Interdental cleaning tool

Abstract

To provide an interdental cleaning tool capable of achieving both easy insertion between teeth and sufficient massage force to gums.SOLUTION: An interdental cleaning tool 1 comprises a base material part 10 having a base section 11 and a shaft section 12 extending from the base section 11, and a soft part 20 comprising a covering section 21 that covers the shaft section 12 over at least 16 mm toward a base end from a tip of the shaft section 12, and a plurality of protruding sections 22 protruding from the covering section 21. In a region of the covering section 21 within a range of 15-20 mm from the tip toward the base end of the shaft section 12, the thickness of the covering section 21 is set to 0.15-0.3 mm, and a shore A hardness of a material forming the soft part 20 is set to 30-60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Interdental cleaning tools for cleaning between teeth have been known. For example, the interdental cleaning tool disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a base member made of synthetic resin and a soft member made of elastomer. The base member comprises a flat handle portion as a handle and a thin core base member extending from the tip of the handle. The soft member comprises a covering portion that covers at least a portion of the core base member and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface of the covering portion. Each protrusion is formed, for example, in a conical shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 176297 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The core substrate is tapered, with the diameter decreasing toward its tip. The protrusions also become smaller toward the tip of the core substrate, allowing for effective cleaning of relatively narrow to relatively wide interdental spaces. The protrusions are not only used for their primary purpose of interdental cleaning, but also to massage the gums by touching them during cleaning, a function that is particularly sought after by middle-aged and older adults whose gums begin to recede. One way to enhance the gum massage effect is to increase the strength (rigidity) of the protrusions, i.e., by increasing the base area of ​​the protrusions. However, this creates a problem in that the insertion of the soft part between teeth becomes difficult in the relatively large diameter region of the core substrate, for example, 15 mm or more from the tip to the base end.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an interdental cleaning tool that can be easily inserted between teeth and that can provide a sufficient massaging force to the gums. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a substrate portion having a base portion and a stem portion extending from the base portion; a soft portion having a covering portion that covers the stem portion over a range of at least 16 mm from the distal end toward the proximal end of the stem portion, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the covering portion; In the region of the covering portion ranging from the tip of the shaft to the base end of 15 mm to 20 mm, the thickness of the covering portion is set to 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, and the Shore A hardness of the material forming the soft portion is set to 30-60.

[0007] According to this aspect, based on the results of testing conducted by the inventors, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaning tool that is easy to insert between teeth and can provide sufficient massaging force to the gums.

[0008] In the above aspect, in the region of the covering portion, the length of the protrusion from the surface of the covering portion is preferably set to 1 mm to 5 mm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaning tool that can be easily inserted between teeth and that can provide a sufficient massaging force to the gums. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a schematic structure of an interdental cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic structure of an interdental cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4]1 is a table showing verification results of Examples and Comparative Examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an interdental cleaning tool 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a base member 10 and a soft member 20 that covers at least a portion of the base member 10. The interdental cleaning tool 1 is individually separated from a connecting body 40 formed by connecting, for example, ten interdental cleaning tools 1 in parallel in the short-side direction D1 of the interdental cleaning tool 1 by a pair of connecting members 30, 30 formed on the base member 10.

[0012] The substrate 10 includes a base 11 that is held by the user, and a shaft 12 that extends from the tip of the base 11 in a longitudinal direction D2 that is perpendicular to the lateral direction D1 of the interdental cleaning tool 1 and is inserted between the user's teeth. In this specification, the side from the base 11 toward the shaft 12 is referred to as the tip side, and the side from the shaft 12 toward the base 11 is referred to as the base side.

[0013] The base 11 is formed, for example, in the shape of a flat, expanding plate, and in this embodiment, it is formed, for example, in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped, but it may be formed in any other shape as long as it can be held by a user.

[0014] The stem 12 extends in the longitudinal direction D2 from a tip, which is one end of the base 11. The stem 12 includes a transition portion 13 that extends continuously from the base 11 in the shape of a flat plate, and a tip portion 14 that extends in the shape of a thin shaft from the tip of the transition portion 13 to the tip of the stem 12. The transition portion 13 is formed in a tapered shape such that the width defined in the short direction D1 decreases toward the tip of the stem 12.

[0015] The substrate 10 is molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material. Examples of the synthetic resin material that can be used include polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyacetal, and polyamide. Furthermore, a fibrous material such as glass fiber may be added to the synthetic resin material at a ratio of, for example, about 1 to 30% by weight.

[0016] The soft portion 20 includes a covering portion 21 that covers at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion 14 of the shaft portion 12, and a plurality of protrusions 22 that protrude from the covering portion 21. The protrusions 22 are formed, for example, in a conical shape, and are arranged, for example, in a spiral shape around the axis of the tip portion 14 of the shaft portion 12 from the base end to the tip of the covering portion 21. The height of the protrusions 22 from the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion 21 decreases from the base end to the tip of the covering portion 21.

[0017] The soft portion 20 is formed from a resin material having a Shore A hardness lower than that of the synthetic resin material of the base portion 10. An elastomer can be used as the resin material, and examples of the elastomer that can be used include styrene-based elastomers, silicone, olefin-based elastomers, and polyester-based elastomers. The Shore A hardness of the elastomer is preferably 10 to 60 in terms of durometer hardness type A (JIS K6253).

[0018] In the interdental cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment, the length L1 of the substrate 10 defined in the longitudinal direction D2 is set to, for example, 45 mm to 55 mm. The width W1 of the base 11 defined in the lateral direction D1 is set to, for example, 3 mm to 10 mm. Furthermore, the thickness T1 of the base 11 defined in the thickness direction D3 perpendicular to the lateral direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D2 is set to, for example, 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

[0019] The cross section of tip portion 14 of shaft portion 12, which is perpendicular to the axis of shaft portion 12, is set to be approximately circular. Tip portion 14 is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter from the base end to the tip, and the diameter is set to be, for example, 0.6 mm to 3.0 mm.

[0020] On the other hand, the length from the base end to the tip end of the covering portion 21 defined in the longitudinal direction D2 is set to, for example, 10 mm to 25 mm, and in this embodiment is set to, for example, 20 mm. The covering portion 21 is formed to have a uniform thickness at the same position in the longitudinal direction D2, and the thickness B is set to, for example, 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0021] 3, the length A of each protrusion 22 from the bottom surface of the protrusion 22 (i.e., the circular bottom surface of the cone) which is the boundary with the covering portion 21 (i.e., the height from the bottom surface of the cone to the apex) is set to, for example, 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm. In this embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 3, the length A of each protrusion 22 decreases from the base end of the covering portion 21 toward the tip end.

[0022] The area M of the bottom surface of each protrusion 22 is, for example, 0.05 mm 2 ~0.5mm 2 Similarly to the length A, the area M of the bottom surface of each protrusion 22 decreases from the base end of the covering portion 21 toward the tip end.

[0023] In the interdental cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment, in the region of the covering portion 21 ranging from 15 mm to 20 mm from the tip to the base end of the shaft portion 12, the length A of the protrusions 22 is set to 1 mm to 5 mm, the thickness B of the covering portion 21 is set to 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, and the Shore A hardness C of the material of the soft portion 20 is set to 30 to 60. By setting these proportions, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaning tool 1 that can be easily inserted between teeth and ensures a sufficient massage force on the gums, as will be explained in the verification results described below. Note that when the length A of the protrusions 22 is set to 1.83 mm, it is more preferable that the thickness B of the covering portion 21 is set to 0.22 mm to 0.25 mm, and the Shore A hardness C of the material of the soft portion 20 is set to 35 to 45.

[0024] The present inventors have verified the effects of the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the above embodiment. For the verification, interdental cleaning tools according to Examples 1 to 18 and interdental cleaning tools according to Comparative Examples 1 to 10 were manufactured, as shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, in a region of the covering part ranging from 15 mm to 20 mm from the tip of the shaft to the base end (shaft diameter 1.04 mm to 1.27 mm), the length A of the protrusions was varied from 1 mm to 5 mm, the thickness B of the covering part was varied from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and the Shore A hardness C of the soft part was varied from 10 to 70.

[0025] The inventors asked evaluators (5 people) to use the interdental cleaning tools according to Examples 1 to 18 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10 and to evaluate their ease of insertion (insertion ability) and massaging power on the gums. The ease of insertion and massaging power were evaluated on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10 points. 0 points represented "could not be inserted between the teeth" or "no massaging sensation was obtained," and 10 points represented "could be inserted between the teeth without resistance" or "satisfactory massage was achieved."

[0026] The evaluation of insertability and massage power calculated based on the above numerical evaluations was given as follows: if the average of the evaluators' numerical values ​​was 7.5 points or more, it was marked "◎", if it was 5 points or more but less than 7.5 points, it was marked "○", if it was 2.5 points or more but less than 5 points, it was marked "△", and if it was less than 2.5 points, it was marked "×". Based on the evaluation of insertability and massage power, an overall evaluation was made according to the following criteria. [Insertability] ◎ Average score of 7.5 or above ○ Average score is 5.0 or more and less than 7.5 △ Average score is between 2.5 and 5.0 × Average score is less than 2.5 [Massage strength] ◎ Average score of 7.5 or above ○ Average score is 5.0 or more and less than 7.5 △ Average score is between 2.5 and 5.0 × Average score is less than 2.5 [comprehensive evaluation] ○ ○ or more △ While there are ○ or ◎, there is also △ × There is even one ×

[0027] In FIG. 4, attention is focused on Comparative Example 4, Comparative Example 5, Examples 6 to 11, and Comparative Example 6. In these examples, the length A (1.83 mm) of the protrusion and the thickness B (0.22 mm) of the covering portion were set to the same conditions. In this case, the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion was changed. In Comparative Examples 4 and 5, in which the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion was set to 10 and 20, respectively, the massage force was rated "×" and the overall evaluation was also "×". In Comparative Example 6, in which the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion was set to 70, both the insertability and massage force were rated "×", and the overall evaluation was also "×". On the other hand, in Examples 6 to 11, although there were some "△" marks, the overall evaluation was "△" or "◯". According to these results, it can be seen that when the length A of the protrusion is 1.83 mm and the thickness B of the covering portion is 0.22 mm, it is preferable to set the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion to 30 to 60.

[0028] Next, we focus on Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 3, Example 4, and Example 5. In these examples, the length A of the protrusion (1.83 mm) and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion (40) were set to the same conditions. In this case, the thickness B of the covering portion was changed. In both Comparative Examples 2 and 3, where the thickness B was 0.1 mm or less, the insertability was rated as "◎", but the massage force was rated as "×", and the overall evaluation was also rated as "×". On the other hand, in Examples 4 and 5, the insertability was rated as "◎" or "○", the massage force was rated as "△", and the overall evaluation was rated as "△" or "○". These results show that when the length A of the protrusion is 1.83 mm and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion is 40, the lower limit of the thickness B of the covering portion is 0.15.

[0029] On the other hand, we focus on Example 12, Example 13, Comparative Example 7, and Comparative Example 8. In these examples, the length A (1.83 mm) of the protrusion and the Shore A hardness C (40) of the soft portion were set to the same conditions as above. In this case, the thickness B of the covering portion was changed. In Comparative Examples 7 and 8, where the thickness B was 0.4 mm or more, the massage force was rated "Fair," but the insertability was rated "Poor," and the overall evaluation was also "Poor." On the other hand, in Examples 12 and 13, where the thickness B was 0.3 mm or less, the insertability was rated "Good" or "Fair," the massage force was rated "Fair," and the overall evaluation was "Fair." These results show that when the length A of the protrusion is 1.83 mm and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion is 40, the upper limit of the thickness B of the covering portion is 0.3. In other words, when combined with the above-mentioned verification results, it is clear that the thickness B of the covering portion is preferably set to 0.15 to 0.3.

[0030] Next, we focus on Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1. In these examples, the length A (1 mm) of the protrusion was set to the same condition, while the thickness B of the covering portion and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion were varied. In Comparative Example 1, the insertability was rated "good", but the massage force was rated "poor", and the overall evaluation was also rated "poor". On the other hand, in Examples 1 to 3, both the insertability and the massage force were rated "fair" or better, and the overall evaluation was also rated "fair" or better. From these results, it can be seen that, as in the results above, a setting of the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion to 10 is not acceptable. On the other hand, it can be seen that the thickness A of the protrusion may be set to 1 mm when the thickness B of the covering portion and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion are within the numerical ranges of the results above.

[0031] On the other hand, attention is focused on Examples 14 to 18 and Comparative Examples 9 and 10. In these examples, the length B of the covering portion was set within the above-mentioned acceptable numerical range, while the length A of the protrusions and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion were varied. In Comparative Examples 9 and 10, the length A of the protrusions was set relatively large at 3 mm or 5 mm, while the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion was set to 10. However, the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion was too low to ensure sufficient massage force. On the other hand, in Examples 14 to 18, both the insertability and massage force were rated "Fair" or better, and the overall evaluation was also "Fair" or better. These results show that a Shore A hardness C of the soft portion set to 10 is unacceptable, while the thickness A of the protrusions may be set to 2 mm to 5 mm when the thickness B of the covering portion and the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion are within the above-mentioned numerical ranges.

[0032] The above verification results show that when the length A of the protrusions is set to 1 mm to 5 mm, if the thickness B of the covering portion is too small (for example, less than 0.15 mm), sufficient massage force cannot be ensured, while if the thickness B of the covering portion is too large (for example, greater than 0.3 mm), insertability is reduced. Similarly, when the length A of the protrusions is set to 1 mm to 5 mm, if the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion is too small (for example, less than 30), sufficient massage force cannot be ensured, while if the Shore A hardness C of the soft portion is too large (for example, greater than 60), both insertability and massage force are reduced. Therefore, it can be seen that a good balance between insertability and massage force is achieved when the length A of the protrusions 22 is set to 1 mm to 5 mm, the thickness B of the covering portion 21 is set to 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, and the Shore A hardness C of the material of the soft portion 20 is set to 30 to 60.

[0033] Next, a method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool 1 will be described below. First, a molten synthetic resin material is filled into the filling space of a first mold that resembles the outer shape of the base part 10, to form the base part 10. The base part 10 is then removed from the first mold. The molded base part 10 is then placed in the filling space of a second mold that resembles the outer shape of the soft part 20. A molten elastomer is filled into the filling space to form the soft part 20. In this way, the interdental cleaning tool 1 is formed. The interdental cleaning tool 1 is then removed from the second mold.

[0034] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1...Interdental cleaning tool, 10...Base material portion, 11...Base portion, 12...Shank portion, 20...Soft portion, 21...Coating portion, 22...Protrusion portion, A...Length of protrusion portion, B...Thickness of coating portion, C...Shore A hardness of soft portion

Claims

1. a substrate portion having a base portion and a stem portion extending from the base portion; a soft portion including a covering portion that covers the stem portion over a range of at least 16 mm from the distal end toward the proximal end of the stem portion, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the covering portion; The tip portion of the shaft has a tapered shape that narrows toward the tip and is formed to have a cross section that is approximately circular, and an exposed portion that is not covered by the covering portion is formed in a predetermined region from the base end toward the tip, and in the region of the shaft that is covered by the covering portion within a range of 15 mm to 20 mm from the tip to the base end of the shaft, the thickness of the covering portion is set to 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, and the Shore A hardness of the material forming the soft portion is set to 30 to 60.

2. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein in the region of the covering portion, the length of the protrusion from the surface of the covering portion is set to 1 mm to 5 mm.

3. The base area of ​​the plurality of protrusions decreases from the base end of the covering portion toward the tip end thereof, and is 0.05 mm 2 ~0.5mm 2 The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interdental cleaning tool is set to

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