Interdental cleaning tools in a container

Abstract

To provide a container-type interdental cleaning tool that offers excellent cleanability and durability. [Solution] An interdental cleaning tool comprising an interdental cleaning tool and a container for housing the interdental cleaning tool, wherein the interdental cleaning tool comprises a main body and a soft part, the soft part comprises a brush part, the brush part comprises a predetermined number of rows of brush protrusions, and the rows of brush protrusions consist of a plurality of brush protrusions, wherein the predetermined number is 8 or more, the radial length L of the brush protrusions is at a predetermined interval D or more for 50% or more of the total number of brush protrusions, and the area around the base of the brush protrusions is concave in which the outer surface of the soft shaft is recessed, the base comprises a main body shaft, the main body shaft is bent at a curved section, the angle of bending at the curved section is 3 to 90°, and the container comprises an outer corner wall surface, the outer corner wall surface comprises a curved portion that bends along the curved section, an interdental cleaning tool in a container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interdental cleaner in a container.

Background Art

[0002] As an interdental cleaner having a main body part and a soft part, the soft part is made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body part and has a soft shaft part and a brush part. The soft shaft part extends in the axial direction, the main body part has a base part, the base part extends from the proximal end of the soft shaft part toward the axial proximal end side, the brush part 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 consists of a plurality of brush protrusions, the plurality of brush protrusions are arranged along the axial direction, and the brush protrusions protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the soft shaft part (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 cleaner as described above, cleaning performance that can easily clean the interdental space and durability that is not easily damaged in a container containing the interdental cleaner are important.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an interdental cleaner in a container that is excellent in cleaning performance and durability.

Means for Solving the Problems

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

[0007] [1] It has an interdental cleaner and a container for housing the interdental cleaner, The interdental cleaning tool 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 flexible shaft extends in the axial direction. The main body has a base, The base portion extends from the base end of the soft shaft portion toward the axial base end, 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 plurality of brush protrusions are arranged along the axial direction, The aforementioned brush projection protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion, and is an interdental cleaning tool. The aforementioned predetermined number is 8 or more rows. The plurality of brush protrusions are arranged at predetermined intervals D along the axial direction. In 50% or more of the total number of brush protrusions constituting the predetermined number of brush protrusion rows, the radial length L of the brush protrusions is greater than or equal to the predetermined interval D, and the area around the base of the brush protrusions is concave, with the outer surface of the soft shaft portion being recessed. The base portion has a main body shaft portion, The main shaft portion extends from the base end of the flexible shaft portion toward the axial base end and bends in the axial direction at the curved portion. The angle at which the curved portion bends from the axial direction is 3 to 90°. The container has an outer corner wall surface that covers the main body shaft portion and the brush portion from the outside of the corner of the curved portion, The outer wall surface of the corner has a curved portion that curves along the curved section, and is a container-type interdental cleaning tool.

[0008] [2] The interdental cleaning tool is housed in the container according to [1], wherein a predetermined row of brush protrusions is housed in the container in such a state that it can contact the outer wall surface of the corner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaner in a container that is excellent in cleaning performance and durability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of the interdental cleaner in a container according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the first radial direction. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 1 as viewed from the first radial direction. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the interdental cleaner shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the tip side. [Figure 5] It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of part B of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory view for explaining the state during use of the interdental cleaner shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state when inserting the brush part into the gap between teeth shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a plan view showing a modified example of the interdental cleaner in a container shown in FIG. 1.

Embodiments 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 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the interdental cleaner 10 in a container has an interdental cleaner 1 and a container 5 for housing the interdental cleaner 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the interdental cleaner 1 has a main body part 2 and a soft part 3. The soft part 3 is made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body part 2 and has a soft shaft part 3a and a brush part 3b. The soft shaft part 3a extends in the axial direction. The main body part 2 has a base part 2a, and the base part 2a extends from the proximal end of the soft shaft part 3a toward the proximal end side in the axial direction.

[0013] The flexible shaft portion 3a is slender and axial, extending from the central axis O. The direction along the central axis O is called the axial direction, the direction from the base portion 2a toward the flexible shaft portion 3a along the axial direction is called the axial tip side, the opposite direction is called the axial base end side, the direction perpendicular to the central axis O is called the radial direction, and the direction encircling the central axis O is called the circumferential direction. 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.

[0014] The main body portion 2 is preferably made of a resin material. The soft portion 3 is preferably made of a resin material, an elastomer material, or a rubber material, and is more preferably made of an elastomer material.

[0015] The resin material forming the main body 2 is preferably polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, or polyacetal. Among these, from the viewpoint of strength, polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, or polybutylene terephthalate is preferred, polypropylene, polyethylene, or ABS is more preferred, and polypropylene is even more preferred.

[0016] The elastomer material forming the soft portion 3 is preferably a styrene-based elastomer, silicone, olefin-based elastomer, or polyester-based elastomer. Among these, from the viewpoint of not damaging the gums, styrene-based elastomer, silicone, or olefin-based elastomer is preferred, styrene-based elastomer or olefin-based elastomer is more preferred, and styrene-based elastomer is even more preferred.

[0017] The hardness of the soft portion 3 is preferably 10 to 50 on the durometer hardness type A (JIS K6253), and more preferably 10 to 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 are arranged along the axial direction, and the brush protrusions 3c1 project radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion 3a.

[0019] The predetermined number is 8 rows, and the multiple brush protrusions 3c1 are arranged at predetermined intervals D along the axial direction. For 50% or more of the total number of brush protrusions 3c1 constituting the predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c, the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 is greater than or equal to the predetermined interval D, and the area around the base of the brush protrusions 3c1 is concave, with the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion 3a being recessed. The predetermined number may be more than 8 rows. For example, the predetermined number may be 10, 12, 16, or 18 rows. The predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction, but are not limited to this, and may be arranged at different intervals.

[0020] The base portion 2a has a main shaft portion 2a2, which extends from the base end of the soft shaft portion 3a toward the axial base end and bends axially at a curved portion 2a3, with the angle θ of the axial bend at the curved portion 2a3 being 3 to 90°. The container 5 has a corner outer wall surface 5a which is a wall surface that covers the main shaft portion 2a2 and the brush portion 3b from the outside of the corner of the curved portion 2a3, and the corner outer wall surface 5a has a curved portion 5a1 that bends along the curved portion 2a3. The interdental cleaning tool 1 is housed in the container 5 in a state where a predetermined row of brush protrusions 3c can contact the corner outer wall surface 5a.

[0021] According to the above configuration, in more than 50% of the total number of brush protrusions 3c1 constituting a predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c, the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined interval D. As shown in Figure 7, when cleaning the interdental spaces by moving the soft shaft portion 3a axially in the gap G formed by the gingiva M and two adjacent teeth T, the brush protrusions 3c1 are prevented from bending from the root due to resistance from the teeth T or gingiva M, thereby reducing cleaning efficiency. This is prevented by the brush protrusions 3c1 being supported by contacting adjacent brush protrusions 3c1 in the axial direction, as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the presence of a curved portion 2a3 in the main shaft portion 2a2 enables smooth cleaning not only for anterior teeth but also for interdental cleaning of molars. In addition, providing eight or more rows of brush protrusions 3c arranged circumferentially further enhances cleaning efficiency.

[0022] When the interdental cleaning tool 1 is transported in a container 5 during distribution, the predetermined row of brush protrusions 3c is prone to contact with the outer corner wall surface 5a and is subjected to load, which tends to cause damage to the brush protrusions 3c1. In this regard, the area around the base of the brush protrusions 3c1 is concave, with the outer surface of the soft shaft portion 3a being recessed. Depending on the depth P (see Figure 6) of the concave portion (recess 4), the amount of protrusion (length) of the brush protrusions 3c1 in the radial direction from the outer surface of the soft shaft portion 3a can be suppressed while ensuring the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1. Therefore, the amount of deformation when the brush protrusions 3c1 bend until the outer surface of the soft shaft portion 3a contacts the outer corner wall surface 5a is suppressed, and the load on the brush protrusions 3c1 can be suppressed. Furthermore, when a pressing force is applied to the brush projection 3c1 from the outer corner wall surface 5a in the axial direction (length direction) of the brush projection 3c1, the presence of a recess 4 around the base of the portion of the brush projection 3c1 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the soft shaft portion 3a concentrates the axial compressive force directly below that portion, increasing the compressive pressure. This makes the entire brush projection 3c1 more susceptible to compressive deformation, causing it to sink down. As a result, the load on the brush projection 3c1 when it strikes the outer corner wall surface 5a can be suppressed. Therefore, an interdental cleaning tool 1 with excellent cleaning performance and durability can be realized. The number of brush projections 3c1 with a radial length L of 60% or more of the predetermined interval D is preferably 60% or more of the total number of brush projections 3c1 constituting the predetermined number of brush projection rows 3c, more preferably 70% or more, and even more preferably 80% or more. The predetermined interval D is preferably 0.2 to 0.8 mm, more preferably 0.3 to 0.7 mm, and even more preferably 0.4 to 0.6 mm. The angle θ at which the curved portion 2a3 bends from the axial direction is more preferably 5 to 90°. From the viewpoint of improving cleanability in the molars, it is more preferably 30 to 85°, more preferably 45 to 80°, more preferably 55 to 75°, and more preferably 60 to 70°. From the viewpoint of improving cleanability in the anterior teeth, it is more preferably 10 to 50°, more preferably 15 to 45°, more preferably 20 to 40°, and more preferably 25 to 35°.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The main shaft portion 2a2 has a tip portion 2a4 that extends from the base end of the soft shaft portion 3a toward the axial base end and smoothly connects to the tip of the curved portion 2a3, and a base portion 2a5 that smoothly connects to the base end of the curved portion 2a3 and extends toward the axial base end along the axis Q that intersects the central axis O at an angle θ from the base end of the curved portion 2a3. The base portion 2a has a flattened portion 2a1 that connects to the base end of the base portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2. The flattened portion 2a1 has a flattened shape with a small width in the first radial direction. The flattened portion 2a1 has two through holes 2a6 that penetrate in the first radial direction. Note that the flattened portion 2a1 is not limited to having through holes 2a6. The flattened portion 2a1 extends at least toward the axial base end from the base end of the base portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2. The flattened portion 2a1 extends from the base end of the base end portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2, curving toward the axial base end. Alternatively, the flattened portion 2a1 may be configured to extend straight from the base end of the base end portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2.

[0025] The curved portion 2a3 of the main shaft portion 2a2 extends while curving in the second radial direction toward the axial base end.

[0026] The cross-sectional shape of the curved portion 2a3 of the main shaft portion 2a2, which is the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the interdental cleaning tool 1, is a rectangle with two sides facing each other in the first radial direction and four curved corners. More specifically, this cross-sectional shape is a rectangle that is shorter in the first radial direction with four curved corners. The cross-sectional shape of the tip portion 2a4 of the main shaft portion 2a2 is circular at the tip of that portion and smoothly changes toward the axial base end to become the cross-sectional shape of the curved portion 2a3 of the main shaft portion 2a2. The cross-sectional shape of the base end portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2 is a rectangle with two sides facing each other in the first radial direction and four curved corners. More specifically, this cross-sectional shape is a rectangle that is shorter in the first radial direction with four curved corners.

[0027] The width in the radial direction of the corner at the tip of the curved portion 2a3 of the main shaft portion 2a2 is greater than the outer diameter at the base end of the soft shaft portion 3a. The width in the radial direction of the corner at the curved portion 2a3 of the main shaft portion 2a2 gradually increases from the tip to the base end of the curved portion 2a3. The width in the second radial direction at the tip-side portion 2a4 of the main shaft portion 2a2 gradually increases from the tip to the base end of the tip-side portion 2a4 of the main shaft portion 2a2. The width in the first radial direction and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the interdental cleaning tool 1 at the base end portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2 gradually increases from the tip to the base end of the base end portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2.

[0028] The radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 constituting the brush protrusion row 3c gradually increases toward the axial base end, and the rate of increase is constant. The average value of the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 is preferably 0.4 to 1.8 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm, and even more preferably 0.6 to 1.3 mm. The rate of increase of the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 per unit length in the axial direction is preferably 0.02 to 0.06 mm / mm, more preferably 0.025 to 0.055 mm / mm, and even more preferably 0.03 to 0.05 mm / mm. 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 soft shaft portion 3a. The soft shaft portion 3a gradually expands in diameter toward the axial base end, and the rate of increase in its diameter is constant. The cross-sectional shape of the soft shaft portion 3a is circular. The tip surface of the soft shaft portion 3a is a convex curved surface. The flexible shaft portion 3a has a hollow portion C that opens at its axial base end, and the main body portion 2 has a shaft core portion 2b that extends from the tip of the base portion 2a into the hollow portion C of the flexible shaft portion 3a and is in close contact with it.

[0029] The brush protrusions 3c1 are clearly divided into a support region where the radial length L is greater than or equal to a predetermined interval D, and a non-support region where the radial length L is less than the predetermined interval D. The support region is located on the axial base side of the non-support region. The ratio X1:X2 of the axial length X1 of the non-support region to the axial length X2 of the support region is, for example, 1:1 to 1:7. In the non-support region, because the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 is less than the predetermined interval D, adjacent brush protrusions 3c1 do not come into contact with each other when they come into contact with a tooth, making the brush protrusions 3c1 more likely to tilt and easier to insert into the gap G between teeth. On the other hand, in the support region, because the radial length L of the brush protrusions 3c1 is greater than or equal to the predetermined interval D, adjacent brush protrusions 3c1 come into contact with and support each other, making it easier for them to slide and guide against the tooth T. From the viewpoint of making it easier to insert from the anterior teeth, the ratio X1:X2 is preferably, for example, 1:1 to 1:5.

[0030] The tips of the brush protrusions 3c1 that constitute the predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c are located on a conical surface. However, the configuration in which the tips of the brush protrusions 3c1 that constitute the predetermined number of brush protrusion rows 3c are located is not limited to being located on a conical surface; for example, they may be located on a regular square pyramidal surface.

[0031] The recesses 4 are provided at the base of each brush projection 3c1. The recesses 4 are concave in shape, extending around the entire circumference of the base of the brush projection 3c1 with the same width (width W) and the same depth (depth P) along the base. The brush projection 3c1 has a conical shape that gradually tapers from the base to the tip.

[0032] The number of brush protrusions 3c1 is, for example, 80 to 250. From the viewpoint of efficiently removing plaque when cleaning between teeth, the number of brush protrusions 3c1 is preferably 100 to 200, more preferably 120 to 180, and even more preferably 130 to 160.

[0033] The depth P of the recess 4 is 0.01 to 0.08 mm, and from the viewpoint of efficiently removing plaque when cleaning between teeth, it is preferably 0.02 to 0.07 mm, and more preferably 0.03 to 0.06 mm.

[0034] The width W of the recess 4 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm, and is preferably 20 to 80 μm, more preferably 30 to 70 μm, and even more preferably 40 to 60 μm, from the viewpoint of efficiently removing plaque while maintaining the distance between the brush protrusions 3c1 when cleaning between teeth.

[0035] The ratio P:L of the depth P of the recess 4 to the radial length L of the brush projection 3c1 is, for example, 1:10 to 1:50, and is preferably 1:12 to 1:40, and more preferably 1:15 to 1:35, from the viewpoint of efficiently removing plaque when cleaning between teeth.

[0036] The container 5 has a storage space S for accommodating interdental cleaning tools 1. The storage space S accommodates multiple interdental cleaning tools 1. The storage space S may also be configured to accommodate one interdental cleaning tool 1. In this embodiment, the number of multiple interdental cleaning tools 1 accommodated in the storage space S is 10, but is not limited to this. The multiple interdental cleaning tools 1 are arranged in a line in the second radial direction and housed in the storage space S. The multiple interdental cleaning tools 1 are connected to each other via weakened portions 6 that can be broken apart from adjacent interdental cleaning tools 1. An interdental cleaning tool 1 located at an end can be used by separating it from the remaining interdental cleaning tools 1 by breaking the weakened portion 6.

[0037] The container 5 has a container body 5b having a top wall 5b1, a peripheral wall 5b2 extending downward (to one side in the first radial direction) from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 5b1, and an end wall 5b3 extending from the lower end of the peripheral wall 5b2 towards the outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall 5b2, and a sheet-like sealing portion 5c connected to the lower surface of the end wall 5b3. The storage space S is formed by the lower surface of the top wall 5b1, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 5b2, and the upper surface of the sealing portion 5c. The sealing portion 5c is peelably adhered to the lower surfaces of the peripheral wall 5b2 and the end wall 5b3. The interdental cleaning tool 1 can be removed from the storage space S by peeling off the sealing portion 5c. The material forming the container body 5b is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, resin, paper, wood chips, or metal, and is preferably resin, and more preferably a synthetic resin film. The container body 5b is preferably translucent.

[0038] The outer corner wall surface 5a, which covers the main shaft portion 2a2 and brush portion 3b from the outside of the corner of the curved portion 2a3, is formed by a part of the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 5b2. The outer corner wall surface 5a has a curved shape when viewed from above (see Figure 1). That is, the outer corner wall surface 5a has a first portion 5a2 that extends linearly when viewed from above and faces the brush portion 3b and the tip portion 2a4 of the main shaft portion 2a2, a second portion 5a3 that extends linearly when viewed from above and faces the base end portion 2a5 of the main shaft portion 2a2, and a curved portion 5a1 that curves along the curved portion 2a3 of the main shaft portion 2a2 so as to connect the first portion 5a2 and the second portion 5a3 when viewed from above. The angle of curvature (angle θ) of the curved portion 2a3 and the outer corner wall surface 5a can be changed as described above. For example, a configuration (angle θ) like the modified example shown in Figure 9 may be used. Furthermore, as shown in the modified example, the configuration may have multiple containment spaces S.

[0039] 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]

[0040] 1. Interdental cleaning tools 2 Main body 2a base 2a1 Flat part 2a2 Main shaft 2a3 Curved section 2a4 Tip side part 2a5 Proximal part 2a6 through hole 2b Axis center 3 Soft part 3a Soft shaft part 3b Brush part 3c Brush protrusion row 3c1 Brush protrusion 4 recesses 5 containers 5a Corner outer wall 5a1 Curved section 5a2 Part 1 5a3 2nd part 5b Container body 5b1 Ceiling wall 5b2 Surrounding wall 5b3 End wall 5c sealing part 6 Weakened part 10 Interdental cleaning tools in a container C Hollow part D predetermined interval G Gap L is the radial length. M Gum O center axis P depth Q axis center S Containment space T tooth M Gum W width X1 Axial length of the unsupported region X2 Axial length of the support area θ angle

Claims

1. It has an interdental cleaning tool and a container for housing the interdental cleaning tool, The interdental cleaning tool 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 flexible shaft extends in the axial direction. The main body has a base, The base portion extends from the base end of the soft shaft portion toward the axial base end, 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 plurality of brush protrusions are arranged along the axial direction, The aforementioned brush projection protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the soft shaft portion, and is an interdental cleaning tool. The aforementioned predetermined number is 8 or more rows. The plurality of brush protrusions are arranged at predetermined intervals D along the axial direction. In 50% or more of the total number of brush protrusions constituting the predetermined number of brush protrusion rows, the radial length L of the brush protrusions is greater than or equal to the predetermined interval D, and the area around the base of the brush protrusions is concave, with the outer surface of the soft shaft portion being recessed. The base portion has a main body shaft portion, The main shaft portion extends from the base end of the flexible shaft portion toward the axial base end and bends in the axial direction at the curved portion. The angle at which the curved portion bends from the axial direction is 3 to 90°. The container has an outer corner wall surface that covers the main body shaft portion and the brush portion from the outside of the corner of the curved portion, The outer wall surface of the corner has a curved portion that curves along the curved section, and is a container-type interdental cleaning tool.

2. The interdental cleaning tool in a container according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaning tool is housed in the container in such a state that a predetermined row of brush protrusions can contact the outer wall surface of the corner.

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