WO2022137999A1

WO2022137999A1 - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2022137999A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/043653
Authority: WO
Inventors: 玲央奈野田; 良祐蜂須賀
Original assignee: ライオン株式会社
Priority date: 2020-12-24
Filing date: 2021-11-29
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: JPWO2022137999A1; CN216932264U

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that is inexpensive, has excellent storability, can be used without excessive concern for other people's reactions, and can handle the removal of food residue stuck between teeth. A tooth brush (1) includes a handle (2) comprising a head section (3) and a handle section (4) provided on a rear end side of the head section (3), a bristle bundle being implanted in each of a plurality of implantation holes (10) formed in an implantation surface (3a), wherein: an overall length of the handle body (2) is from 50 mm to 80 mm; a ratio of a length of the head section (3) to the overall length of the handle body (2) is from 5% to 25%; a bristle length, from the implantation surface (3a), of the hairs forming the bristle bundles is 7.0 mm or less; and bristle flexibility and strength of an actual length of the bristle bundles is from 70 N/cm² to 140 N/cm².

Description

toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-215238 filed in Japan on December 24, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

When food residue is caught between teeth when going out, it is common to remove the food residue using a toothpick. However, young people, especially women, feel uncomfortable when using toothpicks and are reluctant to remove food residues between teeth in public when going out.

There is also a toothbrush as a tool for removing food residues, but general toothbrushes are difficult to carry because they are large in size and inferior in storage. A portable toothbrush with a telescopic function and a folding function is also known. However, such a portable toothbrush is not hygienic because the structure is complicated and the cost tends to be high, and the moisture adhering to the toothbrush tends to remain during use. Patent Document 1 discloses that a disposable toothbrush is carried in a card case as an inexpensive and easy-to-carry method.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-262942

However, a portable toothbrush like Patent Document 1 has a limited form because it needs to be put in a card case, the cleaning function tends to be low, and it is difficult to remove food residue caught between teeth.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that is inexpensive, has excellent storability, can be used without being excessively concerned about the eyes, and can also remove food residues caught between teeth.

The present invention has the following aspects.
[1] A handle body including a head portion having a flocked surface and a handle portion provided on the rear end side of the head portion is provided.
A toothbrush in which hair follicles are planted in the flocked holes formed on the flocked surface.
The total length of the handle body is 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less.
The ratio of the length of the head portion to the total length of the handle body is 5% or more and 25% or less.
The hair length of the hairs constituting the hair bundle with respect to the flocked surface is 7.0 mm or less, and the hair length is 7.0 mm or less.
A toothbrush having an actual length of the hair bundle having a hair waist strength of 70 N / cm ² or more and 140 N / cm ² or less.
[2] The handle body further includes a neck portion connecting the head portion and the handle portion.
The toothbrush according to [1], wherein the neck portion has a length of 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
[3] The toothbrush according to [1] or [2], wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of the handle portion to the maximum thickness of the head portion is 1.0 or more and 2.5 or less.
[4] The toothbrush according to [2] or [3], wherein the ratio of the maximum width of the head portion to the minimum width of the neck portion is 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less.
[5] The toothbrush according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the ratio of the maximum width of the handle portion to the minimum width of the neck portion is 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less.
[6] The toothbrush according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein the ratio of the length of the neck portion to the maximum width of the neck portion is 5.0 or more and 8.0 or less.
[7] The maximum width of the head portion is 5.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and the maximum width of the handle portion is 3.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of [2] to [6], wherein the maximum width of the neck portion is not less than the minimum width of the head portion and not more than the minimum width of the handle portion.
[8] The toothbrush according to any one of [2] to [7], wherein the total length of the head portion and the neck portion is 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less, and the length of the handle portion is 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less. ..
[9] The toothbrush according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the ratio of the length of the handle portion to the maximum width of the handle portion is 5.0 or more and 8.0 or less.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that is inexpensive, has excellent storability, can be used without being excessively concerned about the eyes, and can also remove food residues caught between teeth.

It is a front view of the handle body of the toothbrush of an embodiment. It is a side view of the handle body of the toothbrush of an embodiment. It is a side view which showed the head part and the hair bundle of the toothbrush of an embodiment in an enlarged manner.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments show one aspect of the present invention, do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure are different from the actual structure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothbrush 1 of the embodiment includes a handle body 2. The handle body 2 includes a head portion 3 having a flocked surface 3a, a handle portion 4 provided on the rear end side of the head portion 3, and a neck portion 5 connecting the head portion 3 and the handle portion 4. .. As shown in FIG. 3, in the toothbrush 1, the hair bundle 12 is planted in a plurality of flocked holes 10 formed on the flocked surface 3a of the head portion 3, and the flocked portion 14 is formed, whereby tooth brushing is performed. It is possible.

In the following description, the side of the head portion 3 where the flocked surface 3a is provided (the flocked surface side) is the front side of the toothbrush 1, and the side of the head portion 3 opposite to the side facing the flocked surface 3a is the toothbrush 1. The back side. In addition, the direction in which the handle body 2 extends is the major axis direction, the direction parallel to the hair-planted surface 3a and orthogonal to the major axis direction is the width direction of the toothbrush 1, and the direction orthogonal to the hair-planted surface 3a is the thickness of the toothbrush 1. Orthogonal. Further, the side where the head portion 3 is provided (head portion side) is the front end side, and the side where the handle portion 4 is provided (handle portion side) is the rear end side.

The boundary between the head portion 3 and the neck portion 5 is the end point of the decrease in the width of the corner cut on the neck portion 5 side in the front view shape of the head portion 3, that is, the change in the width of the pair of outer edges forming the corner cut. Is the position where is changed from decrease to constant or expansion. If the boundary between the head portion 3 and the neck portion 5 is not clear from the front view shape, the head portion is located 16% from the tip of the handle portion 4 with respect to the total length of the handle body 2 in the long axis direction. It is the boundary between 3 and the neck portion 5.

When viewed from the front, an inflection point (forming the outer edge of the neck portion 5) in which the center of the circle along the curve forming the outer edge of the neck portion 5 changes from the outside to the inside of the handle body 2 from the neck portion 5 to the handle portion 4. An inflection point where an inwardly convex curve changes to an outwardly convex curve) is defined as the boundary between the neck portion 5 and the handle portion 4. If the boundary between the neck portion 5 and the handle portion 4 is not clear from the front view shape, the neck portion is located 41% from the tip of the handle portion 4 with respect to the total length of the handle body 2 in the long axis direction. It is a boundary between 5 and the handle portion 4.

The toothbrush 1 is a miniature size toothbrush having a handle body 2 having a total length of 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less. The total length of the handle body 2 is preferably 60 mm or more and 70 mm or less. If the total length of the handle body 2 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, the toothbrush 1 can be easily found from the storage location (bag, pouch, case, etc.) and is not easily lost, and can be easily picked up from the storage location and taken out. And the operability is improved. When the total length of the handle body 2 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the handle body 2 has good storability and is easy to carry, so that it is easy to use even on the go.

As the resin constituting the handle body 2, only the hard resin may be used, only the soft resin may be used, or both the hard resin and the soft resin may be used. From the viewpoint of suppressing the amount of bending during brushing, it is preferable to use only a hard resin as the resin constituting the handle body 2. The resin constituting the handle body 2 may be one type or two or more types.

Examples of the hard resin include polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycyclohexylene methylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), and polymethyl. Methacrylate (PMMA) can be exemplified. Further, a biodegradable resin, a plant-derived resin, a paper-blended resin, a plant-blended resin and the like may be used. Among them, PP is preferable in terms of excellent moldability and cost advantage. PCT and PC are preferable in terms of high transparency, excellent visibility of food residue during brushing, and good appearance.
Examples of the soft resin include olefin-based elastomers, styrene-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, and polyurethane-based elastomers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the head portion 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in front view.
The miniature size toothbrush 1 having a total length of 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less is used differently from a normal toothbrush, and the position of the hand holding the handle portion 4 and the position of the head portion 3 are close to each other. Also, when brushing, finer operations are required than when using a normal toothbrush. Based on these viewpoints, the ratio of the length of the head portion 3 to the total length of the handle body 2 is 5% or more and 25% or less, preferably 5% or more and 18% or less. When the ratio is equal to or higher than the lower limit of the range, a sufficient amount of hair bundle is secured and food residue can be easily removed, and a sufficient distance between the head portion 3 and the hand holding the handle portion 4 is secured. Operability is improved. When the ratio is not more than the upper limit of the range, the distance between the hand holding the handle portion 4 and the head portion 3 is not too large, it is easy to operate finely, and food is used when brushing while looking in the mirror. The residue is hard to be hidden by the head portion 3 and is easy to see.

The length of the head portion 3 is preferably 3.0 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 8.0 mm or more and 15 mm or less. When the length of the head portion 3 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, it is easy to secure the cleaning function. When the length of the head portion 3 is not more than the upper limit of the above range, the food residue is hard to be hidden by the head portion 3 and easily visible when brushing while looking in the mirror.

The maximum width of the head portion 3 is preferably 5.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and more preferably 6.0 mm or more and 7.0 mm or less. If the maximum width of the head portion 3 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, it is easy to secure the cleaning function. When the maximum width of the head portion 3 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the food residue is hard to be hidden by the head portion 3 and easily visible when brushing while looking in the mirror.

The maximum thickness of the head portion 3 is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. When the maximum thickness of the head portion 3 is at least the lower limit value in the above range, it is easy to secure the strength. When the maximum thickness of the head portion 3 is not more than the upper limit value in the above range, it is easy to secure operability.

The length of the neck portion 5 is preferably 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. When the length of the neck portion 5 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, the finger holding the handle portion 4 is less likely to hit the cheek during brushing, and the operability is improved. Further, by separating the head portion 3 and the handle portion 4 to some extent, it is possible to suppress excessive force from being applied during brushing, and the feeling of polishing with an appropriate force is enhanced. If the length of the neck portion 5 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the distance between the head portion 3 and the finger holding the handle portion 4 becomes moderately close, and the head portion 3 is suppressed from being excessively moved by a small movement of the finger. Therefore, operability is improved. In addition, since the handle portion 4 and the head portion 3 are close to each other and a force is easily applied during brushing, the feeling of brushing the teeth with an appropriate force is enhanced.

The total length of the head portion 3 and the neck portion 5 is preferably 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less, and more preferably 25 mm or more and 35 mm or less. When the total length is not less than the lower limit of the range, it is difficult for the finger holding the handle portion 4 to enter the mouth during brushing, and the operability is excellent. When the total length is not more than the upper limit of the above range, the head portion 3 and the neck portion 5 are less likely to be twisted or bent, and the strength is high and the cleanability is improved. Further, the distance between the head portion 3 and the finger holding the handle portion 4 becomes appropriately close, and the head portion 3 is suppressed from being excessively moved by a small movement of the finger, so that the operability is improved.

The minimum width of the neck portion 5 is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 7.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less. When the minimum width of the neck portion 5 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, it is easy to secure the strength. When the minimum width of the neck portion 5 is not more than the upper limit value of the above range, the neck portion 5 is less likely to hit the mouth during brushing, and it is easy to secure operability.

The ratio of the length of the neck portion 5 to the maximum width of the neck portion 5 is preferably 5.0 or more and 8.0 or less, and more preferably 5.5 or more and 7.5 or less. In the toothbrush 1 in which the ratio satisfies the above range, the length of the neck portion with respect to the minimum width of the neck portion is shorter than that of a normal toothbrush. When brushing with a normal toothbrush, move it in small steps in the axial direction of the toothbrush, but when removing food residue with a miniature size toothbrush 1, do not brush in the axial direction, but brush the toothbrush in the width direction or rolling method. move. When the neck portion becomes long in such a usage method, the amount of twisting and bending of the neck portion increases. Therefore, in the miniature size toothbrush 1, it is important to make the maximum width of the neck portion 5 wider and the length shorter than that of a normal toothbrush. When the ratio is within the above range, the load applied to the neck portion 5 becomes small, and twisting and bending of the neck portion 5 are less likely to occur, so that brushing becomes easy.

The neck portion 5 preferably has a flat shape that is longer in the width direction than in the thickness direction. This makes it difficult for the toothbrush to bend in the width direction during brushing, which facilitates cleaning of the teeth. The ratio of the minimum width of the neck portion 5 to the minimum thickness of the neck portion 5 is preferably 0.5 or more and 2.0 or less, and more preferably 0.9 or more and 1.4 or less.

The minimum thickness of the neck portion 5 is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. When the minimum thickness of the neck portion 5 is at least the lower limit value in the above range, it is easy to secure the strength. When the minimum thickness of the neck portion 5 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the neck portion 5 is less likely to hit the mouth during brushing, and operability is easily ensured.
In the toothbrush 1, the minimum thickness of the neck portion 5 is 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and the ratio of the minimum width of the neck portion 5 to the minimum thickness of the neck portion 5 is 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. It is preferable to have.

The ratio of the maximum width of the head portion 3 to the minimum width of the neck portion 5 is preferably 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less, and more preferably 1.3 or more and 2.0 or less. In the toothbrush 1 in which the ratio satisfies the above range, the minimum width of the neck portion is larger than the maximum width of the head portion as compared with a normal toothbrush. When brushing with a normal toothbrush, move it in small steps in the axial direction of the toothbrush, but when removing food residue with a miniature size toothbrush 1, do not brush in the axial direction, but brush the toothbrush in the width direction or rolling method. move. In such a usage, when the neck width becomes small, twisting and bending occur, and brushing becomes difficult. Therefore, in the miniature size toothbrush 1, it is important to make the width of the neck portion wider than the maximum width of the head portion, instead of making the toothbrush similar in shape to a normal toothbrush. When the ratio is within the above range, the load applied to the neck portion 5 becomes small, and twisting and bending of the neck portion 5 are less likely to occur, so that brushing becomes easy. Further, when the ratio is within the above range, it is easy to confirm the teeth and the food residue through the mirror when brushing, and it is easy to remove the food residue.

The length of the handle portion 4 is preferably 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or more and 40 mm or less. When the length of the handle portion 4 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, the handle portion 4 can be easily picked up by a finger. If the length of the handle portion 4 is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the distance between the head portion 3 and the finger holding the handle portion 4 becomes moderately close, and the head portion 3 is suppressed from being excessively moved by a small movement of the finger. Therefore, operability is improved.

The ratio of the length of the handle portion 4 to the maximum width of the handle portion 4 is preferably 5.0 or more and 8.0 or less, and more preferably 5.5 or more and 7.5 or less. When the ratio is within the above range, it becomes easy to finely move the toothbrush 1 by pinching the handle portion 4 with the fingertips of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger so as to wrap the handle portion 4.

The maximum width of the handle portion 4 is preferably 3.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and more preferably 5.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less. When the maximum width of the handle portion 4 is at least the lower limit value in the above range, the handle portion 4 can be easily held, so that operability can be easily ensured. When the maximum width of the handle portion 4 is not more than the upper limit of the above range, the toothbrush 1 is excellent in storage and portability.

The handle portion 4 preferably has a flat shape that is longer in the width direction than in the thickness direction. It becomes easy to hold the handle portion 4 as if it is picked up by a pen grip, the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger, and the finger holding the handle portion 4 is less likely to hit the face. The ratio of the maximum width of the handle portion 4 to the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is preferably 1.0 or more and 3.0 or less, and more preferably 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less.

The maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is preferably 3.0 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, and more preferably 3.5 mm or more and 5.5 mm or less. When the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is at least the lower limit value in the above range, it is easy to secure the strength. When the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is not more than the upper limit of the above range, it is easy to pinch the handle portion with fingers and it is easy to secure operability.
In the toothbrush 1, the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is 3.0 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, and the ratio of the minimum width of the handle portion 4 to the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is 1.0 or more and 3.0 or less. It is preferable to have.

The ratio of the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 to the maximum thickness of the head portion 3 is preferably 1.0 or more and 2.5 or less, and more preferably 1.3 or more and 2.2 or less. In the toothbrush 1 in which the ratio satisfies the above range, the thickness of the head portion is thicker than that of the handle portion as compared with a normal toothbrush. The miniature size toothbrush 1 with a short overall length has a close distance between the hand picking the handle and the face. In this case, if the thickness of the entire flocked portion and the thickness of the head portion constituting the flocked portion are thinner than the thickness of the handle portion, the hand easily hits the face and the operability is deteriorated. Therefore, in the miniature size toothbrush 1, it is important to increase the thickness of the head portion with respect to the handle portion. When the ratio is equal to or higher than the lower limit of the above range, the handle portion 4 can be easily picked up by fingers, and the cleaning property is excellent, and the storage property is also excellent. When the ratio is not more than the upper limit of the range, even if the handle body 2 is short, the finger holding the handle portion 4 is less likely to hit the cheek during brushing, and the operability is improved.

The ratio of the maximum width of the handle portion 4 to the minimum width of the neck portion 5 is preferably 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less, and more preferably 1.3 or more and 2.0 or less. In the toothbrush 1 in which the ratio satisfies the above range, the minimum width of the handle portion is smaller than the minimum width of the neck portion as compared with a normal toothbrush. A normal toothbrush grips the handle with a pen grip or palm grip, but since the miniature size toothbrush 1 has to move finely with the fingertips, it is like wrapping the handle with the fingertips of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. It will be how to hold it. With a toothbrush that has a similar shape to a normal toothbrush and is made smaller, the width of the handle is wide and it is difficult to hold it so that it can be wrapped with three fingers. Therefore, in the miniature size toothbrush 1, it is important to make the maximum width of the handle portion smaller than the minimum width of the neck portion as compared with a normal toothbrush. When the ratio is within the above range, the load applied to the neck portion 5 becomes small, and twisting and bending of the neck portion 5 are less likely to occur, so that brushing becomes easy. Further, when the ratio is within the above range, it becomes easy to pinch the handle portion 4 of the toothbrush 1 and move it finely.

In the toothbrush 1, the maximum width of the head portion 3 is 5.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, the maximum width of the handle portion 4 is 3.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and the maximum width of the neck portion 5 is the head portion 3. It is preferable that the maximum width of the neck portion 5 is equal to or less than the minimum width of the handle portion 4 and the maximum width of the neck portion 5 is equal to or less than the minimum width of the handle portion 4. This makes it easier to hold the toothbrush 1, improves operability, secures a sufficient cleaning function, and improves storability and portability.

Six flocked holes 10 having a circular opening shape are formed on the flocked surface 3a of the head portion 3 of this example. Three hair follicles 10 are formed side by side in two rows in the long axis direction of the handle body 2. As shown in FIG. 3, in each hair transplant hole 10, a hair bundle 12 in which a plurality of hair follicles are bundled is planted to form a hair transplant portion 14. For example, a plurality of hair follicles (filaments) are bundled and folded in half, and a metal retaining tool (not shown) called a flat wire is sandwiched between them and driven into the hair follicles 10 to fill each hair follicle 10. Hair follicles 12 are planted.

The number of hair follicles 10 is not limited to 6, and may be 5 or less, or 7 or more. The number of hair follicles 10 may be one. The number of pores 10 is preferably 4 to 9 in terms of easy removal of food residue between teeth.
The arrangement pattern of the hair follicle holes 10 is not limited to the pattern of the present embodiment, and can be appropriately designed.
The diameter of the hair follicle hole 10 is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

The hair that constitutes the hair bundle 12 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include straight hair, hair that gradually decreases in diameter toward the tip of the hair (tapered hair), and tip-branched hair. Of these, straight hair is preferable because it facilitates the removal of food residues.

The material of the hair for hair is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyolefin (polypropylene and the like), styrene-based elastomer, polyester-based elastomer, and polyurethane-based elastomer.

The shape of the tip portion of the hair bundle 12 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a flat shape, a mountain cutting shape, a dome shape, and an arch shape. Among them, a flat shape and an arch shape are preferable in that the flocked portion 14 hits the tooth on the surface and the food residue can be easily removed.

The hair length H (FIG. 3) based on the flocked surface 3a of the hairs constituting the hair bundle 12 is 7.0 mm or less, preferably 3.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. When the hair length H is equal to or higher than the lower limit of the above range, the finger holding the handle portion 4 is less likely to hit the cheek during brushing, so that the operability is improved. When the hair length H is equal to or less than the upper limit of the above range, the hair is less likely to bend, which improves operability and facilitates fine operation because the distance between the head portion 3 and the tooth surface during brushing is short. ..
The hair diameter is preferably 4.0 mil or more and 6.5 mil or less, and more preferably 5.0 mil or more and 6.0 mil or less.

Since the miniature size toothbrush 1 has a significantly different flocking area and flocking length from a normal toothbrush, if the flocking part specifications are set with the feeling of using a normal toothbrush in mind, the flocking will become very hard. It may damage your gums, or on the contrary, you may not feel the cleaning. Therefore, in the miniature size toothbrush 1, it is necessary to set the specifications of the flocked portion 14 with a different idea from that of a normal toothbrush. The specifications of the flocked portion 14 of the toothbrush 1 satisfy the condition that the hair length is 7 mm or less and the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle 12 is 70 N / cm ² or more and 140 N / cm ² or less. Satisfying these conditions is very important in view of the actual feeling of using the miniature size toothbrush 1. If the actual length of the hair is set in the range of 70 N / cm ^{2 or more and 140 N / cm 2} ^or less with a normal toothbrush, the hair is very hard and there is a risk of damaging the gums. However, in the miniature size toothbrush 1, by setting the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle 12 within the above range, both externality and a feeling of cleaning can be achieved at the same time. In order to keep the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle in the range of 70 N / cm ² or more and 140 N / cm ² or less, it is necessary to carefully design the hair transplant area and hair length, and the normal feeling of use to keep in mind is different. In the design concept of the toothbrush, the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle does not fall within the above range.

The actual length of the hair bundle 12 has a hair waist strength of 70 N / cm ² or more and 140 N / cm ² or less, more preferably 80 N / cm ² or more and 140 N / cm ² or less, and 80 N / cm ² or more and 130 N / cm ² or less. Is even more preferable. When the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle 12 is at least the lower limit value in the above range, the hair bundle 12 is not excessively bent and it is easy to remove dirt, so that the feeling of dirt removal is enhanced. In addition, since the feeling of dirt removal is increased, the user does not need to exert excessive force. When the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle 12 is not more than the upper limit of the above range, it is difficult to feel pain when the hair hits the gums. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from weakening the brushing force in order to avoid pain, and it is easy to obtain a feeling that the stains on the teeth are removed with an appropriate force.
The actual length of the hair is based on the JIS S3106 "hair hardness" test, and the length of the hair for the toothbrush is not trimmed, and the length of the hair is transplanted (actual length). ) Is the value measured using the toothbrush as a sample. The actual length of the hair can be adjusted by adjusting the length and diameter of the hair.

The ratio of the maximum thickness of the head portion 3 to the maximum distance D (FIG. 3) from the back surface 3b of the head portion 3 to the tip of the hair bundle 12 is preferably 20% or more and 40% or less, and more preferably 20% or more and 30% or less. preferable. When the ratio is within the range, it is easy to secure the strength of the head portion 3.

The ratio of the maximum distance D from the back surface 3b of the head portion 3 to the tip of the hair bundle 12 to the maximum thickness of the handle portion 4 is preferably 1.3 or more and 2.0 or less, and 1.3 or more and 1.7 or less. More preferred. When the ratio is equal to or higher than the lower limit of the range, the finger holding the handle portion is less likely to hit the face during brushing, and operability is easily ensured. When the ratio is not more than the upper limit of the range, the distance between the finger holding the handle portion and the tooth becomes short, and it is easy to secure operability.

The toothbrush 1 as described above is not similar to the shape of a general toothbrush, can be easily held even if it is small in size, and has sufficient operability and reachability to the teeth of the head portion, so that it can be sufficiently cleaned. Can exert its function. The toothbrush 1 may be a repetitive type toothbrush or a disposable type toothbrush.

The toothbrush 1 is particularly suitable for removing food residues caught between teeth around the anterior teeth. For example, hold the handle 4 by pinching it with the tips of your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and move the head 3 in the width direction while looking in the mirror to brush or roll the food between the teeth. Remove the residue.

The manufacturing method of the toothbrush 1 is not particularly limited. For example, as the molding method of the handle body 2, injection molding and blow molding can be exemplified, and injection molding is preferable. As the injection molding runner, a cold runner may be used, a hot runner may be used, and a hot runner is preferable. The injection-molded gate is not particularly limited, and for example, a direct gate can be exemplified. The manufactured toothbrushes 1 may be separated one by one, or a plurality of toothbrushes 1 may be connected in the width direction by a runner at the time of injection molding.

As explained above, the toothbrush of the present invention is a miniature size toothbrush with a short handle body. Therefore, it can be used without worrying about the eyes, it is easy to store, and it is inexpensive. In addition, it has a head part of an appropriate size for the total length of the handle body, the hair length is short, and the hair waist strength of the actual length is high, so a sufficient cleaning function is secured and it is caught between teeth. The food residue can be easily removed.

The toothbrush of the present invention is not limited to the toothbrush 1 described above. For example, the toothbrush of the present invention may have a configuration in which a neck portion is not provided between the head portion and the handle portion.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[Examples 1 to 9]
Toothbrush samples of Examples 1 to 9 were prepared in the same manner as the toothbrushes shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 according to the specifications shown in Table 1. PCT was used as the resin constituting the handle body. The diameter of the hair-implanted hole was 1.0 to 1.5 mm, and a hair bundle in which straight hair made of polyamide (Ny) was bundled was planted by flat-line hair transplantation.

[Comparative Examples 1 to 3]
The same toothbrush samples as in Examples 1 to 9 were prepared except that the specifications were changed to those shown in Table 1.

[Evaluation method]
After 10 expert panels carry the toothbrush sample and brush it on the go, (1) storability, portability, ease of removal, (2) toothbrush operability, (3) cleaning feeling (polishing with moderate force) ) Was evaluated. In each evaluation, 7 points were given for "very good", 4 points for "neither", and 1 point for "very bad". The evaluation points of 10 people were averaged and judged according to the following criteria. The evaluation results of each example are shown in Table 1.
(criterion)
A: The average evaluation score is 6.6 points or higher.
B: The average evaluation score is 5.6 points or more and less than 6.6 points.
C: The average evaluation score is 4.6 points or more and less than 5.6 points.
D: The average evaluation score is 4.0 points or more and less than 4.6 points.
E: The average evaluation score is less than 4.0 points.

As shown in Table 1, Example 1 in which the total length of the handle body, the ratio of the length of the head portion to the total length of the handle body, the hair length of the hair, and the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle are in an appropriate range. In 9 to 9, the storability, portability, ease of taking out, operability of the toothbrush, and the feeling of cleaning were all good results.
On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, in which one or more of the total length of the handle body, the ratio of the length of the head portion to the total length of the handle body, the hair length of the hair, and the hair waist strength of the actual length of the hair bundle is inappropriate. , The operability of the toothbrush and the feeling of cleaning were insufficient. In Comparative Example 2 in which the overall length of the handle body is long, the evaluation of storability, portability, and ease of taking out was also poor.

1 ... toothbrush, 2 ... handle body, 3 ... head part, 3a ... flocked surface, 3b ... back, 4 ... handle part, 5 ... neck part, 10 ... flocked hole, 12 ... hair bundle, 14 ... flocked part.

Claims

A handle body including a head portion having a flocked surface and a handle portion provided on the rear end side of the head portion is provided.
A toothbrush in which hair follicles are planted in the flocked holes formed on the flocked surface.
The total length of the handle body is 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less.
The ratio of the length of the head portion to the total length of the handle body is 5% or more and 25% or less.
The hair length of the hairs constituting the hair bundle with respect to the flocked surface is 7.0 mm or less, and the hair length is 7.0 mm or less.
A toothbrush having an actual length of the hair bundle having a hair waist strength of 70 N / cm 2 or more and 140 N / cm 2 or less.
The handle body further includes a neck portion connecting the head portion and the handle portion.
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the neck portion has a length of 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of the handle portion to the maximum thickness of the head portion is 1.0 or more and 2.5 or less.
The toothbrush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the ratio of the maximum width of the head portion to the minimum width of the neck portion is 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the ratio of the maximum width of the handle portion to the minimum width of the neck portion is 1.2 or more and 2.5 or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the ratio of the length of the neck portion to the maximum width of the neck portion is 5.0 or more and 8.0 or less.
The maximum width of the head portion is 5.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and the maximum width of the handle portion is 3.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the maximum width of the neck portion is not less than the minimum width of the head portion and not more than the minimum width of the handle portion.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the total length of the head portion and the neck portion is 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less, and the length of the handle portion is 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ratio of the length of the handle portion to the maximum width of the handle portion is 5.0 or more and 8.0 or less.