Interdental Cleaning Tools

Abstract

To provide an interdental cleaner having little risk that an insertion part is detached from a support part, also having little risk to hurt an oral cavity, and further constituted so that the insertion part is formed in a free shape.SOLUTION: An interdental cleaner 11 capable of cleaning between teeth by inserting an insertion part 12 between teeth, has a handle part 13 grippable by hand, and a pair of support parts 14 extending from the handle part. The insertion part is extended between the pair of support parts and supported by each support part. Of support parts, at least the portions supporting directly the insertion part is formed of a synthetic resin integrally with the insertion part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interdental cleaner, and more particularly to an interdental cleaner in which an insertion portion to be inserted between teeth is supported by a pair of support portions. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an interdental cleaner capable of inserting an insertion part between teeth to clean the spaces between the teeth, which has a handle part that can be held by hand and a pair of support parts extending from the handle part, and the insertion part is supported by the pair of support parts. Conventional interdental cleaners have the insertion part, for example, a bundle of multiple filaments, which is attached to the pair of support parts in a stretched state (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such conventional interdental cleaning tools, the insertion part is supported by the pair of support parts, and the pair of support parts are extended from the handle part, so that a user can clean between the teeth with the insertion part simply by gripping and moving the handle part. In other words, a user does not need to directly support an insert such as a bundle of filaments or a tape with the fingers of both hands, and can easily clean between the teeth using only the fingers of one hand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-131695 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The conventional interdental cleaning tool is formed by stretching a portion of a continuous filament, tape, etc. between the pair of support parts, and therefore, when fixing the cut filament, tape, or other insert between the pair of support parts, great care must be taken to prevent the insert, which is fixed by insert molding, heat welding, or other means, from coming off.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to prevent the tip of the insert fixed to the pair of support portions from injuring the inside of the user's mouth, the utmost care must be taken in handling the tip when fixing the insert.

[0007] Furthermore, the insert in the conventional interdental cleaner is a cut-away portion of a long, continuous piece of material, making it difficult to freely shape the insert of each individual interdental cleaner, for example in such a way that the cross-sectional dimensions vary depending on the longitudinal position.

[0008] In light of these problems, the present invention aims to provide an interdental cleaning tool whose insertion portion is unlikely to come off from each of the support portions, does not damage the oral cavity, and can be easily shaped as desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The present invention provides an interdental cleaning tool capable of inserting an insertion part between teeth to clean the spaces between the teeth, the interdental cleaning tool having a handle portion that can be held by hand and a pair of support parts extending from the handle portion, the insertion part extending between the pair of support parts and supported by each of the support parts, and at least a support part of the support part that directly supports the insertion part is formed integrally with the insertion part from a synthetic resin. The support portion has at least a cylindrical portion, at least a portion of which is located outside the core portion relative to its center line, and the cylindrical portion directly supports the insertion portion, is an integrally molded product with the insertion portion, and is a molded product together with the insertion portion using a synthetic resin that is softer than the core portion, and a radial portion or all of the cylindrical portion may be positioned inside a groove portion recessed into the side of the support portion.

[0010] In other words, since the insertion portion that is inserted between the teeth and the support portion, which is part of the support portion, are formed integrally from synthetic resin, there is little risk of the insertion portion coming off the support portion, and since it does not have a structure that allows the tip to protrude, there is little risk of damaging the oral cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, since the insertion part is structured to be formed using synthetic resin together with the support part, the insertion part can be molded by injection molding or the like, and does not require materials such as filaments or tapes that have a uniform cross section in the extension direction as in the conventional interdental cleaning tool. Therefore, the insertion part can be easily formed into any shape depending on the mold used for molding.

[0012] (2) The insertion portion may have a first transverse cross section having a different dimension and a second transverse cross section having a different distance from one of the support portions. The thickness of the flat body of the insertion portion in the vicinity of one of the support poles may be greater than the thickness of the flat body at a substantially midpoint between the one of the support poles and the other of the support poles.

[0013] That is, the interdental cleaner of the present invention can have dimensions such as width, aspect ratio, thickness, etc. of the first cross section of the insertion part different from the dimensions of the second cross section. Therefore, by inserting parts of the insertion part at different distances from one support part between the teeth, different cleaning effects can be obtained, such as the cleaning effect when the cross section is the first cross section and the cleaning effect when the cross section is the second cross section. This allows the user to clean between the teeth by combining the cleaning effect obtained by the first cross section and the cleaning effect obtained by the second cross section while using one interdental cleaner.

[0014] Furthermore, after the brushing effect when the cross-section is the first cross-section is obtained when the insertion part is inserted between the teeth, the insertion position can be slid to the position of the second cross-section while still inserted, thereby obtaining the brushing effect when the cross-section is the second cross-section.

[0015] (3) Furthermore, the first transverse cross-section may be a transverse cross-section in the vicinity of one of the support portions, and the second transverse cross-section may be a transverse cross-section at an approximately midpoint between the one support portion and the other support portion, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first transverse cross-section may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second transverse cross-section. The insertion portion may have a first transverse cross-section in the vicinity of one of the support pillars, the cross-sectional area of ​​which is larger than a second transverse cross-section in the vicinity of the one of the support pillars at an approximately midpoint between the one of the support pillars and the other of the support pillars.

[0016] That is, in the interdental cleaner of the present invention, the cross section of the insertion part at the approximate midpoint between the two support posts can be made smaller than the cross section of the insertion part near one of the support posts. In this way, by making the cross section of the insertion part at the approximate midpoint thinner, narrower, or thinner and narrower, thinner in shaft length, or by other means, the user can insert the insertion part at the approximate midpoint into the smaller interdental space to clean.

[0017] In other words, the cross section of the insertion portion near the one of the supports can be made larger than the cross section of the insertion portion at the approximate midpoint between the two supports. In this way, by making the cross section of the insertion portion near the one of the supports thicker, wider, or thicker and wider, or by making the shaft thicker, or by making the cross section larger, the user can insert the insertion portion near the one of the supports into the gap between the teeth where there is a larger space to clean.

[0018] In addition, after first inserting the insertion portion at the intermediate position between the teeth with the smallest space without resistance, the insertion position can be slid closer to one of the support portions while still inserted, thereby obtaining a cleaning effect different from the initial one in a state with less gaps.

[0019] (4) The insertion portion may have a plurality of protrusions or recesses. The insertion portion may have, on its surface, a plurality of protrusions that protrude outward from the insertion portion, or a plurality of recesses that similarly protrude inward from the insertion portion.

[0020] In other words, because the insertion portion has multiple convex or concave portions, the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention can achieve a high cleaning effect by moving the insertion portion between the teeth, with the convex or concave portions efficiently scraping off dirt between the teeth.

[0021] (5) The insertion portion may be strip-shaped. The insertion portion may be strip-shaped, with both faces of the flat body and center lines of the support columns positioned substantially on the same plane, and supported by the support columns at both longitudinal ends.

[0022] In other words, although the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention employs a band-shaped insertion portion, the insertion portion and the support portion, which is part of the support post, are formed integrally from synthetic resin, so that the tip of the insertion portion with a rectangular cross section does not protrude, and there is little risk of damaging the inside of the oral cavity.

[0023] Furthermore, even though the insertion portion is band-shaped, since it is formed together with the support portion using synthetic resin, molding processes such as injection molding can be performed, and the dimensions and shape of the rectangular cross section can be changed depending on the longitudinal position depending on the mold.

[0024] (6) Furthermore, the insertion portion may have an insertion side edge at one end of the band in the width direction that is inserted between the teeth, and a counter-insertion side end at the other end in the width direction that bulges out in the plate thickness direction.

[0025] That is, when a user inserts the interdental cleaner of the present invention between the teeth, the non-insertion end of the insertion part comes into contact with the tip of the user's teeth as a result of the insertion part moving in, and further insertion of the insertion part is restricted. Therefore, by setting the distance from the edge of the side to be inserted between the teeth to the non-insertion end according to the length of a person's teeth, the user can use the interdental cleaner of the present invention safely and securely without worrying about the insertion part damaging the gums.

[0026] (7) The insertion portion may be in the form of a wire. The insertion portion may be wire-shaped, with a center line of the insertion portion and a center line of each of the support pillars being located on substantially the same plane, and supported by each of the support pillars at both ends in the extending direction. Furthermore, the insertion portion may have a wire diameter in the vicinity of one of the support pillars larger than a wire diameter at a substantially midpoint between the one support pillar and the other support pillar.

[0027] In other words, although the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention employs a wire-shaped insertion portion, the insertion portion and the support portion, which is part of the support post, are formed integrally from synthetic resin, so that the sharp tip of the insertion portion does not protrude and there is little risk of damaging the inside of the oral cavity.

[0028] Furthermore, even though the insertion portion is wire-shaped, since it is formed together with the support portion using synthetic resin, molding processes such as injection molding can be performed, and the dimensions and shape of the circular cross section can be changed depending on the longitudinal position depending on the mold.

[0029] (8) Furthermore, a portion of the support portion in its longitudinal direction may be composed of a core portion and a cylindrical portion arranged outside the core portion, and a portion of the cylindrical portion that is continuous with the insertion portion may constitute the support portion, and a portion or all of the radial direction of the cylindrical portion may be positioned inside a groove portion recessed in a side surface of the support portion.

[0030] That is, since a part or the whole of the cylindrical portion fits into the groove, there is less risk that the support portion and the insertion portion continuous with the support portion will come off from the entire support portion.

[0031] (9) The core portion and the cylindrical portion may be formed by two-color injection molding. The core portion and the cylindrical portion may be molded by injection molding and may be formed by two-color molding.

[0032] In other words, since the core and the cylindrical portion are integrally formed by two-color molding, the insertion portion is reliably fixed to the support portion and there is no risk of it coming off from the support portion. In addition, the insertion portion does not come off due to two-color molding, and there is less risk of it damaging the inside of the user's mouth.

[0033] (10) The support portion and the insertion portion may be integrally formed from the same material.

[0034] That is, since the support part and the insertion part are integrally formed and made of the same material, the support part and the insertion part can be manufactured as one part from the beginning by molding such as injection molding. Since the support part and the insertion part are formed as one part, there is less risk of the insertion part coming off the support part, and since there is no structure with a protruding tip, there is less risk of the insertion part damaging the oral cavity.

[0035] Furthermore, in the interdental cleaner of the present invention, the support portion and the insertion portion are formed as a single part, so that the manufacturer can simplify the molding process. Effect of the Invention

[0036] In this way, the present invention provides an interdental cleaner in which the insertion part is unlikely to come off the support part and is unlikely to damage the oral cavity. Furthermore, the present invention provides an interdental cleaner in which the insertion part is configured to be formed into any shape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the first support column portion in the direction indicated by the indication line AA in FIG. 1 . [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] (a) shows a cross section in the vicinity of the support part shown in Figures 4 and 5. (b) shows a cross section at the intermediate position shown in Figures 4 and 5. [Figure 7] (a) is a perspective view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which stripe-like convex portions are formed on the first cleaning surface, and (b) is a perspective view of the same, showing a state in which hemispherical convex portions are formed on the first cleaning surface. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the support part and the insertion part of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 7(a)(b). [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the support portion and the insertion portion of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which an insertion portion of an interdental cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is inserted between teeth. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14](a) is a cross-sectional view of the insertion part of the interdental cleaner in Fig. 13 near the support part, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the insertion part at the middle position. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a front view of an interdental cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the insertion part of the interdental cleaner in Fig. 17 near the support post, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the insertion part at the middle position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 2 between the teeth of a user.

[0039] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the interdental cleaner 1 has a handle portion 3 that can be held by a user and a pair of support portions 4 extending from the handle portion 3. In FIG. 1, the direction of the arrow L indicates the left side of the interdental cleaner 1, and the arrow R indicates the right side of the interdental cleaner 1. In the figure, the tip of the handle portion 3 of the interdental cleaner 1 faces left, and the base end faces right. Next, the direction of the arrow F indicates the front of the interdental cleaner 1, and the direction of the arrow B indicates the rear of the interdental cleaner 1. In the figure, the tip of each support portion 4 of the interdental cleaner 1 faces forward, and the base end faces rearward. The direction of the arrow U indicates the upper side of the interdental cleaner 1, and the direction of the arrow D indicates the lower side of the interdental cleaner 1. In the figure, the interdental cleaner 1 is configured symmetrically from top to bottom. The other figures also show each direction in the same way.

[0040] The insertion part 2 extends between a pair of support parts 4 and is supported by each support part 4. The insertion part 2 is flat in the vertical direction and forms a roughly rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the horizontal direction. The insertion part 2 is inserted into the gap C from the insertion side edge 2a, which is the front edge, and the insertion side edge 2a, the first cleaning surface 2b, which is the top surface, and the second cleaning surface 2c, which is the bottom surface, rub against and clean the gap C. In this way, the gap C can be rubbed with a surface, resulting in a high cleaning effect.

[0041] The handle portion 3 has a handle distal end 3a on the left side and a handle proximal end 3b on the right side. A first support portion 4a extends forward from the very tip of the handle distal end 3a. A second support portion 4b extends forward from approximately the boundary between the handle distal end 3b and the handle proximal end 3b. A user uses the interdental cleaner 1 by gripping the handle proximal end 3b with his or her hand.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the first support 4a has a first core 4c on the side closer to the center line C1 and a first cylindrical portion 4d on the outside of the first core 4c. FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the first support 4a with the direction of view specified by the indication line AA in FIG. 1. Similarly to the first support 4a, the second support 4b also has a second core 4e on the side closer to the center line and a second cylindrical portion 4f on the outside of the second core 4e. Each support 4a, 4b is partially double-structured by the cores 4c, 4e and the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f, leaving only a part of the tip and a part of the base in the front-rear direction. In this double-structure portion, each core 4c, 4e is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape with the center line coinciding with the longitudinal direction of each support 4a, 4b. Moreover, each of the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a center line coinciding with the longitudinal direction, so that the core portions 4c, 4e and the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f form concentric circles when viewed from the front.

[0043] Each cylindrical portion 4d, 4f is disposed inside a groove portion 4g recessed into the side surface of each support portion 4a, 4b in the double structure portion. In the drawing, the entire radial portion of each cylindrical portion 4d, 4f is disposed inside the groove portion 4g, but only a part of the radial portion of each cylindrical portion 4d, 4f may be disposed inside the groove portion 4g.

[0044] The support portion 4 and the insertion portion 2 are formed by two-color injection molding. First, the support portions 4a, 4b other than the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f are molded from synthetic resin. Next, the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f and the insertion portion 2 are molded from synthetic resin so as to cover the molded core portions 4c, 4e. At this time, if the synthetic resin forming the support portions 4a, 4b other than the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f is hard and the synthetic resin forming the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f and the insertion portion 2 is softer than this synthetic resin, the interdental cleaner 1 of the present invention can keep the overall shape stable by the support portions 4a, 4b and can reduce damage caused to parts of the oral cavity by the insertion portion 2.

[0045] Examples of hard synthetic resins forming the support parts 4a, 4b other than the cylindrical parts 4d, 4f include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. Examples of soft synthetic resins forming the cylindrical parts 4d, 4f and the insertion part 2 include elastomer, silicone, etc. Furthermore, a combination of a relatively high hardness elastomer as the hard synthetic resin and a relatively low hardness elastomer as the soft synthetic resin may be used.

[0046] In the front view of Fig. 3, the end faces on the front end side of each of the support parts 4a, 4b are represented by solid lines, and the boundaries between each of the core parts 4c, 4e and each of the cylindrical parts 4d, 4f are represented by dashed lines. In each of the cylindrical parts 4d, 4f, the first support part 4h on the left side and the second support part 4i on the right side, which are parts that are continuous with the insertion part 2 on the left and right sides, are represented by two-dot chain lines. Each of the support parts 4h, 4i is adjacent to the insertion part 2 in the left-right direction in the cylindrical parts 4d, 4f, and occupies a sector-shaped area that expands toward the center line of each of the support parts 4a, 4b in the front view.

[0047] The first cylindrical portion 4d, the insertion portion 2, and the second cylindrical portion 4f are adjacent to each other and are integrally formed in each of the support portions 4h, 4i in order from the left. Each of the support portions 4h, 4i directly supports the insertion portion 2. The first cylindrical portion 4d and the left end of the insertion portion 2 are integrally formed in the first support portion 4h, and valley portions 2v, 2v are formed between them at two locations, upper and lower. The right end of the insertion portion 2 and the second cylindrical portion 4f are integrally formed in the second support portion 4i, and valley portions 2v, 2v are similarly formed between them.

[0048] With the above-mentioned configuration, in the interdental cleaner 1 of the present invention, the insertion part 2 to be inserted between the teeth C and the cylindrical parts 4d, 4f which are part of the support part 4 and include the support parts 4h, 4i are integrally formed from synthetic resin, so that the insertion part 2 is unlikely to come off the support part 4, and the insertion part 2 is unlikely to damage the inside of the oral cavity because it does not have a structure with a protruding tip. In particular, although the insertion part 2 is formed in a band shape, the tip of the insertion part with a rectangular cross section is unlikely to damage the oral cavity because it does not have a structure with a protruding tip.

[0049] Furthermore, since the insertion part 2 is structured to be formed using synthetic resin together with the cylindrical parts 4d and 4f, the insertion part 2 can be molded by injection molding or the like, and does not require materials such as filaments or tapes having a uniform cross section in the extension direction as in conventional interdental cleaning tools. Therefore, the insertion part 2 can be easily formed into any shape depending on the mold used for molding. For example, the dimensions and shape of the rectangular cross section can be changed depending on the position in the longitudinal direction depending on the mold.

[0050] In addition, since the support part 4 including the cylindrical parts 4d and 4f and the insertion part 2 are integrally formed by two-color molding, the insertion part 2 is reliably fixed to the support part 4 and is unlikely to come off from the support part 4. In addition, since the insertion part 2 is not detached due to the two-color molding, there is less risk of damaging the inside of the user's mouth.

[0051] As long as the post portion 4 and the insertion portion 2 are reliably fixed to each other, they may be molded separately and then fixed to each other by adhesive, heat welding, etc. Even in such a case, the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present invention is unlikely to slip out of the groove portion 4g because part or all of the cylindrical portions 4d, 4f fit into this portion.

[0052] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. In Fig. 4, reference numeral 11 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 12 between the user's teeth. As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 4, the interdental cleaner 11 has a handle portion 13 that can be held by the user's hands, and a pair of support portions 14 extending from the handle portion 13.

[0053] The insertion section 12 extends between a pair of support columns 14 and is supported by each support column 14. The insertion section 12 has a cross-section S1 near the first support column 14a on the left side, which is different in size from a cross-section S2 at a middle position, which is farther away. Here, the cross-section S1 near the support column is a cross-section near the first support column 14a, while the cross-section S2 at a middle position between the first support column 14a and the second support column 14b is a cross-section at a position approximately halfway between the first support column 14a and the second support column 14b. In FIG. 4, the cross-sections S1 and S2 are represented by dashed lines.

[0054] The insertion section 12 has the same front-rear width w at the cross section S1 near the support and the cross section S2 at the intermediate position, but as shown in Fig. 5, the thickness t1 near the support, which is the thickness in the vertical direction at the cross section S1 near the support, is larger than the thickness t2 at the intermediate position. Thus, the dimensions of the cross section S1 near the support shown in Fig. 6(a) are different from the dimensions of the cross section S2 at the intermediate position shown in Fig. 6(b). Also, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section S1 near the support is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section S2 at the intermediate position.

[0055] Although not shown, the plate thickness of the insertion portion 12, which is the thickness in the vertical direction in the cross section near the second support portion 14b, is greater than the intermediate position plate thickness t2. The cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section near the second support portion 14b is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate position cross section S2. In this way, since the cross-sectional areas of the insertion portion 12 near both supports 14a, 14b are large, both ends of the insertion portion 12 can be stably supported.

[0056] In the front view of Fig. 5, the end faces on the front end side of each of the support parts 14a, 14b are represented by solid lines, and the boundaries between each of the core parts 14c, 14e and each of the cylindrical parts 14d, 14f are represented by dashed lines. In each of the cylindrical parts 14d, 14f, the first support part 14h on the left side and the second support part 14i on the right side, which are parts continuous with the insertion part 12 on the left and right sides, are represented by two-dot chain lines. Each of the support parts 14h, 14i occupies an area of ​​the cylindrical parts 14d, 14f adjacent to the insertion part 12 in the left-right direction.

[0057] The first cylindrical portion 14d, the insertion portion 12, and the second cylindrical portion 14f are adjacent to each other and integrally formed in order from the left in each of the support portions 14h, 14i. Each of the support portions 14h, 14i directly supports the insertion portion 12. The first cylindrical portion 14d and the left end of the insertion portion 12 are integrally formed in the first support portion 14h. Also, the right end of the insertion portion 12 and the second cylindrical portion 14f are integrally formed in the second support portion 14i.

[0058] The other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0059] With the above-mentioned configuration, the interdental cleaner 11 of the present invention can have dimensions such as width, aspect ratio, thickness, etc. of one cross section different from the dimensions of the other cross sections, as in the relationship between the cross section S1 near the support section and the intermediate position cross section S2 of the insertion section 12 of this embodiment. Therefore, by inserting the parts of the insertion section at different distances from one support section into the interdental space C, different cleaning effects can be obtained when the cross section is the one cross section and when it is the other cross section. This allows the user to clean the interdental space by combining the cleaning effect obtained from the one cross section and the cleaning effect obtained from the other cross section, while using one interdental cleaner.

[0060] In addition, when inserting the insertion portion 12 into the interdental space C, for example, after obtaining the brushing effect when the cross section is the intermediate position cross section S2, the insertion position can be slid to the position of the cross section S1 near the support portion while still inserted, thereby obtaining the brushing effect when the cross section is the cross section S1 near the support portion.

[0061] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In Figures 7(a) and (b), reference numeral 21 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 22 between the user's teeth. As shown in the perspective views of Figures 7(a) and (b), the interdental cleaner 21 has a handle portion 23 that can be held by the user's hands, and a pair of support portions 24 extending from the handle portion 23.

[0062] The insertion part 22 has a plurality of convex parts 25a, 26a. That is, the insertion part 22 is inserted into the gap C from the insertion side edge 22a, which is the front edge, and the insertion side edge 22a, the first cleaning surface 22b, which is the top surface, and the second cleaning surface 22c, which is the bottom surface, rub against the gap C to clean it. The insertion part 22 has a stripe-shaped convex part 25a or a substantially hemispherical convex part 26a formed on each cleaning surface 22b, 22c of the insertion part 22. These convex parts 25a, 26a may be formed on both the first cleaning surface 22b and the second cleaning surface 22c, or may be formed on either the first cleaning surface 22b or the second cleaning surface 22c. Furthermore, each cleaning surface 22b, 22c may have a mixture of various types of convex parts 25a, 26a.

[0063] Fig. 7(a) shows a state where a streak-like convex portion 25a is formed on the first cleaning surface 22b, and Fig. 7(b) shows a state where a substantially hemispherical convex portion 26a is formed on the first cleaning surface 22b.

[0064] The example of the front view in FIG. 8 shows a state in which streak-like convex portions 25a or hemispherical convex portions 26a are formed on each of the cleaning surfaces 22b, 22c.

[0065] 7 and 8, the protrusions 25a, 26a are distributed over the cleaning surfaces 22b, 22c, so that a user can insert the interdental cleaner 21 into the spaces between the teeth C and move it back and forth and left and right in the figures, so that the protrusions 25a, 26a intermittently contact the dirt between the teeth C and effectively brush away the dirt. When the stripe-like protrusions 25a are disposed substantially in the front-to-back direction, dirt between the teeth C can be effectively brushed away by moving the interdental cleaner 21 left and right in particular.

[0066] Furthermore, when the stripe-like protrusions 25a are formed in a fixed direction such as the front-rear or left-right direction, a large number of protrusions 25a can be arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the formation direction of these protrusions 25a.

[0067] Although not shown, the insertion portion 22 may have a plurality of recesses 25b, 26b on the cleaning surfaces 22b, 22c. The recesses 25b, 26b may be stripe-shaped recesses 25b or hemispherical recesses 26b. In this case, the same effect as when the protrusions 25a, 26a are provided can be obtained.

[0068] The other configurations are common to the second embodiment.

[0069] With the above-described configuration, the insertion portion 22 has a plurality of uneven portions 25, 26, so that the interdental cleaning tool 22 of the present invention can obtain a high cleaning effect by moving the insertion portion 22 between the teeth C with the uneven portions 25, 26 efficiently scraping off dirt from between the teeth C.

[0070] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12. In Fig. 9, reference numeral 31 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 32 between the user's teeth. As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 9, the interdental cleaner 31 has a handle portion 33 which can be held by the user's hands, and a pair of support portions 34 extending from the handle portion 33.

[0071] The insertion portion 32 has an insertion side edge 32a which is the front end edge in the front-to-rear direction, which is the width direction of the band, and is inserted between the teeth C. The insertion portion 32 also has a non-insertion side end portion 37 which bulges out in the up-down direction at the end opposite to the front-to-rear direction.

[0072] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the non-insertion side end 37 bulges upward and downward from the rear end of the insertion part 32. Figure 9 shows by a dashed line a middle position cross section S3 at a position approximately halfway between the first strut part 34a and the second strut part 34b of the insertion part 32. In this middle position cross section S3, the non-insertion side end 37 is shown as a substantially circular shape, and the portion other than the non-insertion side end 37 is shown as a rectangular shape.

[0073] 11, the insertion portion 32 has a middle position thickness t2, which is the thickness in the vertical direction at the insertion side edge 32a, and a counter-insertion side thickness t3, which is the same thickness at the counter-insertion side end 37, which is larger than the middle position thickness t2. Note that the width, which is the distance from the insertion side edge 32a to the frontmost part of the counter-insertion side end 37, is called the thin plate width w1, as shown in FIG.

[0074] Such a counter-insertion side end 37 can be formed into any shape by, for example, a mold for injection molding. Moreover, by providing a gate for injecting resin for the insertion portion 32 at a position corresponding to the center in the left-right direction of the counter-insertion side end 37, the resin first flows in the left-right direction through the counter-insertion side end 37, and then fills the entire insertion portion 32. Therefore, by providing the counter-insertion side end 37 to the insertion portion 32, the resin can be efficiently filled into the mold during injection molding.

[0075] The other configurations are common to the second embodiment.

[0076] With the above configuration, when a user inserts the interdental cleaner 31 of the present invention between teeth C, the insertion portion 32 advances, causing the anti-insertion end 37 to come into contact with the tip T of the user's tooth, as shown in Fig. 12, restricting further advancement of the insertion portion 32. Therefore, by setting the thin plate portion width w1 to be shorter than the length of a person's teeth, the user can use the interdental cleaner 31 of the present invention safely and securely without worrying that the insertion side edge 32a will damage his or her gums.

[0077] [Fifth embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In Figure 13, reference numeral 41 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 42 between the teeth of a user.

[0078] The insertion part 42 extends between a pair of support parts 44 and is supported by each of the support parts 44. The insertion part 42 is wire-shaped, and its peripheral surface rubs against and cleans the interdental spaces C. When a user inserts the insertion part 42 into the gap between the teeth C and moves it back and forth in the left and right direction in Figure 13, it can target and clean the dirt between the teeth C with pinpoint accuracy, resulting in a high cleaning effect.

[0079] In addition, the dimensions of the insertion section 42 are different between the support-nearby cross section S4 close to the first support section 44a on the left side and the intermediate-position cross section S5 far from the support-nearby cross section. These cross sections S4 and S5 are represented by dashed lines in FIG. 13. Each cross section S4 and S5 is circular. Here, the support-nearby wire diameter d1, which is the wire diameter in the support-nearby cross section S4 as shown in FIG. 14(a), is larger than the intermediate-position wire diameter d2, which is the wire diameter in the intermediate-position cross section S5 as shown in FIG. 14(b). The cross-sectional area of ​​the support-nearby cross section S4 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate-position cross section S5. Although not shown, the insertion section 42 has a wire diameter in the cross section near the second support section 44b larger than the intermediate-position wire diameter d2. The cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section near the second support section 44b is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate-position cross section S5. In this way, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the insertion portion 42 in the vicinity of each of the support portions 44a, 44b is large, both ends of the insertion portion 42 can be stably supported.

[0080] The other configurations are common to the second embodiment.

[0081] With the above-described configuration, although the interdental cleaning tool 41 of the present invention employs a wire-shaped insertion portion 44, the insertion portion 42 and the cylindrical portions 44d, 44f which are part of the support portion 44 and include support portions 44h, 44i are integrally formed from synthetic resin, so that the tip of the insertion portion is not sharp and there is little risk of it damaging the inside of the oral cavity.

[0082] Furthermore, even though the insertion portion 44 is wire-shaped, since it is formed using synthetic resin together with the cylindrical portions 44d, 44f, molding processes such as injection molding can be performed, and the dimensions and shape of the circular cross section can be changed depending on the longitudinal position depending on the mold.

[0083] Therefore, by inserting parts of the insertion part 42 at different distances from one support part 44 into the interdental space C, different cleaning effects can be obtained when the cross section is one cross section and when the cross section is another cross section having a different size or shape from the one cross section. This allows the user to use one interdental cleaner 41 to clean between the teeth by combining the cleaning effect obtained from one cross section and the cleaning effect obtained from the other cross section.

[0084] In addition, when inserting the insertion portion 42 into the interdental space C, for example, a brushing effect can be obtained when the cross-section is the intermediate position cross-section S5, and then the insertion position can be slid to the position of the cross-section S4 near the support portion while still inserted, thereby obtaining a brushing effect when the cross-section is the cross-section S4 near the support portion.

[0085] [Sixth embodiment] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. In Figure 15, reference numeral 51 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 52 between the teeth of a user.

[0086] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 15, the interdental cleaner 51 has a handle portion 53 which can be held by the user, and a pair of support portions 54 extending from the handle portion 53.

[0087] In the front view of Fig. 16, the end faces on the front end side of each of the support parts 54a, 54b are represented by solid lines. In each of the support parts 54a, 54b, the first support part 54h and the second support part 54i, which are parts continuous with the insertion part 52 on the left and right sides, are represented by two-dot chain lines. Each of the support parts 54h, 54i is adjacent to the insertion part 52 in the left-right direction in the support parts 54a, 54b, respectively, and shows a sector-shaped area that expands in a direction approaching the center line of each of the support parts 54a, 54b in a front view.

[0088] The support part 54 and the insertion part 52 are integrally formed from the same material. As a result, the entire interdental cleaner 51 is composed of an injection-molded synthetic resin molded product. For example, if the interdental cleaner 51 is made of a soft resin such as silicone, the insertion part 52 can be inserted between the teeth C without damaging parts of the oral cavity, and injuries such as poking the throat with the handle part 53 or the support part 54 can be reduced.

[0089] The first support portion 54d, the insertion portion 52, and the second support portion 54f are adjacent to each other and are integrally formed in order from the left as shown in Fig. 15. As a result, each support portion 54d, 54f directly supports the insertion portion 52. The first support portion 54d and the left end of the insertion portion 52 are integrally formed, and valley portions 52v, 52v are formed therebetween at two locations, above and below. In addition, the right end of the insertion portion 52 and the second support portion 54f are integrally formed, and valley portions 52v, 52v are similarly formed therebetween.

[0090] The other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0091] With the above-mentioned configuration, in the interdental cleaner 51 of the present invention, the support part 54 and the insertion part 52 are integrally formed and made of the same material, so that the support part 54 and the insertion part 52 can be manufactured as one part from the beginning by a molding process such as injection molding. Since the support part 54 and the insertion part 52 are formed as one part in this way, there is less risk that the insertion part 52 will come off the support part 54, and since it does not have a structure with a protruding tip, there is less risk of damaging the inside of the oral cavity.

[0092] Furthermore, since the support portion 54 and the insertion portion 52 are formed as a single part, the fabricator can simplify the molding process.

[0093] [Seventh embodiment] A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 17 and 18. In Figure 17, reference numeral 61 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting an insertion portion 62 between the user's teeth. As shown in the perspective view of Figure 17, the interdental cleaner 61 has a handle portion 63 that can be held by the user's hands, and a pair of support portions 64 extending from the handle portion 63.

[0094] The insertion section 62 extends between a pair of support columns 64 and is supported by each support column 64. The insertion section 62 has a cross section S6 near the first support column 64a shown in Fig. 18(a) and a cross section S7 far from the first support column 64a shown in Fig. 18(b) that are different in size. Here, the cross section S6 near the support column is a cross section near the first support column 64a, while the cross section S7 at the intermediate position is a cross section at a substantially intermediate position between the first support column 64a and the second support column 64b. In Fig. 17, the cross sections S6 and S7 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0095] The insertion section 62 has the same front-rear width w at the cross section S6 near the support and the cross section S7 at the intermediate position, but as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), the thickness t4 near the support, which is the thickness in the vertical direction at the cross section S6 near the support, is greater than the thickness t5 at the intermediate position. Thus, the dimensions of the cross section S6 near the support and the dimensions of the cross section S7 at the intermediate position are different. Also, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section S6 near the support is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate position cross section S7.

[0096] Although not shown, the inserting portion 62 has a plate thickness, which is the thickness in the vertical direction in the cross section near the second support portion 64b, that is greater than the intermediate position plate thickness t5. The cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section near the second support portion 64b is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate position cross section S7. In this way, since the cross-sectional areas of the inserting portion 62 near both supports 64a, 64b are large, both ends of the inserting portion 62 can be stably supported.

[0097] The other configurations are common to the sixth embodiment.

[0098] With the above-mentioned configuration, the interdental cleaner 61 of the present invention can have dimensions such as width, aspect ratio, thickness, etc. of one cross section different from the dimensions of the other cross sections, as in the relationship between the cross section S6 near the support post and the cross section S7 at the intermediate position of the insertion part 62 in this embodiment. Therefore, by inserting parts of the insertion part at different distances from one support post into the interdental space C, different cleaning effects can be obtained when the cross section is the one cross section and when it is the other cross section. This allows the user to clean the interdental space by combining the cleaning effect obtained from the one cross section and the cleaning effect obtained from the other cross section while using one interdental cleaner.

[0099] In addition, when inserting the insertion portion 62 into the interdental space C, for example, a brushing effect can be obtained when the cross-section is the intermediate position cross-section S7, and then the insertion position can be slid to the position of the cross-section S6 near the support portion while still inserted, thereby obtaining a brushing effect when the cross-section is the cross-section S6 near the support portion.

[0100] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0101] For example, the support portion may have a shape other than a cylinder, and may have a shape such as an elliptical cylinder, an oval cylinder, or a rectangular column, as long as it can reliably support the insertion portion.

[0102] The convex and concave portions may have a shape other than striated or hemispherical, and may be, for example, a cube, a pyramid, a frustum, or the like, so long as they can efficiently clean away dirt between the teeth C.

[0103] The non-insertion end does not necessarily have to bulge both upward and downward, and may bulge only upward or downward as long as it can restrict the entry of the insertion part. In addition, the non-insertion end may have a shape other than a shape having a substantially circular cross section, and may have a shape having a cross section that is an ellipse, an oval, a polygon, or the like.

[0104] The wire-shaped insertion portion may have a cross-sectional shape other than a circle, and may have a shape that describes an ellipse, oval, polygon, or other figure, as long as it can efficiently clean dirt between the teeth C. [Industrial Applicability]

[0105] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an interdental cleaning tool made of synthetic resin for cleaning dirt between a user's teeth. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1,11,21,31,41,51,61 Interdental cleaning tools 2,12,22,32,42,52,62 Insertion part 2a, 12a, 22a, 32a, 52a, 62a Insertion side edge 3,13,23,33,43,53,63 Handle 4,14,24,34,44,54,64 Support section 4d, 14d, 24d, 34d, 44d First cylindrical section 4f, 14f, 24f, 34f, 44f Second cylindrical section 4h, 14h, 24h, 34h, 44h, 54h, 64h First support 4i,14i,24i,34i,44i,54i,64i Second support 25a streaky convex part 25b Striped recess 26a Hemispherical protrusion 26b Hemispherical recess 37 Anti-insertion end

Claims

1. An interdental cleaning tool capable of inserting an insertion part between teeth to clean the spaces between the teeth, A handle portion that can be held by hand; A pair of support poles extending from the handle portion, the insertion portion extends between the pair of support columns and is supported by each of the support columns; The support portion has a cylindrical portion at least partially located outside a core portion with respect to a center line thereof, the cylindrical portion directly supports the insertion portion, is an integrally molded product with the insertion portion, and is a molded product made together with the insertion portion using a synthetic resin softer than the core portion, A part or the whole of the cylindrical portion in the radial direction is disposed inside a groove portion recessed in the side surface of the support portion. An interdental cleaning tool characterized by

2. The insertion portion has a first cross-section in the vicinity of one of the support columns, the cross-sectional area of ​​which is larger than a second cross-section in the vicinity of the one of the support columns at an approximately midpoint between the one of the support columns and the other of the support columns.

2. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 .

3. The insert portion has a surface having a plurality of protrusions protruding outward from the insert portion or a plurality of recesses recessed inward from the insert portion.

3. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. The insertion portion is belt-shaped, and a center plane, which is a plane located at the center in the thickness direction of the flat body, and a center line of each of the support portions are located on approximately the same plane, and the insertion portion is supported by each of the support portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

4. An interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaning tool is a toothbrush.

5. The thickness of the flat body in the vicinity of one of the support columns of the insertion portion is greater than the thickness of the flat body in a substantially intermediate position between the one of the support columns and the other of the support columns.

5. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 4.

6. The insertion portion has an insertion side edge at one end in the width direction of the strip to be inserted between the teeth, and has a counter-insertion side end at the other end in the width direction that bulges in the plate thickness direction.

6. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The insertion portion is wire-shaped, and its center line and the center lines of the support portions are located on substantially the same plane, and the insertion portion is supported by the support portions at both ends in the extension direction.

4. An interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaning tool is a toothbrush.

8. The insertion portion has a wire diameter in the vicinity of one of the support portions larger than a wire diameter at an approximately midpoint between the one support portion and the other support portion.

8. An interdental cleaner according to claim 7.

9. The core portion and the cylindrical portion are molded by injection molding and are formed by two-color molding.

2. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 .

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