Toothbrush

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush capable of cleaning both a tooth surface and a space (dental neck, interdental part) by being bent in both directions of a long axis direction and a short axis direction of a head part.SOLUTION: A head part 10 of a toothbrush 100 includes: a first region R1 disposed with a plurality of first bristle bundles 13A comprising first bristles whose tips have a first tip diameter; and a second region R2 disposed with a plurality of second bristle bundles 13B comprising second bristles whose tips have a second tip diameter. The first region has a cross shape extending along both directions of a long axis direction and a short axis direction of the head part, and the second region is divided into four or more regions by the cross-shaped first region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a toothbrush is required to achieve both good oral operability and plaque removal. In particular, there is a need for a toothbrush that can achieve both cleaning of tooth surfaces and interdental spaces (tooth neck and interdental areas).

[0003] In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a toothbrush provided with a central tuft region having a high tuft density and an outer tuft region having a low tuft density.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since a general commercially available toothbrush has a tufted portion that is long in the major axis direction of the head portion, tufts continuously exist coaxially with the brushing (major axis) direction, and the deflection of the tufts in the brushing direction becomes dominant. Therefore, it is assumed that the bristles are less likely to deflect in the minor axis direction (width direction), and it is difficult for the bristles to reach the tooth surfaces and interdental spaces with a single brushing. In addition, since the toothbrush disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used with a profile provided on the tufted portion, there is a concern about a decrease in the feeling of cleaning the tooth surface due to a reduction in the flat surface.

[0006] The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a toothbrush that can bend in both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion and can achieve both cleaning of tooth surfaces and gaps (tooth neck and interdental areas).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

[0008] (1) A head portion having a plurality of tufts of bristles implanted on the bristle-implanted surface, A handle portion extending to the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction from the head portion, and having, The head portion is, A first region in which a plurality of first tufts of bristles each having a bristle tip made of a first bristle with a first tip diameter are arranged, A second region in which a plurality of second tufts of bristles each having a bristle tip made of a second bristle with a second tip diameter are arranged, and having, The first region has a cross shape extending along both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion, The second region is divided into four or more regions by the cross-shaped first region, a toothbrush.

[0009] (2) The second tuft of bristles is arranged so as to be displaced in the major axis direction with respect to the arrangement axis in the minor axis direction of the first tuft of bristles, The number of tufts of bristles arranged on the same axis in the minor axis direction of the second tuft of bristles is smaller than the number of tufts of bristles arranged on the same axis in the minor axis direction of the first tuft of bristles displaced in the major axis direction, the toothbrush according to (1).

[0010] (3) In a plan view, the second tuft of bristles is arranged so as to be in a staggered arrangement along the major axis direction, Among the first regions, the first tuft of bristles arranged on the outermost side in the minor axis direction is arranged on the inner side in the minor axis direction than the second tuft of bristles arranged on the outermost side in the minor axis direction among the second regions, the toothbrush according to (1) or (2).

[0011] (4) The first tuft of bristles is round bristles or semi-tapered bristles, The second tuft of bristles is tapered bristles, The lengths of the first and second bristles are flat, the toothbrush according to any one of (1) to (3).

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the toothbrush described above, the first region has a cross shape extending along both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion, and the second region is divided into four or more regions by the cross-shaped first region. For this reason, the bristle tufts can be bent with respect to the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that bends in both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion and enables both cleaning of the tooth surface and the gaps (tooth neck portion, interdental portion).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0015] The arrow X1-X2 forming the X-axis in each figure indicates the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 100 or the major axis direction of the head portion 10. The arrow X1 side indicates the tip side (head portion 10 side) of the toothbrush 100, and the arrow X2 side indicates the rear end side (grip portion 30 side) of the toothbrush 100. Also, the arrow Y1-Y2 forming the Y-axis in each figure indicates the width direction of the toothbrush 100 or the minor axis direction of the head portion 10. Further, the arrow Z1-Z2 forming the Z-axis in each figure indicates the thickness direction of the toothbrush 100.

[0016] In this specification, a plan view means looking at the toothbrush 100 from the side of the bristle planting surface 11 of the head portion 10, and a bottom view means looking at the toothbrush 100 from the side opposite to the bristle planting surface 11 of the head portion 10 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A front view means looking from a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the head portion 10 (see FIG. 3). The rear view shown in FIG. 4 appears symmetrically with the front view shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] Also, the "surface" of the grip portion 30 is the surface of the head portion 10 that faces the same direction as the bristle planting surface 11 on which the tufts 13 are planted, the "back surface" is the surface on the opposite side of the "surface", and the "side surface" is a surface other than the "surface", the "back surface", and the surface on the proximal end side.

[0018] The toothbrush 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0019] Figures 1 to 9 show the shape of the toothbrush 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toothbrush 100 viewed from the plane side (plane-side perspective view), FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toothbrush 100 viewed from the bottom side (bottom-side perspective view), FIG. 3 is a front view of the toothbrush 100 (front view), FIG. 4 is a rear view of the toothbrush 100 (rear view), FIG. 5 is a plan view of the toothbrush 100 (plan view), FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the toothbrush 100 (bottom view), FIG. 7 is a left side view of the toothbrush 100 (left side view), and FIG. 8 is a right side view of the toothbrush 100 (right side view). FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view showing the head portion 10 of the toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the toothbrush 100 includes a head portion 10 having a tufting surface 11 on which tufts 13 of bristles (first tufts 13A and second tufts 13B) are implanted and arranged on the tip side in the major axis direction, a neck portion 20 arranged on the rear end side of the head portion 10, a gripping portion 30 arranged on the rear end side of the neck portion 20, and a transition portion 40 arranged between the neck portion 20 and the gripping portion 30. The toothbrush 100 has a brush body 110 including the head portion 10, the neck portion 20, the gripping portion 30, and the transition portion 40.

[0021] The brush body 110 is integrally formed in an elongated shape as a whole and can be formed using a hard resin. Examples of the hard resin constituting the brush body 110 include polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), cellulose propionate (CP), polyarylate, and the like. Also, biodegradable resins, plant-derived resins, paper-containing resins, plant-containing resins, and the like can be used for the above hard resins. Among these resins, polypropylene resin (PP) is preferable as a resin from which the effects of the present invention can be obtained more remarkably. Therefore, it is more preferable that the toothbrush 100 uses polypropylene (PP) as the hard resin constituting the brush body 110.

[0022] Also, the brush body 110 is preferably formed entirely of the same rigid resin. When the brush body 110 is formed of a common rigid resin, it becomes possible to suitably transmit the force applied to the gripping portion 30 to the head portion 10.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, etc., the head portion 10 is disposed on the tip side of the toothbrush 100 and has a configuration integrally connected to the neck portion 20.

[0024] The head portion 10 has a tufting surface 11 on one surface in the thickness direction. A plurality of tufting holes 12 are formed in the tufting surface 11, and tufts 13 of bristles for use are implanted in the tufting holes 12. The toothbrush 100 can clean the oral cavity with the tufts 13 of the head portion 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 9, the head portion 10 has a first region R1 in which a plurality of first tufts 13A composed of first bristles having a first tip diameter are arranged, and a second region R2 in which a plurality of second tufts 13B composed of second bristles having a second tip diameter are arranged.

[0026] The first tufts 13A arranged in the first region R1 are particularly used for cleaning the tooth surfaces. The second tufts 13B arranged in the second region R2 are particularly used for cleaning the gaps between teeth (tooth necks and interdental areas).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 9, the first region R1 has a cross shape extending along both the major axis direction (X1 - X2) and the minor axis direction (Y1 - Y2) of the head portion 10. In other words, the first tufts 13A are arranged in two rows in the minor axis direction, except for the most proximal end and the vicinity of the center. The first tufts 13A are arranged in three rows in the minor axis direction at the most proximal end. The first tufts 13A are arranged in four rows in the minor axis direction near the center.

[0028] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the second region R2 is divided into four regions by the first region R1 having a cross shape. In other words, outside the outermost tuft in the major axis direction of the first tufts 13A constituting the first region R1, the second tufts 13B constituting the second region R2 are not arranged. Further, outside the outermost tuft in the minor axis direction of the first tufts 13A constituting the first region R1, the second tufts 13B constituting the second region R2 are not arranged. According to this configuration, since the first region R1 has a cross shape, the first tufts 13A in the first region R1 can be uniformly bent in the major axis direction and the minor axis direction, and since the second region R2 is divided into four by the first region R1, during brushing, the interference between the second tufts 13B and the first tufts 13A is reduced, and it becomes easier to bend in separate directions including the minor axis direction.

[0029] Thus, the configuration in which the first region R1 has a cross shape extending along both the major axis direction (X1-X2) and the minor axis direction (Y1-Y2) of the head portion 10, and the second region R2 is divided into four regions by the first region R1 having a cross shape is excellent in design.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, the second tufts 13B are arranged shifted in the major axis direction with respect to the array axis L1 in the minor axis direction of the first tufts 13A. Here, for example, when the second tufts 13B are arranged at the same position without being shifted in the major axis direction with respect to the array axis L1 in the minor axis direction of the first tufts 13A, when the first tufts 13A are bent in the minor axis direction, the second tufts 13B and the first tufts 13A interfere with each other, making it difficult to bend in the minor axis direction. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the second tufts 13B are arranged shifted in the major axis direction with respect to the array axis L1 in the minor axis direction of the first tufts 13A, during brushing, the first tufts 13A and the second tufts 13B do not interfere with each other, and it becomes easier to bend in separate directions including the minor axis direction.

[0031] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the number of tufts arranged on the same axis in the minor axis direction of the second tuft 13B in one second region R2 (one in FIG. 9) is less than the number of tufts arranged on the same axis in the minor axis direction of the first tuft 13A arranged with a shift in the major axis direction (two in FIG. 9). According to this configuration, the second tuft 13B can be made sparser than the first tuft 13A in the minor axis direction, so that a comfortable feeling of contact against the gum can be achieved by the second tuft 13B. Also, since the first tuft 13A can be made denser than the second tuft 13B in the minor axis direction, the tooth surface can be thoroughly polished and the feeling of cleaning the tooth surface can be improved.

[0032] Also, in the plan view shown in FIG. 9, the second tuft 13B in one second region R2 is arranged so as to be staggeredly arranged along the major axis direction. According to this configuration, since the arrangement of the second tuft 13B is different from that of the first tuft 13A constituting the first region R1, the deflection of the first tuft 13A is not inhibited.

[0033] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, among the first region R1, the first tuft 13A arranged on the outermost side in the minor axis direction is arranged on the inner side in the minor axis direction compared to the second tuft 13B arranged on the outermost side in the minor axis direction among the second region R2. According to this configuration, since the first tuft 13A of the first region R1 is not arranged on the outermost side, while ensuring a comfortable feeling of contact against the gum by the second tuft 13B, when brushing, the second tuft 13B of the second region R2 and the first tuft 13A of the first region R1 do not interfere with each other, and it becomes easier to deflect in separate directions including the minor axis direction.

[0034] Regarding the material of the first tuft hairs constituting the first tuft 13A, the number of tuft hairs per one of the first tuft 13A, the number of arrangements of the first tuft 13A, etc., can be arbitrarily selected.

[0035] Regarding the material of the second tuft hairs constituting the second tuft 13B, the number of tuft hairs per one of the second tuft 13B, the number of arrangements of the second tuft 13B, etc., can be arbitrarily selected.

[0036] As the first and second bristles, for example, bristles that gradually decrease in diameter toward the tip and have a sharpened tip (hereinafter referred to as "tapered bristles"), bristles that gradually decrease in diameter toward the tip and have a thicker tip diameter than the tapered bristles (hereinafter referred to as "semi-tapered bristles"), and bristles with a hemispherical tip (hereinafter referred to as "round bristles") can be used.

[0037] The semi-tapered bristles can be formed, for example, by partially shaving the tip of the tapered bristles or by adjusting the treatment conditions (time) during chemical treatment.

[0038] The first bristles constituting the first tuft 13A are preferably round bristles or semi-tapered bristles (see FIG. 10), and the second bristles constituting the second tuft 13B are preferably tapered bristles (see FIG. 10). According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve both a comfortable feel against the gum and cleaning of the tooth surface and gaps (tooth neck part and interdental part). From this viewpoint, the first bristles are more preferably semi-tapered bristles.

[0039] The tip diameter of the first bristles is different from the tip diameter of the second bristles, and the tip diameter of the first bristles is preferably larger than the tip diameter of the second bristles. When the first bristles are semi-tapered bristles, the lower limit of the diameter at a position 0.1 mm moved from the tip toward the base end side is preferably 30 μm, and the upper limit is preferably 90 μm. When the second bristles are tapered bristles, the lower limit of the diameter at a position 0.1 mm moved from the tip toward the base end side is preferably 10 μm, and the upper limit is preferably 30 μm.

[0040] The bristles of the first tuft 13A are preferably harder than the bristles of the second tuft 13B. According to this configuration, it is possible to suitably improve the cleaning feeling of the tooth surface with the relatively hard first tuft 13A and to achieve a comfortable feel against the gum with the relatively soft second tuft 13B.

[0041] As a method for making the bristles stiff, increasing the thickness of the bristles can be mentioned. Specifically, when assuming the bristle hardness of "ordinary", the base diameter of the first bristles of the first bristle bundle 13A is 170 to 200 μm, and the base diameter of the second bristles of the second bristle bundle 13B is 160 to 180 μm. When assuming the bristle hardness of "somewhat soft", it is preferable that the base diameter of the first bristles of the first bristle bundle 13A is 140 to 170 μm, and the base diameter of the second bristles of the second bristle bundle 13B is 120 to 160 μm.

[0042] Note that instead of increasing the thickness of the bristles, the bristles may be made stiff by shortening the bristle length or roughening the tip shape.

[0043] Also, it is preferable that the hole diameter of the implant hole 12 of the first bristle bundle 13A constituting the first region R1 is equal to or larger than the hole diameter of the implant hole 12 of the second bristle bundle 13B constituting the second region R2. According to this configuration, by making the first bristle bundle 13A have a large area, the feeling of cleaning the tooth surface is improved, and by making the second bristle bundle 13B have a small area, a gentle contact feeling on the tooth gum can be achieved.

[0044] Also, it is preferable that the bristle length of the first bristles of the first bristle bundle 13A and the bristle length of the second bristles of the second bristle bundle 13B are the same height (flat). According to this configuration, the feeling of cleaning the tooth surface and uniform bending of the bristles in the short-axis direction are possible.

[0045] The bristle lengths of the first bristles and the second bristles are not particularly limited, but the lower limit is preferably 9 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, and the upper limit is preferably 12 mm or less. According to this range, the bristles can be bent appropriately, and both the feeling of cleaning the tooth surface and a gentle contact feeling on the tooth gum can be achieved.

[0046] The range in the short-axis direction of the head portion 10 is not particularly limited, but the lower limit is preferably 11 mm or more, and the upper limit is preferably 13 mm or less. According to this range, the operability in the oral cavity can also be ensured.

[0047] The materials of the first and second bristles may be any materials generally used as the materials of toothbrush bristles, and are not particularly limited. Specific examples include, as the material of the bristles, for example, polyamides such as 6-12 nylon and 6-10 nylon, PET, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), etc. polyesters, polyolefins such as PP, resin materials such as olefin-based elastomers and styrene-based elastomers can be used.

[0048] Further, the cross-sectional shape of the bristles (specifically, the shape when the first bristle is cut by a virtual plane passing through the X direction and the Y direction shown in FIG. 1) is preferably circular, for example.

[0049] Note that the cross-sectional shape of the bristles is not limited to circular. The cross-sectional shape of the bristles may be, for example, elliptical, polygonal (for example, triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, etc.), irregular (for example, star shape, three-leaf clover shape, four-leaf clover shape, etc.).

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, etc., the neck portion 20 is arranged such that the tip is adjacent to the base end of the head portion 10 and the base end is adjacent to the tip of the transition portion 40. The neck portion 20 has a straight shape with a longitudinally elongated and flat (vertically flat) substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, etc., the gripping portion 30 is arranged such that the tip is adjacent to the base end of the transition portion 40. The gripping portion 30 is gripped by a user's finger or the like when cleaning (brushing) the oral cavity.

[0052] The gripping portion 30 has a straight shape with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. Note that "substantially rectangular" refers to a shape with a corner R of 5.0 or less.

[0053] The gripping portion 30 can be provided with an anti-slip portion 50 on at least a part of its outer peripheral surface. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the anti-slip portion 50 can be configured by arranging a plurality of regions subjected to dimpling processing in the longitudinal direction. The anti-slip portion 50 is preferably formed in a region on the neck portion side (the tip side region of the gripping portion 30) on the surface of the gripping portion 30. Thereby, when the user grips the gripping portion 30 with a palm grip, the anti-slip portion 50 and the finger belly of the thumb come into contact, so that the gripping portion 30 can be firmly gripped, and the force applied to the gripping portion 30 can be firmly transmitted to the teeth. Note that the shape, arrangement position, material, etc. of the anti-slip portion 50 are not particularly limited as long as an anti-slip function can be obtained by contact with a finger when the user grips the gripping portion 30.

[0054] <Transition portion> The transition portion 40 is arranged such that its tip is adjacent to the base end of the neck portion 20 and its base end is adjacent to the tip of the gripping portion 30. The transition portion 40 connects the neck portion 20 and the gripping portion 30 in the toothbrush 100. In the longitudinal direction, the width and thickness of the transition portion 40 increase from the neck portion 20 toward the gripping portion 30.

[0055] As described above, the toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment includes a head portion 10 in which a plurality of tufts 13 (13A, 13B) are implanted on the bristle planting surface 11, and a gripping portion 30 extending toward the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction from the head portion 10. The head portion 10 has a first region R1 in which a plurality of first tufts 13A each having a bristle tip made of a first bristle with a first tip diameter are arranged, and a second region R2 in which a plurality of second tufts 13B each having a bristle tip made of a second bristle with a second tip diameter are arranged. The first region R1 has a cross shape extending along both the longitudinal direction and the short-axis direction of the head portion 10, and the second region R2 is divided into four or more regions by the cross-shaped first region R1.

[0056] According to the toothbrush 100 configured as described above, the first region R1 has a cross shape extending along both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion 10, and the second region R2 is divided into four or more regions by the cross-shaped first region R1. Therefore, the tuft 13 can be bent with respect to the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion 10. Thus, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that bends in both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head portion 10 and enables both cleaning of the tooth surface and the gaps (tooth neck portion and interdental portion).

[0057] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

[0058] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the second region R2 is divided into four by the first region R1, but the second region may be configured to be divided into five or more by the first region. Also, it is preferable that the number of divisions of the second region by the first region is eight or less.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 10 Head portion, 11 Tufting surface, 12 Tufting holes, 13 Tufts, 13A First tuft, 13B Second tuft, 20 Neck portion, 30 Gripping portion, 40 Transition portion, 100 Toothbrush, 110 Brush body.

Claims

1. A head part in which a plurality of tufts of bristles are implanted on the bristle-implanting surface, and a gripping part extending to the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction from the head part, and the head part is a first region in which a plurality of first tufts of bristles each having a bristle tip made of first bristles with a first tip diameter are arranged, and a second region in which a plurality of second tufts of bristles each having a bristle tip made of second bristles with a second tip diameter are arranged, and the first region has a cross shape extending along both the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the head part, the second region is divided into four or more regions by the cross-shaped first region, a toothbrush.

2. The second tufts of bristles are arranged shifted in the major axis direction with respect to the array axis in the minor axis direction of the first tufts of bristles, the number of tufts of bristles arranged on the same axis in the minor axis direction of the second tufts of bristles is less than the number of tufts of bristles arranged on the same axis in the minor axis direction of the first tufts of bristles arranged shifted in the major axis direction, the toothbrush according to Claim 1.

3. In a plan view, the second tufts of bristles are arranged in a staggered pattern along the major axis direction, among the first region, the first tuft of bristles arranged most outward in the minor axis direction is arranged more inward in the minor axis direction than the second tuft of bristles arranged most outward in the minor axis direction among the second region, the toothbrush according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The first bristles are round bristles or semi-tapered bristles, the second bristles are tapered bristles, the lengths of the first bristles and the second bristles are flat, the toothbrush according to Claim 1 or 2.

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