Cotton swab

Abstract

To provide such a cotton swab as to contain an additive agent in which the contained additive agent hardly drips down, or a cotton swab that comprises a fiber mass part (cotton body) having such moderate hardness as to prevent easy deformation in the case of insertion into a narrow opening.SOLUTION: A cotton swab 1, which is one embodiment to which the present invention is applied, includes a rod-like shaft part 10, and a fiber mass part 20 that is formed in at least one shaft end 15 of the shaft part and in which a plurality of fibers (cottons) are formed like such a mass as to coat a surface of the shaft end 15. The fiber mass part 20 has cavities among the plurality of fibers filled with an additive agent (petrolatum) becoming solid at ordinary temperatures.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cotton swab having a fibrous mass portion in which fibers are formed into a mass, and the fibrous mass portion is filled with a predetermined additive that is solid at normal temperature.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a special cotton swab used for special applications such as cosmetics, there has been a wet cotton swab, which is different from a general dry cotton swab. Specifically, such a wet cotton swab is formed by impregnating a cotton body formed of fibers such as absorbent cotton with a liquid additive such as a medicine or an oil agent, and there has been an oil agent-containing cotton swab that is hermetically packaged one by one with a packaging body made of a film (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in such a conventional wet cotton swab, before taking it out of the package and applying an additive such as an oil agent to the required part, the liquid additive would drip from the cotton body (fiber mass part), resulting in problems such as being unable to apply a sufficient amount of the additive to the required part or causing stains due to the adhesion of the additive to unnecessary parts other than the required part. Also, recently, dry cotton swabs impregnated with an oil agent such as olive oil in the cotton body (fiber mass part) and conventional wet cotton swabs have been used for purposes such as inserting them into the anus of constipated infants to promote defecation, inserting them into the soiled external ear canals or nostrils of humans and animals for cleaning, and inserting them into the soiled narrow parts of daily necessities for cleaning. In such applications, when using a conventional wet cotton swab, not only the above-mentioned problems occur, but especially when inserting it into a narrow opening such as the anus of an infant, since the cotton body (fiber mass part) to be inserted is impregnated with an additive such as an oil agent, the cotton body (fiber mass part) does not have an appropriate hardness and easily deforms, resulting in a problem that a smooth insertion of the cotton body cannot be achieved. That is, there has been a demand for a cotton swab containing a predetermined additive such as an oil agent, in which the contained additive is difficult to drip and the cotton swab can maintain an appropriate hardness.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and one of its purposes is to provide a cotton swab containing an additive, in which the contained additive is difficult to drip. Another one of its purposes is to provide a cotton swab containing an additive, which has a fiber mass part (cotton body) with an appropriate hardness that does not easily deform when inserted into a narrow opening.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems and can be realized as the following application examples. The reference numerals and supplementary explanations in parentheses in this column are shown for the purpose of assisting the understanding of the present invention and showing the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0007] Application examples of the present invention 1 The cotton swab (cotton swab 1) as described above comprises a rod-shaped shaft portion (shaft portion 10) and a fiber agglomerate portion (fiber agglomerate portion 20) formed on at least one end (shaft end portion 15) of the shaft portion, the fiber agglomerate portion being formed in a mass such that a plurality of fibers cover the surface of the end portion of the shaft portion, and the fiber agglomerate portion has an additive that is solid at room temperature filled in the gaps between the plurality of fibers. and has a first lump portion (first lump portion 21) formed on the end side of the shaft portion and a second lump portion (second lump portion 22) formed at the end of the first lump portion on the other end side of the shaft portion. The first lump portion has a first tapered portion (first tapered portion 26) whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion increases from the end side to the other end side of the shaft portion so that the outer surface has a pointed shape curved outward, and a second tapered portion (second tapered portion 27) whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion increases from the other end side to the end side of the shaft portion. The gist of the application is as follows. 1 In the cotton swab, the additive may have a melting point of 36°C to 37°C. 1 In the cotton swab of the above, the additive may be petrolatum. 1 In the cotton swab, the additive may be filled in an amount of 200 wt % to 800 wt % with respect to the plurality of fibers. 1 In the cotton swab , the The second block portion has a length (R2) in at least a part of the shaft portion in the outer diameter direction from the axial center of the shaft portion. 、 The first mass part In the outer diameter direction from the axial center of the shaft portion maximum length( R1 ) or more It may be formed so as to be. Also, when the present invention is applied Application Examples as 2 Cotton swabs (cotton swab 100) has , a rod-shaped shaft portion (shaft portion 110), a fiber lump portion (fiber lump portion 120) formed at at least one end of the shaft portion and formed in a lump shape so that a plurality of fibers cover the surface of the end of the shaft portion, and a shaft handle portion (shaft handle portion 125) formed such that the length (R2) in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion in at least a part is equal to or greater than the maximum length (R1) in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion in the fiber lump portion. The fiber lump portion is filled with an additive that is solid at normal temperature in the gaps between the plurality of fibers, and has a first tapered portion (first tapered portion 126) whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion increases from the end side to the other end side of the shaft portion so that the outer surface has a pointed shape curved outward, and a second tapered portion (second tapered portion 127) whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion increases from the other end side to the end side of the shaft portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] <First Example> First, the overall structure of a cotton swab 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1(A) and 1(B). Figure 1(A) is an overall view showing the schematic structure of the cotton swab 1, and Figure 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber lump portion 20 in the cotton swab 1 to explain the schematic structure of the fiber lump portion 20.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1(A), the cotton swab 1 comprises a shaft portion 10 made of paper shaped into a rod shape, and one fiber mass portion 20 formed of a predetermined fiber (cotton in this embodiment) and filled with a predetermined additive (Vaseline, which is solid at room temperature (25°C) and has a melting point of 36°C to 37°C in this embodiment). The entire length of the swab is 76.00 mm to 78.00 mm. The shaft portion 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a length of 73.00 mm and a roughly circular cross section with a diameter of 2.55 mm. The fiber mass portion 20 is formed at one end of the shaft portion 10 into a mass of multiple predetermined fibers covering the surface of the end portion of the shaft portion 10, with a length of 20.00 mm to 22.00 mm in the direction of the central axis of the shaft portion 10. The fiber mass portion 20 is composed of a first mass portion 21 and a second mass portion 22, which will be described later, and the voids between the multiple fibers are filled entirely with the predetermined additive, which is solid at room temperature.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the fiber mass portion 20 is formed to cover the surface of the shaft end portion 15 (in this embodiment, the portion having a length of 17.00 mm in the central axis direction from the end of the shaft portion 10) which is one end portion of the shaft portion 10, and includes a first mass portion 21 formed in a substantially spindle shape, and a second mass portion 22 formed at the end of the first mass portion 21 so as to be convex in the vertical direction with respect to the central axis of the shaft portion 10. Note that the maximum length R1 in the vertical direction with respect to the central axis of the shaft portion 10 in the first mass portion 21 is 4.70 mm, and the first mass portion 21 and the second mass portion 22 are formed such that the maximum length R2 in the vertical direction with respect to the central axis of the shaft portion 10 in the second mass portion 22 is also 4.70 mm. Further, in the first mass portion 21, a first tapered portion 26 in which the length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion 10 increases from the end (shaft end portion 15) side of the shaft portion 10 toward the other end side, and a second tapered portion 27 in which the length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion 10 decreases from the end (shaft end portion 15) side of the shaft portion 10 toward the other end side are formed. That is, the length R2 in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion 10 in the second mass portion 22 is formed to be longer than the length r1 in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion 10 at the end of the first mass portion 21. And, a predetermined adhesive (polyvinyl alcohol in this embodiment) for adhering a plurality of predetermined fibers forming the fiber mass portion 20 to the shaft portion 10 is applied to the surface of the shaft end portion 15, whereby an adhesive layer 30 is formed.

[0013] Here, the fibrous mass portion 20 filled with a predetermined additive will be described. First, in the fibrous mass portion 20, a plurality of short fibers of 0.03 g to 0.06 g (in this embodiment, short fibers with a fiber length of 20.60 mm or less) are fixed to the shaft end portion 15 of the shaft portion 10 by the adhesive layer 30 so as to form a plurality of voids. Also, in the fibrous mass portion 20, 0.12 g to 0.24 g of petrolatum is filled in the plurality of voids. Therefore, in the fibrous mass portion 20, the predetermined additive is filled in a solid state at room temperature in the voids between the plurality of short fibers, that is, the petrolatum is filled so that the weight ratio is 200 wt% to 800 wt% with respect to one fibrous mass portion 20 (0.03 g to 0.06 g) in a state where the predetermined additive is not filled in the absolutely dry state. In addition, as a particularly preferable embodiment of the fibrous mass portion 20, it is composed of a plurality of short fibers of 0.04 g and 0.20 g of petrolatum. Further, in this embodiment, the predetermined additive filled in the fibrous mass portion 20 is petrolatum, and it may be either yellow petrolatum or white petrolatum. However, when it is used for applications such that the fibrous mass portion 20 comes into contact with the human body such as the anus of an infant, a higher purity one is preferable, and particularly preferably, it is white petrolatum.

[0014] <Method for manufacturing the cotton swab 1> Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the method for manufacturing the cotton swab 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the method for manufacturing the cotton swab 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in the method for manufacturing the cotton swab 1, an adhesive application step, a fiber forming step, and an additive impregnation step are executed in this order.

[0015] First, the adhesive application step is a step in which a predetermined adhesive is applied to the surface of the shaft end portion 15 where the fibrous mass portion 20 is formed in the shaft portion 10. Specifically, a step of immersing the shaft end portion 15 of the rotating shaft portion 10 in an adhesive storage tank storing liquid polyvinyl alcohol so that polyvinyl alcohol is applied to the surface of the shaft end portion 15 of the shaft portion 10 is executed. That is, in the adhesive application step, the entire surface of the shaft end portion 15 of the shaft portion 10 is covered with a predetermined adhesive.

[0016] Next, in the fiber forming process, a plurality of predetermined short fibers (in this embodiment, short fibers with a fiber length of 20.60 mm or less) are supplied so as to adhere to the shaft end portion 15, and the predetermined fibers adhering to the shaft end portion 15 are formed into a predetermined shape by a forming device (not shown). Specifically, first, a step of supplying a plurality of short fibers obtained by unraveling a bundle of predetermined short fibers by a fiber supply device (not shown) so as to adhere to the shaft end portion 15 of the rotating shaft portion 10 is executed. Next, a step of forming the first lump portion 21 and the second lump portion 22 is executed by pressing the predetermined fibers adhering to the shaft end portion 15 of the rotating shaft portion 10 against the forming plate of the forming device. At this time, a predetermined adhesive applied to the surface of the shaft end portion 15 of the shaft portion 10 solidifies to form an adhesive layer 30. That is, in the fiber forming process, an adhesive layer 30 is formed on the surface of the shaft end portion 15 of the shaft portion 10, and a fiber lump portion 20 having voids between a plurality of fibers but not filled with a predetermined additive is formed on the shaft end portion 15. In this embodiment, the predetermined adhesive applied to the surface of the shaft end portion 15 is solidified by natural drying without supplying warm and cold air or the like by a dryer or the like, but it may be solidified using a dryer or the like. Further, when forming predetermined fibers with a forming device, a liquid forming paste or the like may be applied to the predetermined fibers by a sprayer or the like for forming.

[0017] Then, in the additive impregnation step, a fibrous mass portion 20 in a state where a predetermined additive that is solid at normal temperature is filled in the gaps between a plurality of fibers is formed by impregnating a plurality of fibers formed into a predetermined shape at the shaft end portion 15 in the fiber forming step with a predetermined liquid additive. Specifically, first, a plurality of fibers having a predetermined shape at the shaft end portion 15 of the rotating shaft portion 10 are immersed in an additive storage tank storing a predetermined liquid additive, so as to impregnate the gaps between the plurality of fibers with the predetermined liquid additive. Next, a step of solidifying the predetermined additive impregnated in the gaps between a plurality of predetermined fibers in the fibrous mass portion 20 is performed while rotating the shaft portion 10. That is, in the additive impregnation step, the fibrous mass portion 20 in a state where a predetermined additive that is solid at normal temperature is filled in the gaps between a plurality of fibers is formed. In this embodiment, when solidifying the predetermined additive impregnated in the gaps between a plurality of fibers, natural drying is used to solidify it without supplying cold air or the like by a dryer or the like, but it may also be solidified using a dryer or the like.

[0018] <Second Embodiment> Referring to FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), next, the overall configuration of a cotton swab 100 according to a second embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, will be described. FIG. 3(A) is an overall view showing a schematic configuration of the cotton swab 100, and FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the fibrous mass portion 120 for explaining a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the fibrous mass portion 120 in the cotton swab 100.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3(A), the cotton swab 100 comprises a rod-shaped shaft 110 made of paper, one fiber lump 120 made of a predetermined fiber (cotton in this embodiment) and filled with a predetermined additive (vaseline, which is solid at room temperature (25°C) and has a melting point of 36°C to 37°C in this embodiment), and a paper stem 125 attached to the end of the fiber lump 120, and has an overall length of 76.00 mm to 78.00 mm. The shaft 110 is 73.00 mm long and formed into a cylindrical shape with a cross section that is approximately circular and has a diameter of 2.55 mm. The fiber lump portion 120 is formed at one end of the shaft portion 110 in a lump shape, with a plurality of predetermined fibers covering the surface of the end of the shaft portion 110, so that the length in the central axis direction of the shaft portion 110 is 18.00 mm to 20.00 mm. As with the fiber lump portion 20 of the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above, the gaps between the plurality of fibers are entirely filled with a predetermined additive that is solid at room temperature. The stalk portion 125 is a handle-shaped paper member provided at the end of the fiber lump portion 120 so as to have a convex shape in the direction perpendicular to the central axis direction of the shaft portion 110. The molded

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the fiber lump portion 120 is formed to cover the surface of the shaft end portion 115, which is one end of the shaft portion 110 (in this embodiment, this is the portion 115 that is 15.00 mm from the end of the shaft portion 110 in the direction of the central axis), and is molded into a generally spindle shape. The fiber lump portion 120 and the stalk portion 125 are formed so that R1, which is the maximum length of the fiber lump portion 120 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft portion 110, is 4.70 mm, and R2, which is the maximum length of the stalk portion 125 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft portion 110, is also 4.70 mm. The fiber lump portion 120 is also formed with a first tapered portion 126 and a second tapered portion 127, similar to the first lump portion 21 of the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above. That is, the stalk portion 125 is formed so that the length from the axial center of the shaft portion 110 in the radial direction is longer than r1, which is the length from the axial center of the shaft portion 110 in the radial direction at the end of the fiber mass portion 120. The shaft end portion 115 is formed with an adhesive layer 130, similar to the shaft end portion 15 of the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0021] Furthermore, in the fiber lump portion 120, similar to the fiber lump portion 20 of the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above, a predetermined additive is filled in the gaps between the plurality of short fibers in a solid state at room temperature; that is, petrolatum is filled in a weight ratio of 200 wt% to 800 wt% for one fiber lump portion 120 in an absolutely dry state without the predetermined additive. The stalk portion 125 of this embodiment is a so-called doughnut-shaped paper member, with the shaft portion 110 passing through the center without being fixed with an adhesive or the like, but it may also be fixed to the shaft portion 110 with a predetermined adhesive or the like. Although the stalk portion 125 has been described as a so-called doughnut-shaped paper member, it may also be a doughnut-shaped resin member.

[0022] <Features of the first and second embodiments> According to the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment and the cotton swab 100 of the second embodiment described above, the cotton swab 1, 100 comprises a rod-shaped shaft portion 10, 110 and a fiber mass portion 20, 120 formed on at least one end of the shaft portion 10, etc., that is, the shaft end portion 15, 115, in which a plurality of fibers are formed in a mass shape to cover the surface of the shaft end portion 15, etc. of the shaft portion 10, etc., and the fiber mass portion 20, etc. is characterized in that a predetermined additive that is solid at room temperature is filled in the gaps between the plurality of fibers.

[0023] In such cotton swabs 1, 100, the predetermined additive filled in the fiber lump portion 20, 120 is in a solid state at room temperature, and therefore, compared to conventional cotton swabs in which the fiber lump portion contains an additive that is liquid at room temperature, the predetermined additive is less likely to drip and the fiber lump portion 20, etc. can be made harder. In particular, when such cotton swabs 1, 100 are inserted into a narrow opening such as the anus of an infant, not only will the predetermined additive not drip from the fiber lump portion 20, etc. before insertion into the opening, but appropriate insertion can be made smoother, allowing for accurate insertion into an opening that is narrowed by the anal sphincter, etc.

[0024] Also, according to the cotton swab 1 of the above-described first embodiment and the cotton swab 100 of the second embodiment, the predetermined additive is petrolatum having a melting point of 36°C to 37°C. With such a cotton swab 1 or the like, since the predetermined additive filled in the fiber mass portion 20 is in a solid state at normal temperature (25°C), for example, when taken out of the package and used, compared with conventional cotton swabs, it is possible to make it difficult for the predetermined additive to melt and drip before coming into contact with the required part. Further, when inserting a cotton swab 1 or the like containing such an additive having a predetermined melting point into an opening of the human body such as the anus, based on the fact that the temperature of the internal organs of a general human is 37°C to 38°C, it is preferable that the melting point of the predetermined additive be 36°C to 37°C so that the predetermined additive begins to melt as it is inserted. That is, with such a cotton swab 1 or the like, since the predetermined additive filled in the fiber mass portion 20 or the like is petrolatum having a melting point of 36°C to 37°C, when inserted into an opening of the human body such as the anus, the predetermined additive melts, and the petrolatum functions as a lubricant to facilitate the smooth insertion of the fiber mass portion 20 or the like.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the cotton swab 1 of the above-described first embodiment and the cotton swab 100 of the second embodiment, the predetermined additive is characterized in that it is filled at 200 wt% to 800 wt% with respect to the plurality of fibers. With such a cotton swab 1 or the like, since a sufficient amount of the predetermined additive in a solid state at normal temperature is filled in the gaps between the plurality of fibers in the fiber mass portion 20 or the like, compared with a conventional cotton swab provided with a cotton body (fiber mass portion) containing a liquid additive, the fiber mass portion 20 or the like can be made hard.

[0026] According to the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above, the fiber mass portion 20 has a first mass portion 21 formed on the shaft end portion 15 side of the shaft portion 10, and a second mass portion 22 formed at the end of the first mass portion 21 on the end side opposite to the shaft end portion 15 of the shaft portion 10. The second mass portion 22 is formed such that R2, which is the length in the outer diameter direction from the shaft center of the shaft portion 10 in at least a part thereof, is longer than r1, which is the length in the outer diameter direction from the shaft center of the shaft portion 10 at the end of the first mass portion 21. With such a cotton swab 1, for example, when inserting it into the anal opening narrowed by the sphincter muscle, the second mass portion 22 functions as a mark for inserting only the first mass portion 21, and it is possible to prevent the cotton swab 1 from being inserted deeper than necessary. In particular, when inserting it into the anal opening in this way, since the sphincter muscle constricts along the end of the first mass portion 21 (the portion where the length in the outer diameter direction from the shaft center of the shaft portion 10 is r1), the second mass portion 22 functions as a stopper, and it is possible to prevent the cotton swab 1 from being inserted deeper than necessary. In the cotton swab 100 of the second embodiment described above, the shaft handle portion 125 has substantially the same form as the second mass portion 22 of the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment, so it functions as a mark and a stopper during insertion, and can achieve the same effect.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above, the first mass portion 21 is formed with a first tapered portion 26 whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion 10 increases from the shaft end portion 15 side of the shaft portion 10 toward the other end portion side, and a second tapered portion 27 whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axis center of the shaft portion 10 increases from the other end portion side of the shaft portion 10 toward the shaft end portion 15 side. For such a cotton swab 1, for example, when inserting the fiber mass portion 20 into the anal opening that is narrowed by the sphincter muscle, the anal opening expands along the first tapered portion 26 of the first mass portion 21, so it can be inserted more smoothly compared to those without such a first tapered portion formed. Also, when continuing to insert the first mass portion 21, the sphincter muscle of the anal opening narrows along the second tapered portion 27 of the first mass portion 21, so it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort due to the insertion of the first mass portion 21 and the expansion of the anus compared to those without such a second tapered portion formed. In addition, also in the cotton swab 100 of the second embodiment described above, since the fiber mass portion 120 is formed with a similar first tapered portion 126 and second tapered portion 127, the same effects as those of the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the cotton swab 1 of the first embodiment and the cotton swab 100 of the second embodiment described above, since the adhesive layers 30 and 130 are formed on the surfaces of the shaft end portions 15 and the like of the shaft portion 10 and the like to which the fiber mass portion 20 and the like are fixed, even when the additive filled in the fiber mass portion 20 and the like melts, it is possible to prevent the melted additive from infiltrating into the paper shaft portion 10 and the like and making the shaft portion 10 and the like soft. Here, for example, in the case of a cotton swab with a soft shaft portion, when inserting it into an opening that is narrowed by the anal sphincter or the like, the shaft portion may bend due to contact with the sphincter, making it difficult to insert smoothly, resulting in poor operability. Also, after insertion, in the case of a cotton swab with a soft shaft portion, the operability of aiming at a necessary location inside the opening and bringing the fiber mass portion into contact may deteriorate. In this regard, in the case of such a cotton swab 1 or the like, it is possible to prevent the paper shaft portion 10 and the like from becoming soft due to the melted predetermined additive, and to maintain good operability when inserting into an opening such as the anus or after insertion. In particular, according to the cotton swab 1 and the like of the above-described embodiment, the predetermined additive is petrolatum, and the predetermined adhesive is polyvinyl alcohol with high oil resistance. Therefore, the adhesive layer 30 and the like of polyvinyl alcohol can more effectively prevent the infiltration of melted petrolatum into the shaft portion 10 and the like.

[0029] <Other Embodiments> In the cotton swabs 1 and 100 of the above-described embodiment, the predetermined additive is petrolatum. However, as long as it is solid at room temperature and has a melting point of 36°C to 60°C, various components may be used. Specifically, for example, there are lubricants that are solid at room temperature and have a melting point of 36°C to 60°C, cocoa butter, peanut butter, palm oil, hardened oil, etc., which are vegetable fats that are solid at room temperature, and beef tallow, lard, chicken fat, milk fat, etc., which are animal fats that are solid at room temperature. It may be composed of one type of these multiple types of components, or it may be composed of two or more types of components. Even with these various components, as long as they are solid at room temperature, they can achieve the same effects as the cotton swab 1 and the like of the above-described embodiment.

[0030] In the cotton swabs 1 and 100 of the above-described embodiments, the predetermined adhesive is polyvinyl alcohol, a water-soluble adhesive. However, various adhesive components may be used as long as they form a layer such as an adhesive layer to prevent the infiltration of the predetermined additive into the shaft. Specific examples of adhesive components include carboxymethyl cellulose, vinyl acetate, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and the adhesive may be composed of one of these multiple components. These various adhesives can also achieve the same effects as the cotton swabs 1 and the like of the above-described embodiments, as long as an adhesive layer is formed.

[0031] In the cotton swabs 1 and 100 of the above-described embodiments, the fiber mass portion 20 and the like are formed by shaping a mass of cotton as the predetermined fiber. However, various fibers may be used as the predetermined fiber as long as voids are formed between the plurality of fibers. Specifically, for example, the predetermined fiber may be various natural fibers such as wool, various chemical fibers such as polyester, various regenerated fibers such as rayon, etc., and the predetermined fiber may be composed of one type of fiber from these various types of fibers, or may be composed of two or more types of fibers. Furthermore, while the predetermined plurality of fibers are short fibers having a fiber length of 20.60 mm or less in the above-described embodiments, the fiber length is not limited to this. Fibers longer than 20.60 mm, such as long fibers (28.60 mm to 38.10 mm) or medium fibers (22.20 mm to 27.80 mm), may also be used. These various fibers can also achieve the same effects as the cotton swabs 1 and the like of the above-described embodiments, as long as the voids formed between the plurality of fibers are filled with a predetermined additive that is solid at room temperature.

[0032] In the cotton swabs 1 and 100 of the above-described embodiments, the shape of the fiber mass portion 20 is formed from a substantially spindle-shaped first mass portion 21 and a second mass portion 22, or the shape of the fiber mass portion 120 is substantially spindle-shaped. However, various other shapes may be used. Specifically, the second mass portion and the shaft handle portion have the same shape as in the above-described embodiments, and the length of R1 is smaller than R2 even though the first mass portion and the like are substantially spindle-shaped, or the first mass portion and the like are substantially cylindrical and the tip is hemispherical. Even with these shapes, since the second mass portion and the shaft handle portion have the function of a mark or a stopper during insertion, the same effects as those of the cotton swab 1 and the like of the above-described embodiments can be achieved.

[0033] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments and the modified examples. However, the above-described embodiments of the invention are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1, 100... cotton swab, 10, 110... shaft portion, 15, 115... shaft end portion, 20, 120... fiber mass portion, 21... first mass portion, 22... second mass portion, 26, 126... first tapered portion, 27, 127... second tapered portion, 30, 130... adhesive layer, 125... shaft handle portion.

Claims

1. A rod-shaped shaft portion; a fiber mass portion formed on at least one end of the shaft portion, the fiber mass portion being formed in a mass shape such that a plurality of fibers cover the surface of the end of the shaft portion; Equipped with the fiber mass has a first mass formed at one end of the shaft portion and a second mass formed at the end of the first mass on the other end side of the shaft portion, the first mass having a solid additive filled in the gaps between the plurality of fibers at room temperature; The first block portion has a first tapered portion whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axial center of the shaft portion increases from the end side of the shaft portion to the other end side, and a second tapered portion whose length in the outer diameter direction from the axial center of the shaft portion increases from the other end side of the shaft portion to the end side, so that the outer surface has a pointed shape curved outward. A cotton swab characterized by:

2. The cotton swab according to claim 1, The additive has a melting point of 36°C to 37°C. A cotton swab characterized by:

3. The cotton swab according to claim 1 or 2, The additive is petrolatum A cotton swab characterized by:

4. The cotton swab according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The additive is filled in an amount of 200 wt % to 800 wt % relative to the plurality of fibers. A cotton swab characterized by:

5. The cotton swab according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The second block is formed so that the length of at least a part of the second block in the radial direction from the axial center of the shaft portion is equal to or greater than the maximum length of the first block in the radial direction from the axial center of the shaft portion. A cotton swab characterized by:

6. A rod-shaped shaft portion, a fiber mass portion formed on at least one end of the shaft portion, the fiber mass portion being formed in a mass shape such that a plurality of fibers cover the surface of the end of the shaft portion; a stalk portion formed so that the length of at least a portion of the stalk portion in the radial direction from the axial center thereof is equal to or greater than the maximum length of the fiber mass portion in the radial direction from the axial center thereof; Equipped with The fiber mass portion is an additive that is solid at room temperature is filled in gaps between the plurality of fibers; A first tapered portion is formed such that the length in the outer diameter direction from the axial center of the shaft portion increases from the end side of the shaft portion to the other end side, and a second tapered portion is formed such that the length in the outer diameter direction from the axial center of the shaft portion increases from the other end side of the shaft portion to the end side, so that the outer surface has a pointed shape curved outward. A cotton swab characterized by:

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