WO2022138024A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush according to the present invention has at least a head part having a brush part on the front surface thereof, wherein: the brush part has a plurality of soft resin parts standing upright from the front surface; each of the soft resin parts includes a shaft section that stands upright with respect to the front surface, an enlarged section formed on the tip end side of the shaft section, and a narrow constricted section that is formed at the boundary between the shaft section and the enlarged section and that is at least narrower than the enlarged section; and the height of the shaft sections is taller than the height of the enlarged sections in a normal direction of the front surface.

Description

toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush.
The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-216667 filed in Japan on December 25, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In recent years, as a basic configuration of a toothbrush, in addition to the effect of cleaning the oral cavity, the effect of massaging the gums has been required. As a conventional technique, in order to improve the massage effect, there is a technique of making the arrangement of the hair bundles arranged on the outer peripheral side into a C shape or the like in the arrangement of a plurality of hair bundles constituting the brush portion. In addition, some structures have been proposed to achieve both a cleaning effect on the tooth surface and the cervical region and a massage effect on the gums (for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in a toothbrush considering a massage effect on the gums, a technique focusing on the gentleness of contact with the gums is not disclosed. That is, it was difficult to achieve both a massage effect on the oral cavity (gingiva) and a gentle touch on the oral cavity (gingiva).
Furthermore, there is a limit to realizing the massage effect on the oral cavity (gingiva) and the gentleness of contact with only the hair bundle.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-300347

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that can enhance both a massage effect on the oral cavity and a gentle touch.

The toothbrush in one embodiment of the present invention is a toothbrush having at least a head portion having a brush portion on the front surface, the brush portion has a plurality of soft resin portions standing up from the front surface, and the soft resin portion is a soft resin portion. A shaft portion that stands up against the front surface, an enlarged portion formed on the tip end side of the shaft portion, and a constricted portion formed at the boundary between the shaft portion and the enlarged portion and at least narrower than the enlarged portion. The height of the shaft portion is larger than the height of the enlarged portion in the normal direction of the front surface.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity can be enhanced by providing an enlarged portion at the tip of the soft resin portion to increase the contact area with the oral cavity.
Further, by providing a constricted portion thinner than the enlarged portion at the boundary between the shaft portion and the enlarged portion, it is possible to appropriately bend the enlarged portion with respect to the shaft portion starting from the constricted portion.
Further, since the length of the shaft portion is larger than the length of the enlarged portion in the normal direction with respect to the front surface of the head portion, the entire shaft portion can be appropriately bent. As a result, it is possible to enhance both the massage effect on the oral cavity in the soft resin portion and the gentle touch on the oral cavity.

In one form of the toothbrush of the present invention, the shaft portion has a shape in which at least the tip side in the normal direction connected to the constricted portion narrows toward the constricted portion, and the enlarged portion is formed from the constricted portion. The shape may be such that the thickness increases as the distance increases and the shape becomes thinner again toward the tip from the position where the maximum axial width is obtained.
According to this configuration, since the shaft portion has a tapered shape, the entire shaft portion tends to bend. In addition, the shape of the enlarged part becomes thicker as it goes away from the constricted part, and it becomes thinner again toward the tip from the position where the maximum axial width is reached, so that the contact area of the enlarged part with respect to the oral cavity is increased. Starting from the constricted part, the enlarged part becomes more flexible, and it is possible to further enhance both the massage effect on the oral cavity and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity.

In one form of the toothbrush of the present invention, the enlarged portion may have a spherical shape.
According to this configuration, it is easy to mold, and it is possible to enhance both the massage effect on the oral cavity and the gentle touch on the oral cavity.

In the toothbrush of one embodiment of the present invention, the maximum axial width of the enlarged portion is within the range of 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, and the minimum axial width of the constricted portion is 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. Within the range, the maximum shaft width of the shaft portion may be within the range of 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.
According to this configuration, the constricted portion has a shape thinner than that of the enlarged portion and the shaft portion, and the enlarged portion tends to bend from the constricted portion as a starting point.
Further, by setting the maximum axial width of the enlarged portion and the maximum axial width of the shaft within the above range, appropriate bending and contact with the oral cavity become possible, and the soft resin portion can enter the oral cavity. It is possible to improve both the massage effect and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity.

In the toothbrush of one aspect of the present invention, when the maximum cross-sectional area in the shaft portion is X, the minimum cross-sectional area in the constricted portion is Y, and the maximum cross-sectional area in the enlarged portion is Z, the value of Y / X is 0. The configuration may be such that the Z / X value is within the range of .2 or more and 0.75 or less, and is within the range of 0.25 or more and 2.0 or less.
According to this configuration, it becomes possible to transmit the stiffness of the base side of the soft resin portion to the tip, and a sufficient massage effect into the oral cavity can be obtained.

In the toothbrush of one embodiment of the present invention, in the plurality of adjacent soft resin portions, the minimum distance between the shaft portions is within the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and the minimum distance between the enlarged portions is set. The configuration may be within the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
According to this configuration, it becomes difficult for the enlarged portions of the adjacent soft resin portions to come into contact with each other, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the feeling of contact with the oral cavity.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the toothbrush includes a plurality of blocks having the plurality of soft resin portions and a base portion connecting the base end sides of the plurality of soft resin portions, and the head portion has a plurality of bristles. It has a first region in which a bundle is planted and a plurality of second regions in which the block is arranged, and the sum of the widths of the plurality of second regions with respect to the total width of the head portion is the sum of the widths of the plurality of second regions. The configuration may be within the range of 10.0% or more and 50.0% or less.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of blocks can apply a sufficient load at the time of contact with the oral cavity during brushing, a sufficient massage effect into the oral cavity can be obtained. Further, by providing a plurality of blocks, the plurality of soft resin portions in each block come into contact with the gums, so that the load on the gums is dispersed and the hitting comfort can be improved.

In the toothbrush of one embodiment of the present invention, the total total cross-sectional area of the enlarged portion is within the range of 15.0% or more and 70.0% or less with respect to the total area of the plurality of second regions. It may be configured.
According to this configuration, the soft resin portion flexes moderately during brushing, and when it comes into contact with the gums, a sufficient load is applied. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both a massage effect in the oral cavity and a feeling of contact.

In one form of the toothbrush of the present invention, the total area of the plurality of second regions may be smaller than the area of the first region.
According to this configuration, when the area of the first region has a sufficient size with respect to the total area of the plurality of second regions, it is possible to achieve both a cleaning effect and a hitting comfort.

In one form of the toothbrush of the present invention, the density of the plurality of hair bundles in the first region may be higher than the density of the plurality of soft resin portions in the plurality of second regions.
According to this configuration, the density of the hair bundle is larger than the density of the soft resin portion in the head portion, so that the number of hair bundles in the brush portion can be sufficiently secured, and the cleaning effect in the oral cavity is ensured. be able to.

In one form of the toothbrush of the present invention, the area of the first region may be larger than the sum of the maximum cross-sectional areas of each enlarged portion in the plurality of soft resin portions.
According to this configuration, since the first area has a sufficient size for the total maximum cross-sectional area of each enlarged portion in the plurality of soft resin portions, the oral cavity is ensured to have a feeling of cleaning in the oral cavity. It is possible to enhance both the massage effect inside and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity.

The toothbrush of one aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush provided with a head portion having a brush portion on the bristle-planted surface, which comprises a part of the head portion and has a head constituent portion made of a first resin and the head portion. The soft resin portion comprises a plurality of soft resin portions made of a second resin as well as a part of the brush portion, and a plurality of hair bundles provided in the head constituent portion, and the soft resin portion is the brush portion. It has a plurality of elastomer portions constituting the above and an elastomer base connecting the base end sides of the plurality of elastomer portions, and the elastomer base is a pair of both sides in the length direction or the width direction of the head portion. The end portion is connected to the head constituent portion, and has a movable portion that is separated from the head constituent portion and is movable in the thickness direction and the width direction of the elastomer base.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the head component portion may have at least a soft resin accommodating portion that opens to the flocked surface, and the soft resin portion may be arranged in the soft resin accommodating portion.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the soft resin accommodating portion may be configured to penetrate in the thickness direction of the head constituent portion.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the soft resin portion has a plurality of elastomer portions extending vertically from the front surface of the elastomer base, and the elastomer portion is formed on the movable portion in the length direction of the elastomer base. At least three or more may be arranged side by side.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the thickness of at least the movable portion of the elastomer base is thinner than the thickness of the head component, and there is a space on the back surface side of the movable portion in the soft resin accommodating portion. It may be configured.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the head component has a pair of hard resin side fixing portions in which the pair of ends of the soft resin portion are fixed in the soft resin accommodating portion, and the elastomer base. May have a configuration in which a second locking portion that can be locked to the first locking portion formed in the pair of hard resin side fixing portions is provided.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the thickness of the movable portion may be preferably in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.

In one aspect of the toothbrush of the present invention, the height of the elastomer portion from the surface to the tip of the elastomer base may be shorter than the hair length of the hair bundle from the flocked surface to the tip.

The present invention can provide a toothbrush that can enhance both the massage effect on the oral cavity and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity. Further, in the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that can achieve both cleanability and massage effect.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a head portion of the toothbrush of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a head portion of the toothbrush of one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a head portion in the toothbrush of one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a head portion of the toothbrush of one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship between adjacent soft resin portions in the toothbrush of one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the configuration of the toothbrush main body in the toothbrush of one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the overall configuration of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A is an enlarged front view showing a head portion of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is an enlarged side view showing the head portion of the toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 13 is a front view showing the configuration of the toothbrush main body. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the configuration of the toothbrush main body. FIG. 15 is a rear view showing the configuration of the toothbrush main body. FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view showing the head component of the toothbrush body. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. FIG. 19 is a side view showing the configuration of the toothbrush in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a head component of the toothbrush shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a head component of the toothbrush shown in FIG.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
It should be noted that the following embodiments show one aspect of the present invention, do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure are different from the actual structure.

<Toothbrush>
The toothbrush 1 of the embodiment in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1 to 6.
In the following description, the side of the head portion 4 where the brush portion 2 is provided is the front side (planar side), and the side opposite to the side facing the front surface 4a of the head portion 4 is the back side. In addition, the direction in which the toothbrush body 3 extends is the Z direction (long axis direction), the direction orthogonal to the Z direction (long axis direction) is the short axis direction, parallel to the front surface 4a, and the Z direction (long axis direction). The X direction orthogonal to is the width direction, and the Y direction orthogonal to the front surface 4a is the thickness direction. Further, the side where the head portion 4 is provided is the tip end side, and the side opposite to the tip end side (neck portion 5 side) is the rear end side.

(Brush part)
As shown in FIG. 1, the brush portion 2 has a brush portion 21 composed of a plurality of hair bundles 21a and a pair of blocks 22 having a plurality of soft resin portions 23.
The brush portion 21 has a plurality of hair bundles 21a provided in the central portion in the width direction (X direction) from the front end side to the rear end side in the long axis direction (Z direction) in the head portion 4. The plurality of hair follicles 21a may be planted in a plurality of hair follicles 4b opened in the front surface 4a of the head portion 4 by using a flat line or the like, and are integrally molded hair follicles such as insert molding. May be good.

Examples of the plurality of hairs constituting the hair bundle 21a include straight hairs, hairs whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tips (tapered hairs), tip branch hairs, spiral hairs, and hairs with irregular cross sections. Examples of the tip shape of the hair bundle 21a include flat cutting, mountain cutting, convex shape, and concave shape. Further, an offset shape may be formed in which a step is provided between the half-hair bundles with the flat line as a boundary. The type of hair to be used and the shape of the tip of the hair bundle 21a are appropriately set in consideration of the cleaning effect required for the brush portion 21 and the feeling of contact with the gums.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of blocks 22 are provided on both sides of the head portion 4 in the width direction (X direction), one on the outside of the brush portion 21. Each block 22 is entirely made of a soft resin material.

Examples of the soft resin material constituting the block 22 include polyolephine-based thermoplastic elastomers, polystyrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, 1,2-polybutadiene-based thermoplastic elastomers, and ethylene-acetic acid. Examples thereof include vinyl-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyvinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers, natural rubber-based thermoplastic elastomers, fluoroplastic elastomers, and transpolyisoprene-based thermoplastic elastomers.

(Base 24)
As shown in FIG. 1, the block 22 has a plurality of soft resin portions 23, and a base portion 24 that connects and supports the proximal ends of the plurality of soft resin portions 23.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion 24 is a portion arranged in the through hole 4c formed in the head portion 4. The thickness of the base portion 24 substantially matches the thickness of the head portion 4. Therefore, the front surface 4a of the head portion 4 and the surface 24a of the base portion 24 are substantially flush with each other.
As shown in FIG. 2, the plan view shape of the base portion 24 substantially matches the plan view shape of the through hole 4c on the head portion 4 side, has a length along the axial direction, and has a front end side and a rear view. The end side forms a semi-arc shape.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plurality of soft resin portions 23 stand upright from the surface 24a of the base portion 24. In the present embodiment, four soft resin portions 23 are provided on one side in the width direction (X direction), but the number of the soft resin portions 23 is not limited to this, depending on the size of the head portion 4 and the like. Can be changed as appropriate.
The total number of the soft resin portions 23 (the total number of pairs on both sides in the width direction (X direction)) is preferably 2 or more and 16 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 12 or less.

The four soft resin portions 23 on one side in the width direction (X direction) are arranged at equal intervals in the length direction of the base portion 24. Of these four soft resin portions 23, the soft resin portion 23 located at the tip end in the length direction of the base portion 24 and the soft resin portion 23 located at the rearmost end in the length direction of the base portion 24 , Is arranged inside in the length direction from the front end and the rear end of the base portion 24.

The soft resin portion 23 is formed at the boundary between the shaft portion 23A that rises vertically from the surface 24a of the base portion 24, the enlarged portion 23B formed on the tip end side of the shaft portion 23A, and the shaft portion 23A and the enlarged portion 23B. It has a constricted portion 23C and.
It is preferable that the outer diameter contour lines on both sides of the soft resin portion 23 in the width direction are formed line-symmetrically with respect to the center line O extending in the height direction (Y direction) of the soft resin portion 23. Here, the height direction of the soft resin portion 23 coincides with the normal direction with respect to the front surface 4a of the head portion 4.
In this embodiment, the shapes of the four soft resin portions are all the same.

(Shaft 23A)
In the aspect of FIG. 3, the shaft portion 23A has a tapered shape in which the base end side connected to the base portion 24 is the thickest and becomes thinner toward the tip end side. Further, the shaft portion 23A has a circular cross-sectional shape intersecting the center line O, and the diameter is gradually reduced from the proximal end side to the distal end side. In the present embodiment, the maximum diameter of the shaft portion 23A is preferably substantially equal to or other than the width of the base portion 24.

(Enlarged part 23B)
In the aspect of FIG. 3, the enlarged portion 23B has a circular cross-sectional shape intersecting in the height direction (Y direction), and the overall shape is a spherical shape. The diameter of the enlarged portion 23B is gradually increased from the shaft portion 23A side to the tip side in the length direction (height direction) of the soft resin portion 23, and the diameter is expanded the most (hereinafter, the thickest portion 23b). It forms a shape that gradually shrinks in diameter from to the tip side. Since the enlarged portion 23B of the present embodiment has a spherical shape, the thickest portion 23b of the enlarged portion 23B is located substantially in the center of the enlarged portion 23B in the length direction of the soft resin portion 23.

(Constriction 23C)
In the aspect of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the constricted portion 23C has a curved line 23c1 extending in an arc shape from the tip end of the shaft portion 23A to the rear end of the enlarged portion 23B around the axis of the center line O. .. The curve 23c1 has a center of curvature on the outside of the soft resin portion 23. In the curve 23c1, the position where the change starts from the tip end side of the shaft portion 23A toward the enlarged portion 23B is defined as the boundary P between the shaft portion 23A and the enlarged portion 23B.
As in the aspect of FIG. 3, the constricted portion 23C may be a straight line instead of a curved line extending in an arc shape.

The height (height of the shaft portion 23A) H1 from the base end of the soft resin portion 23 to the boundary P is larger than the height H2 from the boundary P to the tip of the enlarged portion 23B (H1> H2). As a result, the entire soft resin portion 23 is appropriately bent according to the bending of the hair bundle 21a, and the enlarged portion 23B is appropriately bent with respect to the shaft portion 23A starting from the constricted portion 23C. As a result, it is possible to enhance the gentleness of the soft resin portion 23 in contact with the oral cavity.
The boundary P is defined with reference to the side view direction of the head portion 4.

In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 23A has a reduced diameter from the base portion 23a connected to the base portion 24, and has a tapered shape as a whole in the height direction, but is not limited to this shape.
For example, the diameter may not start from the base 23a of the shaft portion 23A, but may start from a predetermined position about several mm away from the base 23a. That is, the base portion 23a of the shaft portion 23A may have a cylindrical shape. Further, the shaft portion 23A that does not reduce the diameter may be used, and the entire shaft portion 23A in the height direction may have a cylindrical shape. The shaft portion 23A may have a shape that maintains the same thickness from the base end side and is connected to the enlarged portion 23B.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the enlarged portion 23B is a spherical shape, but the shape is not limited to this shape.
The shape of the enlarged portion 23B can be appropriately changed to another shape, for example, as long as it becomes thicker from the tip of the shaft portion 23A and becomes thinner again toward the tip.
The cross-sectional shape and the overall shape of the enlarged portion 23B may be polygonal or irregular.

(Toothbrush body)
The toothbrush body 3 has a head portion 4 having a brush portion 2 on the front surface 4a, a neck portion 5 extending from the head portion 4 toward the rear end side in the long axis direction (Z-axis direction), and a rear end of the neck portion 5. It has a handle portion (not shown) extending toward the rear end side opposite to the head portion 4, and is made of a hard resin.

Examples of the hard resin constituting the toothbrush body 3 include polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), and acrylic nitrile-butadiene-styrene resin. (ABS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), acryliconitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), cellulose propionate (CP), polyarylate, and the like. Further, a biodegradable resin, a plant-derived resin, a paper-blended resin, a plant-blended resin and the like may be used. Among these, polypropylene (PP) is preferably used because of its excellent moldability and cost advantage.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a pair of through holes 4c for arranging the pair of blocks 22 are formed in the head portion 4 of the toothbrush main body 3.
One through hole 4c is formed on each side of the head portion 4 in the width direction. Each through hole 4c is formed so as to penetrate the thickness direction (Y direction) of the head portion 4, and opens to each of the front surface 4a and the back surface 4d. The pair of through holes 4c are elongated holes extending linearly along the length direction of the head portion 4, and the front end side and the rear end side in a plan view form a semi-arc shape. The width of the through hole 4c substantially matches the width of the block 22.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, inside the pair of through holes 4c, a fixing portion 4f for fixing the block 22 is formed in each through hole 4c. The fixing portion 4f is located substantially in the center of the through hole 4c in the length direction (Z direction), and has a width such that the inner peripheral surfaces 4e on both sides in the width direction of the inner peripheral surfaces 4e of the through hole 4c are connected to each other. It is formed over a direction (X direction). Further, each fixed portion 4f is located substantially at the center of the head portion 4 in the thickness direction (Y direction), and is located inside the head portion 4 away from the front surface 4a and the back surface 4d.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of the fixed portion 4f along the length direction (Z direction) of the head portion 4 is a rectangular shape, but may be a circular shape or a shape other than these.
Further, the number of the fixed portions 4f formed in the through hole 4c is not limited to one. A plurality of fixing portions 4f may be provided at intervals in the length direction (Z direction) of the through holes 4c.

As shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 4c is composed of two tapered holes 4c1 and 4c2.
The first tapered hole 4c1 has a shape that opens in the front surface 4a of the head portion 4 and expands outward in the axial direction (Z direction) toward the front surface 4a side in the thickness direction (Y direction) of the head portion 4. Eggplant.
The second tapered hole 4c2 has a shape that opens in the back surface 4d of the head portion 4 and expands outward in the axial direction toward the back surface 4d side in the thickness direction of the head portion 4.
The first taper hole 4c1 and the second taper hole 4c2 are holes formed in the case of the configuration having the fixing portion 4f, and communicate with each other in the thickness direction of the head portion 4.

In the present embodiment, the toothbrush body 3 is injection-molded by primary molding using a hard resin material, and then the block 22 is formed in each through hole 4c of the head portion 4 by performing secondary molding using a soft resin material. Each is injection molded. By forming the block 22 so as to surround the fixing portion 4f in the through hole 4c at the time of secondary molding, the fixed state of the block 22 with respect to the head portion 4 is maintained.

In the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, the surface area on the tip side is increased by making the tip shape of the soft resin portion 23 in contact with the oral cavity an enlarged shape (particularly, a spherical shape), and the contact area with the gums and the like is increased. The gentleness of contact at the time of contact is improved. As a result, even when the hardness of the soft resin portion 23 is increased in order to increase the massage effect on the oral cavity, it is possible to ensure the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity.
Further, since the shaft portion 23A of the soft resin portion 23 has a shape in which the diameter is reduced from the base portion 23a side toward the tip side, the diameter is smaller than that of the base end side of the shaft portion 23A when a load during brushing is applied. The tip side of the shaft portion 23A including the constricted portion 23C becomes easy to bend, and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity can be further improved.
Further, between the shaft portion 23A and the enlarged portion 23B at the tip, there is a constricted portion 23C having a diameter smaller than that of the thickest portion 23b of the enlarged portion 23B. By providing the constricted portion 23C on the tip side (base side of the enlarged portion 23B) in this way, in order to improve the contact comfort of the tip with respect to the oral cavity, even in the shape where the tip side is enlarged, the tip side in the constricted portion 23C. Because of the flexibility of the mouth, it is possible to achieve both a massage effect on the oral cavity and a gentle touch. In particular, when a load is applied to the enlarged portion 23B during brushing, the tip side of the shaft portion 23A including the constricted portion 23C is more likely to bend than the base end side of the shaft portion 23A, but when an excessive load is applied, the tip side is more likely to bend. By positively bending the constricted portion 23C, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gentleness of hitting, and it is possible to further enhance both the massage effect on the oral cavity and the gentleness of hitting.
Further, since the cross-sectional shape of at least one of the base portion 23a and the constricted portion 23C is circular or substantially circular, the bending direction is not restricted in a specific direction when an excessive load is applied, so that the oral cavity is not restricted. It is possible to further enhance both the massage effect on the skin and the gentleness of the touch.

<Example>
Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be further clarified by examples.
The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without changing the gist thereof.

(Details of the block)
As shown in FIG. 3, the block 22 has a plurality of soft resin portions 23 and a base portion 24 connecting the base portions 23a side of the plurality of soft resin portions 23.

(Overall height H of the soft resin portion 23)
As shown in FIG. 5, in the normal direction in the front surface 4a of the head portion 4, the total height H of the soft resin portion 23 is preferably in the range of 8.0 mm or more and 15.0 mm or less, preferably 8.0 mm or more. 12.0 mm or less is more preferable, and 9.0 mm or more and 11.0 mm or less is further preferable. In the above embodiment, it is 10.0 mm. By setting the overall height H of the soft resin portion 23 within the above range, the entire soft resin portion 23 flexes appropriately during brushing, and a sufficient load is applied when the soft resin portion 23 comes into contact with the gums, so that the entire soft resin portion 23 hits the oral cavity. It is possible to achieve both comfort and massage effect.
On the other hand, when the total height H of the soft resin portion 23 is less than 8.0 mm or more than 15.0 mm, the balance of bending with the brush portion 21 is not balanced, and a feeling of contact with the oral cavity and a massage effect can be obtained. It becomes difficult.

(Height H1 of shaft portion 23A)
Among the soft resin portions 23, the height H1 of the shaft portion 23A corresponds to the height from the surface 24a of the base portion 24 to the boundary P, and is preferably in the range of 4.0 mm or more and 11.0 mm or less. It is more preferably 0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and further preferably 7.0 mm or more and 9.0 mm or less. In the above embodiment, it is 8.0 mm. By setting the height H1 of the shaft portion 23A within the above range, the balance of bending with the brush portion 21 becomes good, and it becomes difficult to obtain a feeling of contact with the oral cavity and a massage effect.
On the other hand, when the height H1 of the shaft portion 23A is less than 4.0 mm or exceeds 11.0 mm, the balance of bending with the brush portion 21 is not balanced, and it becomes difficult to obtain a feeling of contact with the oral cavity and a massage effect.
The boundary P is defined with reference to the side view direction of the head portion 4.

(Height H2 of enlarged portion 23B)
As shown in FIG. 5, in the soft resin portion 23, the height H2 of the enlarged portion 23B corresponds to the length from the boundary P to the tip of the enlarged portion 23B, and is in the range of 1.3 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less. The inside is preferable, 1.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less are more preferable, and 1.5 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less are further preferable. In the above embodiment, it is 2.3 mm.
In the present embodiment, among the soft resin portions 23, the height H1 of the shaft portion 23A is larger than the height H2 of the enlarged portion 23B, and it is preferable that the relationship of H1> H2 is satisfied.

(Maximum axial width D1 of base 23a)
Among the soft resin portions 23, the shaft portion 23A whose diameter is reduced from the base portion 23a toward the tip has the thickest base portion 23a.
The maximum shaft width D1 of the base portion 23a in the shaft portion 23A is preferably in the range of 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. Is even more preferable. In the above embodiment, it is 2.1 mm.
D1 is the maximum width of the base portion 23a in the shaft portion 23A when the soft resin portion 23 is viewed from the side view or the front view direction. If the cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 23A is circular, its diameter is D1, if the cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 23A is substantially circular, the maximum diameter is D1, and if the cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 23A is polygonal, the circumscribing circle. Let the diameter be D1. When the cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 23A is a polygon having a dent, the maximum width in the cross-sectional shape is D1.
By setting the content within the above range, the shaft portion 23A has appropriate flexibility and is comfortable to hit in the oral cavity. Further, when the shaft portion 23A has a shape in which the diameter is reduced from the base portion 23a toward the tip end side, the shaft portion 23A is easily bent by the load at the time of brushing, and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity can be ensured.
On the other hand, if it is less than 1.0 mm, the shaft portion 23A bends too much on the base portion 23a side, and it is difficult to obtain a massage effect into the oral cavity. On the other hand, if it exceeds 4.0 mm, the flexibility of the shaft portion 23A on the base portion 23a side may be lost, and the feeling of contact with the oral cavity may decrease.

(Minimum axial width D2 of constriction 23C)
In the present embodiment, the minimum axial width of the constricted portion 23C is D2 shown in FIG. That is, among the soft resin portions 23, the minimum axial width D2 of the narrowest portion (hereinafter, the finest part) in the constricted portion 23C is preferably within the range of 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, preferably 0.8 mm or more. 2.0 mm or less is more preferable, and 0.8 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less are further preferable. In the above embodiment, it is 1.2 mm.
D2 has the soft resin portion 23 as the minimum width in the constricted portion 23C when viewed from the side view or the front view direction. If the cross-sectional shape of the constricted portion 23C is circular, the diameter is D2, if the cross-sectional shape of the constricted portion 23C is substantially circular, the maximum diameter is D2, and if the cross-sectional shape of the constricted portion 23C is polygonal, the circumscribed circle. Let the diameter be D2. When the cross-sectional shape of the constricted portion 23C is a polygon having a dent, the maximum width in the cross-sectional shape is D2.
Within the above range, molding becomes easy, and the boundary P is appropriately bent to enhance the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity.
On the other hand, if it is less than 0.8 mm, molding becomes difficult. On the other hand, if it exceeds 3.0 mm, the flexibility at the boundary P decreases and it becomes difficult to bend.

(Maximum axial width D3 of enlarged portion 23B)
In the present embodiment, the maximum axial width of the enlarged portion 23B is D3. That is, among the soft resin portions 23, the maximum axial width D3 of the portion thickest in the enlarged portion 23B (hereinafter, the thickest portion 23b) is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, preferably 1.0 mm. As mentioned above, 3.5 mm or less is more preferable, and 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less are further preferable. In the above embodiment, it is 2.0 mm.
D3 has the enlarged portion 23B as the maximum width in the enlarged portion 23B when viewed from the side view or the front view direction. If the cross-sectional shape of the enlarged portion 23B is circular, the diameter is D3, if the cross-sectional shape of the enlarged portion 23B is substantially circular, the maximum diameter is D3, and if the enlarged portion 23B is polygonal, the diameter of the circumscribed circle is D3. And. When the cross-sectional shape of the enlarged portion 23B is a polygon having a dent, the maximum width in the cross-sectional shape is D3.
Within the above range, the surface area of the enlarged portion 23B is increased, the contact area with respect to the gums is increased, and the massage effect is enhanced.
On the other hand, if it is less than 1.0 mm, it is difficult to obtain a massage effect into the oral cavity. On the other hand, if it exceeds 4.0 mm, the degree of bending with the brush portion 21 may not be balanced, and the feeling of contact with the oral cavity may decrease.

When the base cross-sectional area of the shaft portion 23A is X and the maximum cross-sectional area of the thickest portion 23b of the enlarged portion 23B is Z in the direction intersecting the center line O of the soft resin portion 23, the value of Z / X is 0. It is preferably in the range of 25 or more and 2.0 or less, more preferably 0.5 or more and 2.0 or less, and further preferably 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less.
That is, it is preferable that the maximum cross-sectional area Z with respect to the base cross-sectional area X is within the range of 0.25 times or more and 2.0 times or less. In the above-described embodiment, the diameter of the base portion 23a is 2.1 mm, the diameter of the thickest portion 23b is 2.0 mm, and the thickness of the thickest portion 23b of the enlarged portion 23B is substantially equal to the thickness of the base portion 23a. With such a shape, it becomes possible to transmit the stiffness on the base 23a side to the tip, and a sufficient massage effect into the oral cavity can be obtained.

When the base cross-sectional area of the shaft portion 23A is X and the finest cross-sectional area of the constricted portion 23C (boundary P: minimum shaft width) is Y in the direction intersecting the center line O of the soft resin portion 23, Y The value of / X is preferably in the range of 0.2 or more and 0.75 or less, more preferably 0.4 or more and 0.7 or less, and further preferably 0.5 or more and 0.7 or less.
That is, it is preferable that the most detailed cross-sectional area Y with respect to the base cross-sectional area X is within the range of 0.2 times or more and 0.75 times or less. In the above-described embodiment, the diameter of the base portion 23a is 2.1 mm, the diameter of the finest detail (minimum axial width) is 1.2 mm, and the finest detail (boundary P) is thinner than the base portion 23a. With such a shape, the stiffness of the base 23a can be relaxed, and the gentleness of contact with the oral cavity is improved.

In this way, by setting the relationship between the base cross-sectional area X, the finest cross-sectional area Y, and the maximum cross-sectional area Z in the soft resin portion 23 within the above range, the massage effect in the oral cavity and the feeling of contact in the oral cavity can be achieved. It is possible to achieve both kindness.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of soft resin portions 23 are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the head portion 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, among the adjacent soft resin portions 23, the minimum distance d3 between the enlarged portions 23B is preferably within the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and 0.5 mm or more and 1 It is more preferably 0.7 mm or less, and further preferably 0.7 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. In the above embodiment, it is 1.1 mm.

Of the adjacent soft resin portions 23, the maximum distance d2 between the finest details (boundary P) is preferably in the range of 1.0 mm or more and 5.2 mm or less, and 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. More preferably, it is 1.5 mm or more, and further preferably 2.3 mm or less.

Of the adjacent soft resin portions 23, the minimum distance d1 between the base portions 23a is preferably within the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.8 mm or more and 1.6 mm or less, and 0. It is more preferably 6.6 mm or more and 1.4 mm or less. In the above embodiment, it is 1.0 mm.

By keeping the minimum distance d1 between the enlarged portions 23B and the minimum distance d3 between the base portions 23a within the above ranges among the adjacent soft resin portions 23, the enlarged portions 23B of the adjacent soft resin portions 23 come into contact with each other. It becomes difficult and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the feeling of contact with the oral cavity.

As shown in FIG. 4, the head portion 4 of the above embodiment has a pair of blocks 22. It is preferable that the total width W2 of the base portion 24 in the pair of blocks 22 is within the range of 10.0% or more and 55.0% or less with respect to the total width W1 (for example, 15 mm) of the head portion 4. 15.0% or more and 45.0% or less are more preferable, and 20.0% or more and 35.0% or less are further preferable. In the above embodiment, since the width of each base portion 24 is about 2 mm, the total width (total width) of the width W2 of the base portion 24 is about 27% with respect to the total width W1 of the head portion 4.
By setting the total width (total width) of the width W2 of the pair of base portions 24 with respect to the overall width W1 of the head portion 4 within the above range, a sufficient load can be applied at the time of contact with the oral cavity during brushing. , A sufficient massage effect into the oral cavity can be obtained. In addition, since one row on each side and a total of two rows of soft resins come into contact with the gums, the load on the gums is dispersed and the hitting comfort can be improved.

The head portion 4 of the above embodiment has a pair of blocks 22, but the number of blocks 22 is not limited to two. For example, a total of four blocks 22 may be provided in two rows on each side.

When the length L1 of the head portion 4 (hereinafter, head length) L1 is within the range of 20.0 mm or more and 30.0 mm or less, the length L2 of the base portion 24 with respect to the head length L1 is 10% or more and 91% or less. It is preferably within the range of 25.0% or more, more preferably 75.0% or less, still more preferably 40.0% or more and 55.0% or less. In the above embodiment, the length L2 of the base portion 24 is about 12.0 mm. The minimum length L2 of the base portion 24 is 3.0 mm.
The length L1 of the head portion 4 is the end point of the curve forming the corner cut from the neck portion 5, that is, the position where the bending direction of the curve forming the corner cut changes in the plan view shape of the head portion 4. That is, the boundary between the head portion 4 and the neck portion 5 is a curve or a straight line whose width is widened from a curve or a straight line forming both edges in which the width of the corner cut portion in the head portion 4 is narrower than that of the neck portion 5 in a plan view. , Or the position where the width changes to the same straight line.

With respect to the total area of the plurality of base portions 24 in the head portion 4, the total sum of the maximum cross-sectional areas of the thickest portion 23b in each of the enlarged portions 23B among the plurality of soft resin portions 23 in the head portion 4 is 10. It is preferably in the range of 0% or more and 70.0% or less, more preferably 30.0% or more and 65.0% or less, and further preferably 40.0% or more and 60.0% or less. In the above embodiment, it is 51.0%.

With respect to the total area of the plurality of base portions 24 in the head portion 4, the total sum of the maximum cross-sectional areas of the finest details (boundary P) in each constricted portion 23C among the plurality of soft resin portions 23 in the head portion 4 is calculated. It is preferably in the range of 9.5% or more and 40.0% or less, more preferably 9.5% or more and 30.0% or less, and further preferably 9.5% or more and 25.0% or less. In the above embodiment, it is 18.4%.
At least, when the total area of the thickest portion 23b with respect to the total area of the base portion 24 is within the above range, the soft resin portion 23 flexes appropriately during brushing and is sufficiently loaded when it comes into contact with the gums. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both a massage effect in the oral cavity and a feeling of contact.

As shown in FIG. 4, the head portion 4 has a flocked region (first region) A1 in which a plurality of hair bundles 21a are transplanted and a pair of soft resin regions (first region) in which the block 22 is arranged on the front surface 4a side. 2 region) A2 and. The flocked region A1 is a region surrounded by connecting the outside of the outermost hair bundle 21a at the shortest distance. The brush portion forming region A in which the brush portion 2 is formed is a region in which the flocked region A1 and the pair of soft resin regions A2 are combined.

The ratio of the flocked region A1 to the brush portion forming region A is preferably in the range of 45.0% or more and 90.0% or less, more preferably 50.0% or more and 80.0% or less, and 50. It is more preferably 0% or more and 70.0% or less.
Further, the ratio of the pair of soft resin regions A2 to the brush portion forming region A is preferably in the range of 5.0% or more and 70.0% or less, and 10.0% or more and 50.0% or less. More preferably, 10.0% or more and 35.0% or less are further preferable.
By setting the ratio of the flocked region A1 and the plurality of soft resin regions A2 to the brush portion forming region A in the head portion 4 within the above range, the cleaning effect of the plurality of hair bundles 21a can be sufficiently obtained, and the plurality of hair bundles 21a can be sufficiently obtained. It is possible to make the soft resin portion 23 of the above-mentioned soft resin portion 23 easy to hit in the oral cavity.
It is preferable that the flocked region A1 is larger than the total of the soft resin regions A2 in the head portion 4. When the flocked region A1 has a sufficient size with respect to the soft resin region A2, it is possible to achieve both a cleaning effect and a hitting comfort.

In the above-described embodiment, the tip end side of the soft resin portion 23 is not branched, but it may be branched into a plurality of branches. For example, up to 15 branches are possible for the same base 23a. If it exceeds 15 branches, it becomes difficult to obtain a massage effect.

The hair density range for the flocked region A1 is preferably within the range of 3.0 hairs / mm2 or more and 350 hairs / mm2 or less, and more preferably 3.0 hairs / mm2 or more and 200 hairs / mm2 or less. It is more preferably 0 / mm2 or more and 100 / mm2 or less.

The density range of the soft resin portion 23 with respect to the total area of the base portion (pair of soft resin regions A2) is as shown below.
The density range of the soft resin portion 23 is preferably within the range of 0.05 lines / mm2 or more and 1.90 lines / mm2 or less, more preferably 0.05 lines / mm2 or more and 1.00 lines / mm2 or less. It is more preferably 0.10 / mm2 or more and 0.50 / mm2 or less.

By setting the ratio of the density of the soft resin portion 23 to the hair density within the above range, the density of the hair bundle 21a is larger than the density of the soft resin portion in the head portion 4, and therefore the hair in the brush portion 21 A sufficient number of bundles can be secured. As a result, it is possible to enhance the massage effect in the oral cavity and the gentleness of hitting comfort while ensuring the cleaning effect in the oral cavity. The thickness of the hairs constituting the hair bundle 21a is within the range of 4 mil or more and 9 mil or less.

In the entire head portion 4, the total sum of the thickest portions 23b in the plurality of soft resin portions 23 with respect to the flocked region A1 is preferably in the range of 3.5% or more and 60.0% or less, preferably 5.0. % Or more and 40.0% or less are more preferable, and 10.0% or more and 30.0% or less are further preferable.

Further, in the entire head portion 4, the total of the finest details 23c in the plurality of soft resin portions 23 with respect to the flocked region A1 is preferably in the range of 2.0% or more and 35.0% or less. It is more preferably 0% or more and 20.0% or less, and further preferably 2.0% or more and 10.0% or less.

By setting the ratio of the thickest portion 23b and the finest portion 23c to the flocked region A1 within the above range, the flocked region A1 can be sufficiently secured, so that the cleaning effect of the plurality of hair bundles 21a and the soft resin portion 23 can be obtained. Both massage effects can be obtained.

Although the public embodiment according to the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples. The various shapes and combinations of the constituent members shown in the above-mentioned example are examples, and various changes can be made based on design requirements and the like within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 18.
It should be noted that the following embodiments show one aspect of the present invention, do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure are different from the actual structure.

<Toothbrush>
The toothbrush 100 of the present embodiment includes a brush portion 103, a head portion 123 having the brush portion 103 on the flocked surface 123a, a neck portion 122 extending in the length direction from the rear end of the head portion 123, and a neck portion 122. It has a handle portion 121 extending from the rear end to the opposite side in the length direction from the head portion 123, and has a long shape having a length in the axial direction.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the toothbrush 100 of the present embodiment includes a toothbrush main body (first resin) 102 made of a hard resin and a pair of soft resin portions (second resin) 105 made of a soft resin. , A brush portion 104 composed of a plurality of hair bundles 104a.

(Toothbrush body)
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the toothbrush main body 102 is made of a hard resin as a first resin, and has a head component portion (first resin portion) 123A forming a part of the head portion 123 and a neck portion 122. It has a neck component 122A constituting the above and a handle component 121A constituting a part of the handle 121.

Examples of the first resin constituting the toothbrush main body 102 include a hard resin and a soft resin. Examples of the hard resin include polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycyclohexylene methylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), and polymethyl methacrylate. (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), cellulose propionate (CP), polyarylate, and the like. Further, a biodegradable resin, a plant-derived resin, a paper-blended resin, a plant-blended resin and the like may be used. Among them, PP is preferable in terms of excellent moldability and cost advantage.

Examples of the soft resin include polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, polystyrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, 1,2-polybutadiene-based thermoplastic elastomers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate-based thermoplastic elastomers. Examples thereof include a polyvinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomer, a natural rubber-based thermoplastic elastomer, a fluorine-based thermoplastic elastomer, and a trans-polyisoprene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

Of the toothbrush body 102, the head component 123A constitutes the head portion 123 of the toothbrush 100 together with the elastomer base 152 of the pair of soft resin portions (second resin portions) 105 described later. Further, the handle component 121A constitutes the handle 121 together with the grip 121B.

The head component portion 123A has a hard resin portion 230 located at the center and a pair of soft resin accommodating portions (second resin portions) 123B formed on both sides of the hard resin portion 230 in the width direction.
The pair of soft resin accommodating portions 123B are grooves that penetrate the thickness direction of the head component portion 123A at the positions of the side edges of the head portion 123, and are open to each of the flocked surface 123a and the back surface 123d of the head portion 123. , A groove that also opens on the outer peripheral surface 123c. The shape of the pair of soft resin accommodating portions 123B when viewed from the front (flocked surface 123a) side and the shape when viewed from the side are both rectangular. The pair of soft resin accommodating portions 123B are located substantially in the center of the head component portion 123A in the length direction.

As shown in FIGS. 10B, 14 and 15, the head component 123A has a pair of hard resin side fixing portions 123g protruding into the pair of soft resin accommodating portions 123B. The pair of hard resin side fixing portions 123g are convex portions perpendicular to the wall surfaces on both sides in the length direction of each soft resin accommodating portion 123B. The pair of hard resin side fixing portions 123g are located substantially in the center of the head component portion 123A in the thickness direction, and are separated from each of the flocked surface 123a and the back surface 123d. In the present embodiment, it is formed at a position slightly closer to the flocked surface 123a than the back surface 123d.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, each hard resin side fixing portion 123g has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, but the shape is not limited to this and the plan view shape can be appropriately changed.
One side 123g1 of each hard resin side fixing portion 123g when viewed from the flocked surface 123a coincides with the outer peripheral surfaces 123c on both sides in the width direction of the head portion 123, and is separated from the side surface 123b of the head component portion 123A outward in the width direction. There is. That is, a gap S (FIG. 10A) is provided between each hard resin side fixing portion 123g and each side surface 123b of the head component portion 123A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first locking portion 123h is locked in the center of each rigid resin side fixing portion 123g in the front view. The first locking portion 123h in the present embodiment is composed of a through hole penetrating the thickness direction of the rigid resin side fixing portion 123g. The size and plan view shape of the through hole can be changed as appropriate.

A plurality of flocked holes 124 opened in the flocked surface 123a are formed in the head component 123A. In the present embodiment, two rows of hair follicle holes 124N are formed in the width direction of the head component portion 123A. Each hair follicle row 124N is composed of a plurality of hair follicle holes 124 arranged in the length direction of the head component 123A, and in the present embodiment, each of the hair follicle rows 124N has eight hair follicle holes 124.

The number of follicles hole rows 124N formed in the head component 123A, the number of follicles holes 124 constituting each follicles hole row 124N, and the diameter of each follicles holes 124 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the head portion 123. It is possible. The diameter of the hair follicle hole 124 is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.

(Hair bundle)
In the present embodiment, hair follicles 104a composed of a plurality of hairs are planted in each hair follicle hole 124 formed in the head component 123A by using a flat line or the like. Examples of the hair constituting the hair bundle 104a include straight hair, hair whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip (tapered hair), tip branch hair, spiral hair, and hair for irregular cross section. The tip shape of the hair bundle 104a includes flat cutting, mountain cutting, convex shape, concave shape and the like. Further, an offset shape may be formed in which a step is provided between the half-hair bundles with the flat line as a boundary. The type of hair to be used and the shape of the tip of the hair bundle 104a are appropriately set in consideration of the cleaning effect required for the brush portion 104 and the feeling of contact with the gums.
In addition, the toothbrush is not limited to the planted hair as described above, and may be an integrally molded toothbrush in which a hair bundle is molded by two-color molding, insert molding, or the like.

(A pair of soft resin parts)
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the pair of soft resin portions 105 are housed in the soft resin accommodating portions 123B formed on both sides of the head component portion 123A in the width direction, and both sides of each soft resin portion 105 in the length direction. Is integrally formed with the toothbrush main body 102 by being connected to the head component portion 123A.

These pair of soft resin portions 105 are located in each soft resin accommodating portion 123B apart from each side surface 123b on both sides of the hard resin portion 230 located in the center in the width direction, and are located outside in the width direction. It faces each side surface 123b of 230 via a gap S, respectively.

The gap S between the soft resin portion 105 and the side surface 123b of the hard resin portion 230 is formed between the hard resin side fixing portion 123g in the head configuration portion 123A described above and each side surface 123b of the head configuration portion 123A. It roughly matches the gap to be made.

Each soft resin portion 105 is made of a soft resin and has a plurality of elastomer portions 151, an elastomer base 152, and a pair of second locking portions 153, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11.

The hardness of the soft resin portion 105 is preferably in the range of Shore A hardness of 20 or more and 60 or less. In this embodiment, for example, the shore A hardness is 30.

Examples of the soft resin constituting the soft resin portion 105 include polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, polystyrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, 1,2-polybutadiene-based thermoplastic elastomers, and ethylene-. Examples thereof include vinyl acetate-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyvinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers, natural rubber-based thermoplastic elastomers, fluorine-based thermoplastic elastomers, and trans-polyisoprene-based thermoplastic elastomers.

The plurality of elastomer portions 151 extend vertically from the surface (front surface) 152a of the elastomer base 152. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, five elastomer portions 151 are provided on each side. The number of elastomer portions 151 provided on one side is preferably 3 or more and 7 or less, and more preferably 3 or more and 5 or less. In order to obtain a massage effect on the gums, it is preferable that the number of elastomer portions 151 is at least 3 or more.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, each elastomer portion 151 has a cylindrical shape or a tapered shape whose diameter decreases toward the tip. The shape of the elastomer portion 151 is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, and can be appropriately changed. In the present embodiment, all of the plurality of elastomer portions 151 have the same shape, but a plurality of elastomer portions 151 having different shapes may be provided. The tip of the elastomer portion 151 preferably has a shape in consideration of the feeling of contact with the gums, and has a hemispherical shape in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the five elastomer portions 151 are formed at equal intervals in the length direction of the elastomer base 152. The base ends of the elastomer portions 151 are connected to each other by the elastomer base 152, and the tip sides are independent of each other.

It is preferable that the plurality of elastomer portions 151 are formed at positions other than the end portions 152c on both sides of the elastomer base 152 in the length direction. Further, of the five elastomer portions 151 arranged in a row, at least three elastomer portions 151 in the center in the arrangement direction are at the center in the length direction of the elastomer base 152 (soft resin accommodating portion 123B) (movable portion 152f described later). Located in.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of elastomer portions 151 are arranged side by side in a row in the length direction of the head portion 123, but a plurality of rows (two rows) may be provided in the width direction.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the heights H from the base end (surface of the elastomer base 152) to the tip of the plurality of elastomer portions 151 are equal to each other. It is preferable that the height H of the elastomer portion 151 is shorter than the hair length of the hair bundle 104a, and the hair height difference between the elastomer portion 151 and the hair bundle 104a is about 1 mm.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the elastomer base 152 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and substantially matches the plan shape of the soft resin accommodating portion 123B described above. Further, one surface 152a in the thickness direction of the elastomer base 152 coincides with the flocked surface 123a in the head component portion 123A. The ends 152c on both sides of the elastomer base 152 in the length direction are connected to the head component 123A. As shown in FIGS. 10B and 12, the elastomer base 152 has a movable portion 152f having a thin wall at least in the central portion in the length direction.

The movable portion 152f is a portion that is separated from the head component portion 123A and is movable in the thickness direction and the width direction of the elastomer base 152. Of the five elastomer portions 151 described above, at least three elastomer portions 151 are present in the movable portion 152f. The length L2 (FIG. 10B) of the movable portion 152f in the length direction of the elastomer base 152 is preferably a length in which at least three elastomer portions 151 can be arranged, preferably 10 mm or more and 28 mm or less, and 15 mm or more and 25 mm. The following are more preferable.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 12, the thickness T2 of at least the movable portion 152f of the elastomer base 152 is formed to be thinner than the thickness T1 of the head component portion 123A. In the soft resin accommodating portion 123B, a space K exists on the back surface 152d side of the movable portion 152f. Since the space K exists on the back surface side of the elastomer base 152, there is nothing that hinders the movement of the movable portion 152f when it bends toward the back surface 123d side of the head portion 123 due to the load during brushing. The effect of sinking in the thickness direction of 123 can be obtained.

The pair of second locking portions 153 are for connecting each end portion 152c of the elastomer base 152 to the hard resin side fixing portion 123g of the head component portion 123A, and are provided on both sides of the elastomer base 152 in the length direction. It is formed on the back surface side of each end portion 152c. The pair of second locking portions 153 has a soft resin side fixing portion 153A and a connecting portion 153h.

The pair of second locking portions 153 extend vertically from the back surface 152d of the elastomer base 152 along the end surface 231 of the hard resin side fixing portion 123g, and the elastomer base 52 along the back surface 232 of the hard resin side fixing portion 123g. It has a shape extending in parallel with the above shape, and has a substantially L-shape in the side view shown in FIG. 10B. Of the second locking portions 153, the first portion 153a covers the end surface 231 of the hard resin side fixing portion 123g, and the second portion 153b covers the back surface 232 of the hard resin side fixing portion 123g. In the thickness direction of the head portion 123, the second portion 153b of the second locking portion 153 faces the end portion 152c of the elastomer base 152 via the hard resin side fixing portion 123g.

The connecting portion 153h is formed in the first locking portion 123h (through hole) of the rigid resin side fixing portion 123g, and connects the second portion 153b of the soft resin side fixing portion 153A and the end portion 152c of the elastomer base 152. You are connected. In this way, a part of the second locking portion 153 on the soft resin portion 105 side is locked to the first locking portion 123h (hard resin side fixing portion 123g), whereby the pair of soft resin portions The 105 is fixed to the toothbrush main body 102 in a state of being arranged in the soft resin accommodating portion 123B.

The toothbrush 100 is configured in this way.
In the present embodiment, when the pair of soft resin portions 105 are attached to the toothbrush main body 102, as shown in FIG. 10A, the soft resin portions arranged in the soft resin accommodating portions 123B on both sides in the width direction are respectively. , Each side surface 123b of the head component portion 123A deviates outward in the width direction, and a gap S is formed between them. This gap S enables the soft resin portion 105 (movable portion 152f) to be deformed in the width direction, and the elastomer portion 151 does not hinder the movement of the hair bundle 104a, and a massage effect on the gums can be obtained.

Further, the gap S makes it possible for the movable portion 152f in the soft resin portion 105 to be twisted and sink when flexing in the thickness direction, and the continuous movement (twisting behavior) obtained by the complex movement (twisting behavior) of the elastomer portion 151 is obtained. The elasticity enhances the massage effect on the gums.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, a space K is formed on the back surface 152d side of the elastomer base 152 in the thickness direction of the head portion 123 in the pair of soft resin accommodating portions 123B. This space K enables the movable portion 152f in the soft resin portion 105 to fluctuate in the thickness direction, and the head portion 123 can be deformed to the back surface 123d side by the load during brushing, so that an appropriate (constant) load can be obtained. Allows you to massage your gums.

In the present embodiment, since the hair bundle 104a and the elastomer portion 151 move differently, the functions obtained by each move differently, and the cleaning effect on the tooth surface and the gingival portion obtained by the hair bundle 104a and the elastomer portion 151 are obtained. A toothbrush 100 having both a massage effect on the gums obtained by the above can be obtained.

When a load of 200 g is applied to the elastomer portion 151 during brushing, the head portion 123 is displaced in the thickness direction of 1.0 mm or more, 2.0 mm or less, and the elastomer base 152 together. Due to the behavior of the elastomer portion 151 as described above, a constant load can be applied to the gums during brushing.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following description.

<Each dimension in the head portion 123>
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the length L1 of the head portion 123 is preferably in the range of 20 mm or more and 35 mm or less. Here, the length L1 of the head portion 123 refers to the length from the tip of the head portion 123 to the boundary between the head portion 123 and the neck portion 122. The boundary between the head portion 123 and the neck portion 122 is the end point of the curve forming the corner cut from the neck portion 122 in the plan view shape of the head portion 123, that is, the position where the bending direction of the curve forming the corner cut changes. be. That is, the boundary between the head portion 123 and the neck portion 122 is a curve or a straight line whose width is widened from a curve or a straight line forming both edges in which the width of the corner cut portion in the head portion 123 in the head portion 123 is narrower than that of the neck portion 122 in a plan view. , Or the position where the width changes to the same straight line.

As shown in FIG. 12, the thickness T1 of the head portion 123 is preferably 2.6 mm or more and 7.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.6 mm or more and 5 mm or less. Here, the thickness of the head portion 123 refers to the length from the flocked surface 123a to the back surface 123d.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 11, the overall width W1 of the head portion 123 is preferably 8.0 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 8.0 mm or more and 13 mm or less. Here, the overall width W1 of the head portion 123 is the total width of the hard resin width W2 (distance between the side surfaces 123b of the head component portion 123A), the widths W3 of the plurality of soft resin portions 105, and a plurality of gaps described later. Width of S Refers to the total length of Ws. The hard resin width W2 is preferably 3.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less, and more preferably 5.0 mm or more and 7.0 mm or less.

The diameter of the hair follicle hole 124 is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.
The number of hair follicles 124 is preferably 2 or more and 6 or less in the width direction, and more preferably 2 or more and 4 or less. Further, 2 holes or more and 12 holes or less are preferable in the long axis direction, and 2 holes or more and 10 holes or less are more preferable. The total number of hair follicles 124 is preferably 6 or more and 30 or less.

As shown in FIG. 11, the size of the gap S, that is, the width Ws of the gap S is preferably in the range of 0.0 mm or more and 3.7 mm or less, and more preferably 0.0 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. preferable.

<Each dimension in the soft resin portion 105>
(Width direction of the soft resin portion 105)
Here, the width dimension of the movable portion 152f in the elastomer base 152 is defined as the width of the soft resin portion 105. The width W3 of the soft resin portion 105 (movable portion 152f) per unit is preferably in the range of 1.5 mm or more and 3.3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. Within the above range, a massage effect on the gums can be obtained.

The total width W3 of the plurality of soft resin portions 105 is preferably in the range of 10% or more and 70% or less, and within the range of 30% or more and 65% or less with respect to the total width W1 of the head portion 123. Is more preferable.
By setting the ratio occupied by the plurality of soft resin portions 105 in the width direction of the head portion 123 within the above range, a massage feeling for the gums can be ensured.

(Thickness direction of the soft resin portion 105)
Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the thickness dimension of the movable portion 152f in the elastomer base 152 is defined as the thickness T2 of the soft resin portion 105.
The ratio of the thickness T2 of the movable portion 152f to the thickness T1 of the head portion 123 (head component portion 123A) is preferably 7% or more and 50% or less, and is preferably 20% or more and 30% or less. Is more preferable.
By setting the ratio of the thickness T2 of the movable portion 152f to the thickness T1 of the head portion 123 within the above range, it is possible to secure a massage feeling of an appropriate load (200 g) due to distortion in the width direction.

The thickness T2 of the movable portion 152f in the soft resin portion 105 is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1. 5 mm or less is more preferable. The thickness T2 of the movable portion 152f has a limit of molding of 0.5 mm, and when the thickness T2 exceeds 5.0 mm, the amount of bending decreases and it is difficult to obtain an appropriate load on the gums. Therefore, by setting it within the above range, a massage effect with an appropriate load can be obtained with an appropriate amount of deflection.

(Length direction of soft resin portion 105)
As shown in FIG. 8, the length L3 of the soft resin portion 105 (elastomer base 152) is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 50% or more, and 65% or more with respect to the length L1 of the head portion 123. Is more preferable.
When the elastomer base 152 of the soft resin portion 105 is divided in the length direction, the total of the elastomer bases 152 shall be calculated.
By setting the length L3 of the soft resin portion 105 (the length of the elastomer base 152) to the length L1 of the head portion 123 within the above range, the minimum massage feeling for the gums can be ensured.

The length L3 of the soft resin portion 105 (the length of the elastomer base 152) is preferably longer than the distance required for arranging three elastomer portions 151. The length L3 of the movable portion 152f in the soft resin portion 105 is preferably 10.0 mm or more and 28.0 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less.

The soft resin portion 105 may have the same length as the length L1 of the head portion 123 at the maximum. In the above embodiment, one soft resin portion 105 is provided on each side of the head portion 123, but a plurality (two) soft resin portions 105 may be arranged in the length direction of the head portion 123. good.

(Height of elastomer portion 151, height of hair bundle 104a)
The height H of the elastomer portion 151 (height H of the elastomer portion 151 above the surface 152a of the elastomer base 152) is preferably in the range of 8.0 mm or more and 11.0 mm or less, and 10.0 mm or more and 11.0 mm. The following are more preferable. Within this range, an appropriate massage feeling for the gums can be obtained.
The hair length of the hair bundle 104a is preferably in the range of 8.0 mm or more and 12.0 mm or less.
The elastomer portion 151 is preferably shorter than the hair length of the hair bundle 104a.
The height difference (step) between the hair bundle 104a and the elastomer portion 151 is preferably 0.0 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and more preferably 0.0 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. Since the height H of the elastomer portion 151 is lower than the hair height of the hair bundle 104a, it is possible to give a massage feeling to the gums without hindering the movement of the hair bundle 104a. Therefore, the difference in height in the above-mentioned range makes it easy to obtain both a feeling of cleaning the cervical region and a feeling of massaging the gums.
The width of one base end side of the elastomer portion 151 is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 3.3 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and further preferably 2.2 mm or more and 2.4 mm or less. preferable. In this embodiment, it is 2.4 mm.
The length of one of the elastomer portions 151 on the long axis side is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 3.3 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and 2.2 mm or more and 2 It is more preferably 0.4 mm or less. In this embodiment, it is 2.4 mm.
The shortest distance between the elastomer portions 151, that is, the shortest distance between the adjacent elastomer portions 151 on the proximal end side is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 2 mm or less, more preferably 0.4 mm or more. 1 mm or less is more preferable. In this embodiment, it is 0.7 mm.

When the load during brushing is 200 g, the displacement of the elastomer portion 151 (deflection in the thickness direction of the elastomer base 152) is 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm, and an appropriate cleaning feeling and massage feeling can be obtained.

(Soft resin width W3 and hard resin width W2 (ratio of two))
The ratio of the total width of the soft resin portion 105 to the total width of the pair of soft resin portions 105 and the total width of the hard resin width W2 (hereinafter referred to as the gapless head width) is 20% or more and 80% or less. It is preferably 30% or more and more preferably 60% or less. Within the above range, it is possible to simultaneously obtain a feeling of cleaning by the hair bundle 104a and a feeling of massage by the elastomer portion 151. When the ratio of the total width of the soft resin portion 15 to the gapless head width exceeds 80%, it is difficult to secure the rigidity of the head portion 123, and when it is less than 20%, a massage feeling by the elastomer portion 151 can be obtained. hard.

(Width direction of gap S)
The length obtained by subtracting the total width of the pair of gaps S from the total width W1 of the head portion 123, that is, the total width of the plurality of soft resin portions 105 (each width W3) and the hard resin width W2 in the head component portion 123A are combined. The length preferably occupies 60% or more, and more preferably 80% or more, with respect to the total width W1 (width including the gap S) of the head portion 123. As a result, it is possible to secure a movable region in the width direction in the movable portion 152f of the soft resin portion 105.

It is also possible to have a configuration without a gap S. The combined length of the hard resin width W2 of the head component portion 123A and the pair of soft resin widths W3 may match the overall width W1 of the head portion 123.

(Length direction of gap S)
As shown in FIG. 10A, the length Ls of the gap S formed between the head component portion 123A (side surface 123b) and the soft resin portion 105 coincides with the length L3 of the soft resin portion 105, and the head portion 123. It is preferable that it exists along 20% or more in the length direction of.

In the above embodiment, the length Ls of the gap S (the length L3 of the soft resin portion 105) with respect to the length direction of the head portion 123 is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 65% or more. It is preferably 80% or less, and more preferably 70% or less. By setting the length Ls of the gap S within the above range, movement such as bending (twisting) in the width direction of the elastomer base 152 of the soft resin portion 105 becomes possible.

(Space K)
Space K exists on the back side of the elastomer base 152.
The size of the space K in the thickness direction of the head portion 123 is preferably in the range of 30% or more and 95% or less, and more preferably in the range of 45% or more and 80% or less with respect to the thickness of the head portion 123. ..
The size of the space K in the length direction of the head portion 123 is preferably 10% or more and 70% or less, and more preferably 30% or more and 50% or less with respect to the length L1 of the head portion 123.
The size of the space K in the width direction of the head portion 123 is preferably 20% or more and 80% or less, and more preferably 40% or more and 70% or less with respect to the total width W1 of the head portion 123.
By setting the size of the space K within the above range, the movable region of the elastomer base 152 can be secured.

Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be made clearer by the examples. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without changing the gist thereof.

(Examples 1 to 22, Comparative Examples 1 and 2)
In this example, the toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were prepared in accordance with the specifications shown in Table 1 below, and the same samples as the toothbrushes shown in FIGS. 7 to 18 were prepared.
Each part of the toothbrush of each example has the dimensions shown in Tables 1 to 4.

The basic configuration of each sample in Examples 1 to 22 corresponds to the toothbrush of the first embodiment described above, and a pair of soft resin portions 105 are integrally molded with the toothbrush main body 102 made of a hard resin. ..

In the sample of Comparative Example 1, the toothbrush body is made of a soft resin (two-color molding with a soft resin material).
In the sample of Comparative Example 2, a pair of soft resin portions are formed of a hard resin (two-color molding with a hard resin material). In addition, 85R is a hardness notation of Rockwell hardness (R), and the shore A hardness is more than 60.

The common specifications in Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are as shown below.
Thickness of head portion 123 T1 = (thickness of head component portion 123A): 5 mm
Length L1 of head portion 123 = (boundary between head portion 123 and neck portion 122 from the tip of head portion 123): 30 mm
Hair length of hair bundle 104a: 11 mm
Diameter of hair follicle hole 124: 2.0 mm (specification in FIG. 10A)
Number of hair follicles 124: 2 holes in the width direction and 8 holes in the long axis direction (specification in FIG. 10A)
Number of hair follicles 124: 16 holes (specification in FIG. 10A)

The specification items in the samples of Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 relate to the dimensions of the head portion 123, the soft resin portion 105, and the hair bundle 104a, and were set for each sample.

(Specification items of the head part)
"Width W1 (mm) of head portion 123": Overall width W1 of head portion 123 (width of hard resin portion 230 + total width of soft resin portion + total width of gap S)
-"Thickness T1 (mm) of the head portion 123": Length from the flocked surface 123a to the back surface 123d- "Length L1 (mm) of the head portion 123": From the tip of the head portion 123 to the boundary of the neck portion 122 Length ・ "Width of hard resin part 230 W2 (mm)"
・ "Total width of gap S (mm)"

(Specification items for soft resin parts)
-"Width (mm) of the elastomer base 152 (movable part 152f)": Width of the elastomer base 152 per one = the total width when a plurality of elastomer bases 152 are provided on one side-"Elastomer base 152 in the width direction" Number (one side / total) "
-"Thickness (mm) of elastomer base 152 (moving part 152f)"
-"Length of elastomer base 152 in the long axis direction (mm)": Total length if there are multiple elastomer bases 152 in the length direction- "Number of elastomer bases 152 in the long axis direction": Only on one side -"Number of elastomer parts 151 in the long axis direction": Only one side- "Number of elastomer parts 151 in the width direction": Only one side- "Width of one base end side of elastomer part 151": Only one side "Length (mm) in the long axis direction of one base end side of the elastomer portion 151": Only one side- "Minimum distance (mm) between the base ends of adjacent elastomer portions 151"
"Height H (mm) of elastomer portion 151"
"Shore A hardness of soft resin portion 105 (elastomer portion 151)"

(Hair bundle)
-"Hair length (mm) of hair bundle 104a": height from the flocked surface 123a to the tip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Evaluation method]
(Real feeling of cleaning with the brush part of the whole mouth)
[Test method]
The monitors of 10 people evaluated the "feeling of cleaning the entire mouth by the brush portion" when the oral cavity was cleaned with the toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 according to the following criteria.
<Judgment criteria>
The average score of 10 monitors was "◎" for 4 points or more, "○" for 3 points or less, and "x" for less than 3 points.
5 points: "The feeling of cleaning the entire mouth with the brush" is very good.
4 points: "The feeling of cleaning the entire mouth with the brush" is a little good.
3 points: "The feeling of cleaning the entire mouth with the brush" cannot be said either.
2 points: "The feeling of cleaning the entire mouth with the brush" is a little bad.
1 point: "The feeling of cleaning the entire mouth with the brush" is very bad.

(Appropriate massage feeling by the elastomer part of the whole mouth)
[Test method]
The monitors of 10 people evaluated the "feeling of massage of the entire mouth by the elastomer part" when the oral cavity was cleaned with the toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 according to the following criteria.
<Judgment criteria>
The average score of 10 monitors was "◎" for 4 points or more, "○" for 3 points or less, and "x" for less than 3 points.
5 points: "The feeling of massaging the entire mouth with the elastomer part" is very good.
4 points: "The feeling of massaging the entire mouth with the elastomer part" is a little good.
3 points: "The feeling of massaging the entire mouth with the elastomer part" cannot be said either.
2 points: "The feeling of massaging the entire mouth with the elastomer part" is a little bad.
1 point: "The feeling of massaging the entire mouth with the elastomer part" is very bad.

As shown in Table 1, among the samples of Examples 1 to 22, in the samples of Examples 1 to 4, 6, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, and 22, cleaning by the brush part (to the cervical part) A high evaluation was obtained for the actual feeling.

In addition, among the samples of Examples 1 to 22, the samples of Examples 1, 8 and 21 were highly evaluated for the actual feeling of massage (to the gums) by the elastomer part.

From the above, among the samples of Examples 1 to 22, the sample of Example 1 was highly evaluated for both the feeling of cleaning the cervical part by the brush part 104 and the feeling of appropriate massage to the gums.

Although the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples. The various shapes and combinations of the constituent members shown in the above-mentioned example are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the fixing structure (mounting structure) of the soft resin portion 105 to the head constituent portion 123A is not limited to the above-mentioned structure, and other structures may be adopted. In the above-described embodiment, the first locking portion 123h of the pair of hard resin side fixing portions 123g in the head component portion 123A is composed of a through hole, and the soft resin portion 105 is filled in the through hole. A pair of soft resin portions 105 are fixed to the head component portion 123A by locking a part of the above (second locking portion 153), but the first locking portion 123h is a through hole. It may be a groove or a recess.
Further, the shape of the second locking portion 153 of the soft resin portion 105 is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, and may be appropriately changed according to the shape of the head component portion 123A on the first locking portion 123h side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the space K exists on the back surface side of each soft resin portion 105, but if the movable portion 152f of the soft resin portion 105 is flexed well in the width direction and the thickness direction. , There may be no space K.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21.
It should be noted that the following embodiments show one aspect of the present invention, do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure are different from the actual structure.
Further, in the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The toothbrush 300 of the present embodiment has a configuration that combines the configurations of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Specifically, instead of the elastomer portion 151 in the toothbrush of the second embodiment, the same configuration as that of the soft resin portion 23 of the first embodiment is adopted.

<Toothbrush>
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 20, the toothbrush 300 of the present embodiment is composed of a toothbrush main body (first resin portion) 102 made of a hard resin (first resin) and a soft resin (second resin). It has a pair of soft resin portions 305 and a brush portion 104 composed of a plurality of hair bundles 104a. The brush portion 303 of the present embodiment is composed of the pair of soft resin portions (second resin portion) 305 and the brush portion 104.

The soft resin portion 305 has a plurality of elastomer portions 23 and an elastomer base 152 for connecting the base end sides of the plurality of elastomer portions 23.
The elastomer base 152 has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, and a pair of ends on both sides in the length direction of the head portion are connected to the toothbrush main body 102. As described above, the elastomer base 152 has a movable portion 152f that is separated from the toothbrush main body 102 and is movable in the thickness direction and the width direction of the elastomer base 152. The movable portion 152f can be moved by the gap S formed between the head portion 123 and the hard resin portion 230 and the space K formed below the elastomer base 152.

As described above, the elastomer portion 23 has the same shape as the soft resin portion 23 of the first embodiment. The elastomer portion 23 stands vertically from the surface 152a of the elastomer base 152. In the present embodiment, the elastomer portions 23 are provided by four, but the number of the elastomer portions 23 is not limited to this. The elastomer portion 23 is formed at the boundary between the shaft portion 23A that rises vertically from the surface 152a of the elastomer base 152, the enlarged portion 23B formed on the tip end side of the shaft portion 23A, and the shaft portion 23A and the enlarged portion 23B. It has a constricted portion 23C and.

According to the toothbrush 300 of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the continuous elasticity obtained by the complicated movement (twisting behavior) of the elastomer portion 323 enhances the massage effect on the gums. At the same time, the shape of the tip expanded to improve the contact comfort of the tip (enlarged portion 23B) with respect to the oral cavity makes it possible to achieve both a massage effect on the oral cavity and gentleness of the contact comfort.

1 ... Toothbrush of the first embodiment, 2 ... Brush part, 4 ... Head part, 4a ... Front surface, 21a ... Hair bundle, 22 ... Block, 23 ... Soft resin part, 23A ... Shaft part, 23B ... Enlarged part, 23C ... Constriction, 24 ... Base, A1 ... Fleece area (first area), A2 ... Soft resin area (second area), d1 ... Minimum distance between bases 23a, d3 ... Minimum distance between bases 23a, D1 ... The diameter of the base 23a (maximum shaft width), D2 ... The diameter of the finest detail of the constricted portion 23C (minimum shaft width), D3 ... The maximum shaft width of the enlarged portion 23B is the diameter (maximum shaft width), H ... Overall height, H1 ... Height from the base end of the soft resin portion 23 to the boundary P (height of the shaft portion 23A), H2 ... Height to the tip of the enlarged portion 23B, P ... Boundary, W1 ... Overall width , W2 ... Width of base portion 24 100 ... Toothbrush of the second embodiment, 102 ... Toothbrush body, 103 ... Brush portion, 104a ... Hair bundle, 105 ... Soft resin portion, 121 ... Handle portion, 123 ... Head portion, 123a ... Fleece surface, 123d ... Back surface of head portion 123, 123 g ... Hard resin side fixing portion, 123h ... First locking portion, 123A ... Head component portion (first resin portion), 123B ... Soft resin accommodating portion (second) Resin part), 151 ... Elastomer part, 152 ... Elastomer base, 152a ... Surface of elastomer base 152, 152c ... End of elastomer base 152, 152f ... Movable part, 153 ... Second locking part, H ... Height , K ... space, L1 ... length of head portion 123, L2 ... length of movable portion 152f, L3 ... length of soft resin portion 105, Ls ... length of gap S, T1 ... thickness of head portion 123, T2 ... Thickness of movable portion 152f, W123 ... Overall width of head portion 123, W230 ... Width of hard resin portion 230, W3 ... Width of elastomer base 152, WS ... Width of gap S 300 ... Toothbrush of the third embodiment, 303 ... Brush part, 305 ... Soft resin part

Claims (12)

A toothbrush having at least a head part having a brush part on the front
The brush portion has a plurality of soft resin portions that stand up from the front surface.
The soft resin part is
A shaft portion that stands up against the front surface and
An enlarged portion formed on the tip end side of the shaft portion and an enlarged portion
It has a constricted portion formed at the boundary between the shaft portion and the enlarged portion and at least narrower than the enlarged portion.
In the normal direction of the front surface, the height of the shaft portion is larger than the height of the enlarged portion.
toothbrush. The shaft portion has a shape in which at least the tip side in the normal direction connected to the constricted portion narrows toward the constricted portion.
The enlarged portion has a shape that becomes thicker as it is separated from the constricted portion and becomes thinner again from a position having a maximum axial width toward the tip.
The toothbrush according to claim 1. The enlarged portion has a spherical shape.
The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2. The maximum axial width of the enlarged portion is within the range of 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.
The minimum axial width of the constricted part is within the range of 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.
The maximum shaft width of the shaft portion is within the range of 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The maximum cross-sectional area in the shaft portion is X,
The minimum cross-sectional area in the constricted part is Y,
When the maximum cross-sectional area in the enlarged portion is Z,
Y / X value is in the range of 0.2 or more and 0.75 or less,
The Z / X value is in the range of 0.25 or more and 2.0 or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In the plurality of adjacent soft resin portions,
The minimum distance between the shafts is within the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
The minimum distance between the enlarged portions is within the range of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A plurality of blocks having the plurality of soft resin portions and a base portion connecting the base end sides of the plurality of soft resin portions are provided.
The head portion has a first region in which a plurality of hair bundles are planted and a plurality of second regions in which the block is arranged.
The total width of the plurality of second regions with respect to the total width of the head portion is 10.0% or more, 50.
Within the range of 0% or less,
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The total area of the maximum cross sections in the enlarged portion is within the range of 15.0% or more and 70.0% or less with respect to the total area of the plurality of second regions.
The toothbrush according to claim 7. The total area of the plurality of second regions is smaller than the area of the first region.
The toothbrush according to claim 7 or 8. The density of the plurality of hair bundles in the first region is higher than the density of the plurality of soft resin portions in the plurality of second regions.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 7 to 9. The area of the first region is larger than the sum of the maximum cross-sectional areas of each enlarged portion in the plurality of soft resin portions.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 7 to 10. A first resin part that constitutes a part of the head part and is made of the first resin,
A plurality of second resin portions, which form a part of the head portion and the brush portion and are made of the second resin, are provided.
The second resin part is
The plurality of soft resin portions and
It has an elastomer base that connects the base end sides of the plurality of soft resin portions to each other.
In the elastomer base, a pair of ends on both sides in the length direction or the width direction of the head portion are connected to the first resin portion, and the thickness of the elastomer base is separated from the first resin portion. It has a movable part that can move in the wedge direction and the width direction.
The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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