cover

Abstract

To provide a cover capable of being used for various kinds of toothbrushes.SOLUTION: A pair of side walls 120 comprises: an inclined part 122 which has flexibility allowing for changing an interval between facing surfaces thereof according to a width of a head part, with the facing surfaces thereof inclined so as to approach each other as separated from a base part 110; and a holding part 121 which is provided below the inclined part 122 and can hold a tip part of a handle on the head part. Below the pair of holding parts 121, at least one coupling part is provided for coupling the holding parts 121, allowing separation of the holding parts 121 and having elastic force so as to return the holding parts 121 to original positions as the interval between the holding parts 121 increases.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for use in a toothbrush. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, covers for protecting the head of a toothbrush (the part where the bristles are attached) have been known. In such covers, it is desirable that the tips of the bristles do not come into contact with the cover. For this reason, a dedicated cover is generally used according to the shape and dimensions of the head. Therefore, in order to accommodate a wide variety of toothbrushes, covers with different dimensions and shapes are required, and multiple types of molds must be prepared for manufacturing, which increases costs.

[0003] Therefore, the applicant of the present application has already proposed a technology related to a cover that can be used for a wide variety of toothbrushes (Patent Application No. 2020-019524). However, depending on the dimensions of the toothbrush head, there is a concern that the holding force of the cover on the head may be insufficient, and the cover may be displaced from the head due to impact or continued stress during transportation. For example, there is a concern that the cover may be displaced from the head so that it rotates in the direction of the arrow Y when the cover is subjected to a force in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1. This may cause the tip of the head to protrude from the cover. In particular, it has been found that the holding force of the cover on the head is low and the above phenomenon is likely to occur in the case of a head with a short length from the tip to the rear end. Therefore, it cannot necessarily be said that there are a sufficient number of types of toothbrushes to which the cover can be applied. Therefore, there is still room for improvement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-53610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a cover that can be used for a wide variety of toothbrushes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problems.

[0007] That is, the cover of the present invention is A cover for protecting a head of a toothbrush, the cover including a tip of a handle and a bristle-implanted part, A base portion disposed opposite the tip of the brush bristles; A pair of side walls extending downward from both side surfaces of the base and facing both side surfaces of the head; Equipped with The pair of side walls are a sloping portion having flexibility that allows the distance between these opposing surfaces to be changed according to the width of the head portion, and sloping so that the opposing surfaces approach each other as they move away from the base portion; a holding portion provided below the inclined portion and capable of holding a tip end of the handle of the head, Below the pair of holding parts, there are provided a pair of connecting members, which connect the holding parts to each other and allow the holding parts to be spaced apart from each other, and which are adapted to return the holding parts to their original positions as the distance between the holding parts increases. The present invention is characterized in that at least one connecting portion having an elastic force that causes the connecting portion to return to its original shape is provided.

[0008] According to the present invention, the pair of side walls are provided with flexible inclined portions that allow the distance between the opposing surfaces to be changed according to the width of the head. Therefore, the cover of the present invention can be applied to various heads of different sizes, and the lower part of the pair of inclined portions has holding parts that can hold the tip of the handle of the head, so that the tip of the handle can be prevented from moving. This can prevent the tip of the brush bristles from coming into contact with the cover. Furthermore, by providing the connecting parts, when the holding parts are expanded by the insertion of the head into the holding parts, the holding parts try to return to their original positions, so that the holding force of the holding parts is increased. Therefore, the tip of the handle can be more reliably prevented from moving. In addition, the connecting parts can also prevent the head from slipping out from the lower end side of the pair of holding parts. Therefore, the cover of the present invention can be applied to various heads of even greater different sizes.

[0009] In addition, the provision of the connecting portion has the effect of suppressing so-called stacking. In other words, if there is a gap between the holding portions, when multiple covers are stored together for transportation or the like, a part of one cover will get into the gap of another cover (called stacking). This results in a state in which these covers are connected to each other. In this state, it becomes necessary to remove the covers separately. However, the provision of the connecting portion can reduce the gap, and the occurrence of the stacking phenomenon described above can be suppressed.

[0010] The connecting portion may be provided at a position on one of the pair of holding portions that is biased away from the insertion opening side of the head portion.

[0011] It is also preferable that the connecting portion is provided at a position biased toward the insertion opening side of the head portion, of the pair of holding portions.

[0012] In addition, the connecting portion may be arranged perpendicular to the holding portion and may be composed of a U-shaped flexible portion and portions extending from both ends of the flexible portion so as to bend at approximately right angles and connecting to the lower portions of a pair of the holding portions, respectively.

[0013] A first stopper portion for restricting movement of the head toward the base is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of holding portions, and each of the holding portions preferably has an inclined surface whose spacing gradually narrows from the lower portion of the holding portion toward the base.

[0014] This more reliably prevents the tip of the handle from moving relative to the cover. Also, the first stopper portion can effectively restrict movement of the head even for heads of different thicknesses.

[0015] A second stopper portion may be provided at the lower end of the holding portion, separate from the connecting portion, facing the surface of the handle opposite the bristles portion and preventing the head from slipping out.

[0016] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the head of the toothbrush from slipping out of the cover.

[0017] A third stopper portion may be provided at a front end of the base portion and spaced apart from the pair of side walls to restrict movement of the head portion toward the tip side.

[0018] This prevents the cover from moving towards the toothbrush handle without causing the side walls to lose flexibility.

[0019] The third stopper portion has a bent shape in which the center in the width direction protrudes toward the tip side further than both ends in the width direction, and the connecting portion is preferably arranged to enter inside the bent shape of the third stopper portion.

[0020] As a result, the gap between the pair of side walls and the third stopper portion is blocked by the connecting portion, preventing the cover and toothbrush from becoming misaligned due to the tip of the handle getting into the gap, and also suppressing the occurrence of the stacking phenomenon described above.

[0021] The above configurations may be combined as much as possible. Effect of the Invention

[0022] As described above, the present invention can be used for a wide variety of toothbrushes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a toothbrush. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the toothbrush. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a cover according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a cover according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the head and the holder according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cover according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the holding position of the cover by the holding portion and the behavior of the head of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, and the like of the components described in the embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0025] Example 1 A cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. The cover according to this embodiment is used to protect the head of a toothbrush. A usage mode of the cover according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0026] <How to use the cover> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the cover according to the first embodiment is attached to a toothbrush. The inner cover is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. Toothbrush 1 comprises handle 10 and head 20. Head 20 comprises tip portion 22 that is integrally provided on the tip side of handle 10, and bristles portion 21 where brush bristles are planted on the upper surface of tip portion 22. Cover 100 according to this embodiment is attached to head 20 to protect head 20.

[0027] <Cover> In particular, the configuration of the cover 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 7. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a front view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen in the V1 direction in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen in the V2 direction in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen in the AA cross-sectional view in Fig. 3. The cover 100 in Fig. 1 above also corresponds to the AA cross-sectional view in Fig. 3.

[0028] The cover 100 according to this embodiment is made of a resin material and can be obtained by a conventional molding method such as injection molding. In addition, the resin material constituting the cover 100 is preferably a transparent material so that the head 20 can be seen from the outside. Specifically, it is preferable to use a material with a transmittance of 90% or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of protecting the head 20, it is preferable that the cover 100 is made of a hard material so that a certain degree of hardness is obtained. On the other hand, as shown below, it is preferable that the material has elasticity that allows a certain degree of elastic deformation. Examples of materials that satisfy these various conditions include PP (polypropylene) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

[0029] The cover 100 includes a base 110 arranged to face the tips of the brush bristles in the bristle implantation section 21, and a pair of side walls 120 that hang down from both sides of the base 110 and face both sides of the head 20. The pair of side walls 120 have flexibility that allows the distance between these facing surfaces to be changed according to the width of the head 20, and each has an inclined portion 122 that inclines so that the facing surfaces approach each other as they move away from the base 110. The pair of side walls 120 also have a holding portion 121 that is provided below the inclined portion 122 and can hold the tip portion 22 of the handle 10 of the head 20. Furthermore, the pair of side walls 120 each have ribs 123a, 123b that function as reinforcing portions that suppress changes in the angle between the inclined portion 122 and the holding portion 121.

[0030] The ribs 123a, 123b are provided so as to protrude further outward from the outer wall surfaces of the inclined portion 122 and the holding portion 121. In this embodiment, two ribs 123a, 123b are provided on each of the pair of side walls 120, one at an end of the inclined portion 122 and the holding portion 121 facing the insertion opening of the head 20 and the other at an opposite end. The rib 123a also serves as a guide for guiding the head 20 into the inside of the holding portion 121.

[0031] A first stopper portion 125 for restricting movement of the head 20 toward the base portion 110 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of holding portions 121. Each of the pair of first stopper portions 125 has an inclined surface 125a whose distance from each other gradually narrows from the lower portion of the holding portion 121 toward the base portion 110 (see FIG. 4).

[0032] Further, below the pair of holding parts 121, a stopper function part 130 is provided facing the surface of the handle 10 opposite to the bristles 21, and prevents the head 20 from slipping out. The stopper function part 130 according to this embodiment is composed of two connecting parts 131a, 131b and a second stopper part 132 (see FIG. 6). The connecting parts 131a, 131b connect the pair of holding parts 121 together, and act to prevent the holding parts 121 from moving apart from each other. The holding portions 121 have a function of having an elastic force so that the holding portions 121 try to return to their original positions as the interval between the holding portions 121 increases. Both of the connecting portions 131a and 131b according to this embodiment are provided perpendicular to the holding portions 121. And, both of these connecting portions 131a and 131b are composed of U-shaped flexible portions 131ax and 131bx, and portions 131ay and 131by that extend from both ends of the flexible portions 131ax and 131bx so as to be bent at approximately right angles (extending straight from both ends of the flexible portions 131ax and 131bx toward the pair of holding portions 121, respectively) and connect to the lower portions of the pair of holding portions 121, respectively. With this configuration, when the head 20 is inserted, the U-shaped flexible portions 131ax, 131bx are deformed so as to be bent in a direction parallel to the base portion 110 (a direction perpendicular to the holding portion 121) so that both ends of the flexible portions 131ax, 131bx spread apart.

[0033] Moreover, the connecting portion 131a is provided at a position of the pair of holding portions 121 that is biased toward the opposite side from the insertion opening side of the head 20. Moreover, the connecting portion 131b is provided at a position of the pair of holding portions 121 that is biased toward the insertion opening side of the head 20. The second stopper portion 132 is provided between the connecting portions 131a and 131b. In this embodiment, the gap near the lower ends of the pair of holding portions 121 (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as the first gap S1) is blocked by the connecting portion 131b.

[0034] Further, a third stopper portion 140 that restricts movement of the head 20 toward the tip side is provided at the front end of the base 110 and is spaced apart from the pair of side walls 120. Hereinafter, the gap between the pair of side walls 120 and the third stopper portion 140 will be referred to as a second gap S2 for convenience.

[0035] The third stopper portion 140 has a bent shape in which the center in the width direction protrudes toward the tip side more than both ends in the width direction (see Figs. 3 and 6). In this embodiment, the connecting portion 131a is configured to enter inside the bent shape of the third stopper portion 140. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the connecting portion 131a is configured to block the vicinity of the holding portion 121 of the second gap S2.

[0036] <Advantages of the cover according to this embodiment> In the cover 100 configured as above, when the head 20 of the toothbrush 1 is inserted into the cover 100, the tip of the brush bristles of the head 20 is inserted so as to face the base 110. Then, the side of the tip 22 of the handle 10 is held by the holding portion 121 (see FIG. 8). Note that FIG. 8 is a front view showing the state in which the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the toothbrush, and the part of the handle 10 is shown in a cross-sectional view. According to the cover 100 of this embodiment, the pair of side walls 120 are provided with flexible inclined portions 122 that allow the distance between these opposing surfaces to be changed according to the width of the head 20. Therefore, the cover 100 of this embodiment can be applied to various heads of different sizes. Note that by providing the inclined portions 122 on the pair of side walls 120, it is possible to prevent the side walls 120 from protruding outward in the width direction from the base 110 even when a wide head 20 is held by the pair of holding portions 121.

[0037] Furthermore, as described above, tip 22 of handle 10 is clamped by holding portion 121, so that tip 22 of handle 10 can be prevented from moving. This can prevent the tips of the brush bristles from coming into contact with cover 100. Furthermore, by providing connecting portions 131, 131b, when head 20 is inserted into holding portion 121 and holding portions 121 spread apart, these holding portions 121 try to return to their original positions, thereby increasing the holding force of holding portion 121. This can more reliably prevent tip 22 of handle 10 from moving.

[0038] In addition, the stopper function portion 130 (two connecting portions 131a, 131b and one second stop The topper portion 132 can also prevent the head 20 from slipping out from the lower end side of the pair of holding portions 121. Therefore, the cover 100 according to this embodiment can be applied to various heads of different sizes.

[0039] In addition, the provision of the connecting portions 131a and 131b has the effect of suppressing so-called stacking. The connecting portion 131a is provided so as to block the second gap S2, and therefore exhibits the function of suppressing stacking caused by the second gap S2. The connecting portion 131b is provided so as to block the first gap S1, and therefore exhibits the function of suppressing stacking caused by the first gap S1. In particular, when the cover 100 is attached to the toothbrush 1 using an automated machine, stacking is a major obstacle. According to the cover 100 of this embodiment, the occurrence of such stacking can also be suppressed, and therefore obstacles can also be suppressed in the attachment work of the cover 100 to the toothbrush 1 by an automated machine.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, first stopper portions 125 that restrict movement of head 20 toward base 110 are provided on the opposing surfaces of the pair of holding portions 121. This more reliably prevents tip 22 of handle 10 from moving relative to cover 100. Each of the pair of first stopper portions 125 according to this embodiment has inclined surfaces 125a that gradually narrow the distance between them from the lower portion of holding portion 121 toward base 110. This allows first stopper portions 125 to suitably restrict movement of head 20 even for heads 20 of different thicknesses.

[0041] As described above, in addition to the increased holding force of the holding portion 121, the first stopper portion 125 restricts the movement of the cover 100 relative to the head 20, thereby suppressing the displacement of the cover 100 relative to the head 20. For example, when a force is applied to the cover 100 in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1, the cover 100 may rotate in the direction of the arrow Y relative to the head 20. However, in this embodiment, the holding force of the holding portion 121 and the restriction of movement by the first stopper portion 125 work together to effectively suppress the rotation in the direction of the arrow Y. In addition, in this embodiment, the portion connecting the holding portions 121 to each other by the connecting portion 131a is provided so as to face the vicinity of the tip of the tip portion 22 of the handle 10. As a result, even if the cover 100 rotates in the direction of the arrow Y, the tip portion 22 of the handle 10 will not jump out of the cover 100 because the tip portion 22 of the handle 10 comes into contact with the connecting portion 131a.

[0042] The cover 100 according to this embodiment is also provided with a second stopper portion 140 that restricts movement of the head 20 toward the tip side. This makes it possible to prevent the cover 100 from moving in the direction of the handle 10 of the toothbrush 1.

[0043] Example 2 Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration of the stopper functional part provided at the lower end of the holding part is different from that of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The stopper function portion 130 according to this embodiment is composed of one connecting portion 131c and one second stopper portion 132a, 132b. The role of the connecting portion 131c is the same as that of the two connecting portions 131a, 131b shown in the first embodiment. The connecting portion 131c according to this embodiment is provided at a position of the pair of holding portions 121 that is biased toward the opposite side to the insertion opening side of the head 20. In the connecting portion 131c according to this embodiment, the portion that connects the holding portions 121 to each other is configured in the opposite direction to the connecting portion 131a in the first embodiment. However, the connecting portion 131c according to this embodiment also has a tendency to enter the bent shape of the third stopper portion 140. As a result, the vicinity of the end of the second gap S2 on the opposite side to the base portion 110 is blocked by the connecting portion 131c. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of stacking.

[0045] In addition, the first gap S1 between the second stopper portion 132a and the second stopper portion 132b is configured as a non-linear gap. By adopting such a configuration, the first gap S1 is configured such that when one end of the first gap S1 is viewed directly from the other end, the gap on the other end side is not visible. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of stacking.

[0046] The cover 100A according to this embodiment configured as above can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0047] Example 3 Fig. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration of the stopper function part provided at the lower end of the holding part is different from that of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 10 is a bottom view of a cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The stopper function portion 130 according to this embodiment is configured by two connecting portions 131b and 131c. The configuration of the connecting portion 131b is the same as the configuration of the connecting portion 131b shown in the first embodiment, and the configuration of the connecting portion 131c is the same as the configuration of the connecting portion 131c shown in the second embodiment.

[0049] The cover 100B according to this embodiment configured as above can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0050] Example 4 Fig. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration of the stopper function part provided at the lower end of the holding part is different from that of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 11 is a bottom view of a cover according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The stopper function portion 130 according to this embodiment is composed of one connecting portion 131b and one second stopper portion 132c. The configuration of the connecting portion 131b is the same as the configuration of the connecting portion 131b shown in the first embodiment. The second stopper portion 132c according to this embodiment is provided so as to enter inside the bent shape of the third stopper portion 140. As a result, the second gap S2 is configured so that the vicinity of the end portion on the opposite side to the base portion 110 is blocked by the second stopper portion 132c. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of stacking.

[0052] The cover 100C according to this embodiment configured as above can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0053] Example 5 Fig. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration of the stopper functional part provided at the lower end of the holding part is different from that of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 12 is a bottom view of a cover according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The stopper function part 130 according to this embodiment is composed of two connecting parts 131d, 131e. The connecting part 131d is provided at a position of the pair of holding parts 121 that is biased toward the side opposite to the insertion opening side of the head 20. The connecting part 131e is provided at a position of the pair of holding parts 121 that is biased toward the insertion opening side of the head 20. The connecting parts shown in each of the above embodiments are configured to have a U-shaped flexible part, whereas the connecting parts 131d, 131e according to this embodiment are configured to have a meandering shape. In this way, various shapes can be adopted for the connecting parts as long as they connect the pair of holding parts 121 to each other, allow the holding parts 121 to be separated from each other, and exhibit a function of having an elastic force such that the holding parts 121 try to return to their original positions as the distance between the holding parts 121 increases.

[0055] The cover 100D according to this embodiment configured as above can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0056] Example 6 13 and 14 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration of the third stopper portion is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the head and the holding portion according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a cover according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As described above, the third stopper portion 140 has a bent shape in which the center in the width direction protrudes toward the tip side more than both ends in the width direction. Therefore, the narrower the width of the tip portion 22 of the handle 10 in the head 20 of the toothbrush 1, the more the head 20 is held by the holding portion 121 in a state in which it is disposed toward the tip side with respect to the cover 100. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 13(a).

[0058] FIG. 13 shows the positional relationship between the third stopper portion 140, the tip portion 22, and the holding portion 121 when the tip portion 22 is held. FIG. 13(a) shows the case of the configuration shown in the above-mentioned Example 1. The dotted lines in the figure show the tip portion 22X of a large-sized head and the holding portion 121X when the tip portion 22X is held. In contrast, the tip portion 22Y of a small-sized head and the holding portion 121Y when the tip portion 22Y is held are shown by solid lines. As is clear from this figure, the tip portion 22Y with a narrow width is held by the holding portion 121 (121Y) in a state in which the head 20 is arranged on the tip side with respect to the cover 100, compared to the tip portion 22X with a wide width. In general, a head with a narrow width has a short length from the tip to the rear end. Therefore, when the tip portion 22Y is held by the holding portion 121 in a state where the tip portion 22Y is disposed on the tip side of the cover 100, the area where the tip portion 22Y is held by the holding portion 121 is reduced. This may cause the holding state to become unstable.

[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration having a countermeasure structure for cases where such a defect may occur is adopted. That is, in the cover 100 according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, a configuration is adopted in which a rib 141 that restricts movement of the head 20 toward the tip side is provided at the center of the width direction of the bent shape of the third stopper part 140. Note that, although this rib 1141 is configured to extend in the vertical direction, the range is not limited as long as it is provided at least at a position where the tip part 22 of the head 20 hits.

[0060] FIG. 13(b) shows the positional relationship between the third stopper portion 140, the tip portion 22, and the holding portion 121 when the tip portion 22 is held in the configuration shown in this embodiment. The dotted lines in the figure show the tip portion 22X of the large-sized head, and the holding portion 121X when this tip portion 22X is held. In contrast, the tip portion 22Y of the small-sized head, and the holding portion 121Y when this tip portion 22Y is held, are shown by solid lines. As is clear from this figure, the narrow tip portion 22Y and the wide tip portion 22X , each of which is held by the holding portion 121 (121Y, 121X) in a state of contacting the rib 141.

[0061] As described above, according to the cover 100 of this embodiment, the movement of the tip portion 22 toward the tip side is restricted by the rib 141, so that even if the tip portion 22Y has a narrow width, it is possible to prevent the area held by the holding portion 121 from becoming small. As a result, even if the tip portion 22Y has a narrow width, it is possible to stably hold it by the holding portion 121. Note that, although this embodiment shows the configuration in which the rib 141 is provided on the third stopper portion 140 in the first embodiment, the configuration in which the rib 141 is provided on the third stopper portion 140 in the second to fifth embodiments can also be adopted.

[0062] (others) The connecting portion shown in each of the above embodiments is provided at a position offset to the opposite side of the insertion opening of the head 20 or offset to the insertion opening of the head 20, among the pair of holding portions 121. The reason for providing the connecting portion at a position offset to the opposite side of the insertion opening of the head 20 or offset to the insertion opening will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0063] The holding force of the pair of holding parts 121 on the head 20 (tip 22 of the handle 10) is strongest at the part where the connecting part is provided (the connection part between the connecting part and the holding part 121). If the connecting part is provided in the pair of holding parts 121 near the center between the insertion opening side of the head 20 and the opposite side, the holding force is strongest near the center of the head 20 (see arrow S). In this case, the head 20 is not very effectively restricted from moving in the direction of arrow T in the figure relative to the cover. Therefore, as described above, it is desirable to provide the connecting part on the opposite side of the insertion opening side of the head 20 or in a position biased toward the insertion opening side so that the holding force can be transmitted regardless of the size of the tip 22 of the handle 10.

[0064] In addition, the various connecting parts and the various second stopper parts shown in each embodiment can be applied in combinations other than those shown in the above embodiments. However, it is necessary to provide a connecting part in at least one place. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which connecting parts are provided in a maximum of two places is shown, but connecting parts may be provided in three or more places. The second stopper part may not be provided, or may be provided in one or more places. In addition, as explained in the fifth embodiment, the shape of the connecting part is not limited to the shape shown in each embodiment. Similarly, the shape of the second stopper part is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Toothbrush 10…Pattern 20…Head 21: Hair transplantation section 22: Tip section 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D…Cover 110...Base 120...Side wall 121: holding portion; 122: inclined portion; 123a, 123b: rib; 125: first stopper portion 130...Stopper function part 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, 131e...Connection part 132, 132a, 132b, 132c...Second stopper portion 140…Third stopper part S1: First gap S2: Second gap

Claims

1. A cover for protecting a head of a toothbrush, the cover including a tip of a handle and a bristle-implanted part, A base portion disposed opposite the tip of the brush bristles; A pair of side walls extending downward from both side surfaces of the base and facing both side surfaces of the head; Equipped with The pair of side walls are a sloping portion having flexibility that allows the distance between these opposing surfaces to be changed according to the width of the head portion, and sloping so that the opposing surfaces approach each other as they move away from the base portion; a holding portion provided below the inclined portion and capable of holding a tip end of the handle of the head, A cover characterized in that a connecting portion is provided at at least one location below the pair of retaining portions, which connects the retaining portions to each other and allows the retaining portions to separate from each other, while having an elastic force such that the retaining portions tend to return to their original positions as the distance between the retaining portions increases.

2. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is provided at a position on one of the pair of holding portions that is biased toward a side opposite to the insertion opening side of the head portion.

3. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is provided at a position biased toward the insertion opening side of the head portion, of the pair of holding portions.

4. A cover as described in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the connecting portion is arranged perpendicular to the holding portion and is composed of a U-shaped flexible portion and a portion extending from both ends of the flexible portion so as to bend at approximately right angles and connect to the lower portions of a pair of the holding portions, respectively.

5. A cover as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first stopper portion is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of a pair of the retaining portions to restrict movement of the head toward the base, and each of the retaining portions has an inclined surface whose spacing gradually narrows as it moves from the lower part of the retaining portion toward the base.

6. A cover as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a second stopper portion is provided at the lower end of the retaining portion, facing the surface of the handle opposite the bristles portion, and preventing the head from slipping out, separate from the connecting portion.

7. A cover as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a third stopper portion is provided at the front end of the base, spaced apart from the pair of side walls, to restrict movement of the head toward the tip side.

8. The cover described in claim 7, characterized in that the third stopper portion has a bent shape in which the center in the width direction protrudes toward the tip side more than both ends in the width direction, and the connecting portion is arranged to enter inside the bent shape of the third stopper portion.

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