Toothbrush

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush that has good usability while allowing attachment and detachment of a brush body and a handle.SOLUTION: A toothbrush 1 comprises: a brush body 2 comprising a brush 4; and a handle 3 comprising a grip part 1b. The brush body 2 and the handle 3 are mutually attachable and detachable. A protruding part from an attachment / detachment side end 3e of the handle 3 is defined as a key 5, and a key groove 6 into which the key 5 is fitted is formed on a peripheral surface of an attachment / detachment side end part of the brush body 2. The brush body 2 also comprises an extending part 7 extending from an attachment / detachment side end 2e of the brush body 2, and in contact with the handle 3. The extending part 7 is arranged at a position opposed to the key groove 6 across an axis O.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toothbrush. [Background technology]

[0002] Known examples of conventional toothbrushes include replaceable-head toothbrushes that are configured so that a head portion (brush body) on which a brush is provided can be inserted and removed from a handle portion (handle) for the purpose of replacing the brush (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Toothbrushes with detachable heads include electric toothbrushes (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 145159 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2022-551626 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when inserting and removing the brush body in the axial direction as in conventional toothbrushes, it may become difficult to pull it out if water or the like adheres to it. Also, when a toothbrush is assembled from a brush body and a handle, care must be taken to ensure that the usability is not impaired in a way that would be achieved with a so-called normal toothbrush, in which the brush body and handle are integrated and inseparable.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush which is easy to use and allows the brush body and handle to be detached from each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A toothbrush according to the present invention is a toothbrush comprising a brush body having a brush and a handle having a gripping portion, the brush body and the handle being detachable from each other, A key groove is formed on the peripheral surface of the detachable end of either the brush body or the handle, into which the key fits, using a protruding portion from the detachable end of the other of the brush body or the handle, and further, either the brush body or the handle has an extension portion extending from the detachable end of the either the brush body or the handle and contacting the other of the brush body or the handle, and the extension portion is positioned opposite the key groove across the axis of the either the brush body or the handle.

[0007] (2) In the toothbrush of (1) above, it is preferable that the other of the brush body or the handle has a step for accommodating the extension portion.

[0008] (3) In the toothbrush of (1) or (2) above, the key has a base extending axially from the detachable end of the other of the brush body or the handle, and a shaft protruding from both sides of the base, and at least one of the shaft of the key and a shaft accommodating portion of the key groove in which the shaft is accommodated can be positioned in a position where the shaft presses the rear surface of the groove of the shaft accommodating portion when the brush body is attached to the handle.

[0009] (4) In the toothbrush of (3) above, the shaft portion is positioned at the front outer end of the base, and the front inner end of the base can be inclined inwardly as it moves from the shaft portion toward the other detachable end of the brush body or the handle.

[0010] (5) In the toothbrush of (3) or (4) above, the shaft accommodating portion of the key groove in which the shaft is accommodated may be inclined toward the attachment / detachment end of either the brush body or the handle as it approaches the bottom of the groove.

[0011] (6) In any one of the toothbrushes (3) to (5) above, a convex portion is provided on either one of the attachment / detachment side end of the brush body or the handle and the attachment / detachment side end of the other of the brush body or the handle, A recess into which the protrusion fits may be provided on either the detachable side end of either the brush body or the handle, or the other of the detachable side ends of the brush body or the handle.

[0012] (7) In the toothbrush of (6) above, the protrusion or the recess may be continuous with a groove bottom of the key groove.

[0013] (8) In any one of the toothbrushes (1) to (7) above, the attachment / detachment end of either the brush body or the handle may be inclined outwardly toward the rear. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that is easy to use while allowing the brush body and the handle to be detached from each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]2 is a front perspective view of the handle, which is one component of the toothbrush of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view showing a brush body, which is one component of the toothbrush in FIG. 1, from the front side. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the toothbrush of FIG. 1 taken along the line XX. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the brush body taken out from the toothbrush of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the handle of the toothbrush of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the toothbrush of FIG. 1 taken along the YY cross section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a toothbrush according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] In the following description, the meanings of terms are defined as follows, based on a toothbrush.

[0018] In this embodiment, "axial direction" refers to a direction extending parallel to the axis O of the toothbrush. In this embodiment, the toothbrush extends along the axis O. In this embodiment, "front side" refers to the side on which the brush is disposed in the axial direction. Also, in this embodiment, "rear side" refers to the side on which the grip is disposed in the axial direction.

[0019] Next, in this embodiment, the thickness of the toothbrush refers to the dimension between the front and back of the toothbrush. In this embodiment, the "front" refers to the surface on which the brush bristles are planted. Also, the "back" refers to the back surface on the opposite side of the axis O from the front. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the "inside" refers to the side on which the front is located in the thickness direction. Also, in this embodiment, the "outside" refers to the side on which the back is located in the thickness direction.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the "width direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the thickness direction.

[0021] 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a toothbrush according to one embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush 1 is made of, for example, resin.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, toothbrush 1 includes a brush body 2 having a brush 4, and a handle 3 having a gripping portion 1b. Toothbrush 1 is a toothbrush in which brush body 2 and handle 3 are detachable from each other.

[0023] In detail, the toothbrush 1 includes a head 1a having a brush 4, a gripping portion 1b that is gripped by a user, and a neck 1c that connects the head 1a and the gripping portion 1b. In this embodiment, the brush body 2 includes the head 1a, the neck 1c, and a part of the gripping portion 1b. The brush 4 is formed by bundling a plurality of brush bristles and implanting them in the head 1a. In this embodiment, the handle 3 includes the remaining part of the gripping portion 1b. In this embodiment, the brush body 2 includes the head 1a, the neck 1c, and the gripping portion 1b, but may include only the head 1a and the neck 1c.

[0024] The brush body 2 and the handle 3 are formed with a key groove 6 on the peripheral surface of the detachable end of either the brush body 2 or the handle 3, into which a key 5 fits, the key 5 being a protruding portion from the other detachable end of either the brush body 2 or the handle 3. This allows the brush body 2 and the handle 3 of the toothbrush 1 to be detached from each other.

[0025] Here, the "detachable end" refers to either a portion of the brush body 2 adjacent to the detachable end 2e of the brush body 2 or a portion of the handle 3 adjacent to the detachable end 3e of the handle 3. The "circumferential surface" refers to a surface that extends in a circular manner in the circumferential direction around the axis O. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the peripheral surface of the toothbrush 1 is formed by a front face F1, a back face F2, and two side faces F3. In this embodiment, the peripheral surface of the toothbrush 1 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis O. In this embodiment, the peripheral surfaces of the brush body 2 and the handle 3 are also formed by a front face F1, a back face F2, and side faces F3.

[0026] 3 shows the toothbrush 1 from the front side. In this embodiment, the key 5 and the key groove 6 are arranged on the front face F1 of the toothbrush 1. That is, in this embodiment, the key 5 and the key groove 6 are arranged on the bristle side of the brush 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the brush body 2 and the handle 3 can be separated by bending at least one of the brush body 2 and the handle 3 from the bristle side of the brush 4, starting from the key 5 or the key groove 6. Also, in this embodiment, the brush body 2 and the handle 3 can be attached to each other by fitting the key 5 and the key groove 6 from the bristle side of the brush 4.

[0027] Furthermore, either the brush body 2 or the handle 3 is provided with an extension 7. The extension 7 extends from the attachment / detachment end of either the brush body 2 or the handle 3, and contacts the other of either the brush body 2 or the handle 3. The extension 7 is disposed at a position facing the key groove 6 across the axis (O) of either the brush body 2 or the handle 3.

[0028] In this embodiment, the one of the brush body 2 and the handle 3 is the brush body 2. Also, in this embodiment, the other of the brush body 2 and the handle 3 is the handle 3. That is, in this embodiment, the key groove 6 and the extension 7 are provided in the brush body 2, and the key 5 is provided in the handle 3. Also, in this embodiment, the key groove 6 is disposed on the inside (front side) of the toothbrush 1, and the extension 7 is disposed on the outside (rear side) of the toothbrush 1. In this embodiment, the extension 7 is in contact with the detachable end of the other of the brush body 2 and the handle 3, i.e., the detachable end of the handle 3.

[0029] The handle 3 is shown from the front side in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the handle 3 is shown in a state where the brush body 2 has been removed from the toothbrush 1 of Figure 3.

[0030] In this embodiment, the key 5 includes a base 51 extending in the axial direction from the attachment / detachment end 3e of the handle 3, and a shaft portion 52 protruding from both sides of the base 51 in the width direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the key 5 is a protruding part of the handle 3 that protrudes from the detachable end 3e of the handle 3. In this embodiment, the key 5 protrudes in the axial direction from the detachable end 3e of the handle 3 such that the detachable end 3e of the handle 3 forms two shoulders.

[0032] In this embodiment, the base 51 protrudes forward from the attachment / detachment end 3e of the handle 3 so as to form shoulders (3e) on both sides in the width direction. Also, in this embodiment, the key 5 has two shafts 52. In this embodiment, the shafts 52 extend in the width direction from the side surface 51f of the base 51. Also, in this embodiment, the shafts 52 are perpendicular to the base 51. In this embodiment, the key 5 is a T-shaped key consisting of the base 51 extending in the axial direction and the shafts 52 extending in the width direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, the base 51 is a plate-like protruding portion. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the two side surfaces 51f of the base 51 are flat surfaces extending in the axial direction and the thickness direction, respectively.

[0034] 4, in this embodiment, the shaft portion 52 is disposed at the front outer end of the base 51. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 52 has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the front inner end 51e of the base 51 is inclined inward from the shaft portion 52 toward the attachment / detachment end 3e of the handle 3.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a protrusion 11 is provided on the attachment / detachment end 3e of the handle 3.

[0036] In this embodiment, the handle 3 has a protrusion 11 at the detachable end 3e of the handle 3. In this embodiment, the protrusion 11 protrudes forward from the detachable end 3e of the handle 3. In detail, in this embodiment, the protrusion 11 protrudes forward from the front outer end of the shoulder portion (3e) of the handle 3. In this embodiment, the handle 3 has two protrusions 11. In this embodiment, the recesses 12 are respectively disposed on the two shoulder portions (3e).

[0037] Additionally, in this embodiment, the handle 3 includes a step 8. In this embodiment, the step 8 accommodates an extension 7 of the brush body 2, as will be described below.

[0038] In this embodiment, the step 8 extends rearward along the axial direction from the front outer end of the attachment / detachment end 3e of the handle 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the front outer end of the shoulder portion (3e) of the handle 3 is defined by the step 8.

[0039] The brush body 2 is shown from the front side in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the brush body 2 is shown with the handle 3 removed from the toothbrush 1 of Figure 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the keyway 6 includes a base accommodating portion 61 in which the base 51 is accommodated, and a shaft accommodating portion 62 in which the shaft 52 is accommodated. In this embodiment, the base accommodating portion 61 extends in the axial direction and is open to the attachment / detachment side end 2e of the brush body 2. In this embodiment, the shaft accommodating portion 62 extends in the width direction and is perpendicular to the base accommodating portion 61. In this embodiment, the keyway 6 is a T-shaped keyway consisting of the base accommodating portion 61 extending in the axial direction and the shaft accommodating portion 62 extending in the width direction.

[0041] In this embodiment, the extension 7 is a plate-shaped extension. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the extension 7 has a flat surface 7f on the inner side in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the flat surface 7f extends in the axial direction and the width direction.

[0042] In this embodiment, a recess 12 is provided at the attachment / detachment end 2e of the brush body 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the recess 12 can be fitted into the protrusion 11 of the brush body 2.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the protrusion 11 of the brush body 2 is fitted into the recess 12 when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the brush body 2 is provided with a recess 12 at the attachment / detachment end 2e of the brush body 2. In this embodiment, the recess 12 is recessed forward from the attachment / detachment end 2e of the brush body 2. In this embodiment, the recess 12 is formed at a position adjacent to the extension 7 at the attachment / detachment end 3e of the handle 3. Also, in this embodiment, the brush body 2 is provided with two recesses 12. In this embodiment, the two recesses 12 are arranged at opposing positions in the width direction with the key groove 6 in between.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing toothbrush 1 of FIG. 1, taken along line XX.

[0045] In this embodiment, the handle 3 has a step 8 on the outside in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the step 8 of the handle 3 also has a flat surface 8f that mates with the extension 7. In this embodiment, the flat surface 8f also extends in the axial direction and the width direction.

[0046] In this embodiment, the extension 7 of the brush body 2 is received in a step 8 of the handle 3 when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3, so that no step is formed between the extension 7 of the brush body 2 and the back surface F2 of the handle 3 when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. Referring to Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the back surface F2 of the toothbrush 1 is formed in a flat surface that does not form a step between the brush body 2 and the handle 3.

[0047] 6, in this embodiment, the flat surface 7f of the extension 7 is located outside the groove bottom 63 of the keyway 6. In other words, in this embodiment, the groove bottom 63 of the keyway 6 is formed at a position shallower than the position of the flat surface 7f of the extension 7. That is, in this embodiment, the groove bottom 63 of the keyway does not reach the flat surface 7f of the extension 7.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, at least one of the shaft portion 52 of the key 5 and the shaft portion accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6 is positioned so that when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3, the shaft portion 52 presses the groove rear surface 62f1 of the shaft portion accommodating portion 62.

[0049] Specifically, at least the position of the shaft 52 of the key 5 and the position of the shaft accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6 are defined so that the shaft 52 of the key 5 is press-fitted into the shaft accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6 when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. In this embodiment, when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3, for example, the position of the shaft 52 of the key 5, the position of the shaft accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6, and the position of the rear end 7e of the extension 7 (rear surface 8f of the step 8) are defined so that the shaft 52 of the key 5 is press-fitted into the shaft accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6.

[0050] 6, the shank 52 of the key 5, indicated by a two-dot chain line, is shown in a state in which the shank 52 of the key 5 is not press-fitted into the shank accommodating portion 62 of the keyway 6. When the shank 52 of the key 5 is not press-fitted into the shank accommodating portion 62 of the keyway 6, the apparent interference by which the key 5 tightens the keyway 6 in the axial direction is the dimension C0 between the groove rear surface 62f1 of the keyway 6 and the rear end 7e of the extension portion 7, as indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0051] In contrast, the shank 52 of the key 5, shown by the dashed line, is shown in a state in which the shank 52 of the key 5 is press-fitted into the shank accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6. In this embodiment, the shank 52 of the key 5 is press-fitted into the shank accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the brush body 2 is actually attached to the handle 3, the interference by which the key 5 tightens the key groove 6 in the axial direction is the dimension C1 between the shank 52 of the key 5 and the rear end 7e of the extension portion 7, as shown by the dashed line. As a result, in this embodiment, the key 5 is firmly fitted into the key groove 6.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic view of the brush body 2 removed from the toothbrush 1 of FIG.

[0053] In this embodiment, the shaft portion accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6 is inclined toward the attachment / detachment side end 2 e of the brush body 2 as it approaches the groove bottom 63 of the key groove 6 .

[0054] In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the shank accommodating portion 62 of the keyway 6 is angle α on the acute angle side with respect to the groove bottom 63 of the keyway 6. In this embodiment, the angle α is the angle on the front side. Specifically, the groove rear surface 62f of the shank accommodating portion 62 is inclined at angle α toward the rear side with respect to the groove bottom 63. This allows the shank 52 of the key 5 to be fitted so as to be caught in the shank accommodating portion 62 of the keyway 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the key 5 is fitted more firmly into the keyway 6.

[0055] In this embodiment, the groove bottom of the base accommodating portion 61 and the groove bottom of the shaft accommodating portion 62 are at the same level. Referring to Fig. 7, the groove bottom of the base accommodating portion 61 and the groove bottom of the shaft accommodating portion 62 form the same plane as the groove bottom 63 of the key groove 6.

[0056] In this embodiment, the attachment / detachment side end 2e of the brush body 2 is inclined outwardly toward the rear.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 7, in this embodiment, the detachable side end 2e of the brush body 2 is formed by a curve with a curvature radius r in a side view. As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 6, a wedge-shaped gap D that is open to the inside is formed between the detachable side end 2e of the brush body 2 and the detachable side end 3e of the handle 3 in a state in which the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. As a result, when the key 5 is inserted into the key groove 6 from the shaft portion 52, or when the key 5 fitted in the key groove 6 is pulled inward from the shaft portion 52, it is possible to make it difficult for the detachable side end 2e of the brush body 2 and the detachable side end 3e of the handle 3 to interfere with each other.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the handle 3 taken from the toothbrush 1 of FIG.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the front inner end 51e of the base 51 is inclined inwardly from the shaft portion 52 toward the attachment / detachment side end 3e of the handle 3.

[0060] In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the front inner end 51e is angle β on the acute angle side with respect to the axis O. In this embodiment, angle β is the rear angle. Specifically, the front inner end 51e is inclined at angle β toward the rear side with respect to the bottom surface (bottom surface of the base 51) 51b of the key 5. This makes it possible to make it difficult for the front outer end 51e of the base 51 to interfere with the key groove 6 when the key 5 is inserted from the shaft portion 52 into the key groove 6, or when the key 5 fitted in the key groove 6 is pulled inward from the shaft portion 52 as a starting point. Note that in this embodiment, the bottom surface 51b of the key 5 is parallel to the groove bottom 63 of the key groove 6.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the toothbrush 1 of FIG. 1 taken along the YY cross section.

[0062] 9, in this embodiment, the shaft portion 52 of the key 5 is slidably fitted into the shaft portion accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the key 5 is more firmly fitted into the key groove 6. For example, in this embodiment, the shaft portion 52 of the key 5 is slidably fitted into the groove side surface 62f2 of the shaft portion accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the key 5 is more firmly fitted into the key groove 6 while being slidably held in the key groove 6.

[0063] In this embodiment, a gap C2 is formed between the side surface 51f of the base 51 of the key 5 and the groove side surface 61f2 of the base housing portion 61 of the key groove 6. This allows the key 5 to be firmly fitted into the key groove 6 while being easily removed from the shaft portion 52.

[0064] Here, an example of how to use the toothbrush 1 will be described.

[0065] (How to assemble toothbrush 1) When forming the toothbrush 1 of FIG. 3, the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. In this embodiment, first, the handle 3 of FIG. 4 and the brush body 2 of FIG. 5 are prepared. Next, in this embodiment, for example, the shaft portion 52 of the key 5 of the handle 3 of FIG. 4 is aligned with the shaft portion accommodating portion 62 of the key groove 6 of the brush body 2 of FIG. 5. At this time, the shaft portion 52 of the handle 3 is aligned with the shaft portion accommodating portion 62 so that the handle 3 is inclined with respect to the brush body 2. Next, in this embodiment, for example, the entire key 5 is pressed into the key groove 6 while rotating the handle 3 outward starting from the shaft portion 52 of the handle 3. This allows the brush body 2 to be attached to the handle 3 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0066] (How to use toothbrush 1) After the toothbrush 1 is assembled, the toothbrush 1 can be used in the same way as a normal toothbrush.

[0067] In the toothbrush 1, the brush body 2 has an extension 7 that comes into contact with the handle 3. The extension 7 is disposed at a position on the back surface F2 that faces the key groove 6 formed on the front surface F1 across the axis O. In this case, even if a force is applied to the handle 3 from the outside (back surface side) while brushing teeth, bending (deflection) of the handle 3 is suppressed by the rigidity of the extension 7 of the brush body 2. This allows the toothbrush 1 to bend (deflection) to a certain extent without separating the brush body 2 and the handle 3. Therefore, the toothbrush 1 is easy to use while allowing the brush body 2 and the handle 3 to be attached and detached.

[0068] Moreover, in this embodiment, the handle 3 has a step 8 that accommodates the extension 7. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the extension 7 of the brush body 2 is accommodated in the step 8 of the handle 3, so that no step is created between the back surface F2 of the brush body 2 and the back surface F2 of the handle 3. This gives the toothbrush 1 a slim appearance. This makes the toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0069] In this embodiment, the key 5 includes a base 51 extending in the axial direction from the detachable end 3e of the handle 3, and a shaft 52 protruding from both sides of the base 51, and at least one of the shaft 52 and the shaft housing portion 62 of the key 5 is disposed in a position where the shaft 52 presses the groove rear surface 62f1 of the shaft housing portion 62 when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. In this case, the brush body 2 can be attached more firmly to the handle 3. This makes the toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0070] Also, as shown in Fig. 7, in this embodiment, the groove rear surface 62f1 of the shaft housing portion 62 is inclined rearward at an angle α with respect to the groove bottom 63. This allows the shaft 52 of the key 5 to be hooked and fitted into the shaft housing portion 62 of the key groove 6, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the brush body 2 can be attached more firmly to the handle 3. This makes the toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0071] 3, in this embodiment, the handle 3 is provided with a protrusion 11, and the brush body 2 is provided with a recess 12 into which the protrusion 11 fits. In this case, the brush body 2 can be attached more firmly to the handle 3. This makes the toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12 are disposed at a position continuous with the groove bottom 63 of the key groove 6. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the rear end of the key groove 6 is open to the attachment / detachment end 2e of the brush body 2. In this case, the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12 can be smoothly aligned when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. Also, in this case, the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12 can be smoothly separated when the brush body 2 is removed from the handle 3. This makes the toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0073] (How to disassemble toothbrush 1) The brush body 2 or the handle 3 can be replaced. The toothbrush 1 can be disassembled into the brush body 2 and the handle 3, for example, by lifting the handle 3 inward (toward the front) from the shaft 52. Thus, according to the toothbrush 1, the brush body 2 or the handle 3 can be replaced.

[0074] 8, in this embodiment, shaft 52 is located at the front outer end of base 51, and front inner end 51e of base 51 is inclined inward at angle β from shaft 52 toward attachment / detachment end 3e of handle 3. In this case, when key 5 is inserted into key groove 6 from shaft 52, or when key 5 is lifted from key groove 6 starting from shaft 52, front outer end 51e of base 51 is less likely to interfere with key groove 6. This makes toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 7, in this embodiment, the detachable end 2e of the brush body 2 is inclined outward toward the rear. As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 6, a wedge-shaped gap D that is open to the inside is formed between the detachable end 2e of the brush body 2 and the detachable end 3e of the handle 3 when the brush body 2 is attached to the handle 3. In this case, when the key 5 is inserted into the key groove 6 from the shaft portion 52, or when the key 5 fitted in the key groove 6 is pulled inward from the shaft portion 52, it is possible to make it difficult for the detachable end 2e of the brush body 2 to interfere with the detachable end 3e of the handle 3. This makes the toothbrush 1 easier to use.

[0076] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush 1 that is easy to use and allows the brush body 2 and the handle 3 to be detached from each other.

[0077] The above is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0078] For example, either the brush body 2 or the handle 3 can be the handle 3. Also, the other either the brush body 2 or the handle 3 can be the brush body 2. That is, in this embodiment, the key groove 6 and the extension 7 can be provided in the handle 3, and the key 5 can be provided in the brush body 2. Also, in this case, the extension 7 comes into contact with the detachable end of the brush body 2. That is, each of the above-mentioned configurations can be interchanged between the brush body 2 and the handle 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1: toothbrush, 1a: head, 1b: gripping part, 1c: neck, 2: brush body, 2e: detachable end of brush body, 3: handle, 3e: detachable end of handle (shoulder), 4: brush, 5: key, 51: key base, 51e: inner front end of base, 51f: side of base, 52: key shaft, 6: keyway, 61: base housing part of keyway, 62: shaft housing part of keyway, 62f1: groove rear surface of shaft housing part, 62f2: groove side surface of shaft housing part, 63: groove bottom, 7: extension, 8: step, 11: convex part, 12: concave part, D: gap formed between detachable end of brush body and detachable end of handle, F1: front surface of toothbrush (circumferential surface), F2: back surface of toothbrush (circumferential surface), F3: Side (periphery) of toothbrush, O: Axis of toothbrush

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising a brush body having a brush and a handle having a gripping portion, the brush body and the handle being detachable from each other, A key groove is formed on a peripheral surface of a detachable end of either the brush body or the handle, into which a protruding portion from the other detachable end of the brush body or the handle is fitted as a key, Furthermore, the toothbrush has an extension portion extending from the attachment / detachment end of the brush body or the handle and contacting the other of the brush body or the handle, the extension portion being positioned opposite the key groove across the axis of the brush body or the handle.

2. 2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the other of the brush body or the handle includes a step to accommodate the extension.

3. The key includes a base extending in an axial direction from the attachment / detachment end of the other of the brush body or the handle, and a shaft portion protruding from both sides of the base, 2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shank of the key and the shank accommodating portion of the key groove in which the shank is accommodated is positioned so that the shank presses against a rear surface of the groove of the shank accommodating portion when the brush body is attached to the handle.

4. 4. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the shaft portion is located at the front outer end of the base, and the front inner end of the base slopes inwardly from the shaft portion toward the attachment / detachment end of the other of the brush body or the handle.

5. 4. The toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the shaft accommodating portion of the key groove in which the shaft is accommodated is inclined toward the attachment / detachment end of either the brush body or the handle as it approaches the bottom of the groove.

6. a protrusion is provided on one of the attachment / detachment side end of the brush body or the handle and the attachment / detachment side end of the other of the brush body or the handle; 4. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the other of the detachable end of either the brush body or the handle and the detachable end of the other of the brush body or the handle has a recess into which the protrusion fits.

7. The toothbrush according to claim 6 , wherein the protrusion or the recess is continuous with a groove bottom of the key groove.

8. 2. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the attachment / detachment end of either the brush body or the handle is inclined outwardly toward the rear.

Images