JP6385024B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush.
This application claims priority on March 9, 2016 based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-045368 for which it applied to Japan, and uses the content for it here.

In order to prevent 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 to enhance the plaque removal effect. For example, by making the head portion of the toothbrush thin and the neck portion thin, the hair can reach the back of the back tooth (the back throat side of the back tooth) that is difficult to reach with a normal toothbrush. Patent Document 1 describes a toothbrush having a thin head portion and excellent operability in the oral cavity.
On the other hand, for consumers with periodontal diseases, it is important to remove dirt from the periodontal pocket by brushing with a toothbrush and massage the gums. To remove dirt from periodontal pockets and massage gingiva, it is necessary to bend the hairs appropriately. To date, toothbrushes with densely-thinning hairs and toothbrushes using extremely fine tips are proposed. Has been.

JP-A-7-143914

However, if the head part of the toothbrush is simply made thin in order to increase the cleaning power for the back of the back tooth, etc., which is difficult to reach with a normal toothbrush, the bending resistance of the head part and the pull-out strength of the hair bundle are lowered, and the quality of the toothbrush is lowered. Further, by making the head portion thin, the user's feeling of use is impaired, for example, the head portion is easily bent during use, and the hair bundle spreads. Therefore, there is a limit to making the head portion thinner.
In addition, the feeling of use can be enhanced by increasing the deflection of the hair and making the contact with the gums better. However, if the deflection of the bristle is too large, the penetration of the bristle into the periodontal pocket will be reduced, the cleaning power will be reduced, the openness will be large, and the durability of the toothbrush will be reduced. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that is excellent in cleaning power and excellent in use feeling.

The present invention has the following configuration.
[1] A handle body including a head portion, a neck portion extending to the head portion, and a handle portion extending to the neck portion is provided, and a hair bundle is implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion. And
The handle body is made of polypropylene resin,
The head portion has a thickness of 2.0 to 4.0 mm;
When the deflection amount of the head portion measured by the following method (α) is A, and the deflection amount of the neck portion measured by the following method (β) is B,
A value X of the deflection amount (A / L2) of the head portion per length L2 (mm) of the head portion is 0.015 to 0.045,
The ratio Y between the value Y of the amount of deflection (B / (L2 + L3)) of the neck portion per the sum of the length L2 (mm) of the head portion and the length L3 (mm) of the neck portion, and Y / X is 0.8-2.0, The toothbrush characterized by the above-mentioned.
Method (α): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state in which the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the head portion and the neck portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In the fixed state, a weight of 200 g is further suspended at a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the long axis direction of the head portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount A of the head portion.
Method (β): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state where the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the neck portion and the handle portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In a fixed state, a 200 g weight is suspended at a position of 50 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the longitudinal direction of the flocked portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount B of the neck portion.
[2] A handle body including a head portion, a neck portion extending to the head portion, and a handle portion extending to the neck portion is provided, and a hair bundle is implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion. And
The handle body is made of polyacetal resin,
The head portion has a thickness of 2.0 to 4.0 mm;
When the deflection amount of the head portion measured by the following method (α) is A, and the deflection amount of the neck portion measured by the following method (β) is B,
A value X of the deflection amount (A / L2) of the head portion per length L2 (mm) of the head portion is 0.027 to 0.035,
The ratio Y between the value Y of the amount of deflection (B / (L2 + L3)) of the neck portion per the sum of the length L2 (mm) of the head portion and the length L3 (mm) of the neck portion, and Y / X is 1.0-1.4, The toothbrush characterized by the above-mentioned.
Method (α): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state in which the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the head portion and the neck portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In the fixed state, a weight of 200 g is further suspended at a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the long axis direction of the head portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount A of the head portion.
Method (β): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state where the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the neck portion and the handle portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In a fixed state, a 200 g weight is suspended at a position of 50 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the longitudinal direction of the flocked portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount B of the neck portion.
[3] The toothbrush according to [1] or [2], wherein a minimum width of the neck portion is 3.0 to 4.5 mm.
[4] The toothbrush according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein a minimum thickness of the neck portion is 3.0 to 4.5 mm.

  The toothbrush of the present invention is excellent in cleaning power and excellent in use feeling.

It is a top view of a toothbrush concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of a toothbrush concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the measuring method of the deflection amount of a head part. It is a figure explaining the measuring method of the deflection amount of a head part. It is a figure explaining the measuring method of hair tip intensity.

[First invention]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the toothbrush of the first invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The toothbrush 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes a head portion 2 having a substantially square shape in plan view, a neck portion 4 extending to the head portion 2, and a handle portion 6 extending to the neck portion 4 (hereinafter referred to as head portion 2). And the neck portion 4 and the handle portion 6 are also referred to as a handle body 10). The head portion 2 is provided with a flocked portion (not shown).

The handle body 10 is integrally formed in a long shape as a whole. For example, the handle body 10 is obtained by injection molding using a resin as a material.
As the material of the handle body, polypropylene resin (PP), polyacetal resin (POM), polystyrene resin (PS), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), pore relate Examples thereof include a resin, a polycarbonate resin, an acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS), and a polyester resin (PCTA). Among these, PP, POM, and PBT are preferable, and PP and POM are more preferable from the viewpoint of high strength and excellent moldability. In addition, PP is particularly preferable as the material of the handle body because the effects of the present invention can be further obtained at lower cost.
As for said resin, 1 type may be used independently and 2 or more types may be used in combination.
The bending elastic modulus of the material of the handle body is preferably 1200 to 3000 MPa, and more preferably 1500 to 3000 MPa. If the flexural modulus of the handle body material is in the above range, the amount of deflection of the head can be set to an appropriate value, improving the oral cleaning power and operability, and improving the user's feeling of use. It leads to. In addition, the bending elastic modulus of the material of the handle body is measured according to JIS K7171.
In addition, the handle body 10 may be partially or entirely covered with a soft resin. Since part or all of the handle portion 6 is covered with the soft resin, the gripping property when the user grips the handle portion 6 is further improved. Examples of the soft resin include elastomer resins such as polyolefin-based elastomers, styrene-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, and silicon resins.

  The length L1 of the handle body 10 can be determined in consideration of operability and the like, and is, for example, 150 to 200 mm.

The head portion 2 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in which the length direction of the handle body 10 is long, and four apexes are cut off by a curve in plan view. A plurality of flocking holes 22 are formed on one surface (flocking surface 20) of the head portion 2. A hair bundle in which hairs are bundled is planted in the flock hole 22 to form a flocked portion composed of a plurality of hair bundles.
In addition, in this specification, planar view means seeing a toothbrush from the flocked surface side of a head part. The direction parallel to the flocked surface 20 and orthogonal to the length direction of the handle body 10 is defined as the width, and the direction orthogonal to the flocked surface 20 is defined as the thickness. In addition, the side where the flocked surface 20 faces is the front surface, and the side opposite to the side where the flocked surface 20 faces is the back surface.
In plan view, the head portion 2 expands in the width direction from the tip 9 toward the neck portion 4, then extends in the same width, then narrows in the width direction, and reaches the boundary P <b> 1 with the neck portion 4.

In the present embodiment, the boundary P1 is an end point of a curve that forms a corner cut from the neck portion 4 in the planar view shape of the head portion 2, that is, a position where the bending direction of the curve that forms the corner cut changes. That is, the boundary P1 between the head part and the neck part is a curved line or straight line that widens from a curved line or straight line R1 that forms both edges in which the width of the corner part of the head part in the head part becomes narrower in plan view, or This is the position where the width changes to the same straight line. Further, in the case of a toothbrush whose width becomes wider as the neck portion moves toward the handle portion in a plan view, the boundary P1 coincides with a position having the smallest width in the head portion and the neck portion in a plan view.
In addition, for example, like the toothbrush in which the head portion and the neck portion are formed with the same width, it may be difficult to specify the position of the boundary P1. In this case, a position 17.5% from the tip 9 of the handle body 10 with respect to the length L1 (for example, a position 31.5 mm from the tip 9 of the handle body 10 when the length L1 is 180 mm). Let it be a boundary P1.

The size of the head portion 2 can be determined in consideration of the operability in the oral cavity.
If the maximum width W1 of the head portion 2 is too large, the operability in the oral cavity is lowered, and if it is too small, the number of hair bundles to be implanted becomes too small, and the cleaning power tends to be impaired. For this reason, the width W1 is 5 to 13 mm, for example.
The thickness T1 of the head portion 2 is preferably 2.0 to 4.0 mm, more preferably 2.0 to 3.5 mm, and even more preferably 2.5 to 3.2 mm. When the thickness T1 is equal to or more than the lower limit value, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in the head portion 2. Furthermore, it becomes easy to form the flock holes 22 in the thickness direction, and it becomes easy to firmly plant the hair bundles in the flock holes 22 and to prevent the hair bundles from coming out. Moreover, the operativity in the oral cavity of the toothbrush 1 is improved more as thickness T1 is below the said upper limit. Furthermore, the hair can reach all corners of the oral cavity such as the back of the back teeth, and the effect of removing dirt in the oral cavity is further enhanced.
When the thickness of the head part 2 is not constant, T1 means the minimum thickness of the head part 2.
If the length L2 of the head portion 2 is too long, the operability in the oral cavity is liable to be impaired. If the length L2 is too short, the number of hair bundles to be implanted becomes too small and the cleaning effect is liable to be impaired. For this reason, length L2 is suitably determined, for example in the range of 10-40 mm.

The shape of the flocking hole 22 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a circle such as a perfect circle or an ellipse, and a polygon such as a triangle or a rectangle.
The quantity of the flock hole 22 is not specifically limited, For example, you may be 10-60.
The diameter of the flock hole 22 is determined according to the desired thickness of the hair bundle, and is, for example, 1 to 3 mm.
The arrangement pattern of the flock holes 22 is not particularly limited, and may be any arrangement pattern such as a so-called grid pattern or zigzag pattern.

As the hair constituting the hair bundle, the hair whose diameter gradually decreases toward the hair tip (tapered hair), the hair whose outer diameter is substantially the same except for the rounded portion of the hair tip (straight hair), Examples include hair for which the hair tip is in the shape of a spatula, a sphere, a tip crack, or the like.
As the hair, tapered hair is preferable. By making the bristles into tapered hairs, the effect of removing dirt such as periodontal pockets can be enhanced. Furthermore, the massage effect of gingiva is enhanced and the feeling of use is further improved.

Examples of the hair material include polyamide such as 6-12 nylon and 6-10 nylon, PET, PBT, polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), and the like. Examples thereof include synthetic resin materials such as polyolefins such as polyester and polypropylene, olefin elastomers, and styrene elastomers. These resin materials may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.
Further, the bristle may have a multi-core structure having a core part and at least one or more sheath parts provided outside the core part.

  The cross-sectional shape of the bristles is preferably a perfect circle, but is not necessarily limited to a true circle, and can be any shape depending on the intended use of the toothbrush 1. For example, an ellipse, a polygon (for example, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.), an irregular shape (for example, a star shape, a three-leaf clover shape, a four-leaf clover shape, etc.) can be used.

The thickness of each hair is not particularly limited. For example, when the cross section is a true circle, 4 to 8 mil (1 mil = 1/1000 inch = 0.025 mm) is preferable. If it is more than the lower limit, the self-supporting property is improved and the cleaning property is higher, and if it is not more than the upper limit, the fluff of the hair bundle 11 becomes moderate and the contact feeling becomes better.
The hairs constituting the hair bundle 11 may all have the same thickness, or two or more different types of hairs may be combined.

  The hair length of the hair is preferably 8 mm to 15 mm for adults and 6 mm to 12 mm for children, for example. In addition, from the viewpoint of usability in the oral cavity and usability, it is preferable to shorten the hair length of the hair as the diameter of the hair selected is smaller. Further, a plurality of hairs having different thicknesses may be used in combination depending on purposes such as a feeling of use, a feeling of cleaning, a cleaning effect, and durability.

The neck portion 4 connects the head portion 2 and the handle portion 6.
In the present embodiment, the neck portion 4 extends from the boundary P <b> 1 toward the handle portion 6 with substantially the same diameter, and then expands to reach the boundary P <b> 2 with the handle portion 6. The boundary P2 is the end point of the diameter expansion of the neck portion 4, that is, the position where the bending direction of the curve forming the both ends of the straight line forming both edges of the widening portion or the curved line forming both edges of the widening portion changes in plan view. It is. In FIG. 1A, the boundary P2 between the neck portion and the handle portion is a position where the width changes from a straight line or a curve R2 that forms both edges of a portion where the width of the neck portion widens in a plan view to a curve that gradually decreases in width. is there.
It may be difficult to specify the position of the boundary P2 like a toothbrush in which the neck portion and the handle portion are formed with the same width. In this case, the position of 42.2% from the tip 9 of the handle body 10 with respect to the length L1 (for example, the position of 76.0 mm from the tip 9 of the handle body 10 when the length L1 is 180 mm). The boundary is P2.

The width W2 of the neck portion 4 is preferably 3.0 to 4.5 mm, and more preferably 3.0 to 4.2 mm. When the width W2 is equal to or greater than the lower limit, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in terms of bending resistance at the neck portion 4. Furthermore, the toothbrush 1 does not become too soft, and it is easy to obtain a good feeling of use due to appropriate bending. Moreover, the operativity in the oral cavity of the toothbrush 1 is improved as the width W2 is below the said upper limit. Further, the hair can reach every corner of the oral cavity, and the dirt removal effect in the oral cavity is further enhanced.
When the width of the neck portion 4 is not constant, the width W2 means the minimum width of the neck portion 4.

The thickness T2 of the neck portion 4 is preferably 3.0 to 4.5 mm, and more preferably 3.0 to 4.2 mm. When the thickness T2 is equal to or greater than the lower limit, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in terms of bending resistance in the neck portion 4. Furthermore, the toothbrush 1 does not become too soft, and it is easy to obtain a good feeling of use due to appropriate bending. Moreover, the operativity in the oral cavity of the toothbrush 1 is improved as thickness T2 is below the said upper limit. Further, the hair can reach every corner of the oral cavity, and the dirt removal effect in the oral cavity is further enhanced.
When the thickness of the neck portion 4 is not constant, the thickness T2 means the minimum thickness of the neck portion 4.

The minimum diameter of the neck portion 4 is preferably 3.0 to 4.5 mm, and more preferably 3.0 to 4.2 mm. When the minimum diameter of the neck portion 4 is equal to or larger than the lower limit value, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in terms of bending resistance in the neck portion 4. Furthermore, the toothbrush 1 does not become too soft, and it is easy to obtain a good feeling of use due to appropriate bending. Moreover, the operativity in the oral cavity of the toothbrush 1 is improved as the minimum diameter of the neck part 4 is below the said upper limit. Further, the hair can reach every corner of the oral cavity, and the dirt removal effect in the oral cavity is further enhanced.
The minimum diameter of the neck portion 4 means the smaller one of the width W2 and the thickness T2, that is, the smaller one of the minimum width and the minimum thickness of the neck portion 4. In the neck portion, it is more preferable that the minimum thickness and the minimum width are the same, or the minimum width is smaller than the minimum thickness, and the minimum width is 3.0 to 4.5 mm.

  The length L3 of the neck portion 4 can be determined in consideration of the length L2 of the head portion and the like, and is, for example, a length of 30 to 90 mm, more preferably 30 to 60 mm. When the length L3 is equal to or greater than the above lower limit value, it is easy to reach the hair to every corner in the oral cavity, and the dirt removal effect in the oral cavity is further enhanced. When the length L3 is not more than the above upper limit value, the operability of the toothbrush 1 in the oral cavity can be further enhanced.

(Bending amount A of the head part 2)
The deflection amount A of the head part is measured by the following method (α).
Method (α):
The height of the tip of the handle body in a state in which the position of the boundary P1 between the head portion and the neck portion of the toothbrush is fixed with the flocked surface of the head portion facing upward is taken as the reference height. Further, with the position of the boundary P1 fixed, a weight of 200 g is suspended at a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length in the major axis direction of the flocked portion in the head portion for 10 seconds. The amount of displacement (unit: mm) of the height of the rear end of the handle body from the reference height is defined as a deflection amount A of the head portion.
The “length in the major axis direction of the flocked portion” refers to the tip of the flocked hole located on the most distal side when the head portion is viewed in plan and the rear end of the flocked hole located on the most rear end side. Means distance.
For example, when the width of the portion from the head portion of the neck portion is the same in plan view, the width is measured while gradually changing the position toward the head portion in the portion of the neck portion from the head portion, and the portion having the same width The boundary position P1 is the position at which the width starts to increase. Also, when the width of the portion from the head portion of the neck portion in the plan view becomes narrower as it approaches the head portion, the width of the portion of the neck portion from the head portion is gradually changed toward the head portion. And the position where the width is minimum is defined as the boundary P1.

In the present invention, the deflection amount A of the head portion 2 is measured as follows.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the toothbrush 1 is fixed using the jig 100 at the position (boundary P1) in the neck portion with the finest detail so that the flocked surface 20 faces upward. At this time, the height of the tip 9 of the handle member 10 and the reference height H _0.
Then, as shown in Figure 2B, the weight 102 of the 200 g, suspended position of S, the handle body 10 height of the tip 9 of the 10 seconds is measured, and the height and _{H 1.} The S is a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the long axis direction of the flocked portion. For example, when the flocked portion is 19 mm, S is a position 2.0 mm from the tip.
Next, the absolute value of the difference between H ₁ and H ₀ is obtained as a (unit is mm). The a is measured by, for example, a height gauge. The measurement is performed at room temperature 25 ± 3 ° C.
The above measurement is performed five times, and the average value of a is defined as the deflection amount A of the head portion 2.

The deflection amount A is preferably 0.4 to 3.0, more preferably 0.4 to 2.5, and still more preferably 0.4 to 2.0. Further, the deflection amount A is preferably 0.5 to 3.0, more preferably 0.5 to 2.5, and still more preferably 0.5 to 2.0. When the deflection amount A is within the above range, the head part 2 itself is appropriately bent, and the suppleness of the hair transplanted part implanted in the head part 2 is expressed, so that the touching feeling against the gingiva, that is, the feeling of use becomes better. Further, when the deflection amount A is equal to or more than the lower limit value, the feeling of use becomes good. When the deflection amount A is equal to or less than the upper limit value, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in the head portion 2. Furthermore, the toothbrush 1 does not become too soft, and good oral operability and cleaning power are easily obtained.
The deflection amount A is adjusted by adjusting the bending elastic modulus of the material of the head portion 2 (that is, the material of the handle body 10), the thickness, the width, and the like of the head portion 2.

(Bend amount B of neck 4)
The amount of deflection B of the neck portion is measured by the following method (β).
Method (β):
The height of the tip of the handle body in a state where the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the neck portion and the handle portion of the toothbrush is fixed is defined as the reference height. In the fixed state, a weight of 200 g is suspended at a position of 50 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length in the major axis direction of the flocked portion in the head portion, and the tip of the handle body after 10 seconds is suspended. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height is defined as a deflection amount B of the neck portion.

In the present invention, the deflection amount B of the neck portion 4 is different from the measurement method of the deflection amount A of the head portion 2 in the position (boundary P1) where the toothbrush 1 is fixed with the jig 100 and the position S where the weight 102 is suspended. Except for this, it is measured in the same manner as the deflection amount A of the head portion 2.
In the measurement of the deflection amount B of the neck portion 4, the position where the toothbrush 1 is fixed by the jig 100 is a boundary P2. Further, S is a position of 50 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the long axis direction. For example, when the flocked portion is 19 mm, S is 9.5 mm from the tip.
Then, similar to the method for measuring the deflection amount A of the head portion 2, a reference height H ₀ before hanging the weight 102, the absolute of the difference between the height H ₁ of the after hanging the weight 102 10 seconds A value (unit: mm) is obtained. The measurement is performed at room temperature 25 ± 3 ° C. This measurement is performed five times, and the average value is defined as a deflection amount B of the neck portion 4.

The deflection amount B is preferably 2.1 to 5.0, more preferably 2.3 to 4.5, and still more preferably 2.5 to 4.0. When the bending amount B is in the above range, the neck portion 4 is appropriately bent, an appropriate cushioning property is expressed, and the contact feeling of the flocked portion with respect to the gingiva becomes better. Moreover, if the amount of deflection B is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the hair can reach all corners of the oral cavity such as the back of the back teeth, and the cleaning power in the oral cavity is further enhanced. Furthermore, the penetration property of the hair to a periodontal pocket improves and the cleaning power of a periodontal pocket is improved more. When the deflection amount B is equal to or less than the upper limit value, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in the neck portion 4. Furthermore, the toothbrush 1 does not become too soft, and a good feeling of use is easily obtained.
The amount of bending B is adjusted by adjusting the bending elastic modulus of the material of the neck portion 4 (that is, the material of the handle body 10), the minimum diameter of the neck portion, the cross-sectional shape of the boundary P2, and the like.

  The product (A × B) of the deflection amount A of the head portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is 0.8 to 10, more preferably 1 to 10, further preferably 1 to 6, and 1 to 3. 5 is more preferable. Further, (A × B) is preferably 2 to 10. When (A × B) is in the above range, an appropriate deflection in which the head portion 2 and the neck portion 4 cooperate is obtained. Thereby, when the hair transplantation part is slid with respect to the site | part to be cleaned (a tooth | gear, gingiva etc.), the flexibility and cushioning property of a hair transplantation part express, and the contact | win feeling of a hair transplantation part becomes favorable. Moreover, the lower limit of (A × B) is 0.8 or more, and preferably 1 or more. Moreover, 2 or more is preferable. When (A × B) is equal to or more than the lower limit value, moderate bending can be obtained, so that the contact feeling with the gums is good, a high massage effect is obtained with respect to the gums, and the usability is improved. The upper limit of (A × B) is 10 or less, preferably 6 or less, and more preferably 3.5 or less. When (A × B) is equal to or less than the upper limit value, it is possible to suppress a region formed by the head portion 2 and the neck portion 4 from being excessively bent, thereby reducing the operability and the cleaning power. Moreover, it can suppress that the massage effect with respect to the gum by the said excessive bending falls, or when a user feels it soft when using the toothbrush 1. FIG. Furthermore, the strength of the toothbrush 1 is increased and the durability is improved.

The deflection amount A and the deflection amount B are preferably A <B. When A <B, the operability of the toothbrush 1 is further enhanced.
Further, the difference (B−A) between the deflection amount A and the deflection amount B is preferably 1 or more, preferably 1.5 or more, and more preferably 2 or more. When (B-A) is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the amount of bending of the neck portion 4 with respect to the head portion 2 can be kept large, the cushioning property can be improved, and the comfort against the gingiva can be improved. It becomes easier to feel the massage effect.
Further, (BA) is preferably 4 or less, and more preferably 3 or less. When (B-A) is equal to or less than the upper limit value, the amount of bending of the neck portion 4 with respect to the head portion 2 does not become too large, and the operability in the oral cavity is easily improved. Furthermore, it becomes easy to suppress that a user feels weak when using the toothbrush 1.
(BA) is preferably 1 to 4, and more preferably 1 to 3.
Moreover, 1.5-5.0 are preferable and, as for ratio (B / A) of the deflection amount B and the deflection amount A, 1.8-4.8 are more preferable.

(Bending amount A ′ of the head part 2)
The head portion deflection A ′ is measured by the following method (α ′).
Method (α '):
The height of the tip of the handle body in a state in which the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the position shifted by 10 mm toward the handle portion side from the position of the boundary between the head portion and the neck portion of the toothbrush is fixed as the reference height. To do. In the fixed state, a weight of 200 g is suspended at a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length in the major axis direction of the flocked portion in the head portion, and the tip of the handle body after 10 seconds is suspended. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height is defined as a deflection amount A ′ of the head portion.

In the present invention, the deflection amount A ′ of the head portion 2 is the deflection amount of the head portion 2 except that the position (boundary P1) where the toothbrush 1 is fixed by the jig 100 is different from the method of measuring the deflection amount A of the head portion 2. Measured in the same manner as A.
In the measurement of the deflection amount A ′ of the head part 2, the position where the toothbrush 1 is fixed by the jig 100 is a position P3 which is shifted 10 mm from the position of the boundary P1 to the handle part side in the long axis direction.
Then, similar to the method for measuring the deflection amount A of the head portion 2, the absolute difference from the reference height H ₀ of the front, the height H ₁ of the after hanging the weight 102 10 seconds to suspend the weight 102 The value (unit is mm) is measured. The measurement is performed at room temperature 25 ± 3 ° C. This measurement is performed five times, and the average value is defined as a deflection amount A ′ of the head portion 2.

The amount of deflection A ′ is preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 4, and still more preferably 1 to 3. When the amount of bending A ′ is within the above range, the head portion 2 itself bends moderately, and the suppleness of the flocked portion implanted in the head portion 2 is expressed, and the contact feeling against the gingiva, that is, the feeling of use becomes better. . Further, when the deflection amount A ′ is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, the feeling of use becomes good. When the deflection amount A ′ is equal to or less than the upper limit value, it is easy to ensure sufficient strength in the head portion 2. Furthermore, the toothbrush 1 does not become too soft, and good oral operability and cleaning power are easily obtained.
The deflection amount A ′ is adjusted by adjusting the bending elastic modulus of the material of the head portion 2 (that is, the material of the handle body 10), the thickness, the width, and the like of the head portion 2.

  The product (A ′ × B) of the deflection amount A ′ of the head portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is preferably 2.5 to 12, more preferably 3 to 12, still more preferably 3 to 10, 7 is more preferable. When (A ′ × B) is within the above range, it is easy to obtain an appropriate deflection in which the head portion 2 and the neck portion 4 cooperate. Thereby, when the hair transplant part is slid with respect to the site | part to be cleaned (a tooth | gear, gingiva etc.), the flexibility and cushioning property of a hair transplant part will express, and the contact | win feeling of a hair transplant part becomes more favorable. Further, (A ′ × B) is 2.5 or more, and preferably 3 or more. When (A ′ × B) is equal to or more than the lower limit value, moderate bending can be obtained, so that the feeling of contact with the gingiva is better, a higher massage effect is obtained for the gingiva, and the feeling of use is further increased. improves. (A ′ × B) is 12 or less, preferably 10 or less, and more preferably 7 or less. When (A ′ × B) is equal to or less than the upper limit value, it is possible to suppress a region formed by the head portion 2 and the neck portion 4 from being bent excessively, thereby reducing the operability and the cleaning power. It becomes easy. Moreover, it can suppress that the massage effect with respect to the gum by the said excessive bending falls, or when a user uses the toothbrush 1, it feels weak. Furthermore, the strength of the toothbrush 1 is increased and the durability is further improved.

  Further, the ratio (B / A ′) of the deflection amount B and the deflection amount A ′ is preferably 0.8 to 2.5, more preferably 0.9 to 2.0.

(Brush tip strength)
The tip end strength of the hair constituting the hair bundle is measured as follows.
As a measuring device, an ISO hair stiffness tester is used. The ISO bristle strength tester 200 shown in FIG. 3 includes a reference surface 202 and a ladder 204 disposed on the reference surface. The ladder 204 includes a plurality of cylindrical rod-shaped bodies (stainless steel, diameter: 3 mm). The rod-like bodies are arranged in parallel with each other at a constant interval (at intervals of 10 mm between the centers of the rod-like bodies).
First, the toothbrush 1 is installed in the testing machine 200. At that time, the tip of the bristle planted on the head portion 2 of the toothbrush 1 is brought into contact with the reference surface 202 of the testing machine 200. And the maximum resistance value when the head part 2 is slid horizontally with respect to the reference plane 202 is obtained, and this is used as the tip strength of the hair. The sliding direction of the head part 2 is a direction in which the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 and the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped body are perpendicular to each other. The sliding speed of the head unit 2 is 10 mm / min.

  The hair tip strength of the hair is preferably 1.7 to 3.0N, and more preferably 1.9 to 2.8N. When the tip strength of the hair is within the above-mentioned preferable range, the ability to remove plaque is further enhanced, and the comfort of the hair against the gingiva is further improved, and the usability is further enhanced.

The toothbrush 1 of this embodiment is manufactured according to the manufacturing method of a conventionally well-known toothbrush. For example, the handle body 10 is molded by injecting hard resin into a mold. Next, the toothbrush 1 is obtained by implanting a hair bundle on the flocked surface 20 of the obtained handle body 10. As a method of planting the hair bundle, for example, the hair bundle is folded in half and a flat wire sandwiched between them is driven into the flock hole 22 to plant the hair bundle, and the lower end of the hair bundle is planted. In-mold method that molds the flocked part by injecting the molten resin into the mold after forming the molten lump by heating the lower end of the hair bundle into the molten resin that is pressed into the molten resin to be fixed Is mentioned.
The toothbrush of 1st invention is especially effective when it is set as the toothbrush which flocked the hair | bristle bundle by flat wire type | formula flocking. When flat wire type flocking is adopted, a load due to flat wire driving is applied to the head portion. Therefore, the thinner the head portion, the lower the strength against deformation when a force is applied. In the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, by giving an appropriate flexibility to the neck portion, the force applied to the head portion when brushing teeth can be distributed from the head portion to the entire neck portion. Therefore, in the case of flat wire type flocking, the effect of the present invention can be obtained particularly remarkably.
In particular, in the case of a toothbrush with a flat wire type flocking using a low-strength polypropylene resin as the material of the handle body, the value X of the head portion deflection (A / L2) per head portion length (L2) is set to 0.015. ˜0.045, the ratio Y of the neck portion deflection amount (B / (L2 + L3)) per the sum of the lengths of the head portion and neck portion (L2 + L3) (B / (L2 + L3)), and the ratio Y / X is 0. .8 to 2.0 is preferable. X is preferably 0.018 to 0.45, more preferably 0.018 to 0.040, and in this case, Y / X is preferably 0.9 to 2.0, More preferably, it is set to .9 to 1.9.
In addition, in the case of a toothbrush by flat wire flocking using a high strength polyacetal resin as a handle material, when the X is 0.027 to 0.035, preferably 0.029 to 0.032, the Y / X Is preferably 1.0 to 1.4, and more preferably 1.0 to 1.3.

The usage method of the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
First, the handle portion 6 is gripped. The form in which the handle portion 6 is gripped is not particularly limited, and may be a palm grip type or a pen grip type. Usually, in order to perform cleaning while applying pressure to the target portion, the handle portion 6 is gripped by placing a thumb or the like near the boundary P2 at the rear end of the neck portion in any gripping form.
Next, the head portion 2 is inserted into the oral cavity, and the flocked portion is slid to the site to be cleaned while pressing the handle portion 6. The force applied to the handle part 6 is transmitted to the head part 2 through the neck part 4, and further transmitted from the head part 2 to the hair transplantation part, so that the hair transplantation part is cleaned while applying pressure to the site to be cleaned. At this time, since the product (A × B) of the deflection amount A of the head portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is 0.8 to 10, an appropriate deflection in which the head portion and the neck portion cooperate is obtained. As a result, the bristles implanted in the head portion 2 of the toothbrush 1 can be easily delivered to every corner of the oral cavity such as the back of the back teeth, and the cleaning power in the oral cavity is enhanced. Furthermore, it is easy to allow hair to enter the periodontal pocket, and the cleaning power of the periodontal pocket is enhanced. In addition, by obtaining appropriate bending, the suppleness and cushioning properties of the flocked portion are improved, the contact feeling of the flocked portion with respect to the gingiva is improved, a good massage effect for the gingiva is obtained, and the feeling of use is enhanced.
Further, when the product (A ′ × B) of the deflection amount A ′ of the head portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is 2.5 to 12, an appropriate deflection in which the head portion and the neck portion cooperate is further obtained. It becomes easy. Thereby, the cleaning power, such as the back of the back teeth and the periodontal pocket in the oral cavity, is further enhanced, and a good massage effect on the gums can be easily obtained, and the feeling of use is further enhanced.

Further, when the thickness T1 of the head part 2 is 2.0 to 4.0 mm and the minimum diameter of the neck part 4 is 3.0 to 4.5 mm, the hairs implanted in the head part 2 Can be more easily delivered to every corner of the oral cavity such as the back of the back teeth, and the cleaning power in the oral cavity is further enhanced. Furthermore, the operability of the toothbrush 1 is further improved.
Further, when the bristle tip strength is 1.7 to 3.0 N, it becomes easier for hair to enter the periodontal pocket, and the cleaning power of the periodontal pocket is further enhanced. Furthermore, the feeling of hitting the gums becomes better and the feeling of use is further enhanced.

[Second invention]
The toothbrush of the second invention includes a head portion in which the bristles are planted, a neck portion extended to the head portion, and a handle portion extended to the neck portion, and a deflection amount A ′ of the head portion. The toothbrush is characterized in that a product (A ′ × B) of the neck portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is 2.5 to 12. The toothbrush of the second invention is the first except that it is essential that the product (A ′ × B) of the deflection amount A ′ of the head portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is 2.5 to 12. A mode similar to the toothbrush of the invention can be adopted, and a preferable mode is also the same.
A ′ × B is as described in the first invention.

  In the toothbrush of the second invention, since the product (A ′ × B) of the deflection amount A ′ of the head portion and the deflection amount B of the neck portion is 2.5 to 12, the head portion and the neck portion cooperate. Appropriate bending can be obtained. As a result, the bristles implanted in the head portion of the toothbrush can be easily delivered to every corner of the oral cavity such as the back of the back teeth, and the cleaning power in the oral cavity is enhanced. Furthermore, it is easy to allow hair to enter the periodontal pocket, and the cleaning power of the periodontal pocket is enhanced. In addition, by obtaining an appropriate amount of bending, the suppleness and cushioning properties of the flocked portion are improved, the comfort of the flocked portion against the gingiva is improved, a good massage effect on the gingiva is obtained, and the feeling of use is enhanced.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
The materials used in this example are as follows.
<Handle body>
・ POM-1 (flexural modulus: 2600 MPa)
PP-1 (flexural modulus: 1900 MPa)
PP-2 (flexural modulus: 1400 MPa)
<Bristles>
・ PBT

(Examples 1-3, Comparative Examples 1-2)
A toothbrush similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B was produced. The length L1 of the handle body of the toothbrush of each example is 180 mm, the head portion thickness T1, the head portion length L2, the head portion width W1, the neck portion minimum diameter T2, and the neck portion length L3. The width of the boundary P2 and the thickness of the boundary P2 are the dimensions shown in Table 1. In the head part, 23 hairs (product made from PBT) were bundled into a hair bundle, and this hair bundle was planted in the hair transplantation pattern shown in FIG. 1A to provide a hair transplantation part. In addition, the length and thickness of the hair for each example were the dimensions shown in Table 1.
The material of the toothbrush in each example is as shown in Table 1.
Further, the deflection amount A of the head portion of each example toothbrush, the deflection amount B of the neck portion, and the bristle strength were measured by the above-described methods (position of boundary P1: 31.5 mm from tip 9 of handle body 10, boundary P2 position: 76.0 mm from the tip 9 of the handle body 10).
Table 1 shows the deflection amount A, the deflection amount B, A × B, and the bristle tip strength of each example toothbrush.

(Examples 4-9, Comparative Examples 3-7)
A toothbrush similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B was produced. The length L1 of the handle body of each example toothbrush is 180 mm (Examples 4 to 9, Comparative Examples 3 to 7), the head portion thickness T1, the head portion length L2, the head portion width W1, The minimum diameter T2 of the neck portion, the length L3 of the neck portion, the width of the boundary P2, and the thickness of the boundary P2 are the dimensions shown in Tables 2 and 3. In the head part, 23 hairs (product made from PBT) were bundled into a hair bundle, and this hair bundle was planted in the hair transplantation pattern shown in FIG. 1A to provide a hair transplantation part. In addition, the length and thickness of the hair for each example were the dimensions shown in Tables 2 and 3.
The material of the toothbrush in each example is as shown in Table 2 and Table 3.
Further, the deflection amount A of the head portion of each toothbrush, the deflection amount A ′ of the head portion, the deflection amount B of the neck portion, and the bristle strength were measured by the methods described above. The position of the boundary P1 and the position of the boundary P2 for fixing the toothbrush were determined as described above for each example toothbrush.
Tables 2 and 3 show the deflection amount A, the deflection amount A ′, the deflection amount B, A × B, A ′ × B, and the hair tip strength of each example toothbrush.

Moreover, about the toothbrush of each example, the cleaning power, the usability | use_condition, and operativity were evaluated as follows.
Each evaluation result is shown in Tables 1-3.

[Cleaning power of the back of the back tooth (throat side of the back tooth)]
Ten monitors cleaned the inside of the oral cavity with the toothbrushes of each example, and the cleaning effect of the back of the back teeth at that time was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The average score of 10 monitors was “◯” for 4 points or more, “Δ” for 2 points or more and less than 4 points, and “x” for less than 2 points.
<Evaluation criteria>
5 points: The feel of the back of the back teeth is very felt.
4 points: The feel of the back of the back teeth is strongly felt.
3 points: Feels the dirt behind the back teeth removed.
2 points: The touch of the back of the back teeth is not felt so much.
1 point: The touch of the back of the back teeth is not felt.

[Evaluation of usability]
Ten monitors cleaned the oral cavity with the toothbrushes of each case, evaluated the feeling of hitting the gums according to the following evaluation criteria, and evaluated the feeling of use of the toothbrush. The average score of 10 monitors was “◯” for 4 points or more, “Δ” for 2 points or more and less than 4 points, and “x” for less than 2 points.
<Evaluation criteria>
5 points: There is no pain of gingiva and the contact feeling is very gentle.
4 points: There is no gingival pain and the contact feeling is very gentle.
3 points: There is no gingival pain, and the contact feeling is gentle.
2 points: I feel weak pain in the gums.
1 point: I feel strong pain in the gums.

[Operability in the oral cavity]
Ten monitors cleaned the oral cavity and evaluated the operability of the toothbrushes in each case. The operability is evaluated in seven stages from 1 to 7, and the higher the operability, the higher the score. The average score of 10 monitors was classified into the following criteria, and the operability in the oral cavity was determined.
<Criteria>
○: The average score is 5 or more.
Δ: The average score is 3 or more and less than 5 points.
X: The average score is less than 3.

As shown in Table 1, the toothbrushes of Examples 1, 2, and 3 to which the present invention was applied had excellent cleaning power in the oral cavity and good usability. Furthermore, the operability in the oral cavity was excellent.
On the other hand, the toothbrush (Comparative Example 1) in which A × B is less than 0.8 and the toothbrush (Comparative Example 2) in which A × B is more than 10 have insufficient cleaning power with respect to the back of the back teeth, and the oral cavity In addition, good operability was not obtained.

Moreover, as shown in Table 2, the toothbrush (Examples 4-9) to which this invention was applied was excellent in the cleaning power in an oral cavity, and the usability | use_condition was favorable. Furthermore, the operability in the oral cavity was excellent.
On the other hand, as shown in Table 3, the toothbrush (Comparative Examples 3 to 7) in which A × B is less than 0.8 and A ′ × B is less than 3, the cleaning power against the back of the back teeth, the teeth At least one of the cleaning power for the peripheral pocket, the feeling of use, and the operability in the oral cavity was insufficient.
From the above results, it was confirmed that the toothbrush to which the present invention was applied was superior in cleaning power in the oral cavity and superior in usability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toothbrush 2 Head part 4 Neck part 6 Handle part 10 Handle body

Claims (4)

A handle body comprising a head portion, a neck portion extending to the head portion, and a handle portion extending to the neck portion, and a hair bundle is implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion;
The handle body is made of polypropylene resin,
The head portion has a thickness of 2.0 to 4.0 mm;
When the deflection amount of the head portion measured by the following method (α) is A, and the deflection amount of the neck portion measured by the following method (β) is B,
A value X of the deflection amount (A / L2) of the head portion per length L2 (mm) of the head portion is 0.015 to 0.045,
The ratio Y between the value Y of the amount of deflection (B / (L2 + L3)) of the neck portion per the sum of the length L2 (mm) of the head portion and the length L3 (mm) of the neck portion, and Y / X is 0.8-2.0, The toothbrush characterized by the above-mentioned.
Method (α): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state in which the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the head portion and the neck portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In the fixed state, a weight of 200 g is further suspended at a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the long axis direction of the head portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount A of the head portion.
Method (β): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state where the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the neck portion and the handle portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In a fixed state, a 200 g weight is suspended at a position of 50 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the longitudinal direction of the flocked portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount B of the neck portion. A handle body comprising a head portion, a neck portion extending to the head portion, and a handle portion extending to the neck portion, and a hair bundle is implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion;
The handle body is made of polyacetal resin,
The head portion has a thickness of 2.0 to 4.0 mm;
When the deflection amount of the head portion measured by the following method (α) is A, and the deflection amount of the neck portion measured by the following method (β) is B,
A value X of the deflection amount (A / L2) of the head portion per length L2 (mm) of the head portion is 0.027 to 0.035,
The ratio Y between the value Y of the amount of deflection (B / (L2 + L3)) of the neck portion per the sum of the length L2 (mm) of the head portion and the length L3 (mm) of the neck portion, and Y / X is 1.0-1.4, The toothbrush characterized by the above-mentioned.
Method (α): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state in which the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the head portion and the neck portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In the fixed state, a weight of 200 g is further suspended at a position of 10 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the long axis direction of the head portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount A of the head portion.
Method (β): The height of the tip of the handle body in a state where the flocked surface of the head portion is directed vertically upward and the boundary position between the neck portion and the handle portion is fixed is set as a reference height, In a fixed state, a 200 g weight is suspended at a position of 50 ± 3% from the tip of the flocked portion with respect to the length of the flocked portion in the longitudinal direction of the flocked portion. A displacement amount (unit: mm) of the height from the reference height of the tip is defined as a deflection amount B of the neck portion.   The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a minimum width of the neck portion is 3.0 to 4.5 mm.   The toothbrush as described in any one of Claims 1-3 whose minimum thickness of the said neck part is 3.0-4.5 mm.

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