WO2016006618A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with which damage to gums can be reduced, which has excellent bristle tip entry into periodontal pockets, between teeth, and the like, and which has an excellent plaque removal ability. The present invention includes: a head section (16) that has a bristle implanting hole (19) disposed on one surface (16a) side thereof; and a bristle bundle (14) that is implanted in the bristle implanting hole (19), is formed from a plurality of bristles, and has a conical cone section (14-3) at the distal end section. The plurality of bristles have elliptical cut surfaces which constitute the side surface of the cone section (14-3). Towards the apex of the cone section (14-3) from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the cone section (14-3), the major axes of the ellipses of the cut surfaces become shorter.

Description

toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush that has excellent tip penetration into a periodontal pocket, interdental, etc., can reduce harm to gums, and has excellent plaque removal ability.
This application claims priority on July 7, 2014 based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-139915 for which it applied to Japan, and uses the content here.

Conventionally, there is a one-tuft brush as a toothbrush suitable for cleaning a portion with a lot of unpolished material (for example, a boundary between teeth and gums, a space between teeth, a back of a back tooth, or a place where teeth are not aligned).
The one tuft brush is a brush obtained by planting a hair bundle in a large flock hole of about φ3.0 mm provided in the head portion and cutting off the tip of the hair bundle as necessary.

Examples of conventional one-tuft brushes include those obtained by cutting the tip of a 3 to 6 mil straight hair bundle into a conical shape, or a tape bundle of about 7.5 mil taper hair (no hair cutting). Exists. 1 mil is 0.0254 mm.

Patent Document 1 discloses a single tuft brush in which a single hair bundle is formed by bundling a plurality of filaments (hairs) in a single flock hole provided at the distal end portion of a handle portion. The diameter is set to 0.076 to 0.15 mm, the hair bundle is implanted and fixed to the flock hole, the tip of the hair bundle is cut into a conical shape, and the tip of the filament is rounded. A tuft brush is disclosed.

In Patent Document 2, an interdental brush having a synthetic resin filament (hair) made into a mountain shape along the longitudinal direction, the filament is tapered, and the filament is arranged in a mountain shape to form a brush portion. An interdental brush is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 3, a single hair bundle in which a plurality of synthetic resin hairs having a tapered hair tip are bundled so as to have one top portion and fixed at a lower portion opposite to the top portion, An interdental brush comprising a base part to which the lower part of the hair bundle is fixed and a grip part provided on the base part is disclosed.

JP2013-52110A JP 2007-195713 A JP 2007-175143 A

However, in the single tuft brush disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tip of the hair bundle composed of a plurality of filaments having a diameter of 0.076 to 0.15 mm is cut in a conical shape. Compared to the case of using tapered hairs that become larger as they are separated from the tip, there is a problem that the hair tips do not easily reach narrow gaps such as between teeth and the neck.
In addition, since the straight hair has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tip of the tapered hair, when the straight hair is cut, the area of the cut surface becomes considerably large, and the cut corner becomes an acute angle. There was a risk of damaging the gums when polished with strong force.

In addition, there is a single tuft brush in which the ends of straight hairs are rounded in order to prevent the gum from being hurt. The problem that it is difficult for the hair ends to reach the gap cannot be solved.

Since the interdental brushes disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 have a hair bundle composed of tapered hairs, there is no harmful effect on the gingiva and the hair penetration into narrow spaces such as between teeth and the neck of the tooth. Are better.
However, since the interdental brushes disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 use tapered hairs, there is a problem that the scraping power of plaque is slightly weak and the functional surface is inferior to straight hairs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a toothbrush having excellent hair tip penetration into periodontal pockets and between teeth, etc., capable of reducing harmfulness to gingiva, and having excellent plaque removal ability. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention includes a head portion having a flocked hole arranged on one side, a flocked hair in the flocked hole, a plurality of hairs, and a conical tip at a tip portion. A plurality of bristles having an elliptical cutting surface that constitutes a side surface of the conical portion, and the cutting surface is a portion of the conical portion. The major axis of the ellipse is shortened from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface toward the apex of the cone.

Further, in the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, the plurality of bristles may be tapered hairs, and the conical portion may be disposed at a tapered portion of the plurality of tapered hairs.

In the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, the apex angle of the conical portion may be in the range of 60 degrees to 80 degrees.

In the toothbrush according to the aspect of the present invention, a long axis range of the cut surface of the bristle located in the vicinity of the apex of the conical portion among the plurality of bristle is 0.080 to 0.120 mm. It may be.

According to the toothbrush of the present invention, it is possible to improve the hair tip penetration into the periodontal pockets and between the teeth, reduce the harmfulness to the gums, and further improve the plaque removal ability.

It is a front view of the toothbrush which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. It is the side view which looked at the toothbrush shown in FIG. 2 in B. It is the front view which expanded the part enclosed by the area | region A among the toothbrushes shown in FIG. It is the side view which expanded the part enclosed by the area | region C among the toothbrushes shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in the DD line direction of a conical portion of a bristle bundle constituting the toothbrush shown in FIG. 4. It is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part of the taper hair located in the vertex vicinity of the cone part shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part of the taper hair arrange | positioned in the outer peripheral part of the cone part spaced apart from the vertex vicinity of a cone part. It is a figure (the 1) which shows the manufacturing process of the toothbrush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a side view for demonstrating the process of forming a head part, a neck part, and a handle part collectively. It is a figure (the 2) which shows the manufacturing process of the toothbrush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a side view for demonstrating the process of planting the hair | bristle bundle which consists of several hairs in a flock hole. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the shape of the hair | bristle bundle when dividing the hair | bristle bundle before the cutting | disconnection enclosed by the area | region F among the toothbrush in the middle of manufacture shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description are for explaining the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, and the size, thickness, dimensions, etc. of each part shown in the drawings may be different from the actual dimensional relationship of the toothbrush. is there.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.
The X direction shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicates the extending direction of the handle portion 17 constituting the handle body 11. 1 and 2 indicate the width direction of the toothbrush 10. The Z direction shown in FIG. 3 indicates the extending direction of the hair bundle 14. 1 to 3, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.
1 to 3, a one-tuft brush is taken as an example of the toothbrush 10 according to the present embodiment, and the following description will be given.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment includes a handle body 11 and a bristle bundle 14.
The handle body 11 includes a head portion 16, a handle portion 17, a neck portion 18, and a flock hole 19. The head portion 16 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the Z direction (or a direction slightly inclined with respect to the Z direction).

The head portion 16 is a surface on the side from which the hair bundle 14 protrudes and has a flat surface 16a.
The handle portion 17 is a portion that is held by hand when the toothbrush 10 is used, and extends in the X direction. A non-slip portion 21, which is a plurality of concave portions for preventing a finger from slipping when the toothbrush 10 is used, is provided on the handle portion 17 on the side close to the neck portion 18.

The neck portion 18 is a member that extends in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the X direction, and is configured such that its thickness is thinner than that of the handle portion 17.
The neck portion 18 has one end integrated with the head portion 16 and the other end integrated with the handle portion 17. That is, the neck portion 18 connects the head portion 16 and the handle portion 17.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a portion surrounded by the region A in the toothbrush shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.
4 and 5, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, one flock hole 19 is provided in the head portion 16. The flock hole 19 is exposed by the one surface 16a. The flocking hole 19 is a hole for flocking the hair bundle 14.
The diameter of the flock hole 19 in the portion exposed on the one surface 16a can be set to 3 mm, for example. Further, the depth d of the flocked hole 19 in the Z direction (the depth of the flocked hole 19 with respect to the one surface 16a) can be set as appropriate within a range of 3.0 to 6.0 mm, for example. .

The handle body 11 having the above configuration is manufactured by integral molding. The material of the handle body 11 can be determined in consideration of the rigidity and mechanical characteristics required for the handle body 11, for example, a hard material whose bending elastic modulus (JIS K7203) is in the range of 500 to 3000 MPa. Resin can be used.

Examples of such a hard resin include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile. Use one of butadiene / styrene resin (ABS), cellulose propionate (CP), polyarylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile / styrene copolymer resin (AS), or a combination of two or more. it can.

Referring to FIG. 5, the hair bundle 14 is configured by bundling a plurality of hairs, and has an embedded portion 14-1, a columnar portion 14-2, and a conical portion 14-3.
The embedded part 14-1 is a part accommodated in the flock hole 19. In FIG. 5, a columnar portion 14-2 is a portion disposed above the embedded portion 14-1, and is a portion that is not cut (cut).
The height H ₂ of the columnar portion 14-2 can be set as appropriate within a range of 3.0 to 8.0 mm, for example.
The conical portion 14-3 constitutes the tip end portion of the hair bundle 14, and is a portion having a conical shape by being cut (cut). The conical portion 14-3 is a portion that enters a periodontal pocket or between teeth when the toothbrush 10 is used.

6 is a cross-sectional view in the DD line direction of the conical portion of the bristle bundle constituting the toothbrush shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip of the tapered hair located in the vicinity of the apex of the conical portion shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end portion of the tapered hair arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the conical portion spaced from the vicinity of the apex of the conical portion.
6 to 8, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In FIG. 6, “reference numeral 23” is given to a plurality of tapered hairs that are configured by the same type of tapered hairs and that have different positions at which the tips are cut. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, only some of the plurality of tapers 23 that are densely packed with high density are actually illustrated.
In FIG. 7, for the convenience of explanation, “reference numeral 23-1” is given to the tapered hair shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, “reference numeral 23-2” is given to the tapered hair shown in FIG. 8. The tapered hairs 23-1 and 23-2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are made of the same type of tapered hair, and only the position where the tip is cut is different.
In addition, among the tapered bristles 23-1 and 23-2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, portions shown by dotted lines indicate cut portions.

Next, the configuration of the conical portion 14-3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 by taking as an example the case where the hair bundle 14 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the hair bundle 14 has a plurality of different cutting positions (positions based on the tip of the tapered hair 23 before cutting (the tip T ₂ shown in FIGS. 7 and 8)). The taper hair 23 can be configured. In this case, the plurality of taper hairs 23 have a cut surface 23a having an elliptical shape.
The plurality of cut surfaces 23a constitute side surfaces 14-3a of the conical portion 14-3. Thus, the angle formed by the cut surface 23a and the Z axis (in other words, the inclination angle of the cut surface 23a with respect to the Z direction) is equal to ½ of the apex angle θ of the conical portion 14-3.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the area of the cut surface 23-1a of the tapered bristles 23-1 disposed near the apex _{T 1} of the conical portion 14-3 constitutes the outer peripheral portion of the conical portion 14-3 It becomes smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cut surface 23-2a of the taper bristles 23-2.
In other words, the long axis E ₁ of the cut surface 23-1a which is an elliptical shape, there is a such shorter configuration than the major axis length of E ₂ of the cut surface 23-2a which is an elliptical shape.

That is, in FIG. 6, the cutting surface 23a is from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 14-3b of the conical portion 14-3 toward the apex T ₁ of the conical portion, the arrangement length of the long axis of the ellipse is shorter ing.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tapered bristles 23-1 constituting the vicinity of the top T ₁ of the conical portion 14-3, since the portion close to the tip T ₂ is cut, the cut surface which is an elliptical shape 23a- 1 is smaller (in other words, the tip of the tapered hair 23-1 after cutting has a small thickness), so that the tip penetration into the periodontal pockets and between the teeth can be improved and the gingiva is improved. It is possible to reduce the harmfulness.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the tapered bristles 23-2 disposed in the outer peripheral portion of the conical portion 14-3 which is separated from the vicinity of the top T ₁ of the conical portion 14-3, cutting away a portion from the tip T ₂ Has been.
This increases the area of the elliptical cut surface 23a-2 (in other words, the thickness of the tip of the tapered bristles 23-2 after cutting increases), thereby improving the plaque removal ability. Can do.

In addition, as the plurality of hairs constituting the hair bundle 14, for example, tapered hair may be used as described above. The tapered bristles have a tapered portion having a tapered shape and a base portion having a constant diameter. The tapered portion has the thinnest tip, and the diameter increases as the distance from the tip increases.
Therefore, by using the tapered bristles 23 as the plurality of hairs constituting the hair bundle 14 and forming the conical portion 14-3 in the tapered portion, the conical portion is formed from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 14-3b of the conical portion 14-3. toward the apex T ₁ of the 14-3, the long axis length of the cut surface 23a which is an elliptical shape it can be easily processed into a shape shorter.

The material for the hairs constituting the hair bundle 14 (including the tapered hairs 23) is not particularly limited. For example, polyamide such as 6-12 nylon (6-12NY) or 6-10 nylon (6-10NY) is used. , PET, PBT, Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), Polybutylene naphthalate (PBN) and other polyesters, PP and other polyolefins, Polyolefin elastomers, and elastomer resins such as styrene elastomers Such resin materials can be used.
The resin material may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Moreover, as the hair (including the taper hair 23) which comprises the hair | bristle bundle 14, for example, for the product made from polyester of the multi-core structure which has a core part and at least 1 layer or more sheath part which covers the outer side of this core part Hair may be used.
In addition, as a cross-sectional shape (a cross-sectional shape when the hair is cut in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction in FIG. 5) of the hair (including the tapered hair 23) constituting the hair bundle 14, for example, a perfect circle A circular cross-sectional shape such as a shape or an ellipse, or an irregular cross-sectional shape such as a substantially triangular shape or a substantially quadrangular shape can be used.

Further, the apex angle θ of the conical portion 14-3 is preferably set within a range of 60 degrees to 80 degrees, for example. Thus, by setting the apex angle θ of the conical portion 14-3 within a range of 60 degrees to 80 degrees, for example, it is possible to improve the tip entry property into the periodontal pockets and between the teeth, and the teeth. The ability to remove plaque can be improved.

Further, among the plurality of cutting surfaces which are an elliptical shape, the major axis in the range 23-1a near the vertex _{T 1,} for example, it may be 0.080 ~ 0.120 mm.
In this way, by setting the range of the long axis of the cut surface 23-1a having an elliptical shape to 0.080 to 0.120 mm, it is possible to improve the hair tip penetration into a periodontal pocket or between teeth, Harmful to gingiva can be reduced.

From the tip _{T 2} of the previous stage of the tapered bristles 23 forming the conical portion 14-3 portions of 8.0mm are of the tapered portion, the height _{H 3} of the conical portion 14-3, for example, a 2.0mm be able to. In this case, the height _{H 1} of the tufts 14 of the portion projecting from one surface 16a, for example, can be set to 9.0 mm.

According to the toothbrush of the present embodiment, the head portion 16 having the flocked hole 19 disposed on the one surface 16a side, the flocked hole 19 is flocked, the plurality of tapered bristles 23 are formed, and the tip is conical. A plurality of tapered bristles 23 having an elliptical cut surface 23a constituting a side surface 14-3a of the cone portion 14-3. 23a is flocked from the outer peripheral edge of the base of the cone portion 14-3 as buy the vertex direction T ₁ of the conical portion 14-3, that length of the long axis of the ellipse is shorter, the flocking holes 19 of the head portion 16 The bristles 14 including a plurality of tapered bristles 23 and including a conical portion 14-3 having a conical shape at the distal end portion are provided, and an elliptical shape constituting the side surface 14-3a of the conical portion 14-3 is provided. The cut surface 23a of the plurality of tapered bristles 23 is , Toward the apex _{T 1} of the conical portion 14-3 from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 14-3b of cone 14-3, by shortening the length of the major axis of the ellipse of the cut surface 23a, a conical portion 14-3 the area of 23a-1 of the cut surface of the tapered bristles 23-1 constituting the vicinity of the top T ₁ is reduced, since the thickness of the tip of the tapered bristles 23-1 after cutting becomes narrower, between periodontal pocket and teeth In addition to improving the hair tip penetration into the gingiva, it is possible to reduce the harmfulness to the gums.

The area of the cut surface 23a-2 of the tapered bristles 23-2 disposed in the outer peripheral portion of the conical portion 14-3 which is separated from the vicinity of the top _{T 1} of the conical portion 14-3 is increased (in other words, after cutting Since the thickness of the tip of the taper bristles 23-2 becomes thicker), the plaque removal ability can be improved.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view for explaining a process of forming a head part, a neck part, and a handle part collectively. FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining a process of planting a hair bundle composed of a plurality of bristles in a flocked hole, illustrating a manufacturing process of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the shape of the hair bundle when the hair bundle before cutting surrounded by the region F in the toothbrush being manufactured shown in FIG. 10 is divided into two in the vertical direction.
9 to 11, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Next, a manufacturing method of the toothbrush 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in the step shown in FIG. 9, a pair of molds (not shown) having a space (cavity) corresponding to the shape of the handle body 11 shown in FIG. 9 is prepared, and a hard resin (described earlier) is prepared in the space. The resin used as the material of the handle body 11 is injected.
Thereafter, after the hard resin is cured, the handle body 11 made of the cured resin is taken out from the pair of molds. Thereby, the handle body 11 having the flock holes 19 in the head portion 16 is formed.

Next, in the step shown in FIG. 10, the hair composed of the plurality of taper hairs 23 so that the tips T < _b > ₂ of the plurality of taper hairs 23 are arranged on the same plane S in the flock holes 19 provided in the head portion 16. The bundle 14 (hair bundle 14 before the conical portion 14-3 is formed) is implanted (see FIG. 11).
The flocking of the hair bundle 14 can be performed using, for example, a flat wire flocking method.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the hairs are arranged such that the tips of the plurality of tapered hairs 23 (the tips are not cut at this stage) constituting the hair bundle 14 are arranged on the same plane S. The bundle 14 is folded in two, and the flock holes 19 are implanted.
Thereafter, a metal (for example, brass) plate is pushed into the flock hole 19 from the inside of the bent hair bundle 14. Thereby, the hair | bristle bundle 26 is fixed in the flock hole 19, and the structure 25 shown in FIG. 10 is formed.

Next, the tip of the hair bundle 14 implanted in the flock hole 19 is brought close to a rotating cutter (not shown), and the tip of the hair bundle 26 is cut so that the tip of the hair bundle 14 has a cone. A shaped cone 14-3 is formed. Thereby, the toothbrush 10 of this Embodiment is manufactured.

According to the manufacturing method of the toothbrush of the present embodiment, the flocking holes 19 provided in the head portion 16, such that the tip T ₂ of the plurality of tapered bristles 23 are arranged on the same plane S, a plurality of tapered bristles 23, the front end of the hair bundle 14 implanted in the flock hole 19 is brought close to the front end of the hair bundle 14 at a slanting angle with respect to the rotating rotary blade 36. A step of forming a conical portion 14-3 having a conical shape at the tip of the hair bundle 14, and forming the conical portion 14-3 at the tapered portions of the plurality of tapered hairs 23. At the tips of the plurality of hair bundles 14, the length of the long axis of the ellipse becomes shorter from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 14-3 b of the cone portion 14-3 to the vertex T ₁ of the cone portion 14-3, and the cut surface 23 a is shortened. It can be easily formed and can reduce the harmfulness to gingiva. , It can improve hair entry of the periodontal pocket or interdental like, can be further improved plaque removal capability.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and within the scope of the present invention described in the claims, Various modifications and changes are possible.

For example, in the present embodiment, the one-tuft brush having one flock hole 19 has been described as an example of the toothbrush 10, but the present invention can also be applied to toothbrushes other than the one-tuft brush. Specifically, the bristles 14 having the conical portion 14-3 are arranged in the flock holes located at the tip of the head of a general toothbrush having a plurality of flock holes, and a plurality of bristles 14 in which the bristles 14 are not arranged are arranged. Another hair bundle may be arranged in the flock hole.
Further, the hair bundle 14 having the conical portion 14-3 may be disposed in the plurality of flock holes.

Hereinafter, test examples will be described.

(Production of toothbrush of Test Example 1)
The toothbrush of Test Example 1 (hereinafter referred to as “toothbrush U1”) will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.
In Test Example 1, the toothbrush U1 having the conical portion 14-3 was manufactured by performing the same process as the manufacturing process of the toothbrush 10 described above.
At this time, the diameter of the flock hole 19 provided in the head part 16 was 3.5 mm. As bristles constituting the hair bundle 14, tapered hairs having a base portion (a portion other than the tapered portion) with a diameter of 190 μm were used. Polybutylene terephthalate was used as the material for the tapered hair.
The apex angle θ of the conical portion 14-3 was 72 degrees. Measurement of the length of the major axis of the cutting surface 23a of the elliptical shape formed in a tapered bristles 23 is located in the vertex _{T 1} of the conical portion 14-3 was 0.045 mm.
The configuration of the toothbrush U1 of Test Example 1 is shown in Table 1.

 

 

(Production of toothbrush of Test Example 2)
The toothbrush of Test Example 2 (hereinafter referred to as “toothbrush U2”) will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.
In Test Example 2, the toothbrush U2 having the conical portion 14-3 was manufactured by performing the same process as the manufacturing process of the toothbrush 10 described above with reference to FIGS.
Toothbrush U2 in Test Example 2, except that the cut surface length of the long axis of the ellipse shape formed in a tapered bristles located at the apex T ₁ of the conical portion 14-3 and 0.086Mm, Test Example 1 The same configuration as that of the toothbrush U1.
The configuration of the toothbrush U2 of Test Example 2 is shown in Table 1.

(Production of toothbrush of Test Example 3)
The toothbrush of Test Example 3 (hereinafter referred to as “toothbrush U3”) will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.
In Test Example 3, the toothbrush U3 having the conical portion 14-3 was manufactured by performing the same process as the manufacturing process of the toothbrush 10 described above with reference to FIGS.
Toothbrush U3 of Test Example 3, except that the cut surface length of the long axis of the ellipse shape formed in a tapered bristles located at the apex T ₁ of the conical portion 14-3 and 0.117Mm, Test Example 1 The same configuration as that of the toothbrush U1.
The configuration of the toothbrush U3 of Test Example 3 is shown in Table 1.

(Production of toothbrush of Test Example 4)
The toothbrush (hereinafter referred to as “toothbrush U4”) of Test Example 4 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.
In Test Example 4, the toothbrush U4 having the conical portion 14-3 was manufactured by performing the same process as the manufacturing process of the toothbrush 10 described above with reference to FIGS.
Toothbrush U4 of Test Example 4, except that the cut surface length of the long axis of the ellipse shape formed in a tapered bristles located at the apex T ₁ of the conical portion 14-3 and 0.134Mm, Test Example 1 The same configuration as that of the toothbrush U1.
The configuration of the toothbrush U4 of Test Example 4 is shown in Table 1.

(Production of toothbrush of Test Example 5)
The toothbrush of Test Example 5 (hereinafter referred to as “toothbrush U5”) will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.
In Test Example 5, the toothbrush U5 having the conical portion 14-3 was manufactured by performing the same process as the manufacturing process of the toothbrush 10 described with reference to FIGS.
Toothbrush U5 Test Example 4, instead of the tapered bristles, straight hair (diameter of the base is 165 .mu.m, the material is 6-12 nylon) with use of, formed in a tapered bristles located at the apex _{T 1} of the conical portion 14-3 The configuration of the toothbrush U1 of Test Example 1 was the same as that of the toothbrush U1 of Test Example 1 except that the length of the major axis of the elliptical cut surface was 0.274 mm.
The configuration of the toothbrush U5 of Test Example 5 is shown in Table 1.

(Evaluation test of model cleaning power between teeth when using toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5)
Next, an evaluation test was performed on the model cleaning force between the teeth of the toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5.
The model cleaning power between the teeth was implemented and evaluated by the method described below.
First, red paint (Sakura white plate marker # 19 red, made by Sakura Crepas Co., Ltd.) between the right and left buccal first and second molars of the adult maxillary model (500AU, made by Nissin Co., Ltd.) A coated one was prepared.

Next, the tip of the head part and the base end of the head part are connected while pressing the toothbrushes U1 to U5 perpendicularly to the space between the first molar and the second molar forming the model plaque. Cleaning was performed by reciprocating 5 times with a stroke of 20 mm in the direction. At this time, the load was 100 g and the brushing speed was 120 rpm.
After cleaning, the plaque removal rate was measured by the following method.

Before the evaluation test of the interdental model cleaning power, the area occupied by the model plaque between the first and second molars was measured by image analysis. The area occupied by the model plaque at the site was measured and calculated by the following formula (1).

Dental plaque removal rate (%) = ((Plaque occupation area before interdental model cleaning ability test-Plaque occupation area after interdental model cleaning ability test) / (Tooth before interdental model cleaning ability test) Plaque occupation area)) x 100
... (1)

According to the above formula (1), among the calculated plaque removal rates, the teeth of Test Examples 1 to 4 which are other test examples when the plaque removal rate of Test Example 5 having the worst cleaning ability is 100% The plaque removal rate was quantified.

Based on Test Example 5, the digitized plaque removal rates (%) of Test Examples 1 to 4 were evaluated according to the following criteria.
When the plaque removal rate was larger than 120%, it was evaluated as “◎”. When the plaque removal rate was larger than 110% and 120% or less, it was evaluated as “good”.
When the calculus removal rate was larger than 105% and 110 or less, it was evaluated as Δ. Moreover, when the plaque removal rate was 100% or more and 105% or less, it was evaluated as x.
Table 1 shows the evaluation of the model cleaning force between the teeth determined according to the above criteria.

(Evaluation test of model cleaning power of tooth neck when using toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5)
Next, an evaluation test was performed on the model cleaning power of the tooth necks of the toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5.
The model cleaning power of the cervical part is obtained by applying red paint (Sakura white plate marker # 19 red, made by Sakura Crepas Co., Ltd.) to the right first buccal first molar of an adult upper jaw model (500 AU, made by Nissin Co., Ltd.) Except having used, it carried out by the method similar to the evaluation test of the model cleaning power between teeth demonstrated previously, and evaluated by the same method.
Table 1 shows the evaluation results of the model cleaning power of the tooth necks of the toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5.

(Evaluation test of usability (harmfulness) when using toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5)
Next, an evaluation test on the feeling of use (harmfulness) of the toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5 was performed.
The toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5 were used for 1 week by five expert panels, and the contact feeling against the gums was evaluated on a 7-point scale according to the following evaluation criteria.
At this time, one point was evaluated as “I felt very pain”, and seven points were rated as “I felt no pain”.

And the average value of evaluation of 5 persons was classified into the following judgment criteria, and it was set as evaluation of usability (harmfulness).
The case where the average value of 5 persons was 5.0 points or more was evaluated as ◎. The case where the average value of 5 persons was 4.0 points or more and less than 5.0 points was evaluated as ◯. The case where the average value of 5 persons was 3.0 points or more and less than 4.0 points was evaluated as Δ. The case where the average value of 5 persons was less than 3.0 points | pieces was evaluated as x.
The results are shown in Table 1.

(Evaluation results of model cleaning power between teeth of toothbrushes U1 to U5 of Test Examples 1 to 5, model cleaning power of tooth neck, and feeling of use (harmfulness))
Referring to Table 1, the toothbrush U5 of Test Example 5 has an evaluation result of “x” and the worst result in all the evaluations of the model cleaning power, the model cleaning power of the tooth neck, and the feeling of use (harmfulness). It became.
This is because, as the plurality of hairs constituting the hair bundle, straight hairs having substantially the same diameter in the direction in which the hairs extend are used, the areas of the plurality of cut surfaces are substantially the same, and the hair ends after cutting are the same. It is estimated that the thickness was uniform.

From the results of Test Examples 1 to 4 shown in Table 1, the toothbrush U2 of Test Example 2 in which the length of the major axis of the elliptical cut surface formed on the hair located at the apex of the conical portion is 0.086 mm. However, the best results were obtained in all the evaluations of the model cleaning power, the model cleaning power of the tooth neck, and the feeling of use (harmfulness).

Therefore, in order to obtain the best results in all the evaluations of model cleaning power, model cleaning power of the neck and neck, and feeling of use (harmfulness), it is formed on the hair located at the apex of the cone. Even if the length of the major axis of the cut surface of the elliptical shape is short (in the case of this evaluation test, 0.045 mm) or long (in the case of this evaluation test, 0.134 mm), it is inappropriate and appropriate. It was confirmed that there was a numerical range.

In addition, from the results shown in Table 1, when the length of the major axis of the elliptical cut surface formed on the hair located at the apex of the conical portion is short (in the case of this evaluation test, 0.045 mm), It was confirmed that the feeling was good (no harm was good).

On the other hand, when the length of the long axis of the elliptical cut surface formed on the hair located at the apex of the conical portion is larger than 0.117 mm (for example, 0.134 mm), the model cleaning force between teeth and the use It was confirmed that the feeling (harmfulness) deteriorated.
This is thought to be because the shape of the elliptical cut surface formed on the tapered bristles arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the conical portion increases, so that the feeling of hitting the teeth and gums approaches the straight hairs.

The present invention can be used for toothbrushes that have excellent hair tip penetration into periodontal pockets and between teeth, can reduce harm to gums, and have excellent plaque removal ability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Toothbrush, 11 ... Handle body, 14 ... Hair bundle, 14-1 ... Embedded part, 14-2 ... Columnar part, 14-3 ... Conical part, 14-3a ... Side, 14-3b ... Bottom, 16 ... Head Part, 16a ... one side, 17 ... handle part, 18 ... neck part, 19 ... flock hole, 21 ... anti-slip part, 23, 23-1, 23-2 ... taper hair, 23a, 23-1a, 23-2a ... Cut surface, 25 ... structure, d ... depth, E ₁ , E ₂ ... long axis, H ₁ , H ₂ , H ₃ ... height, T ₁ ... apex, T ₂ ... tip, θ ... apex angle

Claims (4)

A head portion having a flock hole arranged on one side;
A hair bundle having a conical portion planted in the flocked hole, comprising a plurality of hairs, and having a conical shape at the tip portion;
Including
The plurality of hairs have an oval cut surface that constitutes a side surface of the conical portion,
The toothbrush characterized by the length of the long axis of an ellipse becoming short as the said cut surface goes to the vertex of the said cone part from the outer periphery of the bottom face of the said cone part. The plurality of hairs are tapered hairs,
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the conical portion is disposed in a plurality of tapered portions of the tapered bristles. The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an apex angle of the conical portion is in a range of 60 degrees to 80 degrees. The long axis range of the cut surface of the bristle located near the apex of the conical portion among the plurality of bristles is 0.080 to 0.120 mm. Of these, the toothbrush according to any one of the above.

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