TWI767054B - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a toothbrush that can obtain good handleability in a child’s oral cavity and includes a handle body (5) including a bristle-implanted portion (11) formed of a plurality of fiber bundles (7), a head portion (2) in which the bristle-implanted portion is provided on a bristle-implanted surface (2a), a neck potion (3), and a handle portion (4). In a front view, the length of the neck portion is 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less, the total length of the head portion and the neck portion is 28 mm or more and 68 mm or less, and the width of the neck portion is 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less. In a side view, the thickness of the head portion is 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less. In the front view, the distance between a second position which is 20 mm from a first position located at a border between the neck portion and the head portion and an edge line of a finger grip portion is 4 mm or more and 22 mm or less. The difference of the thickness between the second position and the edge line of the finger grip portion in the side view is 3 mm or more and 9 mm or less.

Description

toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

This application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-175906 for which it applied in Japan on September 13, 2017, The content is used for this application.

In preventing dental caries and periodontal disease, it is important to remove plaque in the oral cavity by brushing with a toothbrush. Conventionally, various toothbrushes have been proposed in order to improve the plaque removal effect. For example, by thinning the head of the toothbrush and thinning the neck, the bristles can reach the depths of the molars (the throat side of the molars) which are difficult to reach with a general toothbrush. Patent Document 1 describes a toothbrush having a thin head portion and excellent operability in the oral cavity.

[Prior Art Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3387591

On the other hand, with regard to toothbrushes for children, the first requirement is to remove plaque In addition to the effect, and so that children who are not familiar with brushing their teeth can feel at ease. Brush your teeth safely. However, the technical development of the toothbrush for children for the purpose of improving the operability of the toothbrush in the oral cavity has not progressed like the toothbrush for adults.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush which can obtain good operability in the oral cavity of a child.

The toothbrush of the present invention includes: a hair-implantation part, including a plurality of hair bundles; and a handle body, which has a head, a neck and a handle part on which the hair-implantation part is provided on the hair-implantation surface, and when viewed from the front, the neck is The length is 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less, the total length of the head and neck is 28 mm or more and 68 mm or less, the width of the neck is 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and the thickness of the head is 2 mm when viewed from the side More than 4 mm and less than 4 mm, the distance between the second position, which is moved 20 mm from the first position located at the boundary between the neck and the head toward the shank side, and the position of the ridge line of the finger contact portion in frontal view is 4 mm The difference in thickness between the second position and the position of the ridgeline of the finger contact portion in the side view is 3 mm or more and 9 mm or less.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the relationship between the width of the neck portion in the front view and the thickness of the neck portion in the side view may be in the range from the first position to the second position. In the section from the position to the rear end side, the amount of change in thickness is always equal to or more than the amount of change in width.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the relationship between the width and thickness of the neck from the first position toward the second position may be reversed.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the surface on the side of the hair-implantation surface of the neck portion may be formed into a straight line along a straight line connecting a first point and a second point, and the first point is The center of the thickness of the front end of the head in the side view, and the second point is the center position in the longitudinal direction of the shank in the front view, and the center of the thickness in the side view .

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the surface on the side of the hair-implantation surface of the neck portion may be formed into a linear shape along a straight line connecting a first point and a third point, and the first point is The third point is the center of the thickness of the front end of the head in the side view, and the third point is the center of the thickness of the rear end of the handle in the side view.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the handle body may have a first finger contact portion protruding from the hair-implantation surface side near the neck portion of the handle portion, and a first finger contact portion protruding from the hair-implantation surface side of the handle, The surface is a second finger contact portion protruding from the back side on the opposite side, the first finger contact portion is formed at a portion where the first curved surface and the second curved surface intersect in the side view, and the first curved surface is in the side view. The neck side on the side of the hair-implantation surface has a center of curvature, the second curved surface has a center of curvature on the shank side on the side of the hair-implantation surface, and the second finger contact portion is formed in the side view. A portion where a fourth curved surface intersects a fifth curved surface, the fourth curved surface has a center of curvature on the neck side on the hair-implantation surface side, and the fifth curved surface has a curvature on the shank side on the back side center.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the first finger contact portion may be formed so that the first ridgeline formed at the intersection of the first curved surface and the second curved surface in the front view faces the neck portion Curved into a convex shape, and the second finger contact portion is formed at the intersection of the fourth curved surface and the fifth curved surface in a rear view The second ridgeline of the fork portion is curved in a convex shape toward the neck side.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the width in the longitudinal direction of the neck portion may be constant in the front view.

The toothbrush of the present invention may also be configured as follows: the material of the handle body is polypropylene resin.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, at least a part of the handle body may be covered with a soft resin.

In the toothbrush of the present invention, the overall length of the handle body may be 110 mm or more and 170 mm or less.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the toothbrush which obtained favorable operability in the oral cavity of a child can be provided.

1: toothbrush

2: head

2a: Flocked surface

2A: Flat panel

2b: Back

2B: Extensions

2h: Plant pores

3: neck

3a: Surface

3b: Back

4: Handle

4a1: 1st surface

4a2: 2nd surface

4a3: 3rd surface

4b1: 4th surface

4b2: Surface 5

5: handle body

6: Grip

6A: Recessed part

7: hair bundle

8A: 1st ridgeline

8B: 2nd ridgeline

9A: 1st finger contact part

9B: 2nd finger contact part

11: Hair planting department

A1: Point 1

A2: Point 2

A3: Point 3

G: vertical line

J: Imaginary line

K: imaginary plane

L1, L2, L3: imaginary straight lines

L2: length of head 2

L3: length of neck 3

L4: Length of shank 4

L5: total length of handle body 5

P1, P2: Location

S1: Position 1 (Boundary of head and neck)

S2: 2nd position (position moved 20mm from the 1st position S1 to the shank 4 side)

S3: The third position (the boundary between the neck 3 and the handle 4)

S4: 4th position (position moved 10mm from the 1st position S1 to the shank 4 side)

T: Thickness

T1: 1st thickness

T2: Thickness of head 2 (2nd thickness)

T4: 4th thickness

W: width of neck 3

W1: 1st width

W2: 2nd width (width of head 2)

W4: 4th width

W6max: The maximum width of the grip

W6min: The minimum width of the grip

W9max: The maximum width of the finger contact part

X, Y, Z: axis

FIG. 1 : is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 : is a front view which shows the whole structure of the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged side view showing a main part of FIG. 3A .

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the toothbrush which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

In addition, in each of the following drawings, in order to make it easy to see each constituent element, sometimes The scales of the dimensions are expressed differently depending on the constituent elements.

First, the toothbrush 1 of this invention is demonstrated.

FIG. 1 : is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the front view showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment. 3A and 3B are side views showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a rear view of the overall configuration of the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment.

Here, the upper surface of the head part 2 in which the hair-implantation part 11 is provided is called the hair-implantation surface 2a. As shown in FIG. 3A , the imaginary plane K constituting the hair-implanting surface 2a is a horizontal XY plane, the direction in which the entire handle body 5 extends is the X-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X-axis is the Y-axis direction. Let the normal line direction of the said hair-implantation surface 2a be a Z-axis direction. In the following description, the dimension in the Y-axis direction of each member is referred to as the width of the member, the dimension in the Z-axis direction of each member is referred to as the thickness of the member, and the dimension in the X-axis direction of each member is referred to as the member. The length of the member.

The so-called "front view" of FIG. 2 is the figure which looked at the bristle-implantation surface 2a side of the toothbrush 1 from the +Z-axis direction. The so-called "side view" of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B is the figure which looked at the toothbrush 1 from -Y-axis direction. The so-called "rear view" of FIG. 4 is the figure which looked at the back surface 2b which is the opposite side to the bristle implantation surface 2a from the -Z axis direction with respect to the toothbrush 1.

(Toothbrush 1)

As shown in FIG. 1 , the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment includes: a hair-implanting portion 11; a head portion 2, on which the hair-implanting portion 11 is provided; a neck portion 3, which is extended from the base end side of the head portion 2; and a handle portion 4, which extends from the neck portion. The base end side of the portion 3 is extended. That is, the head portion 2 is formed integrally with the neck portion 3 and the handle portion 4 . Hereinafter, the head portion 2, the neck portion 3 and the handle portion 4 are integrated It is called handle body 5.

(handle body 5)

The handle body 5 is integrally formed into a long strip as a whole, and can be produced by, for example, injection molding using resin as a material. As a constituent material of the handle body 5, polypropylene (Polypropylene, PP), polyethylene terephthalate (Polyethylene terephthalate, PET), polybutylene terephthalate (Polybutylene terephthalate, PBT), poly Polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polystyrene (PS), propylene Nitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, ABS), cellulose propionate (Cellulose Propionate, CP), polyarylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin (Acrylonitrile Styrene, AS), etc. . Among these resin materials, materials such as POM, PBT, and PEN are preferably used in terms of high strength and ease of thinning the head.

In particular, compared with resins such as polyacetal, polypropylene generally has high versatility, easy processing, and low cost, but on the contrary, it has a property of low flexural modulus. For example, the flexural modulus of elasticity of polyacetal (Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) K7171) is approximately 2500 MPa, whereas the flexural modulus of elasticity of polypropylene is approximately 1500 MPa to 2000 MPa. Therefore, polypropylene is a difficult material to use as a material for a toothbrush with a thin head and a thin neck.

However, by adopting the shape of the toothbrush of the present embodiment to be described later, it is also possible to make Use a resin with a relatively low flexural modulus of elasticity, such as polypropylene.

In the present embodiment, the flexural elastic modulus (JIS K7171) of the material constituting the handle body 5, especially the neck portion 3 is preferably 1000 MPa or more and 2800 MPa or less, more preferably 1200 MPa or more and 2500 MPa or less, and still more preferably 1500 MPa or more. And 2000MPa or less.

As the resin, one kind of resin may be used alone, or two or more kinds of resin may be used in combination. In addition, a part or the whole of the handle part 4 of the handle body 5 may be covered with a soft resin. Since a part or the whole of the handle portion 4 is covered with a soft resin, the user's hand feels more comfortable when holding the handle portion 4 , and the gripping fingers can be prevented from slipping. As a soft resin, the resin of Shore A90 or less is preferably mentioned, for example, and the resin of Shore A10 to Shore A40 is more preferable. Examples of such soft resins include elastomer resins such as polyolefin-based elastomers, styrene-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, and polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, and silicon. In the case of using a flexible resin such as an elastomer, from the viewpoint that the adhesiveness can be improved, for example, polyolefin is preferable, and polypropylene is more preferable.

The toothbrush 1 of this embodiment is assumed to constitute, for example, a toothbrush used by a child of 3 to 9 years old. As shown in FIG. 2 , the overall length L5 of the handle body 5 can be determined in consideration of the user's operability and the like. The total length L5 of the handle body 5 is, for example, about 110 mm to 170 mm.

(head 2)

As shown in FIG. 3A , the head 2 has a flat plate portion 2A having a hair-implanted surface 2a and a back surface 2b parallel to each other in the thickness direction, and an extension portion 2B extending from the flat plate portion 2A. One end side extends.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the head 2 takes the longitudinal direction of the handle body 5 as its long side, and is formed into a flat plate shape in which the top portion is curved and chamfered when viewed from the front. A plurality of planting pores 2h are formed on the hair planting surface 2a of the head 2 . The bristle bundle 7 (FIG. 1) which bundled the toothbrush bristles is planted in this implantation hole 2h, and the hair-implantation part 11 (FIG. 1) which consists of several hair bundles is formed.

When the head 2 is viewed from the front, the front end of the head 2 expands to the outside in the width direction along with the neck 3, then extends with the same width, and then narrows to the inside in the width direction, and reaches the boundary with the neck 3 ( The shape of the first position S1). The length (head length) L2 shown in FIG. 2 represents the length from the front end of the head 2 to the first position S1 which is the boundary with the neck 3 .

In this embodiment, the first position S1 is the end point of the curve forming the chamfer near the neck 3 in the frontal shape of the head 2 , that is, the position where the bending direction of the chamfer changes. That is, the first position S1 that is the boundary between the head 2 and the neck 3 is a curve or a straight line that forms both edges of the head 2 where the width of the chamfered portion near the neck 3 becomes narrow when viewed from the front. The position of an extended curve or line, or a line of the same width.

In addition, in the case of the toothbrush whose width increases as the neck 3 goes toward the handle 4 in front view, the first position S1 corresponds to the position where the width of the head 2 and the neck 3 is the smallest in front view.

The size of the head 2 is determined in consideration of characteristics such as operability in the oral cavity.

If the length L2 of the head 2 is too long, the operability in the oral cavity is likely to be impaired. If it is too short, the number of hair bundles 7 ( FIG. 1 ) to be implanted becomes too small, and the cleaning effect is likely to be impaired. Therefore, the length L2 of the head 2 is preferably 13 mm to 35 mm, for example. In addition, in FIG.2, FIG.3A, illustration of the hair-implanting part 11 is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2 , if the width (head width) W2 of the head 2 in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the handle body 5 is too large, the operability in the oral cavity will decrease, and if it is too small, the bristle of the hair-implanted hair bundle 7 will be reduced. When the number becomes too small, the cleaning effect is likely to be impaired. Therefore, the width W2 of the head 2 is preferably 5 mm to 13 mm, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3A , the thinner the thickness of the head portion 2, the better the operability in the oral cavity can be improved, but if it is too thin, the strength of the head portion 2 tends to be insufficient. Therefore, the thickness (head thickness) T2 of the head portion 2 can be determined in consideration of the constituent material of the handle body 5, the bending elastic coefficient, and the like. The thickness T2 of the head 2 is preferably 2.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.5 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the shape of the implanted pores 2h is not particularly limited, and may be a circle such as a perfect circle or an ellipse, or a polygon such as a triangle and a quadrangle. The number of the implanted pores 2h is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 10 to 60, for example. In the present embodiment, as an example, the row on the front end side is set as 2 holes lined up in the width direction, the second row from the front end side is set as 3 holes, and the row on the rear end side is also set as 3 holes. hole. A row of 3 rows of 4 holes is formed side by side in the central part.

The diameter of the tufting hole 2h is determined according to the thickness of the hair bundle 7 shown in FIG. 1 , and is preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, for example. The arrangement pattern of the implanted pores 2h is not particularly limited, and may be any arrangement pattern such as a so-called lattice shape and a zigzag shape.

As toothbrush bristles constituting the bristle bundle 7, the diameter gradually increases toward the bristle tip. Smaller bristles (tapered bristles), bristles (straight bristles) having substantially the same outer diameter except for the rounded portion of the bristle tip. As the material of the toothbrush bristles, for example, polyamides such as 6-12 nylon and 6-10 nylon, PET, PBT, polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), PEN, and polybutylene naphthalate can be used. (Polybutylene naphthalate, PBN) and other polyesters, PP and other polyolefins, olefin-based elastomers, styrene-based elastomers and other synthetic resin materials. These resin materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In addition, the toothbrush bristles may have a multi-core structure having a core portion and at least one layer or more of sheath portions provided outside the core portion.

The cross-sectional profile of the bristles is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include circles such as perfect circles and ellipses, polygons such as triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, and hexagons, star shapes, three-leaf clover shapes, and four-leaf clover shapes. shape etc.

The thickness of the toothbrush bristles is not particularly limited, but when the cross-sectional contour is circular, it is set to, for example, 3 mil to 11 mil (1 mil=1/1000 inch=0.025 mm). The bristle bundle may contain the toothbrush bristles of all the same thickness, and may combine two or more types of toothbrush bristles with different thicknesses. The hair length is preferably 6 mm to 13 mm.

(Neck 3)

The neck 3 integrally connects the head 2 with the handle 4 .

In the present embodiment, the length L3 of the neck 3 is, when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. The length to the position S3, that is, the length L3 from the 1st position S1 to the 3rd position S3.

The third position S3 is a part where the neck 3 has the same width or is wider when viewed from the front The end point of the straight line between the two edges of the divided portion or the position where the bending direction of the curved line of the two edges forming the widened portion changes.

When the head 2 is inserted into the mouth of the child, the neck 3 contacts the lips, so the length (neck length) L3 of the neck 3 is preferably 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

In addition, in consideration of the length from the lips to the molars of the child, the total length (L2+L3) of the head 2 and the neck 3 is preferably 28 mm or more and 68 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or more and 65 mm or less, and still more preferably 33 mm or more. and 61mm or less.

The ratio (%) of the length L3 of the neck 3 with respect to the total length (full length) L5 of the handle body 5 is preferably 5.5% or more and 31% or less, more preferably 8% or more and 24% or less, More preferably, it is 10% or more and 20% or less.

In the following description, the center point in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the front end of the head 2 in the side view shown in FIG. 3A is the first point A1, and the shank in the front view shown in FIG. The position of the center in the longitudinal direction (X direction) and the width direction of 4, and the center point in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the shank 4 in the side view shown in FIG. 3A is the second point A2, and FIG. 3A The center point in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the rear end of the shank portion 4 in the side view shown is a third point A3.

In the side view shown in FIG. 3A, a part of the surface 3a on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a of the neck part 3 is linear. Specifically, a part of the surface 3a on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a in the neck part 3 is formed in a linear shape along the imaginary straight line L1 which connects the 1st point A1 and the 2nd point A2, for example. Alternatively, a straight line is formed along an imaginary straight line L2 connecting the first point A1 and the third point A3. Alternatively, combine point 1 A1 with An imaginary straight line L3 formed by connecting the second point A2 and the third point A3 forms a straight line.

At this time, the surface 3a of the neck portion 3 does not necessarily have to coincide with any one of the straight line L1, the straight line L2, and the straight line L3, as long as the surface 3a of the neck portion 3 is located in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the toothbrush 1 with the straight line L1, the straight line L2, and the straight line L3 as the center. ) within the allowable range set on . In the present embodiment, the allowable range is preferably, for example, a range of about ±1 mm up and down in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the toothbrush 1 with respect to the straight line L1, the straight line L2, and the straight line L3.

In this way, a part of the surface 3a on the side of the bristle-implanting surface 2a of the neck 3 is shaped along the straight line, so that even an infant who is not familiar with brushing teeth can use the force from the handle 4 during brushing without wasting It is transmitted to the hair-implantation surface 2a side of the head part 2, and the operability in an oral cavity becomes favorable.

As shown in FIG. 3A , the surface 3a on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a of the neck portion 3 extends toward the shank portion 4 side, and is continuous with the first curved surface 4a1 forming the first finger contact portion 9A.

Moreover, the back surface 3b of the neck part 3 is extended toward the handle part 4 side, and is continuous with the 4th curved surface 4b1 which forms the 2nd finger contact part 9B.

[width W of neck 3]

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the width W of the neck 3 in the present embodiment in the longitudinal direction from the first position S1 to the third position S3 is the same width, but the diameter may be enlarged. By setting the width W of the neck portion 3 to have the same width, the head portion 2 can be reached without opening the mouth wide when brushing the molars.

The smaller the width W of the neck 3 is, the more the operability in the oral cavity can be improved, but if it is too small, the strength of the neck 3 is likely to become insufficient. Therefore, the width W of the neck 3 can be considered The constituent material of the handle body 5, the bending elastic coefficient, etc. are determined. In the present embodiment, the width W of the neck portion 3 is preferably 4.0 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, and more preferably 4.5 mm or more and 5.5 mm or less.

[thickness of neck 3]

As shown in FIG. 3A , the cross-sectional shape of the neck portion 3 intersecting the longitudinal direction changes gradually from the head portion 2 side of the neck portion 3 to the handle portion 4 side, and the relationship between the width and thickness of the neck portion 3 is reversed in the longitudinal direction. relation.

That is, if the position moved 10 mm from the first position S1 to the shank 4 side is the fourth position S4, and the position moved 20 mm from the first position S1 to the shank 4 side is the second position S2, the neck 3 is the shape which becomes thick gradually as it approaches the shank part 4 side after it becomes thick suddenly from the 1st position S1 to the 4th position S4 and the 2nd position S2. In addition, the width W of the neck portion 3 is preferably as small and thin as possible compared to the thickness T, and the thickness increases and the cross-sectional area increases as it approaches the shank portion 4 side. Thereby, even if it is a thin head part 2 and a short neck part 3, it becomes a thin and strong neck part 3. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A , at the first position S1 that is the boundary between the head 2 and the neck 3 , as shown in Table 1, the first width W1 is larger than the first thickness T1 (W1>T1) , forming a wide cross-sectional shape.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A , at the second position S2, which is a position moved 20 mm from the first position S1 to the shank 4 side, as shown in Table 1, the second thickness T2 is larger than the second width W2 (W2< T2), it is formed into the cross-sectional shape of the wall thickness.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A , at the fourth position S4, which is a position moved by 10 mm from the first position S1 toward the shank 4 side, the fourth width W4 and the fourth thickness are formed. T4 equal shape (W4=T4).

Specifically, the thickness of the first position S1 is 4 mm, the thickness of the fourth position S4 is 5 mm, and the thickness of the fourth position S4 is 1.25 times the thickness of the first position S1. In addition, the thickness of the second position S2 is 5.6 mm to 5.8 mm. Compared with the thickness of the fourth position S4, the thickness of the second position S2 is 1.12 times to 1.16 times. 4 The change of position S4 changes gradually. As described above, the thickness of the neck portion 3 increases as it approaches the shank portion 4 side from the head portion 2 side, but the ratio at which the thickness increases is not constant.

In this way, in the longitudinal direction of the neck portion 3, the thickness gradually increases from the head portion 2 side toward the handle portion 4 side, whereby the neck portion 3 is not flexed more than necessary when brushing teeth, and the force is transmitted to the head portion 2 well. , so that you can brush your teeth stably.

Moreover, since the width|variety of the part which contacts the mouth edge at the time of use becomes thin with respect to the thickness by the neck part 3 of the said structure, the handling of the toothbrush 1 in an oral cavity becomes favorable. In addition, the thickness of the portion that touches the mouth edge becomes thicker than the width during use, so even when a child bites the neck 3 strongly, it is not easily broken. Even if the head 2 is made thinner, the strength of the neck 3 can be ensured.

The first thickness T1 serving as the minimum thickness of the neck portion 3 can be determined in consideration of conditions such as the constituent material of the handle body 5 and the bending elastic coefficient. The first thickness T1 of the neck portion 3 is preferably 3.0 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, and more preferably 3.5 mm or more and 4.3 mm or less.

In addition, the maximum thickness of the neck portion 3 is, for example, preferably 4.5 mm or more and 7.0 mm or less, and more preferably 5.0 mm or more and 6.5 mm or less.

The head 2 of the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment becomes thin, and the operability in the oral cavity in the depth of the molar improves. In addition, by increasing the thickness of the neck portion 3 relative to the width from the head portion 2 side toward the shank portion 4 side, it is possible to cope with the thickness of the head portion 2 and suppress the excess of the neck portion 3 during use. flexing. Therefore, when the handle part 4 is grasped and brushed, the position of the head part 2 is not displaced excessively, so that the hair bundle 7 can sufficiently contact the tooth surface even for a child. Therefore, it becomes the toothbrush 1 which a child can hold enough and can brush easily.

(shank 4)

As shown in FIGS. 2 , 3A and 4 , the handle portion 4 has: a first finger contact portion 9A and a second finger contact portion 9B respectively formed on the front and back surfaces near the neck portion 3 ; and the finger contact portions 9A 2. The grip portion 6 in which the finger contact portion 9B is continuously formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the length (shank length) L4 of the shank 4 is the end point of the straight line forming the both edges of the neck 3 having the same width or the widened portion or the curve of the curved line forming the widened portion when viewed from the front. The distance from the third position S3 where the direction changes to the rear end. The length L4 of the handle portion 4 is preferably 80 mm to 110 mm according to the size of the user's hand of the child.

The ratio (L4/L3) of the length L4 of the shank 4 to the length L3 of the neck 3 is preferably 2.5 or more and 12.0 or less, more preferably 3.0 or more and 7.0 or less, and still more preferably 3.5 or more and 5.5 or less.

As shown in FIGS. 2 , 3A and 4 , the shank 4 is formed with a first finger contact portion 9A protruding from the hair-implantation surface 2a side, and a second finger contact portion 9B protruding from the back surface 2b side.

(1st finger contact portion 9A)

In the side view shown in FIG. 3A , the first finger contact portion 9A is formed on the concave first curved surface 4a1 having the center of curvature on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a and near the neck 3, and on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a and near the shank. A portion where four concave second curved surfaces 4a2 having a center of curvature intersect.

As shown in FIG. 3B , the first finger contact portion 9A is opposite to the hair-implanting surface 2a by the concave first curved surface 4a1, the concave second curved surface 4a2, and the portion where the curved surface 4a1 and the curved surface 4a2 intersect. The side back surface 2b side has the convex 3rd curved surface 4a3 of the curvature center, and is formed in the convex shape on the hair-implantation surface 2a side. Here, a straight line connecting the position P1 where the curvature changes in the first curved surface 4a1 and the position P2 where the curvature changes in the second curved surface 4a2 is assumed to be an imaginary line J. The first finger contact portion 9A has a desired height in the direction in which the vertical line G extends with respect to the imaginary line J, and is formed in a convex shape on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a shown in FIG. 3A . As an example, the ridge line where the first curved surface 4a1 and the second curved surface 4a2 intersect is formed at the position where the distance from the virtual line J is the largest.

Moreover, the ridgeline formed in the intersection of the 1st curved surface 4a1 and the 2nd curved surface 4a2 forms the curvilinear 1st ridgeline 8A shown in FIG. 2 in the width direction of the shank part 4. As shown in FIG. In the front view shown in FIG. 2 , the first finger contact portion 9A is formed in an arc contour shape in which the first ridge line 8A is curved toward the neck portion 3 in a convex shape. When viewed from the front, the distance between the second position S2 and the first ridge line 8A is preferably 4 mm or more and 22 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or more and 18 mm or less, and still more preferably 6 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The difference in thickness between the second position S2 and the first ridge line 8A in side view is preferably 3 mm or more and 9 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less, and still more preferably 4 mm Above and below 7mm.

In addition, when the first ridge line 8A is a curved line and the position in the X-axis direction (longitudinal direction) changes in plan view, the distance between the second position S2 and the first ridge line 8A is changed from the second position S2 to the first ridge line 8A. The shortest distance of the ridge line 8A is prescribed|regulated. In addition, in the case where the curved surface formed by the intersection of the curved surface on the neck 3 side and the curved surface on the handle 4 side is not clearly present, for example, the curvature changes at the joint of the neck 3 and the handle 4 when viewed from the front. The position connected to the straight line or the curved line constituting the handle portion 4 is set to a position corresponding to the first ridgeline.

Therefore, when the toothbrush 1 is used for children with small mouths, it is considered that the neck 3 is short but narrows to the rear end, and that it is possible to hold the toothbrush 1 from the front end. In the case of the slightly thick shank portion 4, when the neck portion 3 and the shank portion 4 are connected by a short distance, the stress tends to concentrate in terms of strength, and the operability is easily affected, but in this embodiment, as described above , by setting the distance between the second position S2 and the first ridgeline 8A when viewed from the front, and the thickness difference between the second position S2 and the position of the first ridgeline 8A when viewed from the side to an appropriate range, the neck can be realized The strength of the part 3 is improved and the operability is improved.

(Second finger contact portion 9B)

In the side view shown in FIG. 3A , the second finger contact portion 9B is formed on a convex fourth curved surface 4b1 having a center of curvature on the side of the hair-implantation surface 2a and close to the neck 3, and a back surface 2b opposite to the hair-implantation surface 2a. The portion where the concave fifth curved surface 4b2 having the center of curvature intersects with the shank 4 on the side.

As shown in FIG. 3B , the second finger contact portion 9B is formed by the convex fourth curved surface 4b1 and the The two curved surfaces of the concave fifth curved surface 4b2 are formed, and the convex shape is formed on the back surface 2b side.

Moreover, the 2nd ridgeline 8B shown in FIG. 4 is formed in the width direction of the shank part 4 at the intersection of the 4th curved surface 4b1 and the 5th curved surface 4b2. The second finger contact portion 9B is formed in a circular arc contour shape in which the second ridgeline 8B is curved toward the neck portion 3 in a convex shape.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , the protruding amounts of the first finger contact portion 9A and the second finger contact portion 9B are different from each other. Since 9A of 1st finger contact parts are formed by two concave curved surfaces which have a curvature center on the hair-implantation surface 2a side, the intersection part of 1st curved surface 4a1, 2nd curved surface 4a2 protrudes largely outward in thickness direction.

The second finger contact portion 9B is formed by a convex fourth curved surface 4b1 whose curvature center is located on the hair-implanted surface 2a side and a concave fifth curved surface 4b2 whose curvature center is located on the back surface 2b side. The intersection part of the curved surface 4b2 does not protrude too much outward in the thickness direction. 3A , when the bristle-implanted surface 2a of the toothbrush 1 is in a horizontal posture, the second finger contact portion 9B does not protrude outward from the back surface 3b of the neck portion 3 in the thickness direction (Z direction).

The protruding amount of the second finger contact portion 9B is smaller than that of the first finger contact portion 9A, so that the second finger contact portion 9B is less likely to come into contact with the lips during intraoral manipulation. On the other hand, by sufficiently securing the protruding amount of the first finger contact portion 9A, the finger is guided to be attracted to the first finger contact portion 9A.

The user can hold the handle 4 by contacting the first finger contact portion 9A and the second finger contact portion 9B with the thumb and the index finger, respectively, thereby preventing the fingers from slipping and operating the toothbrush 1 stably. The ventral side of the first joint of the thumb easily comes into contact with the first finger contact portion 9A, In addition, since the ventral side of the second joint of the index finger easily contacts the second finger contact portion 9B, even a child unfamiliar with brushing can be positioned accurately, and the sense of stability when gripping the handle 4 is improved.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the width of the grip portion 6 gradually expands from the side of the finger contact portion 9A and the finger contact portion 9B toward the rear end side of the grip portion 6 , then decreases in diameter, and expands again toward the rear end. Gradually thicken. The diameter expansion and diameter reduction may also be repeated 2 to 4 times. In addition, the thickness of the grip portion 6 gradually increases in diameter from the finger contact portion 9A and the finger contact portion 9B side toward the rear end side of the grip portion 6 , and then decreases in diameter.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , when viewed from the front, the minimum width W6min ( FIG. 4 ) of the grip portion 6 is smaller than the maximum width W9max ( FIG. 4 ) of the finger contact portion 9A and the finger contact portion 9B. The maximum width W6max ( FIG. 4 ) is larger than the maximum width W9max ( FIG. 4 ) of the finger contact portion 9A and the finger contact portion 9B.

Here, the maximum width W9max of the finger contact portion 9A and the finger contact portion 9B is preferably 12.5 mm or more and 16.5 mm or less, and more preferably 13.5 mm or more and 15.5 mm or less.

In addition, the maximum width W6max of the grip portion 6 is preferably 18.0 mm or more and 22.0 mm or less, and more preferably 19.0 mm or more and 21.0 mm or less.

In addition, the minimum width W6min of the grip portion 6 is preferably, for example, 8.0 mm or more and 13.0 mm or less, and more preferably 9.0 mm or more and 12.0 mm or less.

In addition, the thickness of the grip portion 6 is preferably 7.0 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

If it is within the range of the above-mentioned size, even a small hand of a child can sufficiently hold it.

The front-end|tip part which becomes the minimum width W6min of the grip part 6, and the recessed part 6A recessed toward the width direction inner side is formed in the side surface of the width direction both sides. For example, the user can bring the middle finger into contact with the recessed portion 6A, and the child can sufficiently grasp the handle portion 4, so that it becomes easy to brush. In addition, it is also possible to hold the handle portion 4 by making the thumb and the index finger come into contact with each of the recessed portions 6A, respectively. Therefore, for example, even when the toothbrush 1 is placed horizontally to brush the side surfaces of the teeth, it can be operated stably.

Further, on the side surface of the portion of the grip portion 6 that is gradually thickened toward the rear end side, a plurality of curved surfaces that are continuous with each of the recessed portions 6A and the recessed portions 6A and are curved in a convex shape toward the outside in the width direction, and A plurality of recesses formed between the curved surfaces. Curved surfaces and concave portions alternately exist in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 6, whereby the user's fingers are naturally guided to the concave portion, and the grip is enhanced, and even children with weak grip can hold stably. . Moreover, since the whole handle part 4 has a slightly thick and cornerless shape, even a small hand of a child can firmly hold it.

The toothbrush 1 of this embodiment is manufactured according to the manufacturing method of a conventionally known toothbrush. For example, the handle body 5 is formed by injecting a hard resin into a mold. Next, the toothbrush 1 can be obtained by planting the hair bundle 7 on the hair-implanting surface 2a of the obtained handle body 5 . As a method of implanting the hair bundles 7, for example, the hair bundles 7 are folded in half and a flat line sandwiched in the middle is driven into the implantation pores 2h, thereby implanting the hair bundles 7. The flat-line type hair implantation; The heat welding method of pressing the lower end of the hair bundle 7 into the molten resin and fixing it; after the lower end of the hair bundle 7 is heated to form a molten mass, the molten resin is injected into the mold to make the hair implantation part 11. in-mold) method, etc.

[Example]

Hereinafter, although an Example is shown and this invention is demonstrated in detail, this invention is not limited to the following Example, It can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the summary, and can implement.

The materials used in this example are as follows.

<Handle body 5>. polypropylene

<Toothbrush bristles of hair bundle 7>. PBT

Regarding the toothbrushes described in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8 were produced by the injection molding method according to the specifications shown in Table 1.

The dimensions of each toothbrush are shown in Table 1.

[Evaluation of intraoral maneuverability]

The operability of the toothbrush 1 when the entire dentition was thoroughly brushed using a specialized paediatric model for children was answered in four grades. "Very good" was set to 4 points, "good" was set to 3 points, "slightly good" was set to 2 points, and "poor" was set to 1 point, and the evaluation was based on the average score of 10 students according to the following criteria Operational good or bad.

○: 2.5 points or more

△: 1.5 points or more and less than 2.5 points

×: Less than 1.5 points

As can be seen from Table 1, in the toothbrushes of Example 1 and Example 2, favorable operability in the oral cavity of a child was obtained.

According to the toothbrush 1 shown in each embodiment mentioned above, favorable operability in the oral cavity of a child can be acquired. In addition, by making a toothbrush shape that matches the growth of children, it is possible to clean hard-to-reach places in the oral cavity.

In the above, suitable embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. state has been described, and the present invention is not limited to the examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and amendments can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the scope of the patent application, and it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, by appropriately designing the shape of the handle, the covering shape of the soft resin, the exposing shape of the soft resin, etc., it is possible to improve the anti-slip effect and the design.

[Industrial Availability]

The present invention can be applied to toothbrushes.

1‧‧‧Toothbrush

2‧‧‧Head

2a‧‧‧Fressed surface

3‧‧‧Neck

3a‧‧‧Surface

4‧‧‧Handle

5‧‧‧Handle

6‧‧‧Grip

6A‧‧‧Depressed part

7‧‧‧hair bundle

8A‧‧‧First ridgeline

9A‧‧‧First finger contact part

11‧‧‧ Hair transplant

X, Y, Z‧‧‧ axes

Claims (11)

A toothbrush, comprising: a hair-implantation part, including a plurality of hair bundles; and a handle body, which has a head, a neck and a handle part on which the hair-implantation part is arranged on the hair-implantation surface, and when viewed from the front, the length of the neck is 15mm or more and 35mm or less, the total length of the head and the neck is 28mm or more and 68mm or less, the width of the neck is 4mm or more and 6mm or less, and the distance between the neck and the head when looking straight ahead The distance between the first position of the boundary moving 20 mm toward the handle portion and the position of the ridgeline of the finger contact portion is 4 mm or more and 22 mm or less, and the thickness of the head is 2 mm or more and 22 mm or less in side view. 4 mm or less, the minimum thickness of the neck from the first position to the second position is 3.0 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, and all the positions of the second position and the ridgeline of the finger contact portion. The difference in thickness in the side view is 3 mm or more and 9 mm or less. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the relationship between the width of the neck in the front view and the thickness of the neck in the side view is from the first position to the In the section up to the second position, the amount of change in thickness is always equal to or greater than the amount of change in width as it goes to the rear end side. The toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein from the first The size relationship between the width and the thickness of the neck in the position toward the second position is an inverse relationship. The toothbrush according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface of the neck portion on the bristle-implanting surface side is formed along a straight line connecting the first point and the second point. In a straight line, the first point is the center of the thickness of the front end of the head in the side view, and the second point is the center position in the longitudinal direction of the shank in the front view, and is the center of the thickness in the side view. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface on the side of the hair-implanting surface of the neck portion is formed along a straight line connecting the first point and the third point. In a straight line, the first point is the center of the thickness of the front end of the head in the side view, and the third point is the center of the thickness of the rear end of the shank in the side view . The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handle body has a first protruding bristle-implanting surface at a position near the neck portion of the handle portion. A finger contact portion, and a second finger contact portion protruding on the back side opposite to the hair-implanted surface, the first finger contact portion being formed at the intersection of the first curved surface and the second curved surface in the side view part, the first curved surface has a center of curvature on the side of the neck portion on the side of the hair-implantation surface, the second curved surface has a center of curvature on the side of the shank on the side of the hair-implantation surface, and The second finger contact portion is formed at a portion where a fourth curved surface intersects a fifth curved surface in the side view, the fourth curved surface has a center of curvature on the neck side of the hair-implantation surface, and the fourth curved surface has a center of curvature. The curved surface has a center of curvature on the shank side on the back side. The toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the first finger contact portion is formed so that the first ridgeline formed at the intersection of the first curved surface and the second curved surface in the front view faces the The neck is curved in a convex shape, and the second finger contact portion is formed such that a second ridgeline formed at the intersection of the fourth curved surface and the fifth curved surface is curved toward the neck side in a rear view. convex shape. The toothbrush according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the width in the longitudinal direction of the neck portion is constant in the front view. The toothbrush according to any one of items 1 to 3 of the patent application scope, wherein the handle body is made of polypropylene resin. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the handle body is covered with a soft resin. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the overall length of the handle body is 110 mm or more and 170 mm or less.

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