Interdental cleaning tools

Abstract

To provide an interdental cleaning tool with excellent cleanability. [Solution] An interdental cleaning tool having a main body and a soft part, the soft part having a soft shaft and a brush part, the soft shaft having a peripheral wall, the main body having a base and a core part, the core part extending into the peripheral wall and in close contact with the inner surface of the peripheral wall, the brush part having a predetermined number of rows of brush protrusions, the row of brush protrusions consisting of a plurality of brush protrusions, the brush protrusions protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall, wherein the radial thickness of the peripheral wall at the base end is less than or equal to the radial thickness of the peripheral wall at the tip, the base has a main body shaft and a hexagonal prismatic part, the main body shaft extends axially toward the base end from the base end of the soft shaft to the tip of the hexagonal prismatic part, the predetermined number of rows of brush protrusions have predetermined rows of brush protrusions, the predetermined rows of brush protrusions protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the soft shaft along predetermined diagonals of the hexagonal prismatic part when viewed in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As an interdental cleaning tool having a main body portion and a soft portion, the soft portion is made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body portion and has a soft shaft portion and a brush portion. The soft shaft portion extends in the axial direction and has a peripheral wall. The main body portion has a base portion and a shaft core portion. The base portion extends from the proximal end of the soft shaft portion toward the axial proximal end side. The shaft core portion extends from the tip of the base portion into the peripheral wall of the soft shaft portion and is in close contact with the inner surface of the peripheral wall. The brush portion has a predetermined number of brush protrusion rows. The predetermined number of brush protrusion rows are arranged in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction. The brush protrusion row is composed of a plurality of brush protrusions. The brush protrusions are known to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For an interdental cleaning tool as described above, cleaning performance that can easily clean between teeth is important.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an interdental cleaning tool having excellent cleaning performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0007] [1] Having a main body portion and a soft portion, The soft part is made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body, and has a soft shaft portion and a brush portion. The aforementioned soft shaft portion extends in the axial direction and has a circumferential wall. The main body portion has a base portion and an axial core portion, The base portion extends from the base end of the soft shaft portion toward the axial base end, The shaft core extends from the tip of the base into the circumferential wall of the soft shaft and is in close contact with the inner surface of the circumferential wall. The brush portion has a predetermined number of rows of brush protrusions, The predetermined number of brush protrusion rows are arranged in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction. The aforementioned row of brush protrusions consists of multiple brush protrusions, The brush projection is an interdental cleaning tool that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall, The radial thickness of the peripheral wall at the base end of the peripheral wall is less than or equal to the radial thickness of the peripheral wall at the tip end of the peripheral wall. The base portion has a main shaft portion and a hexagonal prism portion. The main shaft portion extends axially towards the base end from the base end of the soft shaft portion to the tip of the hexagonal prismatic portion, The predetermined number of brush protrusion rows have a predetermined number of brush protrusion rows. An interdental cleaning tool wherein the predetermined rows of brush protrusions project from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion along predetermined diagonals of the hexagonal prism-shaped portion when viewed in the axial direction.

[0008] [2] The peripheral wall has a row of holes consisting of three holes arranged along the axial direction, The first outer diameter, which is the outer diameter of the peripheral wall at the first position, which is the axial position where the center of the hole at the foremost end of the row of holes is located, is 0.6 mm or less, and the second outer diameter, which is the outer diameter of the peripheral wall at the second position, which is the axial position where the center of the hole at the base end of the row of holes is located, is 1.1 mm or less. The aforementioned hole is recessed from the outer surface of the peripheral wall to the outer surface of the axial core, The bottom surface of the hole is curved to form a single protrusion that projects radially outward when viewed in the axial direction. The interdental cleaning tool according to [1], wherein the depth of the hole at the most proximal end of the hole row is not more than the depth of the hole at the most distal end of the hole row.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, an interdental cleaning tool excellent in cleaning performance can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] (a) is an external view of an interdental cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a first radial direction, and (b) is an external view of the interdental cleaning tool shown in (a) as viewed from a second radial direction. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1(a). [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1(a). [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 1(a). [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 1(a). [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of use of the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in one embodiment of the present invention, an interdental cleaning tool 1 has a main body portion 2 and a soft portion 3. The soft portion 3 is made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body portion 2 and has a soft shaft portion 3a and a brush portion 3b. The soft shaft portion 3a extends in the axial direction and has a peripheral wall 3a1. The main body portion 2 has a base portion 2a and a shaft core portion 2b. The base portion 2a extends from the proximal end of the soft shaft portion 3a toward the axial proximal end side. The shaft core portion 2b extends from the tip of the base portion 2a into the peripheral wall 3a1 of the soft shaft portion 3a and adheres to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 3a1.

[0013] The shaft core part 2b is axially elongated with the central axis O as the center. The direction along the central axis O is called the axial direction, the direction from the base part 2a towards the soft shaft part 3a along the axial direction is called the axial tip side, the opposite direction is called the axial base end side, the direction orthogonal to the central axis O is called the radial direction, and the direction that circulates around the central axis O is called the circumferential direction. Also, the end on the axial tip side is called the tip, and the end on the axial base end side is called the base end. A predetermined radial direction is called the first radial direction, and a predetermined radial direction orthogonal to the first radial direction is called the second radial direction.

[0014] The main body part 2 is preferably formed of a resin material. The soft part 3 is preferably formed of a resin material, an elastomer material, or a rubber material, and among them, it is more preferably formed of an elastomer material.

[0015] The resin material forming the main body part 2 is preferably polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, or polyacetal, etc. Among them, from the perspective of strength, polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, or polybutylene terephthalate is preferable, polypropylene, polyethylene, or ABS is more preferable, and polypropylene is even more preferable.

[0016] The elastomer material forming the soft part 3 is preferably a styrene-based elastomer, silicone, olefin-based elastomer, or polyester-based elastomer, etc. Among them, from the perspective of not damaging the gum, a styrene-based elastomer, silicone, or olefin-based elastomer is preferable, a styrene-based elastomer or olefin-based elastomer is more preferable, and a styrene-based elastomer is even more preferable.

[0017] The hardness of the soft part 3 preferably has a durometer hardness type A (JIS K6253) of 10 - 50, and more preferably 10 - 40. In this embodiment, the durometer hardness type A is 35.

[0018] The brush portion 3b has a predetermined number of rows of brush protrusions 3c, which are arranged circumferentially when viewed in the axial direction, and each row of brush protrusions 3c consists of a plurality of brush protrusions 3c1, which protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 3a1.

[0019] The radial thickness t2 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the base end is less than or equal to the radial thickness t1 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the tip end, the base 2a has a main shaft portion 2a2 and a hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1, the main shaft portion 2a2 extends axially towards the base end from the base end of the soft shaft portion 3a to the tip of the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1, and there are a predetermined number of brush projection rows 3c, the predetermined brush projection rows 3c protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion 3a along predetermined diagonals of the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0020] The radial thickness t1 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the tip of the peripheral wall 3a1 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 0.20 mm. From the viewpoint of the strength of the soft part 3, it is preferably 0.08 to 0.18 mm, and more preferably 0.10 to 0.15 mm.

[0021] The radial thickness t2 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the base end of the peripheral wall 3a1 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 0.20 mm. From the viewpoint of the strength of the soft part 3, it is preferably 0.08 to 0.18 mm, and more preferably 0.10 to 0.15 mm.

[0022] The ratio (t1:t2) of the radial thickness t2 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the base end to the radial thickness t1 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the tip end of the peripheral wall 3a1 is not particularly limited, but is for example 1:0.5 to 1. From the viewpoint of reducing frictional resistance with the teeth T, it is preferably 1:0.7 to 0.95, and more preferably 1:0.8 to 0.93.

[0023] The base portion 2a (main shaft portion 2a2 and hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1) extends in a straight line, and the central axis O of the flexible shaft portion 3a passes through the centers of the main shaft portion 2a2 and the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1. The direction in which the predetermined diagonals of the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1 extend is defined as the second radial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the second radial direction is defined as the first radial direction. The hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1 has a pair of sides facing opposite directions in the second radial direction. Note that the base portion 2a is not limited to a configuration that extends in a straight line.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the radial thickness t2 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the base end is less than or equal to the radial thickness t1 of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the tip end, so the displacement range in which the peripheral wall 3a1 can be elastically deformed radially at the base end can be suppressed. Therefore, when the brush portion 3b is inserted deeply between the teeth, deformation of the peripheral wall 3a1 at the base end conforming to the surface shape of the tooth T (see dashed line in Figure 2) is suppressed, and the frictional resistance with the tooth T is reduced. Furthermore, by having the predetermined row of brush protrusions 3c that project along the predetermined diagonal of the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1, when the tooth T is positioned upwards and the opposite side downwards, when cleaning the interdental gap G, the soft portion 3 is moved axially in the gap G while gripping the side of the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1 (typically the pair of side surfaces) and the predetermined row of brush protrusions 3c projecting upwards, the predetermined row of brush protrusions 3c slides and is guided by the adjacent teeth T at the upper end of the gap G, and because the frictional resistance with the teeth T is small at that time, the interdental cleaning tool 1 can be moved smoothly axially. In this case, from the viewpoint of obtaining a good guidance function, it is important to match the inclination of the predetermined row of brush protrusions 3c with the inclination θ of the gap G at the upper end of the gap G when viewed in the axial direction. However, the shape of the gap G differs depending on the shape or size of the adjacent teeth T, and the inclination θ of the gap G at the upper end of the gap G when viewed in the axial direction varies. In this regard, since the gripping portion is composed of a hexagonal prism-shaped portion 2a1, the inclination of the predetermined brush projection row 3c can be easily adjusted by simply twisting the gripping portion, as shown by the solid and dashed lines in Figure 6. Therefore, an interdental cleaning tool 1 with excellent cleaning performance can be realized.

[0025] The interdental cleaning tool 1 has the following configuration to facilitate obtaining the above-mentioned effect. However, it may also have a configuration that includes only some of the following components.

[0026] The hexagonal prism portion 2a1 is shaped like a regular hexagonal prism. The hexagonal prism portion 2a1 is elongated in the axial direction. The hexagonal prism portion 2a1 may have one or more grooves (for example, grooves extending in the circumferential or axial direction) for purposes such as anti-slip. The hexagonal prism portion 2a1 has six sides, each extending axially along a plane.

[0027] The main shaft portion 2a2 gradually increases in radial width towards the axial base end from the tip of the base portion 2a to the tip of the hexagonal prism portion 2a1. The main shaft portion 2a2 has a frustoconical shape with six sides connected to each of the six sides of the hexagonal prism portion 2a1.

[0028] The circumferential wall 3a1 has a row of holes 6 (see Figure 1) consisting of three holes 4 arranged along the axial direction. The first outer diameter d1 of the circumferential wall 3a1 at the first position, which is the axial position where the center of the furthest leading hole 4 of the row of holes 6 is located, is 0.6 mm or less, and the second outer diameter d2 of the circumferential wall 3a1 at the second position, which is the axial position where the center of the furthest proximal hole 4 of the row of holes 6 is located, is 1.1 mm or less. The holes 4 are recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 3a1 to the outer circumferential surface of the axial core portion 2b, and the bottom surface 4a of the holes 4 is curved to form a single convex portion that protrudes radially outward when viewed in the axial direction (see Figure 3). The bottom surface 4a of the holes 4 is curved in an arc shape when viewed in the axial direction, but is not limited to this. The depth D2 of the furthest proximal hole 4 of the row of holes 6 (see Figure 3) is less than or equal to the depth D1 of the furthest leading hole 4 of the row of holes 6 (see Figure 5).

[0029] According to the above configuration, the peripheral wall 3a1 has a row of holes 6 consisting of three holes 4, the first outer diameter d1 is 0.6 mm or less, and the second outer diameter d2 is 1.1 mm or less, so the brush part 3b can be easily inserted into the interdental spaces of the molars, and the row of holes 6 of the soft shaft part 3a makes it easy to scrape plaque from the surface of the teeth T (see the dashed line in Figure 2).

[0030] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the bottom surface 4a of the hole 4 is curved to form only one convex portion that protrudes radially outward when viewed in the axial direction, and the depth D2 of the most proximal hole 4 in the hole row 6 is less than or equal to the depth D1 of the most distal hole 4 in the hole row 6. Therefore, plaque that is received into the hole 4 from between the teeth and scraped out is prevented from sticking to the bottom of the hole 4, especially in the most proximal hole 4 of the hole row 6, making it impossible to remove from the hole 4.

[0031] The depth D1 of the outermost hole 4 in the row of holes 6 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 0.20 mm. From the viewpoint of excellent cleanability and plaque removal, it is preferably 0.08 to 0.18 mm, and more preferably 0.10 to 0.15 mm.

[0032] The depth D2 of the most proximal hole 4 in the row of holes 6 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 0.20 mm. From the viewpoint of excellent cleanability and plaque removal, it is preferably 0.08 to 0.18 mm, and more preferably 0.10 to 0.15 mm.

[0033] The ratio (D1:D2) of the depth D2 of the most proximal hole 4 in the hole row 6 to the depth D1 of the most distal hole 4 in the hole row 6 is not particularly limited, but is for example 1:0.5 to 1. From the viewpoint of excellent cleanability and plaque removal, it is preferably 1:0.7 to 0.95, and more preferably 1:0.8 to 0.93.

[0034] The peripheral wall 3a1 has a pair of hole rows 7 consisting of a pair of hole rows 6 (see Figure 2). The pair of holes 4 at the outermost tip of the hole row pair 7 are positioned on a straight line L perpendicular to the central axis O of the axial core portion 2b, with the holes themselves flanking the central axis O. The pair of holes 4 at the base of the hole row pair 7 are positioned on a straight line L perpendicular to the central axis O, with the periphery of the holes 4 flanking the central axis O. The remaining pair of holes 4 at the hole row pair 7 are positioned on a straight line L perpendicular to the central axis O, with the holes themselves flanking the central axis O. Each straight line L extends in the first radial direction. The pair of holes 4 at the outermost tip of the hole row pair 7 may be configured so that the periphery of the holes 4 is positioned on the straight line L flanking the central axis O. The pair of holes 4 at the base of the hole row pair 7 may be configured so that the holes themselves are positioned on the straight line L flanking the central axis O. The remaining pair of holes 4 in the hole row pair 7 may be configured such that the peripheral edges of the holes 4 are positioned on a straight line L, straddling the central axis O. When the holes of the pair of holes 4 are positioned on a straight line L, straddling the central axis O, the pair of holes 4 are on opposite sides of each other, allowing for efficient removal of plaque. When the peripheral edges of the pair of holes 4 are positioned on a straight line L, straddling the central axis O, the parts of the holes themselves of the pair of holes 4 that would otherwise have their core portion 2b exposed and reduced in strength are offset from each other in the axial direction, thus preventing the core portion 2b from breaking, especially when cleaning molars.

[0035] The peripheral wall 3a1 has a pair of holes 5, each consisting of a pair of holes 4, where the holes themselves or their peripheral edges are located on a straight line L perpendicular to the central axis O of the axial core portion 2b, with the holes flanking the central axis O. The peripheral wall 3a1 has a plurality of pairs of holes 5 arranged along the axial direction.

[0036] Hole 4 is a round hole. The depth direction of each hole 4 coincides with the first radial direction. The circumferential surface 4b of each hole 4 extends along the first radial direction.

[0037] The outer surface of the circumferential wall 3a1 gradually expands in diameter toward the axial base end. The inner surface of the circumferential wall 3a1 gradually expands in diameter toward the axial base end. The soft shaft portion 3a has a tip wall 3a2, which closes the tip of the circumferential wall 3a1. The circumferential wall 3a1 has a tapered cylindrical shape that narrows toward the axial tip end. The outer surface of the shaft core portion 2b gradually expands in diameter toward the axial base end. The shaft core portion 2b has a tapered cylindrical shape that narrows toward the axial tip end.

[0038] It is preferable that the first outer diameter d1 be 0.50 to 0.60 mm and the second outer diameter d2 be 1.00 to 1.10 mm, more preferably that the first outer diameter d1 be 0.53 to 0.60 mm and the second outer diameter d2 be 1.05 to 1.10 mm, and even more preferably that the first outer diameter d1 be 0.53 to 0.60 mm and the second outer diameter d2 be 1.05 to 1.08 mm.

[0039] Multiple brush protrusions 3c1 are arranged along the axial direction. Multiple brush protrusions 3c1 are arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction. The radial length of the brush protrusions 3c1 constituting the brush protrusion row 3c gradually increases toward the axial base end. A predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction. The brush protrusions 3c1 constituting the predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c are arranged on a helical track along the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 3a1.

[0040] The predetermined number is 6 columns. However, the predetermined number may be more than 6 columns. For example, the predetermined number may be 8, 10, 12, 16, or 18 columns.

[0041] The predetermined number of brush projection rows 3c each consist of a pair of brush projection rows 3c, and when viewed in the axial direction, the pair of brush projection rows 3c protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion 3a along the predetermined diagonal of the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1 toward opposite sides. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 6, when the user grasps the hexagonal prismatic portion 2a1 and cleans the gap G, one of the pair of brush projection rows 3c protrudes upward and the other brush projection row 3c protrudes downward. Therefore, the upwardly protruding brush projection row 3c slides and is guided by the adjacent teeth T at the upper end of the gap G, while the downwardly protruding brush projection row 3c can clean the upper surface of the gingiva M facing the gap G, thereby further improving cleaning efficiency.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the embodiments described above can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1. Interdental cleaning tools 2 Main body 2a base 2a1 Hexagonal columnar part 2a2 Main shaft 2b Axis center 3 Soft part 3a Soft shaft part 3a1 Surrounding wall 3a2 Tip wall 3b Brush part 3c Brush protrusion row 3c1 Brush protrusion 4 holes 4a Bottom 4b Peripheral surface 5 holes pair 6 hole row 7-hole row pair D1, D2 depth G Gap L straight line M Gum O center axis T tooth d1 1st outer diameter d2 2nd outer diameter t1, t2 Radial thickness θ slope

Claims

1. It has a main body and a soft part, The soft part is made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body, and has a soft shaft portion and a brush portion. The aforementioned soft shaft portion extends in the axial direction and has a circumferential wall. The main body portion has a base portion and an axial core portion, The base portion extends from the base end of the soft shaft portion toward the axial base end, The shaft core extends from the tip of the base into the circumferential wall of the soft shaft and is in close contact with the inner surface of the circumferential wall. The brush portion has a predetermined number of rows of brush protrusions, The predetermined number of brush protrusion rows are arranged in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction. The aforementioned row of brush protrusions consists of multiple brush protrusions, The brush projection is an interdental cleaning tool that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall, The radial thickness of the peripheral wall at the base end of the peripheral wall is less than or equal to the radial thickness of the peripheral wall at the tip end of the peripheral wall. The base portion has a main shaft portion and a hexagonal prism portion. The main shaft portion extends axially towards the base end from the base end of the soft shaft portion to the tip of the hexagonal prism portion, The predetermined number of brush protrusion rows have a predetermined number of brush protrusion rows. An interdental cleaning tool wherein the predetermined rows of brush protrusions project from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion along predetermined diagonals of the hexagonal prism-shaped portion when viewed in the axial direction.

2. The peripheral wall has a row of holes consisting of three holes arranged along the axial direction, The first outer diameter, which is the outer diameter of the peripheral wall at the first position, which is the axial position where the center of the hole at the very front of the row of holes is located, is 0.6 mm or less, and the second outer diameter, which is the outer diameter of the peripheral wall at the second position, which is the axial position where the center of the hole at the very base of the row of holes is located, is 1.1 mm or less. The aforementioned hole is recessed from the outer surface of the peripheral wall to the outer surface of the axial core, The bottom surface of the hole is curved to form a single protrusion that projects radially outward when viewed in the axial direction. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the hole at the most proximal end of the row of holes is less than or equal to the depth of the hole at the most distal end of the row of holes.

Images