WO2001030196A1

WO2001030196A1 - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2001030196A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/007446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takanori Shigihara
Original assignee: Richter Corporation; Fuji Ceramics Corporation; Sankyo Eletec Co., Ltd.; Lobtex Co., Ltd.; Hirose Industry Corporation; Kagoshima Supersonic Technical Laboratory Co., Ltd.; Eroica Corporation
Priority date: 1999-10-26
Filing date: 2000-10-25
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU7956500A

Abstract

A toothbrush (1) includes a handle part (11) and a large number of filaments (FM) on the head of the handle part (11). The filaments (FM) are composed of natural filaments (FMn) made of a natural material and synthetic filaments (FMs) made of synthetic resin. The natural filaments (FMn) are arranged in the peripheral part of the filaments, and the synthetic filaments (FMs) are arranged in the inner part. On the handle part (11), a noble metal anode and a base metal cathode are installed.

Description

Description Toothbrush Technical field

The present invention relates to a toothbrush having good biocompatibility. Background art

Conventionally, a toothbrush has a filament group consisting of a large number of filaments provided on the head of a gripping portion. As the material of the filament, a synthetic resin material such as nylon (chemical material) or a natural material such as horse hair or pig hair is used.

In addition, a gel-like toothpaste is used to brush the teeth using a toothbrush.

However, according to the filament made of a chemical material, it is too hard and may damage the gums and gums. In severe cases, contact dermatitis of the epidermis (Contact, dermatits) may develop, leading to redness, pyran, and eschar.

In addition, according to the filament made of a natural material, gingiva and gums are not easily affected, and the biocompatibility of the cartilage is good. However, there is a drawback in that residues such as toothpaste residue and dentifrice remain inside the filament, and residues easily remain even after washing with water.

In addition, brushing with a conventional toothbrush has a main purpose of cleaning teeth and polishing the teeth, and cannot be expected to have a sterilizing or sterilizing effect in the oral cavity. Because dentifrice is used, aqueous solutions of dentifrice may be drained as sewage, which may cause water pollution problems. In particular, if there is a dormitory for group living, a large amount of dentifrice aqueous solution is discharged from the dormitory, which has a significant impact on the environment. Disclosure of the invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is less likely to damage the gums and gums. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that can easily remove residues by washing with water. It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush which has a sterilizing or sterilizing effect and can wash the mouth without using a dentifrice.

A toothbrush according to the present invention is a toothbrush including a grip portion and a filament group including a large number of filaments provided on a head of the grip portion, wherein the filament group includes a natural material. It consists of a natural filament group and a synthetic filament group made of synthetic resin.

Preferably, the natural filament group is arranged outside the filament group, and the chemical conversion filament group is arranged inside the filament group. Further, a positive electrode made of a noble metal and a negative electrode made of a noble metal and insulated from the positive electrode are provided on the head of the grip portion.

The positive electrode is mainly made of carbon, and the negative electrode is mainly made of magnesium.

Further, as the filament of the chemical conversion filament group, a double-layer filament composed of a double layer of a synthetic resin and carbon is used.

The double-layer filament has carbon as a core material, and has a coating layer made of a synthetic resin on its surface.

Further, the double-layer filament has a core material made of a synthetic resin, and a coating layer made of carbon is provided on the surface thereof.

Further, carbon of the double-layer filament is used as a positive electrode, and a negative electrode made of a metal that is base to carbon and insulated from the positive electrode is provided on the grip portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a view showing the outer shape of a toothbrush according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of a group of natural filaments and formation filaments, and FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing the outer shape of a toothbrush, FIG. 4 is a view showing the outer shape of a toothbrush according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. Is a cross-sectional perspective view showing another example of the filaments of the chemical filament group, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the electrokinetic displacement of the galvanic potential difference between two different metals, and FIG. The figure illustrates the principle of dielectrophoresis, and FIG. 9 shows the functional configuration of noble and vulgar. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a view showing an outer shape of a toothbrush 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing an arrangement state of a group of natural filaments FMn and a group of chemical conversion filaments FMs. FIG. 1 (A) is a front view, and FIG. 1 (B) is a bottom view.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush 1 includes a gripper 11 made of an insulator, and a filament group FM provided on the lower surface of the head 11a of the gripper 11. The grip portion 11 is a handle made of an insulator and serving as the toothbrush 1. Synthetic resin or ceramics etc. are used as the material of the gripping part 11 Filament group FM is a natural filament group FMn composed of many filaments fn of a natural material and a chemical filament group composed of many filaments fs of synthetic resin Consists of FMs.

In other words, animal hair or animal hair such as horse hair and pig hair is used as the material of the filament fn. As the material of the filament fs, a material (chemical material) made of a synthetic resin such as nylon is used. Thus, the filament group FM of the toothbrush 1 is a hybrid (eight hybrids) of the natural filament fn and the synthetic resin filament fs.

As shown in Fig. 2, the natural filament group FMn is arranged outside the filament group FM, and the chemical filament group FMs is arranged inside the filament group FM.

In the present embodiment, the filament groups FM are arranged in four rows, and the inner two rows are provided with the chemical filament group FMs, and the natural filament group FMn is provided so as to surround the chemical filament group FMs.

In FIG. 2, the small circles drawn so as to constitute each row are those in which a large number of filaments fn and fs are implanted in each hole provided in the head 11a. In other words, many filaments f and fs are planted in each small circle. As the hardness of the filament fn of the natural filament group FM n, a soft one or a usual one is used. As the filament fs hardness of the chemical forming filament group FM s, soft, ordinary, and hard filaments are used.

According to the toothbrush 1 of the above-described embodiment, the gingiva and gums are hit by the filament fn of the natural filament group FMn, and therefore, the biocompatibility of the soft meat portion is good and the gums and gums are less likely to be damaged.

The filament fn of the natural filament group FM n is suitable for tooth surfaces, molars, occlusions, interdental parts, anterior teeth, canines, torsion teeth, dislocation teeth, occupational teeth, artificial teeth, fishing teeth, etc. Contributes to the removal of dirt. In addition, the residue, dentifrice, and the like adhered to the filament fn are easily washed away by washing with water, so that residues are easily removed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outer shape of a toothbrush 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 3 (A) is a plan view, FIG. 3 (B) is a front view, and FIG. 3 (C) is a bottom view. As shown in FIG. 3, the toothbrush 1B is provided with a gripping portion 11 made of an insulator, a large number of filament groups FM provided on the lower surface of the head of the gripping portion 11, and an upper surface of the gripping portion 11. And a negative electrode 13 provided on the side (front) of the gripper 11.

The grip portion 11 is made of an insulator, is a handle for performing the function of the toothbrush 1B, and is also a base that supports the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13.

As the material of the grip portion 11, synthetic resin or ceramics is used. Calcium cement-based materials can also be used. When a calcium-based material is used, calcium is ionized and dissolved in water, and ionically bonds with magnesium precipitated from the negative electrode 13 to be absorbed from the skin, thereby maintaining and activating skin homeostasis. Is achieved.

The positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13 are fitted into a concave portion provided in the grip portion 11 or embedded in the grip portion 11 at a portion of the head of the grip portion 11 that enters the mouth. Alternatively, it is attached to the surface of the gripper 11. Screws or adhesives are used as needed.

The material and arrangement of the filament group FM are the same as those of the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the negative electrode 13 is provided only on one side (front) of the grip portion 11, but may be provided on both sides (front and back).

As a material of the positive electrode 12, a noble metal in the dissimilar metal contact corrosion is used, and as a material of the negative electrode 13, a noble metal in the dissimilar metal contact corrosion is used. That is, the potential of a metal in seawater differs depending on the type of metal. When dissimilar metals with different potentials are electrically coupled in seawater, the lower potential, that is, the noble metal becomes the negative electrode (anode), and the higher potential, that is, the noble metal becomes the positive electrode (force sword). A local battery is formed. This is called galvanic corrosion.

In general, metals such as carbon (graphite), platinum, nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy C, titanium, nickel'chromium-copper-silicon alloy B, nickel-iron-chromium alloy 82, 5, alloy 20, stainless steel, etc. It is. Graphite and platinum exhibit a potential on the order of +0.2 volts. Other metals show potentials near Q volts.

Magnesium, zinc, beryllium, aluminum alloys, etc. are also base metals. Magnesium has a potential of about 1.6 volts, and zinc, beryllium, aluminum alloy and the like have a potential of about 1.0 volt.

Corrosion of lower metals is accelerated by contact with noble metals. Also, the corrosion rate of the noble metal used as the negative electrode increases as the area of the noble metal used as the positive electrode increases. When the ratio of the area of the cathode to the area of the cathode is small, the depth of corrosion of the cathode is increased. The critical potential for hydrogen absorption of a metal such as titanium is about 0.75 volts (SCE), and by maintaining the anticorrosion potential at a potential nobler than the critical potential, for example, -0.65 volts, Hydrogen absorption phenomenon can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, carbon is used as the material of the positive electrode 12. Examples of the substance containing carbon include charcoal or graphite. Further, magnesium is used as a material of the negative electrode 13. A galvanic battery is formed between them. In another embodiment, platinum (platinum) can be used as the material of the positive electrode 12.

In particular, by using magnesium as the material of the negative electrode 13, 1.5 vol. As a result, a large electromotive force can be obtained, thereby exerting a strong sterilizing effect. In addition, when wet with water, dielectrophoresis (Di electrophores is) occurs between the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13. The negative electrode 13 is a site for generating hydrogen ions and forms an electric cathode surface.

An example of using the toothbrush 1B configured as described above will be described.

When the surface of the gripper 11 is dry (not wet with water), there is no potential difference between the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13 and no current flows. However, when these surfaces are wetted with water or an aqueous solution, a galvanic battery is formed by the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13, and a large electromotive force of 1.5 volts or more can be obtained (see FIG. 7). See).

In other words, by using the toothbrush 1B together with water or salt, as the dissolved oxygen in the liquid or the movement of the solution due to the rubbing action, the outside air is mixed in and diffused and dissolved on the surface of the surface. The diffusion of oxygen on the aqueous surface by the gaseous action that is the sum of the dissolved oxygen in the water forms an electrical connection with the aqueous liquid as the conductive path at the polarities of the two dissimilar metals, from the negative electrode 13 to the positive electrode 1 2 An internal current flows through the galvanic battery, and the positive electrode 12 is positive and the negative electrode 13 is negative.

By moving the toothbrush 1B and rubbing the teeth, gums or other parts of the mouth, the solution is agitated, polarization is promoted and the current effect is increased.

In addition, the use of the toothbrush 1B causes magnesium to precipitate out of the cathode 13 from the negative electrode 13, causing ionization and polarization of magnesium. An active reaction is caused by the coagulation effect of the electric field, and the activation of the gums and the like is achieved by the silica cross-linking action, ion reduction action, and ion re-spreading action.

In addition, since bacteria existing in a living body are killed by receiving a voltage of about 1.5 volts, the surface of the skin in the mouth is sterilized or sterilized by moving or rubbing the toothbrush 1 in the mouth. Therefore, it has an odor-preventing effect of preventing odors caused by the propagation of bacteria.

According to toothbrush 1B, it excites physicochemical electrical phenomena using aqueous solution for washing or saliva environment in the mouth, as a further electrokinetic effect on mechanical rubbing action The dielectrophoretic action is superimposed. As a result, plaque is decomposed and oxidatively degraded substances are separated by electrolysis, and ionization is performed using an electric field.

In addition, when using the toothbrush 1B, a large amount of fine bubbles are generated, but the generated bubbles are subjected to an electric field treatment by an electric field by a galvanic battery, so that they are easily decomposed and reduced in foam. When flowing into sewage, there is no large amount of foam left. And since there is no need to use a dentifrice as in the past, the dentifrice does not mix in the wastewater.

Thus, by using a toothbrush 1B, brushing the teeth with water or an aqueous solution, and using salt as necessary, washing, disinfection, and sterilization are performed in the oral cavity, and the deodorizing and deodorizing effects are obtained. It prevents bad breath.

Also, in general, the filament fn of the natural filament group FM n tends to be unsanitary compared to the filament fs of the chemical filament group FM s, but according to the tooth brush 1B, insufficient cleaning is performed. Therefore, even if slag remains on the filament fn, the filament fn of the natural filament group FM n is sufficiently sterilized by the sterilization effect or sterilization effect by the electromotive force or dielectrophoretic action of the galvanic battery, and sanitation The problem goes away.

According to the toothbrush 1B, the same effect as that of the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an outer shape of a toothbrush 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The toothbrush 1C shown in FIG. 4 differs from the toothbrush 1B shown in FIG. 4 in that the cathode 13B is provided at the root of the filament group FM. In the toothbrush 1C, the negative electrode 13B may be provided before flocking of the filament group FM. As a method for providing the negative electrode 13 B, for example, a vacuum deposition method can be used. The method of use and the function and effect of the toothbrush 1C are the same as those of the above toothbrush 1B.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are cross-sectional perspective views showing another example of the filament f s of the chemically formed filament group F Ms.

The filament f s B shown in FIG. 5 has a core material 101 made of carbon, and a coating layer 102 made of a synthetic resin is provided on the surface thereof.

That is, for example, filament fs B is made of nylon coated on the outer surface of a carbon spinning core. It is made by singing.

The filament f s C shown in FIG. 6 has a core material 111 made of synthetic resin such as nylon, and has a coating layer 112 made of carbon on its surface.

In other words, the filament f s C is produced, for example, by coating carbon on the outer surface of a nylon chemical spinning core. For carbon coating, for example, ion plating is used.

Thus, the filaments f s B and f s C consist of a double layer of synthetic resin and carbon. The structure is such that the nylon spinning core and carbon fiber reinforce each other, so the strength is high, and it is flexible and hard to break.

Such filaments f s B and f s C can be applied to the toothbrushes 1 and 1B described above.

When applied to the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment, the filaments f s B and f s C become flexible and hard to break.

When applied to the toothbrush 1B of the second embodiment, the carbon of the filaments fsB and fsC functions as the positive electrode. In other words, the filaments f s B and f s C become positive electrodes, where a positive charge is generated, and the surface of the skin in the mouth is directly sterilized or sterilized.

When applied to the toothbrush 1B of the second embodiment, the positive electrode 12 can be omitted. It is possible to change the position and size of the negative electrode 13B.

Thus, using toothbrush 1, 1 B, 1 C, or a filament fs B, fs C applied thereto, brushing with water, an aqueous solution, and Z or salt to wash, sterilize, and Sterilization is performed in the oral cavity, which has the effect of deodorization and deodorization, and prevents bad breath.

In other words, daily brushing is a kind of cleaning action, so conventional toothbrushes have the main purpose and effect of removing teeth and polishing the teeth, and cannot expect the effect of disinfection or sterilization in the oral cavity . However, by using the toothbrush of this embodiment, there is an effect of sterilization and sterilization, and the cleaning is performed more clearly. Here, the dielectrophoresis phenomenon in the toothbrush will be described.

As described above, in the present embodiment, carbon is used for the positive electrode 12 and magnesium is used for the negative electrode 13. Rub, stroke, and slide leaves and gums in an aqueous environment. As a result, an electric field effect is directly exerted on the living body part. Therefore, the threshold value of the dissociation action with water can be kept low without depending on the chemical solvent as in the conventional case, and a bacteriostatic effect using water as a medium can be expected. Magnesium is the only substrate that produces no biocompatible hydrogen ions (protons) in the reductive hydration dissociation of water without harm to the living body. The hydration reaction of magnesium with the hydrated calcium by the hydrogen ions of magnesium causes the hydration of its working system to be balanced through the balanced hydration of sodium and potassium. Oxidation correction by ions works (skin spreading effect).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the principle of dielectrophoresis, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of noble and vulgar.

As shown in FIG. 8, the toothbrush utilizes a dielectrophoretic phenomenon caused by an uneven electric field. Opposite-polarized charges are induced in opposing portions of the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13 immersed in an aqueous solution environment. This produces an unequal electric field. The electric field strength varies depending on the position, and the ion particles are driven by using the difference in the forces acting on the positive and negative polarization charges. The dielectrophoretic force in that case is proportional to the volume.

The main system of action involves oxidized ion, reduced ion exchange, and conversion. At the contact surface between the water-insoluble interface and the solution containing the redox system, only the electron particles theoretically migrate through the interface, and the ions of the working system are electrically charged by the solution dissociation action of the aqueous washing. The hydration of the ions is established. This results in decomposition, emulsification, and detachment.

As shown in Fig. 9, due to the difference in oxygen diffusion rate, a low-potential pole with a low self-potential (free-electron polarization control) acts as an anode, and a noble pole with a high potential acts as a force source, generating a potential difference. I do. The protons generated by the polarization of magnesium in water are anodic reactions at the base pole, and the ion species are proton ions. The lower pole becomes the potential negative pole, and the noble pole becomes the anode. The potential effect is that the cathode side As for the electric field action and electrolysis phenomenon in water, the action becomes even more negative than the water hydrate dissociation potential of 0.7 port.

In the embodiments described above, the shapes of the gripper, the filament, the positive electrode, and the negative electrode can be variously changed. The number of positive and negative electrodes may be two or more. Various methods can also be employed for attaching the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

Note that a third electrode can be provided in addition to the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13. As such a third electrode, copper or silver is used to generate copper ions or silver ions. Thus, as electrokinetic effects, cation extraction of oxygen-free copper (Cu) and polarization sterilization by silver ions of silver (Ag) occur. Active ionization, ie, deodorant and bacteriostatic effects, occurs in the electric field of the water environment. The effect of CuAg2H ++ can be positively utilized. As a result, a bacteriostatic effect is imparted to the planted natural filament fn.

In addition, the structure, shape, size, number, material, number of rows, etc. of the gripper, the filament, the positive electrode, the negative electrode, or the whole or each part of the toothbrush can be variously changed in accordance with the gist of the present invention. .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that scarcely damages the gums and gums and has a residue that is reduced by washing with water.

It also has the effect of sterilization or sterilization, and can wash the mouth without using a dentifrice. Industrial applicability

As described above, the toothbrush according to the present invention hardly damages the gums and gums, easily removes residues by washing with water, and can be used as a toothbrush having good biocompatibility.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A toothbrush including a grip portion and a filament group including a large number of filaments provided on a head of the grip portion,

The filament group includes a natural filament group made of a natural material, and a chemical filament group made of a synthetic resin.

A toothbrush characterized in that:

2. The natural filament group is disposed outside the filament group, and the synthetic filament group is arranged inside the filament group.

The toothbrush according to claim 1.

3. A positive electrode made of a noble metal and a negative electrode made of a noble metal and insulated from the positive electrode are provided on the head of the grip portion.

The toothbrush according to claim 1.

4. The brush according to claim 3, wherein the positive electrode is mainly made of carbon, and the negative electrode is mainly made of magnesium.

5. As the filament of the chemical conversion filament group, a double-layer filament composed of a double layer of a synthetic resin and carbon is used.

The toothbrush according to claim 1.

6. The double-layer filament has carbon as a core material, and has a coating layer made of synthetic resin on its surface.

A toothbrush according to claim 5.

7. The double-layer filament has a core made of synthetic resin, and has a coating layer made of carbon on its surface.

A toothbrush according to claim 5.

8. The negative electrode according to claim 5, wherein carbon of the double-layer filament is used as a positive electrode, and a negative electrode made of a metal that is base to carbon and insulated from the positive electrode is provided on the grip portion. toothbrush.

9. The negative electrode is mainly made of magnesium,

The toothbrush according to claim 8.