Interdental cleaning tools

Abstract

To provide a convenient interdental cleaner suitable for cleaning an interdental space between back teeth.SOLUTION: The interdental cleaner comprises: a body A which includes a base 1 with a grip 11, a bending part 2, and a shaft; and a cleaning part 4 formed on the shaft and constituted of an outer shape insertable into an interdental space. A plurality of linear grooves 11f are formed on the surface of the grip 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning tool for cleaning between teeth.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an interdental cleaning tool suitable for cleaning between the back teeth has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This interdental cleaning tool includes a main body having a gripping portion that can be gripped with a finger at one end and a shaft portion extending from the other end of the main body, and a cleaning portion made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body and covering at least a part of the outer surface of the shaft portion.

[0003] The interdental cleaning tool described in Patent Document 1 has a base portion (a handle base body in the document) having a handle body and a tapered base material portion, and the tip of the tapered base material portion is formed in a curved shape. Further, a non-slip portion made of an elastic material (an elastomer in the document) is formed over the entire circumference in the middle portion of the tapered base material portion, and an elastic material extends longitudinally in the center of the surface of the tapered base material portion so as to connect the non-slip portion and the cleaning portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An interdental cleaning tool suitable for cleaning between the back teeth is assumed to be used by inserting the shaft portion between the back teeth while pinching the gripping portion with the thumb and index finger. In this usage form, the interdental cleaning tool described in Patent Document 1 without a non-slip portion on the gripping portion is likely to slip on the gripping portion and is not user-friendly.

[0006] [[ID=四十二]] Therefore, there is a need for an interdental cleaning tool that is easy to use and suitable for cleaning the spaces between molars. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An interdental cleaning tool according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base having a flat gripping portion that can be grasped by pinching it between the thumb and middle finger, and a flat rod-shaped extension portion that extends from the gripping portion in a first direction and can be pressed with the index finger; a body having a bent portion that extends from the end of the base opposite to the gripping portion and is bent from the first direction toward a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a shaft portion that extends from the end of the bent portion opposite to the base toward the second direction; and a cleaning portion formed on the shaft portion and having an outer shape that allows insertion into the interdental space, wherein the gripping portion has a first through-hole, a second through-hole adjacent to the first through-hole and smaller than the first through-hole, and a partition wall separating the first through-hole and the second through-hole. The partition wall is configured as a curved rod shape that curves concavely along the second direction in a plan view, and the thickness along the through-direction of the first through-hole and the second through-hole is formed to be thinner than the thickness along the through-direction of the first through-hole and the second through-hole. The gripping portion is characterized in that a plurality of linear grooves are formed on the surface parallel to the first direction and the second direction, and the linear grooves are inclined perpendicular to the second direction, or at an angle of inclination of 30 degrees or less with respect to a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0008] In the case of interdental cleaning tools with a bent section, such as this interdental cleaning tool, the intended use is to pinch the gripping section between the thumb and index finger and insert the shaft into the interdental space of the molars. In this case, if multiple linear grooves are formed on the surface of the gripping section, the pads of the fingertips will fit into the linear grooves and come into contact with the edges of the linear grooves, and the resistance exerted by the linear grooves on the fingertips will prevent the fingers from slipping. As a result, the gripping performance of the gripping section is improved, and the efficiency of interdental cleaning can be improved. The linear grooves of this interdental cleaning tool may be straight, curved, wavy, or jagged.

[0010] When an external force is applied to the gripping portion and the cleaning portion covering the shaft is inserted between teeth and moved back and forth, friction and contact between the cleaning portion and the teeth transmit stress in the direction of reciprocating movement (second direction) or in a direction intersecting the direction of reciprocating movement from the shaft to the base via the bending portion. As with this interdental cleaning tool, if the linear groove is oriented approximately perpendicular to the second direction, the pad of the fingertip can enter the linear groove and contact the edge of the linear groove, thereby increasing the resistance to tilting of the main body (stress approximately in the second direction). As a result, tilting of the main body that occurs when the cleaning portion is inserted between molars and moved back and forth can be prevented, improving the operability of the interdental cleaning tool.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the gripping portion has multiple linear grooves formed on each of the two sides that are held between two fingers. Furthermore, it is even more preferable that the linear grooves formed on each of the two sides are arranged to overlap when viewed from one side.

[0012] As described above, providing multiple linear grooves on both sides of the gripping portion can further enhance the gripping performance. Furthermore, providing multiple symmetrical linear grooves on both sides of the gripping portion ensures that the resistance acting from the linear grooves on the fingertips is in the same direction, further improving the gripping performance.

[0013] Alternatively, it is preferable that the multiple linear grooves are arranged in parallel.

[0014] By arranging multiple linear grooves in parallel in this way, the resistance to tilting of the main body is increased. As a result, it is possible to prevent the main body from tilting when the cleaning part is inserted between the molars and moved back and forth, thereby improving the operability of the interdental cleaning tool.

[0015] Alternatively, it is preferable that a plurality of linear grooves are formed on the entire surface of the base and the bent portion.

[0016] In the case of interdental cleaning tools with a bent section, usage methods such as using the thumb, index finger, and middle finger to fix the base, or gripping the base (base and bent section) with the entire hand, are conceivable. By providing multiple linear grooves across the entire surface of the base and bent section, as in this interdental cleaning tool, the fingers are less likely to slip regardless of the usage method. As a result, the grip performance of the holding section is improved, and the efficiency of interdental cleaning can be reliably enhanced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the interdental cleaning tool group according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the main body according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of how to use interdental cleaning tools. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool according to another embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing an interdental cleaning tool according to another embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of the interdental cleaning tool according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the interdental cleaning tool group Da is formed integrally by a plurality (10 in this embodiment) of interdental cleaning tools D with a plane parallel to the plane including the bent center line of the interdental cleaning tool D as the placement surface H, and a plurality (2 in this embodiment) of connecting protrusions R that connect adjacent interdental cleaning tools D to each other. This interdental cleaning tool group Da is housed inside a transparent plastic package having the placement surface H and distributed in the market. The interdental cleaning tool D in this embodiment exhibits a flat reverse S-shaped that is stably placed on the placement surface H when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Hereinafter, the direction of viewing the placement surface H on which the interdental cleaning tool D is placed, which is the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, will be described as a plan view.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the interdental cleaning tool D includes a base 1 having a gripping portion 11 and an extending portion 12, a main body A in which a bent portion 2 and a shaft portion 3 are integrally formed, and a soft member B made of an elastic material having a hardness lower than that of the main body A and having a cleaning portion 4. Hereinafter, of the interdental cleaning tool D, the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 2 (the right side of the paper surface in Fig. 2) will be described as the dorsal side, and the inner side of the bend of the bent portion 2 (the left side of the paper surface in Fig. 2) will be described as the ventral side.

[0021] The main body A is composed of one or a combination of two or more synthetic resins such as polypropylene, ABS, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polyacetal. The main body A in this embodiment is composed of polypropylene. Further, the synthetic resin constituting the main body A preferably contains a reinforcing agent for enhancing rigidity. Examples of the reinforcing agent include fibrous reinforcing agents such as glass fiber, nanocellulose fiber, aramid fiber, and carbon fiber, plate-like reinforcing agents such as mica and glass frame, powdery reinforcing agents such as talc, and needle-like reinforcing agents such as wollastonite. The content of the reinforcing agent is 5% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, preferably 10% by weight or more and 40% by weight or less, and more preferably 15% by weight or more and 40% by weight or less.

[0022] The soft member B is composed of an elastomer having a hardness lower than that of the main body A. As this elastomer, a styrene-based elastomer is preferable, and silicon, an olefin-based elastomer, a polyester-based elastomer, etc. may also be used.

[0023] The gripping portion 11 is configured in a flat shape that can be gripped by the pads of two fingers of the user, and has a first through-hole portion 11a, a second through-hole portion 11b that is adjacent to the first through-hole portion 11a and smaller than the first through-hole portion 11a, and a partition wall 11c that partitions the first through-hole portion 11a and the second through-hole portion 11b. The first through-hole portion 11a is configured in a triangular shape with an arcuate top in plan view, and is provided at a position closer to the extending portion 12 than the second through-hole portion 11b. The second through-hole portion 11b is configured in a parallelogram shape in plan view and is located at the most proximal end side of the interdental cleaning tool D. The partition wall 11c is configured in a curved rod shape that is concave (depressed from the first through-hole portion 11a toward the second through-hole portion 11b) along the second direction Xb in plan view, and the wall thickness along the through-hole direction of the first through-hole portion 11a and the second through-hole portion 11b is formed thinner than the wall thickness along the through-hole direction of the first through-hole portion 11a and the second through-hole portion 11b.

[0024] With the above configuration, the region surrounding the through-holes (the inner spaces of the first through-hole portion 11a and the second through-hole portion 11b) of the gripping portion 11 is integrally connected, and it is formed asymmetrically left and right in plan view with respect to the direction (the first direction Xa) in which the extending portion 12 extends from the gripping portion 11. Further, since the interdental cleaning tool D has a flat reverse S shape, the opening surfaces of the first through-hole portion 11a and the second through-hole portion 11b are provided parallel to the placement surface H. The back-side gripping portion 11d located on the back side of the gripping portion 11 is formed in an arc shape having a center of curvature on the back side.

[0025] Furthermore, the surface of the gripping portion 11 is formed with a plurality of linear grooves 11f, which are straight grooves (vertical grooves) that are substantially perpendicular to the second direction Xb in a plan view, and these plurality of linear grooves 11f are arranged in parallel to each other. "Substantially perpendicular to the second direction Xb" is a concept that includes a state in which the grooves are perpendicular to the second direction Xb, or inclined (angle of inclination of 30 degrees or less) with respect to a plane perpendicular to the second direction Xb. The angle of inclination is preferably 20 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less, and most preferably 0 degrees (perpendicular). The groove shape of the linear grooves 11f can be any shape, such as a rectangular prism, wave shape, or cylindrical shape, but a rectangular prism shape is preferred. The width of the linear grooves 11f is 0.1 mm or more and 4 mm or less, and the ratio of width to depth is preferably 1:0.3 or more and 2 or less, and more preferably 1:0.5 or more and 1.0 or less. A wider linear groove 11f allows the fingertip to easily contact the edge of the groove, while a shallower groove relative to its width is aesthetically pleasing and conforms to the curved surface of the fingertip, resulting in less discomfort for the user with the grip 11. However, if the groove is too shallow, the finger's resistance will be reduced, and if it is too wide, the fingertip will not be able to contact the edge of the groove.

[0026] Furthermore, the gripping portion 11 has multiple linear grooves 11f formed on both sides that are held between two fingers, and these linear grooves 11f formed on both sides are arranged to overlap when viewed in one direction (plan view). In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, linear grooves 11f are formed on the surface (both sides) of the gripping portion 11, but linear grooves 11f may also be formed on the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the first through hole portion 11a and the second through hole portion 11b, or linear grooves 11f may be formed on the partition wall 11c.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, in the main body A, the extension portion 12 is configured as a flat rod extending from the gripping portion 11 in the first direction Xa. As shown in Figure 2, the dorsal extension portion 12b of the extension portion 12 is covered with a soft material B. On the other hand, the ventral side surface 12d of the extension portion 12, excluding the ventral extension ventral surface 12c and the dorsal extension portion 12b, is not covered with the soft material B, and the synthetic resin constituting the extension portion 12 is exposed.

[0028] The bent portion 2 extends from the end of the extended portion 12 opposite to the gripping portion 11 and is configured as a flattened shape that bends from a first direction Xa toward a second direction Xb that intersects the first direction Xa (in the embodiment of Figure 2, the internal bending angle is 120 degrees). The intersection angle between the first direction Xa and the second direction Xb (the internal bending angle of the bent portion 2) is preferably set to 80 degrees or more and 150 degrees or less, preferably 90 degrees or more and 140 degrees or less, and even more preferably 100 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the dorsal bending portion 21 of the bent portion 2 is covered with a soft material B. On the other hand, the ventral side surface 25 of the bent portion 2, excluding the ventral bending surface 22a and the dorsal bending portion 21, is not covered with the soft material B, and the synthetic resin constituting the bent portion 2 is exposed. With this configuration, the soft material B covers the dorsal bending portion 21 of the bent portion 2 of the main body A, and in connection with this dorsal bending portion 21, it further covers the dorsal extension portion 12b of the extension portion 12.

[0030] A projection 23 is formed on the bent portion 2 of the main body A, protruding in a direction parallel to the second direction Xb. This projection 23 is configured to be able to contact a mold used to form the soft member B on the main body A, and the contact surface of the projection 23 with the mold is formed as a flat surface. By providing the projection 23 on the bent portion 2 in this way, the soft member B adheres closely to the projection 23, and even when the soft member B expands or contracts, it is difficult for it to peel off from the main body A.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the shaft portion 3 is formed in the shape of a frustoconical rod, gradually tapering along the second direction Xb from the end opposite to the extension portion 12 relative to the bent portion 2. The outer shape of the shaft portion 3 has a linear taper such that the diameter decreases from the connection point with the bent portion 2 (base end) to the tip.

[0032] The cleaning portion 4, which constitutes part of the soft member B, covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaft portion 3 and has an outer shape that allows it to be inserted between teeth. As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning portion 4 in this embodiment has a covering portion 41 that adheres tightly to the entire area of ​​the shaft portion 3 and a brush portion 42 having multiple (numerous) bristles that protrude outward from the covering portion 41. In the interdental cleaning tool D according to this embodiment, when the cleaning portion 4 is inserted between teeth, the bristles of the brush portion 42 deform flexibly, and the covering portion 41 and the brush portion 42 come into contact with the teeth, making it possible to remove foreign matter (food debris, etc.) present between teeth and foreign matter (plaque, etc.) attached to teeth.

[0033] Figure 4 shows how to use the interdental cleaning tool D. The interdental cleaning tool D, which has a bent portion 2, can be held in roughly three ways. (1) First gripping method: The gripping part 11 is pinched with the thumb and index finger. (2) A second gripping method in which the gripping part 11 is pinched with the thumb and middle finger, and the index finger is placed along the soft extended back surface 13 of the extended part 12. (3) A third gripping method in which the entire area of ​​the gripping portion 11 and the extension portion 12 is grasped.

[0034] The user holds the interdental cleaning tool D using either gripping method and inserts it into the oral cavity from the tip to the base of the cleaning part 4 so that the cleaning part 4 is inserted between the molars. Then, the user manipulates the interdental cleaning tool D to move the cleaning part 4 back and forth within the interdental space. When the cleaning part 4 (shaft part 3) is inserted between the teeth and moved back and forth with an external force applied to the gripping part 11, friction and contact between the cleaning part 4 covering the shaft part 3 and the teeth transmit stress in the direction of reciprocating movement and in directions intersecting the direction of reciprocating movement from the shaft part 3 to the extension part 12 via the bending part 2. As a result, the interdental cleaning tool D is easily moved in all directions.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, at least the gripping portion 11 is provided with multiple linear grooves 11f. Therefore, with the first gripping method or the second gripping method, the gripping performance of the gripping portion 11 is enhanced, and the movement of the interdental cleaning tool D can be fixed by the fingertips entering the linear grooves 11f and contacting the edges of the linear grooves 11f, thereby improving the efficiency of interdental cleaning. In addition to the linear grooves 11f, through holes 11a and 11b are provided in the gripping portion 11, so the movement of the interdental cleaning tool D can be stably fixed by the two fingertips contacting each other and contacting the edges of the through holes 11a and 11b. Furthermore, since multiple symmetrical linear grooves 11f are provided on both sides of the gripping portion 11, the resistance acting on the fingertips from the linear grooves 11f is in the same direction, further enhancing the gripping performance of the gripping portion 11. Furthermore, by arranging the multiple vertical grooves constituting the linear groove 11f in parallel, or by arranging the multiple vertical grooves approximately perpendicular to the second direction Xb, the resistance to tilting of the main body A is increased. As a result, tilting of the main body A that occurs when the cleaning part 4 is inserted between the molars and moved back and forth can be prevented, thereby improving the operability of the interdental cleaning tool D.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a flexible soft member B, which has lower hardness than the main body A (composed of the shaft portion 3, the bent portion 2, and the base portion 1 (gripping portion 11 and extension portion 12)), covers the dorsal bent portion 21 of the bent portion 2. Therefore, even with the second or third gripping method, the soft member B acts as a non-slip surface, improving the operability of the interdental cleaning tool D.

[0037] [Other embodiments] (a) As shown in Figure 5, multiple linear grooves 11f may be provided on the entire surface of the base 1 and the bent portion 2. Alternatively, the dorsal bent portion 21 and the dorsal extension portion 12b may be made entirely of synthetic resin without being covered with the soft member B. As in this embodiment, if multiple linear grooves 11f are provided on the entire surface of the base 1 and the bent portion 2, the fingers will not slip regardless of the mode of use (first gripping method to third gripping method). As a result, the grip performance of the gripping portion 11 is improved, and the efficiency of interdental cleaning can be reliably improved.

[0038] (b) As shown in Figure 6, the gripping portion 11 may be made entirely of synthetic resin without the first through-hole portion 11a and the second through-hole portion 11b. Alternatively, the dorsal bending portion 21 and the dorsal extension portion 12b may be made entirely of synthetic resin without being covered with the soft member B.

[0039] (c) The linear groove 11f is not limited to a straight shape, but may also be curved, and instead of a groove (longitudinal groove) that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction Xb, it may be composed of a cross shape formed by grooves (lateral groove) and longitudinal grooves that are substantially parallel to the second direction Xb. Here, substantially parallel to the second direction Xb is a concept that includes a state in which the groove is parallel to the second direction Xb and inclined with respect to the second direction Xb (inclination angle of 30 degrees or less) so that it is closer to the second direction Xb than the first direction Xa.

[0040] (d) The interdental cleaning tool D in this embodiment may have any shape as long as it has a bent portion 2, and is not limited to an S-shape.

[0041] (e) In this embodiment, the shaft portion 3 is covered with a soft member B, but the shaft portion 3 may also be made of a wire extending along the second direction Xb from the end opposite to the extended portion 12 of the bent portion 2, and the interdental cleaning tool D may be a wire type having multiple (many) bristles protruding outward from this wire.

[0042] (f) The interdental cleaning tool D is not limited to being sold on the market as a group of interdental cleaning tools Da, which consists of multiple connected tools. For example, the interdental cleaning tool D may be sold on the market individually. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] This invention can be used in interdental cleaning tools suitable for cleaning the spaces between molars. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1: Base 2: Bending section 3: Shaft 4:Cleaning department 11: Grip part 11f: Linear groove A: Main unit D: Interdental cleaning tools Xa: first direction Xb:Second direction

Claims

1. A flat gripping part that can be held by pinching it with the thumb and middle finger, A base having a flattened rod-shaped extension that extends from the gripping portion in a first direction and can be pressed with an index finger, and extending from the end of the base opposite to the gripping portion in the first direction A body having a bent portion that is bent toward a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a shaft portion that extends along the second direction from the end of the bent portion opposite to the base, The shaft portion comprises a cleaning section formed therein, which has an outer shape that allows it to be inserted between teeth, The gripping portion has a first through-hole, a second through-hole adjacent to the first through-hole and smaller than the first through-hole, and a partition wall separating the first through-hole and the second through-hole. The partition wall is configured as a curved rod shape that curves concavely so as to be recessed from the first through-hole to the second through-hole, The thickness of the partition wall along the through-direction of the first through-hole and the second through-hole is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the first through-hole and the second through-hole excluding the partition wall. Multiple linear grooves are formed on the surface of the gripping portion parallel to the first and second directions, and these linear grooves are perpendicular to the second direction, or perpendicular to a plane perpendicular to the second direction. An interdental cleaning tool that is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or less.

2. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion has a plurality of linear grooves formed on both sides that are held between two fingers.

3. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of linear grooves are arranged in parallel.

4. The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of linear grooves are formed on the entire surface of the base and the bent portion.

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