Interdental cleaning tool and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide an interdental cleaning tool in which an edge cleaning area for cleaning by reciprocation motion of the cleaning tool in a direction crossing a tape longitudinal direction of a tape shaped dental floss, is enlarged for achieving improved cleaning effects and a production method thereof, and an interdental cleaning tool for securing intensity as a whole cleaning tool, capable of being inserted into a narrower space between teeth, and achieving simultaneously, intensity of ease of use and a production method thereof.SOLUTION: There is provided an interdental cleaning tool comprising: a plurality of tape-shaped dental flosses 12; and a holding member 13 for holding the respective tape-shaped dental flosses 12. The holding member 13 is gripped and the tape-shaped dental flosses 12 are guided to spaces between teeth, and the tape-shaped dental flosses 12 clean and remove dirt between teeth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning tool and a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool, and more particularly to an interdental cleaning tool in which a holding member is gripped and tape-shaped dental floss is guided between the teeth, and the tape-shaped dental floss cleans dirt between the teeth, and a method for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a dental floss formed in a tape shape as a cleaning tool for inserting between teeth to clean dirt between the teeth (Patent Document 1). Dental floss formed in a tape shape in this way is called a "tape-shaped dental floss". Tape-shaped dental floss has a cleaning surface formed on both sides of the tape, and one end edge and the other end edge in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the tape are formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the tape. This allows a user to insert the tape-shaped dental floss between the teeth and move it back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the tape to clean the gaps between the teeth with the cleaning surface of the tape, and also allows a user to move the tape-shaped dental floss back and forth on the surface of the teeth in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tape to clean the gaps between the teeth with either edge.

[0003] In this way, the tape-shaped dental floss has a tape-like brushing surface, which allows for a larger effective cleaning area than dental floss formed into a rope shape, and therefore the tape-shaped dental floss can achieve a higher cleaning effect.

[0004] In addition, because the cross section of the tape is flat, the tape can be made thinner while still maintaining the same cross-sectional area as dental floss formed into a rope shape. Therefore, the tape-shaped dental floss has the same strength as dental floss formed into a rope shape and can penetrate deeper into narrower gaps between teeth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-150102 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventionally, a user cleans between teeth by holding both ends of a piece of tape-like dental floss with both hands. Alternatively, it is possible to clean between teeth using an interdental cleaner equipped with a piece of tape-like dental floss and a holder for holding the piece of tape-like dental floss. For example, Fig. 19(a) shows an interdental cleaner 1 in a state where a piece of tape-like dental floss 2 is held by a holder 3 called a Y-shaped holder, and Fig. 19(b) shows an interdental cleaner 101 in a state where a piece of tape-like dental floss 102 is held by a holder 103 called an F-shaped holder.

[0007] In these cases, since a single piece of tape-like dental floss 2,102 has two edges in the tape longitudinal direction, there are only two areas where the edges come into contact with the tooth surface to clean it by reciprocating the tape-like dental floss 2,102 in a direction intersecting the tape longitudinal direction (hereinafter, the areas where the edges come into contact with the tooth surface are referred to as "edge cleaning areas"). For example, FIG. 20 shows a state where a single piece of tape-like dental floss 2,102 is used to clean the tooth surface. There are only two edge cleaning areas, one on the left and one on the right, and when the tape-like dental floss 2,102 is advanced in the direction of the arrow in the figure, only the one edge cleaning area on the right side brushes off dirt from the tooth surface. Also, in order to ensure the strength of the cleaning tool as a whole obtained by a single piece of tape-like dental floss 2,102, it is necessary for it to have a certain thickness or more, and accordingly, the space between the teeth where it is inserted must be wide.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an interdental cleaner and a method for manufacturing the interdental cleaner that has a high cleaning effect by increasing the edge cleaning area that can be cleaned by reciprocating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tape, and also aims to provide an interdental cleaner and a method for manufacturing the interdental cleaner that can simultaneously achieve strength and ease of use so that the cleaner can be inserted into narrower gaps while ensuring the strength of the cleaner as a whole, and [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The present invention provides an interdental cleaning tool comprising a plurality of pieces of tape-shaped dental floss and a holding member for holding each of the tape-shaped dental flosses, wherein the holding member is gripped to guide the tape-shaped dental floss between the teeth, and the tape-shaped dental floss cleans dirt between the teeth. The interdental cleaning tool may be held by the holding member in a state in which at least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss overlap and abut against each other across the entire width of the tape-shaped dental floss.Furthermore, at least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss may be held by the holding member such that one end side and the other end side of each of the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss are parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and a gap is generated between the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses across the entire width.

[0010] That is, the interdental cleaner of the present invention is provided with a plurality of tape-shaped dental flosses, each of which has two edges in the tape length direction, so that the interdental cleaner as a whole has four or more edges. In this way, by increasing the number of tape-shaped dental flosses, the edge cleaning area that can be cleaned by reciprocating the interdental cleaner in a direction intersecting the tape length direction can be increased. Therefore, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

[0011] In addition, by providing the interdental cleaner of the present invention with multiple pieces of tape-like dental floss, even when the thickness of each piece of tape-like dental floss is reduced, the tape-like dental flosses are gathered together, so that the interdental cleaner as a whole can have sufficient strength. Moreover, because each piece of tape-like dental floss is thin, when inserted between narrow spaces between teeth, each piece of tape-like dental floss shifts in the planar direction, so that each tape-like dental floss can easily enter between the teeth. As a result, strength and ease of use can be obtained at the same time.

[0012] (2) Furthermore, at least one or both of the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss may have a surface facing the opposing tape-shaped dental floss formed in a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0013] Here, the areas near the edges of the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses, including the edges, are referred to as the first edge cleaning area and the second edge cleaning area, respectively. During use, the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses slide on the surfaces facing each other, causing their positions to shift in the surface direction. Therefore, the interdental cleaner of the present invention holds the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to each other in the order of proximity to the tooth surface, for example, so that the second tape-shaped dental floss sliding on the first tape-shaped dental floss advances ahead in the direction of travel of the interdental cleaner during use. Thus, on the tooth surface, the second edge cleaning area advances ahead, and the first edge cleaning area lags behind.

[0014] At this time, at least the inner surface of one or both of the adjacent first and second tape-shaped dental flosses is formed in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, and the surface formed in this polytetrafluoroethylene layer faces the other tape-shaped dental floss. Polytetrafluoroethylene is known to have a lower friction coefficient than other materials. Therefore, when using the interdental cleaner of the present invention, the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses slide easily against each other and their positions are shifted in the surface direction. Therefore, the second edge cleaning area can reliably precede the first edge cleaning area on the tooth surface, and the first and second edge cleaning areas can act on the tooth surface at different positions and timings. In this way, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained for the entire interdental cleaner.

[0015] In addition, since the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses can easily slide against each other and shift in the surface direction, these tape-shaped dental flosses do not enter between the teeth without shifting from each other. That is, one tape-shaped dental floss enters between the teeth first, and the other tape-shaped dental floss enters between the teeth later. Therefore, each tape-shaped dental floss, which is formed thin, can be inserted into the gap between the teeth in order. In this way, the interdental cleaner of the present invention can be easily inserted between the teeth.

[0016] (3) Also, at least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss may be held by the holding member so as to overlap each other.

[0017] That is, since the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses are held so as to overlap each other, the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses advance in substantially the same direction, even if the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses are slightly twisted with respect to each other during use. For example, when the edge of the first tape-shaped dental floss advances in substantially the same direction as the tooth surface, the edge of the second tape-shaped dental floss also advances in substantially the same direction as the tooth surface. Therefore, by holding the interdental cleaner so as to obtain a good cleaning effect in the first edge cleaning area and performing cleaning, a similarly good cleaning effect can be obtained in the second edge cleaning area. In this way, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained as a whole for the interdental cleaner of the present invention.

[0018] In addition, because the edge of the first tape-shaped dental floss and the edge of the second tape-shaped dental floss move in approximately the same direction, by holding and inserting one tape-shaped dental floss at an angle that makes it easiest to insert it into the gap between the teeth, the other tape-shaped dental floss can also relatively easily enter the same gap. Thus, the interdental cleaner of the present invention can be inserted even into narrow spaces between teeth.

[0019] (4) Furthermore, at least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss may be held by the holding member so that one end side and the other end side of each of the first and second tape-shaped dental floss are positioned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] That is, since one end of the first tape-shaped dental floss and one end of the second tape-shaped dental floss are positioned parallel to each other, and the other end of the first tape-shaped dental floss and the other end of the second tape-shaped dental floss are positioned parallel to each other, even if the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses are slightly twisted relative to each other during use, the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses advance in approximately the same direction. For example, when the edge of the first tape-shaped dental floss advances in approximately the same direction as the tooth surface, the edge of the second tape-shaped dental floss also advances in approximately the same direction as the tooth surface. Therefore, by holding the interdental cleaner and cleaning so as to obtain a good cleaning effect in the first edge cleaning area, a similarly good cleaning effect can be obtained in the second edge cleaning area. In this way, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained as a whole for the interdental cleaner of the present invention.

[0021] In addition, because the edge of the first tape-shaped dental floss and the edge of the second tape-shaped dental floss move in approximately the same direction, by holding and inserting one tape-shaped dental floss at an angle that makes it easiest to insert it into the gap between the teeth, the other tape-shaped dental floss can also relatively easily enter the same gap. Thus, the interdental cleaner of the present invention can be inserted even into narrow spaces between teeth.

[0022] (5) Also, a fibrous body may be sandwiched between adjacent pieces of tape-like dental floss.

[0023] That is, because the fibrous body is sandwiched, the tape-shaped dental floss is deformed so as to bulge in the thickness direction in the area where the fibrous body is located inside, following the shape of the fibrous body. In this way, the convex part on the outer surface of the tape-shaped dental floss of the present invention comes into contact with the surface of the teeth, and the convex part can effectively brush away dirt from the teeth in areas other than the edge cleaning area. Therefore, a high cleaning effect can be achieved.

[0024] (6) At least a portion of the fibrous bodies may be arranged so that the fiber axis direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tape-shaped dental floss that sandwiches the portion of the fibrous bodies.

[0025] That is, the fiber axis direction of the fibrous body coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tape-like dental floss, so that the fibrous body protrudes from the outer surface of the tape-like dental floss and forms a convex portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the tape-like dental floss. Therefore, by reciprocating the interdental cleaner in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tape, the convex portion is formed in a direction intersecting the reciprocating direction of the interdental cleaner, so that the dirt on the tooth surface can be more effectively brushed with force. Thus, a high cleaning effect can be achieved.

[0026] (7) Of the adjacent tape-shaped dental flosses, one of the tape-shaped dental flosses and the other tape-shaped dental flosses may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0027] That is, since the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the coefficient of friction of this polytetrafluoroethylene is low, so that the outer surface of the floss tends to slip between the outer surface of the floss and the tooth surface when the outer surface of the floss comes into contact with the tooth surface between the teeth, which may reduce the cleaning effect of the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention.

[0028] Therefore, particularly when a fibrous material is sandwiched between adjacent pieces of tape-shaped dental floss, a convex portion is formed on the outer surface of the tape-shaped dental floss, and even though these tape-shaped dental floss are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention can achieve a high cleaning effect.

[0029] (8) The present invention provides an interdental cleaning tool comprising: tape-shaped dental floss formed into a loop by folding it over at two points; a first support member which supports the double layer of tape-shaped dental floss by overlapping it; and a second support member which is positioned at a distance from the first support member and which supports the double layer of tape-shaped dental floss by overlapping it, wherein the central portions of the double layer of tape-shaped dental floss supported between the support members are guided between the teeth, and each of the central portions cleans dirt between the teeth. The interdental cleaning tool may also include a tape-shaped dental floss formed into a loop by folding it over at two points, a first support member that supports the double pieces of the tape-shaped dental floss in an overlapping state in which they are fastened to each other, and a second support member that is positioned at a distance from the first support member and supports the double pieces of the tape-shaped dental floss in an overlapping state in which they are fastened to each other.

[0030] That is, in the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, the center parts of the double tape-like dental floss supported between the first and second support members clean dirt between the teeth, and the user can grasp the outside of each of the center parts with the fingers of one hand and the fingers of the other hand, respectively. At this time, since it can be grasped at a position of your choice with one hand and the other hand, it is possible to clean the interdental spaces between teeth in various parts of the oral cavity, to clean various places in one interdental space, and to apply the tape-like dental floss at various angles for cleaning.

[0031] Thus, the interdental cleaner of the present invention can easily clean areas in the oral cavity that are difficult to clean, and can achieve a high cleaning effect.

[0032] (9) In addition, at least the inner surface of the loop of the tape-shaped dental floss may be formed of a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0033] That is, when the interdental cleaner of the present invention is used, the overlapping tape-like dental flosses slide easily against each other and are displaced from each other in the surface direction. Therefore, one tape-like dental floss can reliably advance on the tooth surface, and both tape-like dental flosses can act on the tooth surface at different positions and timing. Thus, the interdental cleaner as a whole can achieve a high cleaning effect.

[0034] In addition, the two tape-shaped dental flosses, each of which is thin, can be inserted between the teeth in sequence. Thus, the interdental cleaner of the present invention can be easily inserted between the teeth as a whole.

[0035] (10) The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool comprising tape-type dental floss and a retaining member for holding the tape-type dental floss, the method comprising a cleaning tool molding process including a preparation step for preparing a plurality of sheets of the tape-type dental floss, an arrangement step for arranging the plurality of sheets of tape-type dental floss in a position where they will be held by the retaining member, and an insert molding step for insert molding a synthetic resin material that forms the retaining member into the plurality of sheets of tape-type dental floss. Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the interdental cleaning tool may be a manufacturing method of an interdental cleaning tool for manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool (1) above, and may include a preparation step of preparing a plurality of sheets of the tape-shaped dental floss, and may include a cleaning tool molding step having an arrangement step of arranging the plurality of sheets of tape-shaped dental floss in a position where they will be held by the holding member, and an insert molding step of insert molding a synthetic resin material that forms the holding member into the plurality of sheets of tape-shaped dental floss.

[0036] That is, since the manufacturing method of the interdental cleaner of the present invention includes an insert molding step of insert-molding the retaining member, the number of steps can be reduced compared to a manufacturing method in which, for example, a pre-molded retaining member is prepared and the retaining member and tape-shaped dental floss are assembled. This makes it possible to easily manufacture an interdental cleaner that can provide a high cleaning effect by including multiple sheets of the tape-shaped dental floss.

[0037] (11) In addition, in the positioning step, at least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss may be positioned so as to overlap each other, or the first and second tape-shaped dental floss may be positioned so that one end side and the other end side of each of the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses are both positioned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] That is, when insert-molding a synthetic resin material forming a holding member on a plurality of sheets of tape-shaped dental floss, arranging the first and second tape-shaped dental floss so that they overlap or are parallel to each other makes it easier to arrange the supply devices that supply the respective tape-shaped dental flosses, the mold for insert molding, etc., compared to, for example, a case in which the extension surfaces of the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses intersect with each other. This makes it possible to easily manufacture an interdental cleaning tool that can obtain a high cleaning effect by including a plurality of sheets of the tape-shaped dental floss. Effect of the Invention

[0039] In this way, the present invention provides an interdental cleaner with high cleaning effectiveness by increasing the edge cleaning area that can be cleaned by reciprocating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tape, and also provides a method for easily manufacturing such an interdental cleaner with high cleaning effectiveness. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which dirt adhering to the tooth surface between teeth is cleaned using the interdental cleaning tool of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the layer structure of a tape-shaped dental floss used in the interdental cleaner of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaning tool according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a flow diagram showing a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 7 taken along line BB. [Figure 9] 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which dirt adhering to the tooth surface between teeth is cleaned using the interdental cleaning tool of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which dirt adhering to the tooth surface between teeth is cleaned using the interdental cleaning tool of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which dirt adhering to the tooth surfaces between the teeth is cleaned using an interdental cleaner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 15 shows a view of the tape-shaped dental floss and the left leg of the holder of the fifteenth interdental cleaner viewed from the left. [Figure 17] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, which is equipped with four pieces of tape-shaped dental floss, is used to clean dirt adhering to the tooth surfaces between the teeth. [Figure 18] This is a diagram of the interdental cleaning device of the present invention, which has two tape-shaped dental flosses arranged to form an upwardly open V-shape, showing the tape-shaped dental flosses and the left leg of the holding part viewed from the left. [Figure 19]19(a) shows an example of an interdental cleaner equipped with a single piece of tape-like dental floss, and (b) shows an example of an interdental cleaner equipped with a single piece of tape-like dental floss, which is different from that shown in FIG. 19(a). [Figure 20] An illustrative diagram shows an example of an interdental cleaning tool equipped with a single strip of dental floss. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In Figure 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can clean interdental spaces C by inserting tape-shaped dental floss 12 between the teeth of a user.

[0042] As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 1, the interdental cleaner 11 includes two pieces of tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b and a holding member 13 that holds each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b. The holding member 13 has a handle 13a. The handle 13a is held by the user's fingers to guide each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b into the interdental spaces C, and each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b cleans dirt from the interdental spaces C.

[0043] Arrow L, pointing in the upper left direction of Fig. 1, indicates the left side of interdental cleaner 11. Arrow R, pointing in the opposite direction to arrow L, indicates the right side of interdental cleaner 11. Next, arrow F, pointing in the lower left direction of Fig. 1, indicates the front side of interdental cleaner 11. Arrow B, pointing in the opposite direction to arrow F, indicates the rear side of interdental cleaner 11. Furthermore, arrow U points upwards of interdental cleaner 11, and arrow D points downwards of interdental cleaner 11.

[0044] The two tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b are composed of the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a seen in the foreground of the figure and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 12b arranged adjacent to the rear side of the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a. The left ends 14a, 14b of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b are held by the left leg 13b of the holding member 13, which is the left leg of the holding member 13. The right ends 15a, 15b of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b are held by the left leg 13b of the holding member 13, which is the right leg of the holding member 13. The left end 14a, 14b and the right end 15a, 15b of the floss are held by the left leg 13b of the holding member 13 and the right leg 13c of the holding member 13, respectively, by insert molding the synthetic resin material forming the holding member 13.

[0045] At this time, the front floss left end side 14a, which is the left end side of the front tape-like dental floss 12a, and the rear floss left end side 14b, which is the left end side of the rear tape-like dental floss 12b, are held by the left leg 13b of the holding member so as to overlap. Also, the front floss right end side 15a, which is the right end side of the front tape-like dental floss 12a, and the rear floss right end side 15b, which is the right end side of the rear tape-like dental floss 12b, are held by the right leg 13c of the holding member so as to overlap. As a result, the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a and 12b are held by the holding member 13 so as to overlap in the front-rear direction.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. The left leg 13b of the holding member fixes the left ends 14a, 14b of the front and rear flosses, which overlap each other, at the rectangular boundary surface 13d. Similarly, the right leg 13c of the holding member fixes the right ends 15a, 15b of the front and rear flosses, which overlap each other, at the boundary surface 13d. As a result, the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b are held by the left leg 13b of the holding member and the right leg 13c of the holding member in an overlapping state.

[0047] In addition, the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 12a and 12b each have a leading edge 16a, 16b, which is the edge on the lower side of the figure, and a trailing edge 17a, 17b, which is the edge on the upper side of the figure. These are called the leading edge 16a and the trailing edge 17a of the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a, and the trailing edge 16b and the trailing edge 17b of the trailing tape-shaped dental floss 12b, respectively. The leading edges 16a and 16b are located on the leading edge side of the holding member 13, and the trailing edges 17a and 17b are located on the base end side of the holding member 13. As a result, each tape-shaped dental floss 12a and 12b has two edges. In addition, the interdental cleaner 11 has a total of four edges.

[0048] In this way, by increasing the number of tape-like dental floss 12, the number of edges 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b that can be cleaned by reciprocating the interdental cleaner 11 in a direction intersecting with the tape length direction can be increased, and accordingly, the edge cleaning area described below can be increased, thereby achieving a higher cleaning effect.

[0049] Furthermore, by providing the interdental cleaner 11 with two pieces of tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b, even when the thickness of each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b is reduced, the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b is gathered together, thereby ensuring sufficient strength for the interdental cleaner 11 as a whole. Moreover, because each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b is thin, when inserted into a narrow gap C, each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b shifts in the planar direction, allowing each of the tape-like dental floss 12a, 12b to easily enter the gap C. As a result, strength and ease of use can be obtained at the same time.

[0050] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which dirt S attached to the tooth surface Tf in the interdental space C is cleaned using the interdental cleaner 11. The user operates the holding member 13 to insert the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b into the interdental space C so that their respective leading edges 16a, 16b are at the front. At this time, the user tries to apply each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b to the tooth having the surface Tf of the two teeth constituting the interdental space C in order to clean this tooth. The arrow P in the figure indicates the direction in which the interdental cleaner 11 advances toward the back of the interdental space C. Here, the areas near the leading edges 16a, 16b of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b, including the leading edges 16a, 16b, are called leading edge cleaning areas 18a, 18b. The leading edge cleaning area of ​​the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a is referred to as the leading edge cleaning area 18a, and the leading edge cleaning area of ​​the rear tape-shaped dental floss 12b is referred to as the rear leading edge cleaning area 18b. Each leading edge cleaning area 18a, 18b pushes dirt S downward to clean it. Similarly, the adjacent areas of each rear edge 17a, 17b are referred to as the leading rear edge cleaning area and the rear rear edge cleaning area, respectively.

[0051] At this time, the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b slide on the opposing surfaces and are displaced from each other in the surface direction. Therefore, the interdental cleaner 11 holds the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 12b so that they are adjacent to each other in the order of proximity to the surface Tf, so that the rear tape-shaped dental floss 12b sliding on the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a advances in the moving direction P. Thus, on the surface Tf, the rear leading edge cleaning area 18b advances and the front leading edge cleaning area 18a lags behind. Then, as shown in the figure, the front leading edge cleaning area 18a cleans the upper dirt Sa, and the rear leading edge cleaning area 18b cleans the lower dirt Sb located below the upper Sa, so that the dirt Sa and Sb in two places can be cleaned simultaneously. Due to this mechanism, the inventor has discovered that the interdental cleaning tool 11 of the present invention can provide a particularly high cleaning effect, in contrast to when cleaning dirt S with an interdental cleaning tool 1,101 equipped with a single piece of tape-like dental floss 2,102 as shown in Figure 20, which can only clean dirt Sb on the lower side.

[0052] In addition, the front floss left end side 14a and the rear floss left end side 14b are adjacent to each other, and the front floss right end side 15a and the rear floss right end side 15b are adjacent to each other. Therefore, even if the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a and 12b are slightly twisted with each other during use, the front end edge 16a advances in the moving direction P, which is substantially the same direction as the surface Tf, and the rear end edge 16b also advances in the moving direction P, which is substantially the same direction as the surface Tf. Therefore, by holding the interdental cleaner 11 and cleaning so as to obtain a good cleaning effect in the front end edge cleaning area 18a, a similarly good cleaning effect can be obtained in the rear end edge cleaning area 18b. In this way, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained for the interdental cleaner 11 as a whole.

[0053] Furthermore, because the front and rear tip edges 16a, 16b move in approximately the same direction, by holding and inserting one of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b at an angle that makes it easiest to insert it into the gap between the teeth C, the other tape-shaped dental floss 12a, 12b can also relatively easily enter the same gap. In this way, the interdental cleaner 11 can be inserted even into narrow spaces between the teeth C.

[0054] Furthermore, even when the interdental cleaning tool 11 is advanced in the reverse direction and each tape-shaped dental floss 12a, 12b is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow P in the figure, the dirt S can be similarly scraped upward and cleaned by each rear end edge cleaning area, thereby achieving the same cleaning effect as described above.

[0055] In this specification, one of the front tape-like dental floss 12a and the rear tape-like dental floss 12b may be referred to as a first tape-like dental floss, and the other may be referred to as a second tape-like dental floss. Furthermore, one of the front edge cleaning area and the rear edge cleaning area may be referred to as a first edge cleaning area, and the other may be referred to as a second edge cleaning area.

[0056] Each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b is made of a synthetic resin with high ductility. Due to the high ductility, each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b can be formed thin, and the user can easily insert it between the teeth C. Each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b is preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Alternatively, each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b may have a single-layer structure made of a type of synthetic resin layer such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or may have a two-layer structure made of, for example, a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene and a layer of a synthetic resin other than polytetrafluoroethylene, such as a styrene-based elastomer, an olefin-based elastomer, a urethane-based elastomer, a polyester-based elastomer, or a polyamide-based elastomer. In this case, preferably, as shown in Figure 4, the inner layers Ia, Ib of the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 12b facing the other tape-shaped dental floss are formed of polytetrafluoroethylene layers, and the outer layers Oa, Ob of the opposite sides are formed of various elastomer layers as described above.

[0057] It is known that polytetrafluoroethylene has a lower coefficient of friction than other materials. Therefore, when polytetrafluoroethylene is used as the material, the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b easily slide against each other and their positions are displaced in the surface direction when the interdental cleaner 11 is used. Therefore, the rear leading edge cleaning area 18b can reliably precede the tooth surface Tf, and each leading edge cleaning area 18a, 18b can act on the surface Tf at different positions and timings. In this way, the interdental cleaner 11 as a whole can achieve a higher cleaning effect. In addition, the same effect can be achieved when only the inner layers Ia, Ib are formed on the polytetrafluoroethylene layer as described above. As shown in the figure, Ia and Oa refer to the inner layer and outer layer of the front tape dental floss 12a, respectively, and Ib and Ob refer to the inner layer and outer layer of the rear tape dental floss 12b, respectively.

[0058] In addition, the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b easily slide against each other and are displaced from each other in the planar direction, so that the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b do not enter the interdental spaces C without being displaced from each other. That is, the rear tape-shaped dental floss 12b reliably enters the interdental spaces C first, and the front tape-shaped dental floss 12a reliably enters the interdental spaces C later. Therefore, the tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b, which are each formed thinly, can be inserted into the gaps between the teeth C in order. In this way, the interdental cleaner 11 can be easily inserted into the interdental spaces C.

[0059] The holding member 13 is made of a synthetic resin having the necessary rigidity, such as polypropylene (PP) or saturated polyester (PET).

[0060] [Variations] Fig. 5 shows a modified example of this embodiment. As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 5, an interdental cleaner 111 includes two pieces of tape-like dental floss 112 and a holding member 113 that holds each of the tape-like dental flosses 112a and 112b. The holding member 113 has a handle portion 113a.

[0061] Arrow L pointing in the lower left direction in Fig. 5 indicates the left side of the interdental cleaner 111. Arrow R points to the right side of the interdental cleaner 111, which is the opposite direction of arrow L. Next, arrow F pointing in the lower right direction in Fig. 5 indicates the front side of the interdental cleaner 111. Arrow B points to the rear side of the interdental cleaner 111, which is the opposite direction of arrow F. Furthermore, arrow U points upward in the interdental cleaner 111, and arrow D points downward in the interdental cleaner 111.

[0062] The two tape-shaped dental flosses 112a, 112b are composed of the front tape-shaped dental floss 112a seen in the foreground of the figure, and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 112b arranged adjacent to the rear side of the front tape-shaped dental floss 112a. The left ends of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 112a, 112b are held by the left leg 113b of the holding member 113, which is the left leg of the holding member 113. The right ends of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 112a, 112b are held by the left leg 113b of the holding member 113, which is the right leg of the holding member 113. The left and right ends of the floss are held by the left leg 113b and the right leg 113c of the holding member 113, respectively, by insert molding the synthetic resin material forming the holding member 113. Additionally, the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 112a, 112b are held by the holding member 113 so as to overlap in the front-rear direction.

[0063] The other configurations are common to the configurations in the example of the first embodiment described above.

[0064] [Manufacturing method] 6 shows a flow diagram of an interdental cleaner manufacturing method S1000, which is a method for manufacturing the interdental cleaner 11, 111. The interdental cleaner manufacturing method S1000 includes a preparation step S1100 for preparing tape-shaped dental floss 12, 112, and a cleaner forming step S1200 for forming the interdental cleaner 11, 111 using the prepared tape-shaped dental floss 12, 112.

[0065] In the preparation step S1100, the manufacturer of the interdental cleaner 11, 111 may manufacture and prepare the tape-like dental floss 12, 112 by themselves, or may bring in one manufactured elsewhere. The tape-like dental floss 12, 112 is prepared in a wound state on a core, and two wound rolls are prepared.

[0066] The cleaning tool molding process S1200 includes a placement step S1210 in which the tape-like dental floss 12, 112, which is prepared in a rolled up state, is placed in a position to be held by the holding member 13, 113, and an insert molding step S1220 in which a synthetic resin material that forms the holding member 13, 113 is insert molded onto the placed tape-like dental floss 12, 112.

[0067] In the arrangement step S1210, the manufacturer unrolls the wound tape-like dental floss 12, 112 in a straight line. At this time, the front tape-like dental floss 12a, 112a and the rear tape-like dental floss 12b, 112b are unrolled from the two wound tape-like dental flosses 12, 112. The front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b are arranged so as to overlap each other. Then, by insert molding a synthetic resin material, the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b are held by the left leg 13b, 113b of the holding member and the right leg 13c, 113c of the holding member in a state where they overlap each other.

[0068] In this way, the manufacturing method S1000 for the interdental cleaner includes the insert molding step S1220 for insert-molding the holding member 13, 113, so the number of steps can be reduced compared to a manufacturing method in which a preformed holding member is prepared and the holding member and tape-like dental floss are assembled. This makes it possible to easily manufacture the interdental cleaner 11, 111 that can achieve a high cleaning effect by providing the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b.

[0069] Furthermore, when insert molding the synthetic resin material forming the holding members 13, 113 on the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b, by arranging the tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b so that they overlap, it is easier to arrange the supply devices that supply the tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b, the mold for insert molding, etc., than when they cross. This makes it easy to manufacture an interdental cleaning tool that can obtain a high cleaning effect by including the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b.

[0070] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 7, an interdental cleaner 21 includes two pieces of tape-like dental floss 22 and a holding member 23 for holding the tape-like dental floss 22a, 22b. The holding member 23 has a handle 23a. The handle 23a is held by the user's fingers to guide the tape-like dental floss 22a, 22b into the interdental spaces C, and the tape-like dental floss 22a, 22b cleans dirt from the interdental spaces C. Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line BB indicated in Fig. 7.

[0071] The two tape-shaped dental flosses 22a, 22b are composed of the front tape-shaped dental floss 22a seen in the foreground of the figure, and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 22b arranged adjacent to the rear side of the front tape-shaped dental floss 22a. The left ends 24a, 24b of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 22a, 22b are held by the left leg 23b of the holding member 23, which is the left leg of the holding member 23. The right ends 25a, 25b of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 22a, 22b are held by the left leg 23c of the holding member 23, which is the left leg of the holding member 23, which is the left leg of the holding member 23, which is not shown. The left end 24a, 24b and the right end 25a, 25b of the floss are held by the left leg 23b of the holding member 23b and the right leg 23c of the holding member 23, respectively, by insert molding the synthetic resin material forming the holding member 23.

[0072] At this time, the front floss left end side 24a, which is the left end side of the front tape-like dental floss 22a, and the rear floss left end side 24b, which is the left end side of the rear tape-like dental floss 22b, are held by the holding member left leg 23b so as to be parallel to each other. Also, the front floss right end side 25a, which is the right end side of the front tape-like dental floss 22a, and the rear floss right end side 25b, which is the right end side of the rear tape-like dental floss 22b, are held by the holding member right leg 23c so as to be parallel to each other. As a result, the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 22a, 22b are held by the holding member 13 so as to be adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other.

[0073] The left leg 23b of the holding member fixes the left end sides 24a, 24b of the front and rear flosses at two rectangular boundary surfaces 23d. At this time, the boundary surface 23d fixed to the left end side 24a of the front floss and the boundary surface 23d fixed to the left end side 24b of the rear floss are formed with a tape distance G in the front-rear direction. Similarly, the right leg 23c of the holding member fixes the right end sides 25a, 25b of the front and rear flosses at two boundary surfaces 23d. As a result, the front and rear tape-like dental flosses 22a, 22b are held by the left leg 23b of the holding member and the right leg 23c of the holding member with a tape distance G.

[0074] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which dirt S adhering to tooth surfaces Tf between teeth C is cleaned using an interdental cleaner 21, similar to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

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

[0076] [Variations] Fig. 10 shows a modified example of this embodiment. As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 10, an interdental cleaner 121 includes two pieces of tape-like dental floss 122 and a holding member 123 that holds each of the tape-like dental flosses 122a and 122b. The holding member 123 has a handle portion 123a.

[0077] The two tape-shaped dental flosses 122 are composed of a front tape-shaped dental floss 122a, which is seen in the foreground of the figure, and a rear tape-shaped dental floss 122b, which is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the front tape-shaped dental floss 122a. These front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 122a, 122b are held by a holding member 123 so as to be positioned parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. The left ends of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 122a, 122b are held by a holding member left leg 123b, which is the left leg of the holding member 123. The right ends of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 122a, 122b are held by a holding member right leg 123c, which is the right leg of the holding member 123.

[0078] The other configurations are common to those in the example of the second embodiment described above.

[0079] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. In Figure 11, reference numeral 31 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can insert tape-shaped dental floss 32 between the teeth C of a user to clean the teeth C.

[0080] As shown in the oblique view of Figure 11, the interdental cleaning tool 31 comprises two tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b, a plurality of fibrous bodies 39 sandwiched between each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b, and a holding member 33 that holds each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b and each of the fibrous bodies 39.

[0081] The two tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b are composed of the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a seen in the foreground of the figure and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b arranged adjacent to the rear side of the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a. The front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b overlap each other and are held by the left leg 33b and the right leg 33c of the holding member.

[0082] At this time, the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b sandwich several fibrous bodies 39 whose fiber axis direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of each tape-shaped dental floss 32a, 32b. Therefore, each fibrous body 39 is arranged in the left-right direction. FIG. 12 shows a state in which dirt S attached to the tooth surface Tf in the interdental space C is cleaned using the interdental cleaning tool 31, and this figure shows the cross section of each fibrous body 39. Synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, nylon, and polyester are used as each fibrous body 39. In addition, each fibrous body 39 is formed so that its cross section is circular.

[0083] The front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b are wavy in an uneven manner in the front-rear direction due to the protrusion of the fibrous bodies 39 sandwiched between them. As a result, the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a is deformed at the position where the fibrous bodies 39 are sandwiched, and a front convex portion 40a that is exposed on the front side surface is formed. The rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b is deformed at the position where the fibrous bodies 39 are sandwiched between them, and a rear convex portion 40b that is exposed on the rear side surface is formed. The front and rear convex portions 40a, 40b are formed in a streak shape in the left-right direction like the front convex portion 40a shown in FIG. 11. The front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b are held in a state where they are pulled left and right by the left and right holding member legs 33b, 33c, and are in close contact with each other due to this tension. As a result, the fibrous bodies 39 can be protruded.

[0084] The arrow P in FIG. 12 indicates the direction in which the interdental cleaner 31 advances toward the back of the gap C. As the interdental cleaner 31 advances, the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b slide on the surfaces facing each other, and their positions are shifted in the surface direction. Therefore, the interdental cleaner 31 holds the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b so that they are adjacent to each other in the order of proximity to the surface Tf, and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b sliding on the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a advances in the advancement direction P. Thus, on the surface Tf, the rear leading edge cleaning area 38b advances in advance and the front leading edge cleaning area 38a lags behind. Then, as shown in the figure, the front leading edge cleaning area 38a cleans the upper dirt Sa, and the rear leading edge cleaning area 38b cleans the lower dirt Sb located below the upper Sa, so that the dirt Sa and Sb in two places can be cleaned simultaneously.

[0085] Moreover, since the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b have front and rear convex portions 40a, 40b, respectively, they can simultaneously clean the topmost stain Sc, which is a number of stains located above the upper stain Sa, in addition to the above-mentioned top and bottom stains Sa, Sb. The figure shows the state in which the front convex portions 40a of the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a clean the topmost stain Sc.

[0086] At this time, the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b advances in the advancing direction P ahead of the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a, and each fibrous body 39 advances behind the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b so as to follow the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b. Also, each fibrous body 39 advances relatively ahead of the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a. As a result, the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b advances in the advancing direction P first, followed by each fibrous body 39 and the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a. Then, each front convex portion 40a emerges forward at the position of each fibrous body 39 at that time, and each rear convex portion 40b emerges backward at the position of each fibrous body 39 at that time. That is, the front and rear convex portions 40a, 40b change their positions on each tape-shaped dental floss 32a, 32b according to the position of each fibrous body 39 from time to time.

[0087] In addition to the illustrated surface Tf, when an adjacent tooth is close to the rear side of each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b, each of the rear convex parts 40b can clean dirt on the surface of the adjacent tooth on the rear side. Even when the interdental cleaner 31 is moved in the reverse direction to move each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b in the direction opposite to the arrow P in the figure, the dirt S can be similarly scraped upward and cleaned by each of the rear edge cleaning areas and the front and rear convex parts 40a, 40b, and the same cleaning effect as described above can be obtained.

[0088] Each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b is made of a highly malleable synthetic resin. The high malleability allows each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b to be formed thin, allowing the user to easily insert it between the teeth C. In addition, each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b is preferably formed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). By forming each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b thin, each of the fibrous bodies 39 can easily protrude, and the front and rear convex portions 40a, 40b can be reliably formed.

[0089] The other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0090] With the above configuration, since the fibrous body 39 is sandwiched, the tape-shaped dental floss 32 deforms so as to bulge in the thickness direction in accordance with the shape of the fibrous body 39 in the portion where the fibrous body 39 is located inside. In this way, the convex parts 40a, 40b generated on the outer surface of the tape-shaped dental floss 32 of the interdental cleaner 31 come into contact with the tooth surface Tf, and the convex parts 40a, 40b can effectively brush away dirt from the teeth in areas other than the edge cleaning area. This allows a high cleaning effect to be achieved.

[0091] In addition, since the fiber axis direction of the fibrous body 39 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tape-like dental floss 32, the fibrous body 39 protrudes from the outer surface of the tape-like dental floss 32, forming convex portions 40a, 40b extending in the longitudinal direction of the tape-like dental floss 32. Therefore, by reciprocating the interdental cleaner 31 in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the tape, the convex portions 40a, 40b are formed in a direction intersecting with the reciprocating direction of the interdental cleaner 41, and dirt on the tooth surface Tf can be more effectively brushed with force. This provides a high cleaning effect.

[0092] Incidentally, since the front tape-shaped dental floss 32a and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 32b are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the friction coefficient of this polytetrafluoroethylene is low, so that the outer surfaces tend to slip between the surfaces Tf of the teeth in the interdental spaces C when they come into contact with the surfaces Tf. As a result, the cleaning effect of the interdental cleaner 31 may be reduced.

[0093] Therefore, particularly when the fibrous body 39 is sandwiched between adjacent tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b, convex portions 40a, 40b are generated on the outer surfaces of the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b, and even though the tape-shaped dental flosses 32a, 32b are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the interdental cleaning tool 31 can achieve a high cleaning effect.

[0094] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In Fig. 13, reference numeral 41 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can insert tape-shaped dental floss 42 between the teeth C of a user to clean the teeth C.

[0095] 13, the interdental cleaner 41 includes tape-shaped dental floss 42 formed into a loop by folding back at left end 42c and right end 42d, and support members 43b, 43c that overlap and support the double tape-shaped dental floss 42. Of this loop-shaped tape-shaped dental floss 42, the portion visible on the front side of the figure is called front tape-shaped dental floss 42a, and the portion overlapping the rear side of front tape-shaped dental floss 42a is called rear tape-shaped dental floss 42b.

[0096] The interdental cleaner 41 also includes two support members 43b, 43c: a left support member 43b disposed near the left end 42c of each of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 42a, 42b, and a right support member 43c disposed at a distance from the left support member 43b and similarly disposed near the right end 42d. That is, the interdental cleaner 41 includes the left support member 43b that fixes and holds the front tape-shaped dental floss left intermediate portion 42e, which is the intermediate portion near the left end 42c of the front tape-shaped dental floss 42a, and the rear tape-shaped dental floss left intermediate portion 42f, which is the intermediate portion near the left end 42c of the rear tape-shaped dental floss 42b. The interdental cleaner 41 also includes a right support member 43c that fixes and holds a front tape-shaped dental floss right intermediate portion 42g, which is the intermediate portion of the front tape-shaped dental floss 42a closer to the right end 42d, and a rear tape-shaped dental floss right intermediate portion 42h, which is the intermediate portion of the rear tape-shaped dental floss 42b closer to the right end 42d. The support members 43b and 43c are made of polystyrene (PS), saturated polyester (PET), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), or the like.

[0097] At this time, the left support member 43b fastens the left intermediate portions 42e, 42f of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses so that they overlap each other. The right support member 43c fastens the right intermediate portions 42g, 42h of the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses so that they overlap each other. As a result, the tape-shaped dental floss 42 is supported by the left and right support members 43b, 43c so that the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 42a, 42b overlap in the front-rear direction. Each tape-shaped dental floss 42a, 42b has a left ring-shaped portion 42i that is folded back in a ring shape to the left of the left intermediate portions 42e, 42f of the tape-shaped dental flosses, and a right ring-shaped portion 42j that is folded back in a ring shape to the right of the right intermediate portions 42g, 42h of the tape-shaped dental flosses.

[0098] The user holds the interdental cleaner 41 by inserting the fingers of one hand into the left ring-shaped portion 42i and the fingers of the other hand into the right ring-shaped portion 42j. The user also holds the interdental cleaner 41 by gripping the left support member 43b with the fingers of one hand and gripping the right support member 43c with the fingers of the other hand. With these, the user inserts the front tape-shaped dental floss central portion 42m of the front tape-shaped dental floss 42a and the rear tape-shaped dental floss central portion 42n of the rear tape-shaped dental floss 42b, which extend between the left intermediate portions 42e, 42f of the tape-shaped dental floss and the right intermediate portions 42g, 42h of the tape-shaped dental floss in the left-right direction, into the interdental space C, and moves the front and rear tape-shaped dental floss central portions 42m, 42n up, down, left and right to clean dirt S. At this time, the state in which the front and rear central portions 42m, 42n of the tape-shaped dental floss clean the dirt S is similar to the state in which the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 12a, 12b clean the dirt S in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

[0099] In particular, when holding the interdental cleaning tool 41 by inserting fingers into the left and right ring-shaped portions 42i, 42j, the user can spread their fingers sideways to apply longitudinal tension to each tape-like dental floss 42a, 42b, allowing the user to clean dirt S more effectively.

[0100] The tape-shaped dental floss 42 is made of a synthetic resin with high ductility. The tape-shaped dental floss 42 is preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Alternatively, the front and rear tape-shaped dental flosses 42a, 42b may have a single-layer structure made of a synthetic resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or may have a two-layer structure made of a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene and a layer of a synthetic resin other than polytetrafluoroethylene, such as a styrene-based elastomer, an olefin-based elastomer, a urethane-based elastomer, a polyester-based elastomer, or a polyamide-based elastomer. In this case, preferably, as shown in Figure 4 of the first embodiment, the front tape-shaped dental floss 42a and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 42b have inner layers Ia, Ib, which are the layers facing the other tape-shaped dental floss, formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene layer, and the opposite outer layers Oa, Ob, which are the layers formed of various elastomers as described above.

[0101] The other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0102] With the above configuration, the interdental cleaner 41 has front and rear tape-like dental floss central portions 42m, 42n, which are the central portions of the front and rear double tape-like dental floss 42a, 42b supported between the left and right support members 43b, 43c, that clean dirt S between the teeth C, so that the user can grasp the outer sides of each tape-like dental floss central portion 42m, 42n with the fingers of one hand and the fingers of the other hand, respectively. At this time, since it can be grasped at any position freely up, down, left, right, front and back by one hand and the other hand, it is possible to clean the interdental spaces C between teeth in various parts of the oral cavity, it is possible to clean various places for one interdental space C, and it is also possible to apply the tape-like dental floss 42a, 42b at various angles for cleaning.

[0103] In this way, the interdental cleaner 41 can easily clean areas in the oral cavity that are difficult to clean, and can achieve a high cleaning effect.

[0104] [Fifth embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes an interdental cleaner, which inserts tape-shaped dental floss 52 between a user's teeth C to clean the interdental spaces C. Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which dirt S adhering to the tooth surfaces Tf in the interdental spaces C is cleaned using the interdental cleaner 51.

[0105] As shown in the figure, the interdental cleaner 51 includes three pieces of tape-like dental floss 52a, 52b, and 52k, and a holding member 53 (not shown) for holding each of the tape-like dental floss 52a, 52b, and 52k. Therefore, the interdental cleaner 51 has a total of six edges.

[0106] The user operates the holding member 53 to insert each of the tape-shaped dental flosses 52a, 52b, 52k into the interdental space C. The arrow P in the figure indicates the direction in which the interdental cleaner 51 advances toward the back of the interdental space C. At this time, the tape-shaped dental flosses 52a, 52b, 52k slide on the surfaces facing each other, and their positions are shifted in the surface direction. The interdental cleaner 51 holds the front tape-shaped dental floss 52a, the middle tape-shaped dental floss 52k, and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 52b in the order of proximity to the surface Tf so that they are adjacent to each other, so that the middle tape-shaped dental floss 52k sliding on the front tape-shaped dental floss 52a advances ahead in the advancing direction P. The rear tape-shaped dental floss 52b sliding on the middle tape-shaped dental floss 52k advances further ahead in the advancing direction P.

[0107] Thus, on the surface Tf, the rear edge cleaning region 58b precedes the middle edge cleaning region 58k which is the edge cleaning region of the middle tape-like dental floss 52k, and then the front edge cleaning region 58a. This allows the front edge cleaning region 58a to clean the top dirt Sa, the middle edge cleaning region 58k to clean the middle dirt Sk, and the rear edge cleaning region 58b to clean the bottom dirt Sb, so that the three dirts Sa, Sb, and Sk can be cleaned simultaneously.

[0108] The other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0109] In the fifth embodiment, one of the front tape-shaped dental floss 52a and the middle tape-shaped dental floss 52k may be referred to as the first tape-shaped dental floss, and the other may be referred to as the second tape-shaped dental floss. Alternatively, one of the middle tape-shaped dental floss 52k and the rear tape-shaped dental floss 52b may be referred to as the first tape-shaped dental floss, and the other may be referred to as the second tape-shaped dental floss. Furthermore, one of the front edge cleaning area and the middle edge cleaning area may be referred to as the first edge cleaning area, and the other may be referred to as the second edge cleaning area. Alternatively, one of the middle edge cleaning area and the rear edge cleaning area may be referred to as the first edge cleaning area, and the other may be referred to as the second edge cleaning area.

[0110] [Sixth embodiment] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. In Figure 15, reference numeral 61 denotes an interdental cleaner, which can insert tape-shaped dental floss 62 between the teeth C of a user to clean the teeth C.

[0111] 15, the interdental cleaner 61 includes three pieces of tape-like dental floss 62a, 62b, 62l, and a holder 63 for holding each of the tape-like dental floss 62a, 62b, 62l. The handle 63a of the holder 63 is held by the user's fingers to guide each of the tape-like dental floss 62a, 62b, 62l into the interdental spaces C, and each of the tape-like dental floss 62a, 62b, 62l cleans dirt from the interdental spaces C. The interdental cleaner 61 has a total of six edges.

[0112] The three pieces of tape-like dental floss 62a, 62b, 62l are made up of the third tape-like dental floss 62l seen in the foreground of the figure, the first tape-like dental floss 62a arranged behind it, and the second tape-like dental floss 62b arranged behind it. Figure 16 shows the three pieces of tape-like dental floss 62a, 62b, 62l and the left leg 63b of the holder that holds them, viewed from the left.

[0113] 16, the first and second tape-shaped dental flosses 62a, 62b are held by the holding member 63 so as to be adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other. On the other hand, the third tape-shaped dental floss 62l is arranged at an angle so that the upper side is positioned forward, and is held together with the first tape-shaped dental floss 62a in a position that forms an upwardly open V shape when viewed from the left to right.

[0114] The other configurations are common to the second embodiment.

[0115] 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.

[0116] For example, tape-shaped dental floss may have not only a single-layer or two-layer structure, but also a three-layer or more layer structure as long as it can maintain extensibility as a whole.

[0117] Furthermore, although polytetrafluoroethylene and various types of elastomers have been given as examples of highly ductile materials, other ductile materials may also be used as long as they are not harmful to the human body.

[0118] As the third embodiment, an example has been given in which all of the multiple fibrous bodies are arranged in the left-right direction, but as long as they can be clamped by the tape-shaped dental floss and there is no problem with the tape-shaped dental floss sliding against each other, some of the fibrous bodies may be arranged in a form other than the left-right direction, such as diagonally or meandering.

[0119] In addition, although an example of a fibrous body with a circular cross-section was given as the third embodiment, as long as it can be clamped by tape-shaped dental floss and there is no problem with the tape-shaped dental flosses sliding against each other, the cross-section of some or all of the fibrous body may be a shape other than circular, such as angular.

[0120] Although an example of an interdental cleaner using three pieces of tape-like dental floss has been given as the fifth embodiment, the interdental cleaner may have four or more pieces of tape-like dental floss as long as there is no problem in inserting these tape-like dental floss between the teeth. As an example, similar to the figures such as Figure 3 in the other embodiments, Figure 17 shows a state in which an interdental cleaner equipped with four pieces of tape-like dental floss is used to clean dirt attached to the surfaces of teeth between the teeth. In this case, the interdental cleaner has a total of eight edges.

[0121] As the sixth embodiment, an example of an interdental cleaner in which some of the tape-shaped dental flosses are arranged at an angle has been given, but the arrangement of these tape-shaped dental flosses is not limited to the arrangements given so far. As an example, Fig. 18 shows an interdental cleaner having two tape-shaped dental flosses arranged to form an upwardly opening V-shape, with the tape-shaped dental flosses and the left leg of the holder that holds them viewed from the left.

[0122] As examples of variations of the first and second embodiments, examples of so-called F-type interdental cleaners have been given, however, these F-type variations are not limited to the first or second embodiment and may also be applied to other embodiments having a Y-shaped retaining member.

[0123] Regarding the arrangement of adjacent tape-shaped dental flosses, we have given examples in which they are held overlapping each other as in the first embodiment, and in which they are held parallel to each other without overlapping as in the second embodiment, but these tape-shaped dental flosses may also be held overlapping each other in other embodiments, or may be held parallel to each other without overlapping. [Industrial Applicability]

[0124] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an interdental cleaning tool that uses tape-shaped dental floss to clean dirt between a user's teeth. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 11,21,31,41,51,61 Interdental cleaning tools 12,22,32,42,52,62 Tape-type dental floss 12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 52a Front tape-shaped dental floss 12b, 22b, 32b, 42b, 52b Rear tape-type dental floss 13, 23, 33, 53, 63 Retaining member 13b, 23b, 33b, 53b, 63b Left leg of retaining member 13c, 23c, 33c, 53c, 63c Right leg of retaining member 14a, 24a Left end of front floss 14b, 24b Left end of rear floss 15a, 25a Right end of front floss 15b, 25b Right end of rear floss 16a, 26a Front edge 16b, 26b Rear tip edge 17a,27a Front rear edge 17b, 27b Rear end edge 18a,28a,38a,58a Front tip edge cleaning area 18b, 28b, 38b, 58b Rear leading edge cleaning area 39 Fibrous bodies 40a Front convex part 40b Posterior convex part 43b Left support member 43c Right support member 52k Medium Tape Dental Floss 58k mid-tip edge cleaning area 62a No. 1 tape-type dental floss 62b Second tape-type dental floss 62l No. 3 Tape-type Dental Floss

Claims

1. A plurality of tape-like dental floss; a holding member for holding each of the tape-shaped dental flosses; The retaining member is gripped to guide the tape-shaped dental floss between the teeth, The tape-shaped dental floss cleans dirt between the teeth, At least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss overlap each other and are held by the holding member in a state in which the tape-shaped dental flosses abut against each other over the entire width of each tape-shaped dental floss. An interdental cleaning tool characterized by

2. A method of treating a dental floss comprising the steps of: a holding member for holding each of the tape-shaped dental flosses; The retaining member is gripped to guide the tape-shaped dental floss between the teeth, The tape-shaped dental floss cleans dirt between the teeth, At least the first tape-shaped dental floss and the second tape-shaped dental floss adjacent to the first tape-shaped dental floss are held by the holding member such that one end side and the other end side of each of the first and second tape-shaped dental floss are parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and a gap is generated between the first and second tape-shaped dental floss across the entire width. An interdental cleaning tool characterized by

3. At least one of the first and second dental floss tapes is formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene layer on the surface facing the other dental floss tape.

3. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A method of treating a dental floss comprising: a holding member for holding each of the tape-shaped dental flosses; The retaining member is gripped to guide the tape-shaped dental floss between the teeth, The tape-shaped dental floss cleans dirt between the teeth, A fibrous material is sandwiched between adjacent tape-shaped dental floss. An interdental cleaning tool characterized by

5. At least a portion of the fibrous material is arranged so that the fiber axis direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tape-shaped dental floss that sandwiches the portion of the fibrous material.

5. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 4.

6. Among the adjacent tape-shaped dental flosses, one of the tape-shaped dental flosses and the other tape-shaped dental flosses are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

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

7. The dental floss comprises a tape-shaped dental floss formed into a loop by folding back at two points, a first support member for supporting the double layer of the tape-shaped dental floss in a state where the double layer of the tape-shaped dental floss is fastened to each other, and a second support member arranged at a distance from the first support member and for supporting the double layer of the tape-shaped dental floss in a state where the double layer of the tape-shaped dental floss is fastened to each other, The central portions of the double-layered tape-shaped dental floss supported between the support members are guided between the teeth, and the central portions clean the dirt between the teeth. An interdental cleaning tool characterized by

8. The tape-shaped dental floss has at least the inner surface of the loop formed of a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.

8. An interdental cleaner according to claim 7.

9. A method for producing an interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: The method includes a preparation step of preparing a plurality of the tape-shaped dental flosses, The cleaning tool molding process includes a step of arranging the plurality of pieces of tape-shaped dental floss at a position where the plurality of pieces of tape-shaped dental floss are held by the holding member, and a step of insert molding the plurality of pieces of tape-shaped dental floss with a synthetic resin material that forms the holding member. A method for producing an interdental cleaning tool comprising the steps of:

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