Interdental cleaning tool

Abstract

To provide an interdental cleaning tool that is easy to move at the time of interdental cleaning.SOLUTION: An interdental cleaning tool includes a handle part 2 and a head part 3 provided in the handle part 2. The head part 3 includes a pair of support parts 31 separated from each other in a first direction, and a wire 4 extending in the first direction and stretched across the pair of support parts 31. When a length of the wire 4 in between the support parts 31 is L1 and a distance between outer surfaces of the pair of support parts 31 in the first direction is L2, L1 / L2 is equal to or greater than 0.75.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an interdental cleaner.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a conventional interdental cleaner. The interdental cleaner described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of support pieces arranged at intervals, a handle portion that can be held by hand, and a wire member extending between the pair of support pieces.

[0003] When using the interdental cleaner, the user can clean between the teeth by holding the handle and moving the interdental cleaner horizontally with the wire member inserted between the teeth.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in an interdental cleaner, if the length of the wire member between the support pieces is too short, it becomes difficult to move the interdental cleaner horizontally with the wire member inserted between the teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a certain length of the wire member between the support pieces. However, if the length of the wire member between the support pieces is increased, the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of support pieces also increases. In this case, for example, when cleaning between the teeth of the back teeth, if the interdental cleaner is moved horizontally, the support pieces are likely to hit the inner surface of the cheek in the oral cavity, etc., and there is a problem that it is difficult to move the interdental cleaner.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an interdental cleaner that is easy to move during interdental cleaning.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the interdental cleaner of the present disclosure includes, with the interdental cleaner described in Item 1 below as the subject matter.

[0008] Item 1. A handle part, and a head part provided on the handle part. The head part has a pair of support parts separated in a first direction, and a wire member that extends in the first direction and is spanned between the pair of support parts. In the interdental cleaner, when the length of the wire member between the support parts is L1 and the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of support parts in the first direction is L2, L1 / L2 is 0.75 or more.

[0009] Further, as a preferred embodiment of the interdental cleaner of the present disclosure, the interdental cleaner described in Item 2 below is included.

[0010] Item 2. The interdental cleaner according to Item 1, wherein the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of support parts in the first direction is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0011] Further, as a preferred embodiment of the interdental cleaner of the present disclosure, the interdental cleaner described in Item 3 below is included.

[0012] Item 3. The head part includes a connecting part that connects the pair of support parts. In the interdental cleaner according to Item 1 or Item 2, the radius of curvature of the first corner part between the connecting part and one support part is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second corner part between the connecting part and the other support part.

[0013] Further, as a preferred embodiment of the interdental cleaner of the present disclosure, the interdental cleaner described in Item 4 below is included.

[0014] Item 4. The handle part protrudes from the head part along the first direction. In the first direction, the first inner corner portion is located closer to the protruding tip of the handle portion than the second inner corner portion, the interdental cleaner according to item 3

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] The interdental cleaner according to the above aspect of the present disclosure has the advantage of being easy to move during interdental cleaning.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the interdental cleaner 1 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the interdental cleaner 1 includes a handle portion 2 and a head portion 3 provided on the handle portion 2. The head portion 3 has a pair of support portions 31 separated in a first direction and a wire 4 extending in the first direction and bridged over the support portions 31. As shown in FIG. 2, when the length of the wire 4 between the support portions 31 is L1 and the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of support portions 31 in the first direction is L2, the head portion 3 is set such that L1 / L2 is 0.75 or more.

[0019] With this configuration, the interdental cleaner 1 can increase the length L1 of the wire 4 while reducing the excessive increase in the distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the support portions 31 of the head portion 3. Therefore, for example, when cleaning between the back teeth, it is easy to move in the first direction.

[0020] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction in which a pair of support portions 31 move apart is defined as the "lateral direction", and the longitudinal direction of the support portion 31 is defined as the "longitudinal direction". Among the longitudinal directions, as shown in FIG. 1, "upper" and "lower" are defined. The longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction. Also, the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction is defined as the "thickness direction". The lateral direction may be referred to as the "first direction", the longitudinal direction may be referred to as the "second direction", and the thickness direction may be referred to as the "third direction". However, the definitions of these directions are only for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to specify the usage mode of the interdental cleaning tool 1.

[0021] Also, in this specification, "parallel" includes not only the case where two straight lines, planes, etc. (hereinafter, straight lines, etc.) do not intersect even when extended, but also the case where the angle formed by two straight lines, etc. intersects within a range of 10° or less. Also, "orthogonal" means the case where two straight lines, etc. intersect within a range of 90° ± 10°. However, even if two straight lines, etc. do not directly intersect, if they intersect when extended, they are included in "orthogonal".

[0022] (Handle portion 2) The handle portion 2 is a portion that the user grips with fingers. The handle portion 2 preferably protrudes along the lateral direction from the upper end portion of the head portion 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the handle portion 2 according to the present embodiment has, in the lateral direction, a first portion 21, a second portion 22, and a third portion 23 arranged in order from the end portion on the head portion 3 side, and these are integrally formed. Note that the handle portion 2 may protrude along the longitudinal direction from the upper end portion of the head portion 3.

[0023] The first portion 21 extends straight and parallel in the lateral direction. The width (length in the longitudinal direction) of the first portion 21 is preferably 3 mm or more and 7 mm or less, more preferably 3.5 mm or more and 6.5 mm or less, and still more preferably 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

[0024] The second part 22 is inclined with respect to the lateral direction so as to advance upward as it advances toward the protruding tip end side of the handle part 2 in the lateral direction. The width of the second part 22 is formed to be equal to or less than the width of the first part 21. The third part 23 is inclined with respect to the lateral direction so as to advance downward as it advances toward the protruding tip end side of the handle part 2 in the lateral direction. The third part 23 is formed in a pointed shape as it approaches the tip. The width of the third part 23 is formed to be equal to or less than the width of the second part 22. The upper edge of the handle part 2 is smoothly continuous from the first part 21 to the third part 23. Also, the lower edge of the handle part 2 is smoothly continuous from the first part 21 to the third part 23. Note that the shape of the handle part 2 is not particularly limited, and it may be formed straight and with the same width over the entire length.

[0025] The handle part 2 preferably has the same thickness over the entire length. In the present embodiment, the handle part 2 has a flat shape with a thickness shorter than the width. The thickness of the handle part 2 is preferably, for example, 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, more preferably 1.6 mm or more and 2.1 mm or less. Note that the handle part 2 does not have to be flat, and it may be, for example, rod-shaped.

[0026] There is no particular limitation on the material of the handle part 2, and examples thereof include resins such as flexible polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0027] (Head part 3) The head part 3 is a part on which the wire 4 is hung. The head part 3 includes a pair of support parts 31, a connecting part 32 that connects the pair of support parts 31, and a wire 4 hung on the pair of support parts 31. The pair of support parts 31 and the connecting part 32 are integrally formed. Also, the pair of support parts 31 and the connecting part 32 are preferably formed of the same material as the handle part 2. The handle part 2, the pair of support parts 31, and the connecting part 32 are preferably integrally formed. However, the pair of support parts 31 and the connecting part 32 may be separate from the handle part 2 and may not be formed of the same material.

[0028] The pair of support portions 31 has a first support portion 311 and a second support portion 312 that are separated in the lateral direction. The first support portion 311 is located on the protruding tip side of the handle portion 2 rather than the second support portion 312 in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the first support portion 311 extends in the longitudinal direction and protrudes below the connecting portion 32 and the handle portion 2 in the longitudinal direction. The width H1 (the length in the lateral direction) of the first support portion 311 is preferably 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less, more preferably 2.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0029] The corner portion between the first support portion 311 and the connecting portion 32 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the first corner portion 33) is a curve when viewed in the thickness direction (may be referred to as "front view"). Also, the corner portion between the first support portion 311 and the handle portion 2 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the third corner portion) is a curve in the front view. Further, the front end surface of the first support portion 311 is in a semi-circular arc shape in the front view.

[0030] The radius of curvature of the first corner portion 33 is preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less, and still more preferably 2.5 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less. Also, the radius of curvature of the third corner portion is preferably larger than the radius of curvature of the first corner portion 33. The radius of curvature of the third corner portion is preferably 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or more and 7 mm or less, and still more preferably 5.5 mm or more and 6.5 mm or less.

[0031] The second support portion 312 is located on the tip side of the interdental cleaning tool 1 rather than the first support portion 311 in the lateral direction. The upper end portion of the second support portion 312 is formed in a 1 / 8 circular arc shape and is connected to the connecting portion 32. The lower end portion of the second support portion 312 extends in the longitudinal direction. The width H2 (the length in the lateral direction) of the second support portion 312 is preferably 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less, more preferably 2.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The width H2 of the second support portion 312 is preferably the same width as the width H1 of the first support portion 311.

[0032] The inner corner portion between the second support portion 312 and the connecting portion 32 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the second inner corner portion 34) is curved in a front view. The radius of curvature of the second inner corner portion 34 is preferably 6 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or more and 9 mm or less, and still more preferably 7.5 mm or more and 8.5 mm or less. Further, the front end surface of the second support portion 312 is semi-circular arc-shaped in a front view, similar to the first support portion 311. Note that the boundary between the second support portion 312 and the connecting portion 32 is a virtual surface connecting the center of the inner peripheral curve and the center of the outer peripheral curve at the second inner corner portion 34, and actually, the boundary may not appear.

[0033] The radius of curvature of the first inner corner portion 33 is preferably smaller than the radius of curvature of the second inner corner portion 34. For example, the radius of curvature of the first inner corner portion 33 is preferably half or less of the radius of curvature of the second inner corner portion 34. Thereby, in a state where the wire 4 is inserted between the teeth, the first inner corner portion 33 is less likely to interfere with the teeth, and it is easy to move the interdental cleaning tool 1 in the lateral direction.

[0034] Further, it is preferable that the head portion 3 has the same width from the position on the second support portion 312 side rather than the first inner corner portion 33 in the connecting portion 32 to the second support portion 312. The "same width" as used herein means that the width H3 of the connecting portion 32 is 95% or more and 105% or less with respect to the width H2 of the second support portion 312. Thereby, the second support portion 312 is more likely to bend than the first support portion 311 and does not bend too much, making it easy to insert between the teeth and making it easy to align the wire 4 along the teeth during interdental cleaning.

[0035] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, let the length of the wire 4 between the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312 be L1, and the distance between the outer surfaces of the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312 in the lateral direction be L2. In this case, L1 / L2 is set to 0.75 or more. With such a configuration, the interdental cleaning tool 1 can reduce the situation where the distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the support portion 31 of the head portion 3 becomes too large while making the length L1 of the wire 4 long. Therefore, for example, during interdental cleaning of the back teeth, it is easy to move in the lateral direction.

[0036] The distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312 in the horizontal direction is preferably 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 20.5 mm or more and 26 mm or less, and still more preferably 21 mm or more and 22 mm or less. Thereby, the horizontal length of the head portion 3 does not become too small and does not become too large. As a result, even if the horizontal length of the head portion 3 is designed to be compact to such an extent that it does not become too small, the length of the wire 4 can be increased. For example, when cleaning between the teeth of the back teeth, it is easy to move the interdental cleaning tool 1.

[0037] The wire 4 extends in the horizontal direction. The wire 4 is bridged between the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312. One end portion of the wire 4 penetrates the first support portion 311. At one end portion of the wire 4, the portion protruding from the first support portion 311 is heat-welded and fixed to the first support portion 311. Also, the other end portion of the wire 4 penetrates the second support portion 312. At the other end portion of the wire 4, the portion protruding from the second support portion 312 is heat-welded and fixed to the second support portion 312.

[0038] The wire 4 is preferably composed of a plurality of multifilaments. Each multifilament is formed by twisting a plurality of monofilaments. Examples of the material of each monofilament include thermoplastic synthetic resins such as polyethylene, nylon, Teflon (registered trademark), vinylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, and polypropylene.

[0039] The maximum distance L3 between the wire 4 and the connecting portion 32 is preferably 8 mm or more and 13 mm or less, more preferably 9 mm or more and 12 mm or less, and still more preferably 10 mm or more and 11 mm or less. Thereby, when inserting between the teeth, the user can insert the wire 4 between the teeth without opening the mouth wide, and when the wire 4 is inserted between the teeth, it is possible to make it difficult for the connecting portion 32 to hit the teeth.

[0040] (Function and effect) As described above, since L1 / L2 of the interdental cleaning tool 1 according to the present embodiment is 0.75 or more, while reducing the increase in the distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the support portions 31 of the head portion 3, the length L1 of the wire 4 can be increased. Therefore, it is easy to move during interdental cleaning of the back teeth.

[0041] Also, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 according to the present embodiment, the distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the pair of support portions 31 in the first direction is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. For this reason, the lateral length of the head portion 3 can be designed to be an appropriate size that does not become too large or too small. Therefore, for example, it is easy to move the interdental cleaning tool 1 during interdental cleaning of the back teeth.

[0042] Also, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 according to the present embodiment, since the radius of curvature of the first corner portion 33 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second corner portion 34, in a state where the wire 4 is inserted between the teeth, the first corner portion 33 is less likely to interfere with the teeth, and it is easy to move the interdental cleaning tool 1 in the lateral direction.

[0043] Also, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 according to the present embodiment, in the first direction, the first corner portion 33 is located closer to the protruding tip side of the handle portion 2 than the second corner portion 34. For this reason, when the handle portion 2 is moved toward the teeth, the first corner portion 33 is less likely to interfere with the teeth, and it is easy to move the interdental cleaning tool 1 in the lateral direction.

[0044] <Modification Example> The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment can be variously modified according to design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Hereinafter, modification examples of the embodiment will be listed. The modification examples described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0045] In the above embodiment, as an example where the handle portion 2 protrudes "along the lateral direction" from the head portion 3, an example where the handle portion 2 extends parallel to the lateral direction was given. However, for example, even in the case of FIG. 3, it is considered to be within the category of "the handle portion 2 protruding along the lateral direction". That is, in the present disclosure, for the handle portion 2 to protrude from the head portion 3 along the lateral direction means that the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 2 with respect to the lateral direction is within the range of ±45°.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the wire 4 was composed of a plurality of multifilaments, but it may be composed of only a plurality of monofilaments.

[0047] <Example> Hereinafter, examples of the present disclosure will be described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples.

[0048] As Example 1, an interdental cleaner having the same form as the interdental cleaner 1 of the above embodiment was used. The length L1 of the wire between the first support portion and the second support portion was set to 15.75 mm. Also, the distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the first support portion and the second support portion was set to 21 mm. Therefore, L1 / L2 became 0.75. The interdental cleaner of Example 1 had the wire as four multifilaments and the material was polyethylene.

[0049] As Example 2, an interdental cleaner having the same form as the interdental cleaner 1 of the above embodiment was used. The distance L1 was set to 16.5 mm. Also, the distance L2 was set to 22 mm. Therefore, L1 / L2 became 0.75. The interdental cleaner of Example 2 had the wire as four multifilaments and the material was polyethylene.

[0050] As Comparative Example 1, an interdental cleaner having the same form as the interdental cleaner 1 of the above embodiment was used. The distance L1 was set to 14.7 mm. Also, the distance L2 was set to 21 mm. Therefore, L1 / L2 became 0.7. The interdental cleaner of Comparative Example 1 had the wire as one microfiber and the material was polyester.

[0051] As Comparative Example 2, an interdental cleaner was used in which, in the interdental cleaner 1 of the above-described embodiment, the radius of curvature of the first insertion corner and the radius of curvature of the second insertion corner were both 9 mm. The distance L1 was set to 17.75 mm. Also, the distance L2 was set to 25 mm. Therefore, L1 / L2 was 0.71. The interdental cleaner of Comparative Example 2 had four multi-filaments as the wire material and was made of polyethylene.

[0052] As Comparative Example 3, an interdental cleaner having the same form as the interdental cleaner 1 of the above-described embodiment was used. The distance L1 was set to 14.7 mm. Also, the distance L2 was set to 21 mm. Therefore, L1 / L2 was 0.7. The interdental cleaner of Comparative Example 3 had four multi-filaments as the wire material and was made of polyethylene.

[0053] Using the interdental cleaners of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3, an insertion test and a test for ease of movement were conducted.

[0054] (Insertion test) With respect to the interdental space between the first premolar and the second premolar of the lower jaw model, it was moved at a speed of 50 mm / min so that the wire material was horizontal. When inserting, the peak value of the force applied to the interdental cleaner was defined as the "insertion force", and the insertion force was measured with a push-pull gauge. As the evaluation criteria, when the measured value of the push-pull gauge was less than 5 N, the insertion property was evaluated as "〇" indicating good insertion property, and when it was 5 N or more, the insertion property was evaluated as "△" indicating inferior insertion property.

[0055] (Test for ease of movement) Thirteen monitors performed interdental cleaning using the interdental cleaners of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3, and evaluated the ease of movement during interdental cleaning for the front teeth and the back teeth. As the evaluation criteria, each monitor evaluated as "5" for satisfaction, "4" for somewhat satisfied, "3" for neither, "2" for somewhat dissatisfied, and "1" for dissatisfied.

[0056] After that, the evaluation values of all monitors were aggregated and judged based on the following criteria. When the total value of the satisfactory and slightly satisfactory cases is 80% or more of the total, it is "◎"; when the total value of the satisfactory and slightly satisfactory cases is 70% or more but less than 80%, it is "〇"; when the total value of the satisfactory and slightly satisfactory cases is less than 70%, it is "△".

[0057] The test results are shown in Table 1.

[0058]

Table 1

[0059] In Table 1, in Examples 1 and 2, L1 / L2 is 0.75, and in Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3, L1 / L2 is less than 0.75. At this time, in the insertion test and the ease of movement test, in both Examples 1 and 2, it is "◎", while in Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3, the ease of movement at the molar teeth is "〇" or "△". From this, it was found that when L1 / L2 is 0.75, the evaluation of insertability and ease of movement is high.

[0060] In Table 1, in Comparative Example 2, L2 is 25 mm, and in Comparative Example 3, L2 is 21 mm. At this time, in the test of the ease of movement at the molar teeth, in Comparative Example 2, it is "△", while in Comparative Example 3, it is "〇". From this, it was found that when the distance L2 between the outer surfaces of the first support portion and the second support portion is 25 mm or more, it affects the ease of movement at the molar teeth.

[0061] In Table 1, in Comparative Example 1, polyester is used for the wire, and in Comparative Example 3, polyethylene is used for the wire. In the insertion test, in Comparative Example 1, it is "△", while in Comparative Example 3, it is "〇". From this, it was found that when polyethylene is used for the material of the wire, the insertability is further improved.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0062] 1 Interdental cleaning tool 2 Handle portion 21 First part 22 Second part 23 Third part 3 Head part 31 Support part 311 First support part 312 Second support part 32 Connecting part 33 First corner part 34 Second corner part 4 Wire

Claims

1. A handle part, A head part provided on the handle part, Comprising, The head part, A pair of support parts separated in the first direction, A wire member that extends in the first direction and is spanned between the pair of support parts, Having, When the length of the wire member between the support parts is L1 and the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of support parts in the first direction is L2, L1 / L2 is 0.75 or more, An interdental cleaner.

2. The distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of support parts in the first direction is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less, The interdental cleaner according to Claim 1.

3. The head part includes a connecting part that connects the pair of support parts, The radius of curvature of the first corner portion between the connecting part and one support part is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second corner portion between the connecting part and the other support part, The interdental cleaner according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The handle part protrudes from the head part along the first direction, In the first direction, the first corner portion is located closer to the protruding tip side of the handle part than the second corner portion, The interdental cleaner according to Claim 3.

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