is not previously formed in the head portion, a mold jig for holding and holding the hair bundle (or brush) to be planted in the head portion The cross sectional area of the holding hole of the holding hole is used as the cross sectional area of the planting hole.

The hair length (height from the head part of the hair wool side to the sole tip) which was planted is appropriately selected in consideration of hair bundle specifications and brush specification, usability, cleaning effect, but is usually about 8-12mm for adult use, It is about 6 to 8 mm for children.

The planting angle of the planted hair bundles or soles (the hairs fixed on the head woolen surface or the angle between the brush and the woolen surface) may not necessarily be perpendicular to the head woolen surface, for example, to effect scraping in a specific direction. For the purpose of heightening, the hair may be planted by inclining about 15 ° to 20 ° with respect to the head transplantation surface.

In addition to the circular shape, the hole shape of the tuft hole may be a polygon such as a triangle or a square, or an indefinite combination of an ellipse, a rectangle, a straight line or a curve. It is preferable to set the cross-sectional area of the tuft hole to about 0.7 to 2. 6 mm ² . When the cross-sectional area of the tuft hole is made into such a range, a feeling which touches a gum is good and a brush with a high sense of insertion of a brush tip in fine spaces, such as an interdental part, can be manufactured.

For the shape of the seedling hole in the depth direction, a circumferential hole without changing the diameter of the hole is also possible, and using a brush that is thin so that the diameter of the hole becomes thinner as it descends, the step is provided in the middle, You can also use a combination of fine brush. In addition to this shape, edge cutting on the bottom of the hole can be done by 0.3 mm.

The number of the hair-growing holes formed in the hair-plant hair transplantation surface is about 10-40, A single-hole-shaped hair-growing hole may be used independently, and the other hair-shaped hair-growing hole may be combined. Moreover, if at least 60% or more of all the tuft holes satisfy | fill the above-mentioned cross-sectional area of 0.75-2.5 mm <^2> , it is also possible to combine the tuft holes which have various hole cross-sectional areas.

The distance from the tuft hole to the outer peripheral edge of the head is equal to or greater than the minimum width to secure the strength, and is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm, more preferably of 0.5 to 1.0 mm. It is a range.

Although the thickness of a head part can make a little difference with the hair-forming method other than a flat hair-form hairdressing method or a flat hair-hair hair drawing method, about 2-6 mm is generally preferable. Although the thickness of the head portion is reduced, the operability in the oral cavity is improved, but a certain thickness is required to secure sufficient hair transplant strength and cut strength. Therefore, in order to satisfy both conditions, it is preferable to set it as said thickness range. As a result, the toothbrush is sufficiently strong and operable with good operability.

As the constituent resin of the toothbrush handle including the head part, those having a flexural modulus of 500 to 3000 MPa (JIS K # 7203) are preferable as thermoplastic resins. For example, polyolefin (polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.), polyester (polyethylene) Terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.), polycarbonate (including mixtures with polyester), polyarylates (including mixtures with polyester), polyoxymethylene Although resin, AS resin, ABS resin, cellulose propionate, polyamide (nylon), polyurethane, PMMA resin, etc. can be used, polypropylene is preferable from a cost and workability viewpoint.

In the case of focusing on transparency, PCTA resin, which is a kind of polyester manufactured by Eastman, USA, is preferable in view of price and durability against toothpaste.

Moreover, it is also preferable to manufacture a multi-colored mold handle in combination with the above-mentioned resins or thermoplastic elastomers (olefin type, styrene type, polyester type, urethane type, nylon type etc.), silicone resin, etc. Moreover, it can also be made to two or more types of materials from which an elasticity modulus differs, and to make it effective in part or all of a toothbrush handle.

In addition, in the manufacture of the toothbrush of the present invention, conventional brushes such as nylon soles and PBT brushes 6 between the hair bundles composed of the PTT soles 4, for example, as shown in Figs. When the hair bundle (shown by a black circle) composed of) is appropriately planted, the hair bundle composed of the conventional brushes 6 can be given an role of an indicator for informing the toothbrush replacement time.

In other words, PTT brush has excellent durability and resilience, and when used as a brush of toothbrush, it has high durability, but the brush tip does not spread even if the brush tip is worn or the brush tip is broken by long-term use. can do. 3 (a) to (d), when the hair bundle composed of the conventional brushes 6 such as nylon soles and PBT soles together with the hair bundle composed of the PTT soles 4 is appropriately planted, the conventional brushes 6 We can tell that toothbrush replacement time is approaching from spreading state of brush tip.

[Effects of the Invention]

According to the present invention, by setting the hydrothermal shrinkage rate and hysteresis characteristics of the PTT brush to an optimal value, the spreading durability of the brush in the toothbrush using the PTT brush can be further improved, and a more durable toothbrush can be provided. .

In addition, it is possible to configure the brushing area and the seedling density of the brush to the optimum specifications for the PTT brush, and to configure the hair cutting part of the toothbrush head in a compact manner, in addition to the improvement of the brush spreading durability, the brush tip to the gap such as the interdental part It is possible to produce a high quality toothbrush which has excellent reachability and intraoral operability and a long lasting plaque removal effect.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a hysteresis curve at the time of elongation and recovery of a sole.

2 is a plan view of the toothbrush head.

It is a figure which shows the example in the case of using a nylon brush or a PBT brush as an indicator for toothbrush replacement timing.

4 is a graph showing the test results of spread durability based on the difference in the shrinkage ratio of the hot water (hot water) of the brush.

5 is a graph showing the results of the plaque removal test.

6 shows a first specific example of a toothbrush according to the present invention, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a rear view.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the toothbrush of FIG. 6 in detail, (a) is an enlarged plan view of the head of FIG. 6 (a), (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tuft hole of FIG. 6 (a), and (c) is FIG. (b) is an enlarged sectional view at the A-A 'line position, (d) is an enlarged sectional view at the B-B' line position in FIG. 6 (b), (e) is a C- of FIG. 6 (b). An enlarged cross sectional view at a C 'line position, (f) is an enlarged cross sectional view at a D-D' line position in FIG. 6 (b), and (g) is at an E-E 'line position in FIG. 6 (b). (H) is an enlarged sectional view at the F-F 'line position of FIG. 6 (b), (i) is an enlarged sectional view at the G-G' line position of FIG. 6 (b).

FIG. 8: shows the 2nd specific example of the toothbrush of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a rear view.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the toothbrush of Fig. 8, (a) is an enlarged plan view of the head portion of Fig. 8 (a), (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tuft hole of Fig. 8 (a), and (c) is a view of Fig. 8 ( (b) The enlarged sectional view in the A-A 'line position of (b), (d) is the enlarged sectional view in the B-B' line position of FIG.8 (b), (e) is the C-C of FIG.8 (b). An enlarged sectional view at the X-ray position, (f) is an enlarged sectional view at the D-D X-ray position in FIG. 8 (b), (g) is an E-E X-ray position at FIG. 8 (b). An enlarged sectional view, (h) is an enlarged sectional view at the F-F 'line position of FIG. 8 (b), (i) is an enlarged sectional view at the G-G' line position of FIG. 8 (b).

The third specific example of the toothbrush of this invention is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) back view.

Fig. 11 is a detailed view of the toothbrush of Fig. 10, (a) is an enlarged plan view of the head portion of Fig. 10 (a), (b) is an enlarged sectional view of the tuft hole of Fig. 10 (a), and (c) is Fig. 10 ( (b) The enlarged sectional view in the A-A 'line position of (b), (d) is the enlarged sectional view in the B-B' line position of FIG. 10 (b), (e) is the C-C of FIG. An enlarged sectional view at the X-ray position, (f) is an enlarged sectional view at the D-D X-ray position in FIG. 10 (b), (g) is an E-E X-ray position at FIG. 10 (b). An enlarged sectional view, (h) is an enlarged sectional view at the line F-F 'of FIG. 10 (b), (i) is an enlarged sectional view at the line G-G' of FIG. 10 (b).

12 shows a fourth specific example of the toothbrush of the present invention, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a rear view.

Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the toothbrush of Fig. 12, (a) is an enlarged plan view of the head portion of Fig. 12 (a), (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tuft hole of Fig. 12 (a), and (c) is a view of Fig. 12 ( (b) The enlarged sectional view in the A-A 'line position of (b), (d) is the enlarged sectional view in the B-B' line position of FIG.12 (b), (e) is the C-C of FIG.12 (b). An enlarged sectional view at the X-ray position, (f) is an enlarged sectional view at the D-D X-ray position in Fig. 12B, (g) is an E-E X-ray position at Fig. 12B. An enlarged sectional view, (h) is an enlarged sectional view at the F-F 'line position of FIG. 12 (b), (i) is an enlarged sectional view at the G-G' line position of FIG. 12 (b).

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

1: head 2:

3:: 구멍 4: PTT brush

5: Handle 6: Jongraesol

7: side gate 8: Model number display part

9: Pin gate S: Hot area

A hair transplantation area S = 0 in the head part of a toothbrush handle. 23 hair growth holes (round holes having a diameter of 1.6 mm) were formed to satisfy the conditions of 8 to 1.5 cm ² and the hair density of 35 to 45%, and each of these hair growth holes was 8 mil (0.203 mm). ) PTT brush of the thickness of 19) using a flat line (thickness of 0. 25 mm) is planted 19 per hole (that is, 38 when folded), cut to a hair length of 9. 5 mm, the toothbrush of the present invention Was produced (Examples 1-3 of Table 1).

In addition, as shown in Table 1, Example 1 is set to 0.03% of hydrothermal shrinkage rate, Example 2 is set to 0.026% of hydrothermal shrinkage rate, and Example 3 is set to hydrothermal shrinkage rate of 0.34%, for all examples. It was made into the hydrothermal shrinkage rate 0.4% or less which is the conditions of this invention. The packing factors are all 76. 5%.

Toothbrush used to test openability Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Comparative Example 1 Comparative Example 2 Comparative Example 3 Hydrothermal shrinkage 0.03% 0.26% 0.34% 0.52% 0.74% 1.50%

About each toothbrush of the said Examples 1-3, the brush spread durability test (plum-hair spread rate) was implemented. The results are shown in Table 2 and FIG. 4. For comparison, except for the hydrothermal shrinkage rate, three types of comparative toothbrushes having the same configuration as in Examples 1 to 3, wherein only the hydrothermal shrinkage rate of the PTT brush was 0. 52%, 0. 74%, and 1.50%. Comparative Examples 1-3) were produced and the same test was done. As a reference example, a toothbrush made of a nylon brush composed of the same brush diameter and the same number of tufts was also produced, and the same test was conducted. These results are also shown in Table 2 and FIG.

(Test Methods)

Each toothbrush was attached to a model durability tester, and the spreading rate of the hairs of the hairs with the increase of the number of times of decrement was measured. In the test method, the toothbrush head part is disposed in parallel with the bone plate on a metal plate so that the brush tip contacts the surface of the bone plate, and the toothbrush head part and the whole plate in this state are immersed in warm water at 37 ° C (approximately oral temperature). The toothbrush head portion is reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the bone of the bone plate. The test conditions were brushed up to 20,000 times at a reciprocating speed of 150 times / minute and a stroke stroke of 40 mm with a 300 g load applied to the toothbrush head, and twice at 10,000 times and 20,000 times. For each toothbrush, the hair spreading rate was measured.

On the other hand, the bristles spreading rate is the bristles width of the brush group (full width of the tip of the brush group measured in a direction orthogonal to the long direction of the handle) and the predetermined number of times in the model durability tester The width of the seedlings after the reduction is measured, and the difference is divided by the width of the seedlings before the start of use and multiplied by 100 to express the percentage. The calculation formula is shown below.

Hair growth rate = (plant width after dehydration-width of hair before degeneration) ÷ before dehydration × 100

Test result of hair spread durability (plum hair spread rate) Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Comparative Example 1 Comparative Example 2 Comparative Example 3 Reference Example
(Nylon sole) 10,000 print shops 6.1%  8.3% 14.9% 21.0% 21.9% 35.6% 61.2% 20,000 print shops 9.5% 12.6% 18.6% 23.9% 26.4% 48.7% －

In the case of the reference example using the nylon sole of Table 2, since the hair spread ratio exceeded 50% at the time of 10,000 times of removal, the test was stopped at 10,000 times without performing 20,000 times.

Obviously from the test results in Table 2 and Fig. 4, the number of seedlings spreading by adopting a hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.4% or less (Examples 1 to 3), preferably of a hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.3% or less (Examples 1 and 2) It was confirmed that the size of the toothbrush could be reduced, and the brush spreading durability of the toothbrush could be improved.

In addition, in the evaluation of the brush spreading durability by the model endurance tester, the toothbrush using the highly absorbent nylon brush (Reference Example) is a PTT having low absorbency because it continuously loads and performs a reduction motion in hot water at 37 ° C. The spread of the brush tends to be lower than that of the sole. Here, the toothpaste endurance test was actually conducted, and it was confirmed that the toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 3 using the PTT brush had about twice the durability of brush spread compared to the toothbrush of the reference example using the nylon brush.

Next, a toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush described in Example 4 in Table 3 (0.03% of hydrothermal shrinkage) and a conventional toothbrush using the nylon brush described in Comparative Example 4 were prepared, and these were actually used in toothpaste for operability. Evaluated the difference. The evaluation results are shown in Table 4. The evaluation was performed by 7 stages of absolute evaluation.

Toothbrush used for operability test Example 4 Comparative Example 4   Brush material PTT hair Nylon hair   Planting Area S 1.2 cm ² 1.9cm ²   Tip thickness of head 3. 9mm 4. 5mm   Cross section of the planting hole 2. 0mm ² 2. 0mm ²   Seedling hole 23 holes 35 holes   Seedling density 39% 37%   Brush length 9. 0 mm 10mm   Brush cutting geometry Plane cutting Plane cutting   Brush diameter 8 mil (0.203 mm) 8 mil (0.203 mm)   Number of seedlings (before folding into 2) 18 / holes 19 / holes

Evaluation result of operability Example 4 Comparative Example 4 Brush material PTT sole Nylon sole Reachability of brush tip to interdental part 5. 7 points 3. 5 points Intraoral operability 6. 3 points 4. 1 point

 Evaluation method = seven steps absolute evaluation

1: Very bad 2: Very bad 3: Slightly bad

4: Neither 5: Slightly good 6: Pretty good

7: Very good

Obviously from the evaluation results of Table 4, in the case of the toothbrush of the present invention (Example 4) using the PTT brush, the conventional toothbrush using the nylon brush in terms of both the reachability of the brush tip to the interdental portion and the intraoral operability (compared to It was confirmed that it was superior to Example 4).

Next, a toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush as described in Example 5 in Table 5 (0.03% of hydrothermal shrinkage) and a conventional toothbrush using the nylon brush as described in Comparative Examples 5 and 6 were prepared to perform a plaque removal test. Implemented. The test results are shown in Table 6 and FIG. 5.

(Test Methods)

Each toothbrush shown in Table 5 was mounted on a model chain tester, and the plaque removal force at the beginning of initial use and the plaque removal force after 20,000 times of detonation by the model test were measured, respectively, and the reduction rate of the plaque removal force was compared.

Toothbrush used for plaque removal test Example 5 Comparative Example 5 Comparative Example 6   Brush material PTT sole Nylon sole Nylon sole   Planting Area S 1.2 cm ² 1.3cm2 1.3cm ²   Cross section of the planting hole 2. 0mm ² 2.5mm ² 2. 3mm ²   Seedling hole 23 holes 20 holes 24 holes   Seedling density 39% 39% 42%   Brush length 9. 0mm 9. 5mm 9. 5mm   Brush cutting geometry Plane cutting Plane cutting Plane cutting   Brush diameter 8 mil (0.203 mm) 8 mil (0.203 mm) 8 mil (0.203 mm)   Number of seedlings (before folding into 2) 18 / holes 23 holes 26 / holes   Catchment Recovery (Return) 20,000 times 20,000 times

Reduction rate of plaque removal power after 20,000 print mills Example 5 Comparative Example 5 Comparative Example 6 Rate of decrease in plaque removal 2% 12% 24%

Obviously from the test results in Table 6 and Fig. 5, it was confirmed that the toothbrush of the present invention (Example 5) using the PTT brush maintained a plaque removal force almost equal to the time of starting use even after 20,000 times of detonation.

Next, the example of the toothbrush using the PTT brush which has the hysteresis characteristic employ | adopted by this invention in Example 6 is demonstrated.

In the PTT brush used in Example 6, the PTT resin was spun in a manner similar to that described in Patent Document 3, and then wound up on a spool, taken out, cut into a predetermined length, and a predetermined number was lined up and the outside was made of paper. The heat-treatment was performed in the wrapped state, and a product produced with a hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.03% and a diameter of 8 mil (0.203 mm) was used. As a comparative example, a toothbrush (Comparative Example 7) using a 8-mil diameter PBT brush and a toothbrush (Comparative Example 8) using a 8-mil diameter nylon (6-12 nylon) brush were used.

The brush used for each toothbrush was attached to a tensile compression tester, and the hysteresis curves of elongation and load at the time of elongation and recovery were calculated by calculating the maximum elongation at 20%, 22.5% and 25%, respectively. Each hysteresis characteristic described below was measured from the hysteresis curve. The test conditions were 100 mm / min of the fixed distance of the brush and the elongation and recovery speed of 100 mm / min.

The measurement results of the hysteresis characteristics of the brushes used for each toothbrush are shown in Tables 7-9. Table 7 shows the hysteresis characteristics when the maximum elongation Tmax = 20%, Table 8 shows the maximum elongation Tmax = 22. Hysteresis characteristics at 5%, Table 9 shows hysteresis characteristics at maximum elongation Tmax = 25%.

On the other hand, the meanings of the symbols Tmax, Fmax, TΔmax, ΔFmax, and T0 in Tables 7 to 9 are as follows (see Fig. 1).

Tmax ： Maximum elongation

Fmax: Maximum load at maximum elongation Tmax

T △ max: The elongation at which the difference between the load at the time of extension and recovery is maximum

ΔFmax: maximum difference in load at the same elongation at the time of extension and recovery

T0: Elongation at which load becomes zero at recovery

Hysteresis Characteristics at Elongation Tmax = 20%
Example 6
(PTT sole) Comparative Example 7
(PBT sole) Comparative Example 8
(Nylon sole)  T △ max   6%   15%   13%  (T △ max / Tmax) × 100 30.0% 75.0% 65.0%  Fmax 0.504kgf 1.027kgf 1.157kgf  ΔFmax 0.299kgf 0.476kgf 0.774kgf  (△ Fmax / Fmax) × 100 59.3% 46.4% 66.9%  T0   6%   5%   9%  {(Tmax-T0) / Tmax} × 100 70.0% 75.0% 55.0%

Elongation Tmax = 22. Hysteresis characteristics at 5%
Example 6
(PTT sole) Comparative Example 7
(PBT sole) Comparative Example 8
(Nylon sole)  T △ max   7%   17%   16%  (T △ max / Tmax) × 100 31.1% 75.6% 71.1%  Fmax 0.538kgf 1.130kgf 1.298kgf F △ max 0.306kgf 0.676kgf 0.932kgf  (△ Fmax / Fmax) × 100 56.9% 59.8% 71.8%  T0   7%   10%   11%  {(Tmax-T0) / Tmax} × 100 68.9% 55.6% 51.1%

Hysteresis Characteristics at Elongation Tmax = 25%
Example 6
(PTT sole) Comparative Example 7
(PBT sole) Comparative Example 8
(Nylon sole)  T △ max   8%   19%   16%  (T △ max / Tmax) × 100 32.0% 76.0% 64.0%  Fmax 0.550kgf 1.219kgf 1.289kgf  ΔFmax 0.297kgf 0.855kgf 1.001kgf  (△ max / Fmax) × 100 54.0% 70.1% 77.7%  T0 8%   14%   13%  {(Tmax-T0) / Tmax} × 100 68.0% 44.0% 48.0%

Each brush having hysteresis characteristics shown in Tables 7 to 9 was planted by the flat hair method, the tip of the brush was cut in a plane, and the brush tip was rounded to prepare each toothbrush. A brush spread endurance test (hair spread rate) was performed on this toothbrush. The test results are shown in Table 10. Here, the hair transplant specification of each toothbrush used for the test is as described below.

Steering wheel material (including the head part): Polypropylene

Hair hole diameter: 1. 8 mm (section 2.54 mm ² )

Hair transplantation array: Cutting edge 2 hole +3 hole * 6 line

The number of the hair transplantation holes: 20 holes

Planting hair width: 6. 8 mm

Hair length: 19. 8 mm

Planting area S ： 1. 28 cm ²

Hair density: 39. 7%

The number of the hair transplantation (before folding with two): 23 / holes

Flat thickness: 0. 25 mm

Hair length: 9. 5 mm

Brush cutting shape: Plane cutting

(Test Methods)

Each toothbrush manufactured according to the above specification was mounted on a model durability tester, and a brush spreading durability test (pull hair spreading rate) was performed in accordance with the increase in the number of times of the reduction of the number of ducts. In the test method, the toothbrush head portion is placed on a metal corrugated plate and is disposed in parallel with the corrugated plate so that the brush tip is in contact with the surface of the corrugated plate. The part is moved back and forth in the direction orthogonal to the valley of the bone. The test conditions were reduced to 20,000 times at a reciprocating speed of 150 times / min and a 40-mm stroke stroke, with a 300 g load applied to the toothbrush head, and twice for 10,000 times and 20,000 times, respectively. The spread rate of the hair transplantation was measured about the toothbrush.

Test result (hair spread rate) of hair open durability Example 6
(PTT sole) Comparative Example 7
(PBT sole) Comparative Example 8
(Nylon sole) 10,000 times of demolition  9.7% 31.7% 43.2% 20,000 times of demolition 10.1% 49.6% 62.8%

According to the test results in Table 10, the toothbrush of the present invention (Example 6) in which the hysteresis characteristics were set to a specific range was compared with the conventional toothbrushes using PBT brushes or nylon brushes (Comparative Examples 7, 8). It was clearly confirmed that this remarkably small size resulted in extremely high brush spread durability.

Hereinafter, a specific structural example of the toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush will be described.

6 and 7 are specific first examples of the toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush. The specific 1st example shows the example of the toothbrush for adults, and the specification of a hair-frilling part is as follows. In order to make the drawing easy to see here, illustration of the PTT brush implanted in the tuft hole 3 is abbreviate | omitted. In the drawings, reference numerals 7 and 8 denote side gates and a product number display unit, respectively.

Brush material: PTT brush with hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.03%

Brush diameter: 8mil (0.203mm)

Number of brushes (before folding with two): 18 / holes

Hole diameter of the tuft hole 3: 1. 6 mm (cross section 2. 01 mm ² )

Hair transplantation hole number: 23 holes

Planting area S ： 1. 18 cm ²

Hair density: 39. 2%

Material (including head part 1) of steering wheel 5: PCTA resin

8 and 9 is a second specific example of the toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush. This specific second example also shows an example of an adult toothbrush, and the specification of the mother-in-law is as follows. The illustration of the PTT soles implanted in the tuft holes 3 is omitted here.

Brush material: PTT brush with hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.03%

Brush diameter: 8mil (0.203mm)

Number of brush (before folding with two): 18 / holes

Hole diameter of the tuft hole 3: 1. 6 mm (cross section 2. 01 mm ² )

Number of planting holes: 30 holes

Planting area S ： 1. 42 cm ²

Hair density: 42. 5%

Material (including head part 1) of steering wheel 5: PCTA resin

10 and 11 are specific third examples of the toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush. This specific third example is an example of a toothbrush for infants at the time of declining teeth and permanent teeth, and the specification of the mother-in-law is as follows. The illustration of the PTT soles implanted in the tuft holes 3 is omitted here. In Fig. 10, reference numeral 9 denotes a pin gate.

Brush material: PTT brush with hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.03%

Brush diameter: 8mil (0.203mm)

Number of brushes (before folding with two): 20 / holes

Hole diameter of the tuft hole 3: 1. 7 mm (section 2.27 mm ² )

The number of the hair transplantation holes: 20 holes

Planting area S ： 1. 14 cm ²

Hair density: 39. 8%

Material (including head part 1) of steering wheel 5: Polypropylene (PP) resin

12 and 13 are specific fourth examples of the toothbrush of the present invention using a PTT brush. This fourth specific example is an example of the toothbrush of a childish tooth and the specification of the mother-in-law is as follows. The illustration of the PTT soles implanted in the tuft holes 3 is omitted here.

Brush material: PTT brush with hydrothermal shrinkage of 0.03%

Brush diameter: 7 mil (0.178mm)

Number of brushes (before folding in two): 28 / holes

Hole diameter of the tuft hole 3: 1. 7 mm (section 2.27 mm ² )

Hair transplantation hole number: 17 holes

Planting area S ： 0. 96 cm ²

Hair density: 40. 2%

Material (including head part 1) of steering wheel 5: Polypropylene (PP) resin

The toothbrush of the present invention using the PTT brush has been described above, but in the case of a conventional brush other than the PTT brush, when the hydrothermal shrinkage rate and / or hysteresis characteristics can have the same characteristics as the PTT brush employed in the present invention, Instead of one PTT sole, you can use that conventional brush.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing description, it should be construed that the present invention includes modifications and variations of the present invention as long as they fall within the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (8)

A toothbrush comprising a filament made of polytrimethylene terephthalate or a filament containing polytrimethylene terephthalate as a component having the highest composition ratio on all or part of the brush, Toothbrush characterized in that the hydrothermal shrinkage of the filament containing the filament or polytrimethylene terephthalate made of the polytrimethylene terephthalate as the component having the highest composition ratio of 0.4% or less. The method according to claim 1, As a filament containing the filament or polytrimethylene terephthalate made of the polytrimethylene terephthalate as the component having the highest constituent ratio, the stretching time and the elongation in the hysteresis curve of the elongation and the load of the brush are measured. A toothbrush characterized by using a filament having an elongation TΔmax at which the difference in load at recovery becomes the maximum 50% or less with respect to the maximum elongation Tmax. The method according to claim 2, As the filament containing the filament or polytrimethylene terephthalate made of the polytrimethylene terephthalate as the component having the highest composition ratio, the maximum difference ΔFmax of the load at the same elongation at the time of elongation and recovery is maximum. A toothbrush comprising filaments of 70% or less of the maximum load Fmax in elongation. The method according to claim 2 or 3, The filament made of the polytrimethylene terephthalate or the filament containing the polytrimethylene terephthalate as the component having the highest composition ratio, the elongation recovery rate to the maximum elongation Tmax of the elongation T0 of which the load is reduced to zero upon recovery; A toothbrush wherein (Tmax-T0) / Tmax '× 100 uses filaments that are 50% or more. The method of claim 4, As a filament containing the filament or polytrimethylene terephthalate made of the polytrimethylene terephthalate as the component having the highest composition ratio, a filament having an elongation recovery rate of 50% or more in the hysteresis curve at the maximum elongation of 25% Toothbrush, characterized in that used. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A toothbrush comprising a planting area of the brush on the woolen surface of the head portion of 0.8 to 1.5 cm ² and a hair density of 35 to 45%. The method of claim 4, A toothbrush comprising a planting area of the brush on the woolen surface of the head portion of 0.8 to 1.5 cm ² and a hair density of 35 to 45%. The method according to claim 5, A toothbrush comprising a planting area of the brush on the woolen surface of the head portion of 0.8 to 1.5 cm ² and a hair density of 35 to 45%.

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