JP2007289265A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush of excellent durability which can provide a high massage effect to even a user who has a vulnerable gum in different brushing methods, especially in bathing method without damaging gum. <P>SOLUTION: Brush hairs 4 are implanted on the implantation base 20. In the inner area R1 in the width direction of the implantation base 20, thermoplastic elastomer bristles 41, ... are implanted and in both the outer areas R2 and R3 in the width direction of the implantation base 20, synthetic resin bristles 42, ... which are harder than thermoplastic elastomer bristles are implanted. Especially, the length of the brush bristles 4 of each bunch of bristles 5 implanted on the implantation base 20 is cut continuously or stepwise shorter from inside of the width direction toward the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

  Conventionally, soft brush bristles such as polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers are planted in the widthwise outer region of the toothbrush flocking table, and hard brush bristles such as nylon are planted in the inner region, and mainly brushed horizontally (rolling method) ), A toothbrush that can achieve a massage effect on the gingiva portion with the outer soft brush hair while maintaining the cleaning effect with the hard brush hair in the inner region has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). 2)

  However, there are various methods for brushing teeth other than the rolling method, such as a scrubbing method and a bath method, and it is necessary to combine the advantages of each method. In particular, the bath method is a method in which the toothbrush is tilted 45 ° toward the gum side and vibrated finely, and is a cleaning method that has a relatively high cleaning effect on the tooth gap that tends to accumulate plaque. The hard brush hairs in the area rub the gums and cannot be used by people with weak gums.

  In addition, the above-mentioned toothbrush can certainly massage the gingiva part with the soft brush bristles in the outer region when laterally brushed, but such soft brush bristles spread outward in a short period of time due to use, and are durable. There was a problem in gender.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-12647 JP-T-2002-514946

  Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention intends to solve various toothpaste methods, particularly bath methods, which can provide a high massage effect even for people with weak gums without damaging the gums with low irritation. In the point which provides the toothbrush excellent also in durability.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a toothbrush in which brush bristles are implanted in a flocking table, and a thermoplastic elastomer bristles made of a polyester-based elastomer or a polyamide-based elastomer in an inner region in the width direction of the flocking table. And a synthetic resin hair harder than the thermoplastic elastomer bristles was planted in both widthwise outer regions of the flocking table.

  Here, the diameter of the thermoplastic elastomer hair is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm. The flocking row (row of hair bundles) is not particularly limited, but 3 to 5 rows are preferable, and 3 rows are particularly preferable. Of these, those composed of thermoplastic elastomer hairs are preferably 1 to 3 rows.

  Moreover, what transplanted synthetic resin hair harder than the said thermoplastic elastomer hair to the area | region of the longitudinal direction front end side and base end side among the width direction inner side area | regions of the said flocking base is preferable.

  In particular, among the flock holes of the flocking table, each bristles excluding the flock holes at the distal ends in the longitudinal direction and the flock holes at the proximal end close to the neck in one or a plurality of inner rows, In a preferred embodiment, the hair bundles made of the synthetic resin hairs are planted in the flock holes of the inner and outer rows of the inner row, and the flock holes constituting both outer rows sandwiching the inner row. is there.

  The synthetic resin hair is made of one or two or more melt-mixed polyester resins or polyamide resins selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate, or a polyamide resin. Of these, a core-sheathed hair comprising a core part and a polyester resin sheath part is preferred.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the bristle length of each brush hair to be implanted in the flocking table is shortened continuously or stepwise from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction.

  In particular, the cross-sectional view preferably has an inclination angle of 5 to 40 ° with respect to a straight flocked surface passing through the central bristle tip and the outermost brush bristle tip, and most preferably 10 to 30 °. In addition, the outermost brush hair is preferably shorter by 0.5 to 2.5 mm and more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 mm shorter than that of the central brush hair.

  Specifically, the line passing through the tip of each bristle is inclined substantially linearly from the center in the width direction to the outside, and the bristle length of each brush bristle continuously shortens from the center to the outside. Those are preferred.

  Further, the bristles of the bristles to be planted in each flock hole have substantially the same length, and the bristles of the bristles on the outer side of the bristles of the bristles on the inner side in the width direction of the flocking table A preferable example is one in which the length is shorter and the length of each bristle is gradually reduced from the center toward the outside.

  It is preferable that the thermoplastic elastomer hair is made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness of 30D to 100D.

  According to the toothbrush according to the present invention formed as described above, since the above-mentioned thermoplastic elastomer hair is planted in the inner region in the width direction of the flocking table corresponding to the sensitive part of the gum part or interdental part in the bath method, it is difficult to be damaged. Provides a gum massage effect. In addition, since synthetic resin hair harder than elastomer is implanted in the outer region that hits the tooth surface in the bath method, it is possible to improve the cleanability of the tooth surface, interdental teeth, and cervix, and the elastomer hair in the inner region is placed in the outer region. The synthetic resin bristles can support and suppress the spread of the elastomer bristles, so that the durability is enhanced and the cleaning effect by the bristles is also improved.

  In addition, since the diameter of the thermoplastic elastomer hair is 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, it is possible to improve the detailed cleaning performance between the teeth and gums and the gap between the teeth by the elastomer hair.

  In addition, since the synthetic resin hair harder than the thermoplastic elastomer hair is planted in the hole at the center row and the hole closest to the neck and the outer row, it is soft from the longitudinal direction in addition to the width direction, that is, from the four sides. Since the elastomer bristles can be supported by hard synthetic resin bristles and spread can be suppressed, the cleanability and durability by the elastomer bristles can be further enhanced.

  In addition, the length of each bristle planted on the tuft is shortened continuously or stepwise from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction. The synthetic resin bristles in the outer row can be prevented from coming into contact with the gums, and the long elastomeric bristles can provide a sufficient massage effect and fine cleaning, while the synthetic resin bristles on the side that contacts the tooth surface provide sufficient cleaning properties. Can be maintained. In addition, since the synthetic resin bristles in the outer row are short as described above, the contact between the synthetic resin bristles and the gingiva can be reduced even during horizontal polishing, and the gingiva can be prevented from being damaged.

  Since the thermoplastic elastomer hair is made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness of 30D to 100D, it is possible to suppress irritation to the gingival part and to obtain a good massage effect, and at the same time to obtain excellent cleaning properties.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment, FIGS. 7 to 14 show a second embodiment, in which 1 is a toothbrush, 2 is a brush The main body 3 indicates a brush part.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush 1 according to the present invention is obtained by implanting brush bristles 4 on a flocking table 20, and implanting thermoplastic elastomer bristles 41,... In a width direction inner region R <b> 1 of the flocking table 20. The synthetic resin hairs 42,... That are harder than the thermoplastic elastomer hairs are planted in both widthwise outer regions R2, R3 of the hair transplant table 20, respectively.

  First, based on FIGS. 1-6, 1st Embodiment of this invention is described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment includes a brush body 2 made of synthetic resin and a brush portion 3 provided on a flocking table 20 of the body 2, and the brush body 2 is made of, for example, polypropylene. It is comprised from the flocking table 20, the neck part 21, and the handle | pattern part which were not illustrated integrally molded by injection molding of synthetic resin.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the brush portion 3 provided on the flocking table 20 folds a bundle of hairs 5 formed by converging a plurality of brush bristles 4,. , Also called wire staples, etc.) and planted by inserting (fixing) into each flocking hole 20a of the flocking table 20 (planting), then trimming the tip of each bristles 5 and trimming the hair tips Configured.

  In addition, the method of fixing the brush bristles 4 to the flocking table 20 is not limited to the above-described method using the flat wire, and a fusion lump is formed by heat-sealing the base of the bristles in which the bristles are focused. A conventional flocking method such as an in-mold method in which a base portion is arranged in a molding cavity at the time of molding and the bristles are fixed to the flocking base by integral molding, and other methods such as a fuse-in method can be employed.

  In this example, three rows of hair bundles are provided along the longitudinal direction of the flocking table 20, and one row in the center is a hair bundle row of thermoplastic elastomer hairs 41,. Each row is a bundle of synthetic resin hairs 42,... Harder than the thermoplastic elastomer hair. In the present invention, it goes without saying that the number of hair bundle rows, the number of hair bundles constituting each row, and the arrangement relationship are not limited.

  Specifically, the thermoplastic elastomer hair 41 is made of a polyester elastomer or polyamide elastomer thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness of 30D to 100D, and has a diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm. When the diameter is smaller than 0.1 mm, sufficient durability cannot be obtained, and when the diameter is larger than 0.4 mm, the cleaning performance of the gap is lowered. More preferably, it is set to 0.15 to 0.25 mm. Further, if the hardness is lower than 30D, the cleaning property cannot be obtained, and if it is higher than 100D, stimulation of the gums is too strong. Preferably it is set to 55-80D.

  The thermoplastic elastomer is an engineering plastic having rubber elasticity, “Hytrel” (manufactured by Toray DuPont), “Arnite” (manufactured by Akzo), “Gaflex” (manufactured by GAF), “Perprene” (Toyobo) Polyester elastomers such as “Grease” (Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd.) and “Pebax” (Atochem) can be used.

  The synthetic resin hair 42 is harder than the thermoplastic elastomer hair 41, and the material thereof is polyamide resin such as nylon or aramid, polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate (polytrimethylene terephthalate), or polyethylene terephthalate. Known synthetic resins can be used as the bristles of toothbrushes, such as one or two or more selected melt-mixed polyester resins and polyolefin resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene.

  In particular, those composed of one or two or more melt-mixed polyester resins selected from nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate are preferable in terms of obtaining excellent cleaning properties.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hairs 5 of the hair bundles 5 planted on the flocking table 20 are cut so that the bristles 4 are continuously shortened from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction. That is, the bristles of the thermoplastic elastomer bristles 41 in the center row are cut so that the bristles at the center are the highest and gradually shorten toward both outer sides, and the bristles of the synthetic resin bristles 42 in the outer row It is cut so that it gradually becomes shorter toward the outside.

  In this example, the line passing through the tip of each bristle is cut so as to be inclined substantially linearly from the center in the width direction toward the outside, and the inclination angle θ with respect to the flocked surface is set to 5 to 40 °. The difference h1 between the bristle length of the central brush bristles (thermoplastic elastomer bristles 41) and the bristles of the outermost bristles (synthetic resin bristles 42) is set to 0.5 to 2.5 mm.

  In this way, by setting the bristle length to be shorter toward the outer side, as shown in FIG. 4, in the bath method in which the toothbrush is inclined 45 ° toward the gum side and vibrated finely in the vertical direction, a sufficient massage effect is achieved by the long elastomer hair 41, Fine cleanability can be obtained, and sufficient cleanability can be maintained by the synthetic resin bristles on the side in contact with the tooth surface, and the lower synthetic resin bristles can be prevented from coming into contact with the gums and being damaged. If the hair height difference h1 is smaller than 0.5 mm, the difference between the feeling of hitting the teeth and the gums is difficult to understand, and the massage effect by the elastomer hairs cannot be obtained sufficiently. There is a high risk of contact. On the other hand, if the diameter is larger than 2.5 mm, the elastomer hair becomes too long, the tip portion is not sufficiently supported by the synthetic resin hair, and the massage effect and detail cleaning performance are lowered, and the upper synthetic resin hair is also sufficiently on the tooth surface. It won't hit and the cleaning ability will decrease. That is, only the central portion hits the target portion, and the cleaning property to the tooth surface portion cannot be expected.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, only the outer row synthetic resin bristles 42 are cut as shown in FIG. It is also preferable that the tip of the thermoplastic elastomer hair 41 in the center row is cut horizontally and is cut so as to be shorter than the elastomer hair 41 and shorter on the outer side. Also in this case, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ with respect to the straight flocked surface passing through the central bristle tip and the outermost bristle tip in a sectional view is set to 5 to 40 °.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.6 (a), in the width direction inner side area | region R1 of the said flocking table, it is harder than the said thermoplastic elastomer hair 41 in the area | region R10 of the longitudinal direction front end side, and the area | region R11 of the base end side. What planted the synthetic resin hair 42 is also preferable. In the illustrated example, hair bundles made of the synthetic resin hairs are implanted into the flocked holes at the front end and the base end in the longitudinal direction in the center row and the flocked holes constituting both outer rows sandwiching the inner row. Thereby, the thermoplastic elastomer hairs 41,... Are surrounded by the hard synthetic resin hairs 42 from the four sides in the width direction and the longitudinal direction, and the cleaning properties and durability by the elastomer hairs 41 are further enhanced.

  In this case, the synthetic resin hairs 42 in the regions R10 and 11 may have the same hair length as the thermoplastic elastomer hairs 41, but as shown in FIG. 6B, as in the synthetic resin hairs 42 in the outer regions R2 and R3, It is preferable that the tip of the hair bundle is cut so as to be shorter than the plastic elastomer hair 41 and outside, that is, the front end side or the base end side in the longitudinal direction is cut to prevent the synthetic resin hair 42 from contacting the gums.

  Each hair bundle 5 is cut at the tip so as to incline in the width direction, but may also be uneven in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, if the tips of the thermoplastic elastomer hair 41 and the synthetic resin hair 42 are processed into a tapered shape, the insertion property into a narrow portion can be improved.

  Next, 2nd Embodiment of this invention is described based on FIGS.

  In the toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, the row | line | column of 3 rows of hair | bristle bundles is provided along the longitudinal direction of the flocking table 20 like the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, and the thermoplastic resin bristles 41 are the center row | line | column. Each of the outer rows parallel to this is a row of synthetic resin hairs 42,... Harder than the thermoplastic elastomer hair.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tips of the hair bundles 5 are preliminarily horizontally cut in a substantially horizontal state after being implanted or implanted, and the hair length of the brush hairs 4 is directed from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction. Thus, it is made to shorten stepwise (in this example, one step). That is, the length of the synthetic resin hair 42 constituting the hair bundle of the outer row is shorter than the length of the thermoplastic elastomer hair 41 constituting the hair row of the center row, and the difference h2 is 0.5 to 2.5 mm. The inclination angle θ with respect to a straight flocked surface passing through the central bristle tip and the outermost bristle tip in a sectional view is set to 5 to 40 °.

  Thus, as in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, in the bath method in which the toothbrush is tilted 45 ° toward the gums and vibrated in the vertical direction, the long elastomeric hair 41 provides a sufficient massage effect and details. Cleanability can be obtained, and sufficient cleanability can be maintained by the synthetic resin bristles on the side in contact with the tooth surface, and the lower synthetic resin bristles can be prevented from coming into contact with the gums and being damaged.

  In this example, the synthetic resin hairs 42 that constitute the outer row of hair bundles are composed of synthetic resin filaments having a core-sheath structure in cross section, as shown in FIG. 61 is a protrusion. For example, a composite synthetic resin monofilament in which the core portion 61 is made of a material mainly composed of a polyamide-based resin such as nylon and the sheath portion 60 is composed of a material mainly composed of a polyester-based resin such as polybutylene terephthalate. It can be manufactured by immersing it in a chemical solution such as caustic soda and pulling it up to dissolve and remove the sheath 60 from the tip to expose the core 61. According to such synthetic resin hair, The plaque removal effect and cleanability of the narrow part such as the boundary between the tooth and gum are improved.

  In the illustrated example, three core hairs protrude, but the number thereof may be one as shown in FIG. 12, or may be two, four, or more. Further, the taper shape at the tip of the sheath 60 and the exposed length of the core hair 61 can be appropriately adjusted according to the concentration of the chemical solution, the immersion time, the pulling speed from the chemical solution, and the like. The tapered shape at the tip of the sheath improves the insertion and reachability into the oral cavity details. The tip shape of the core hair 61 is arbitrary and can be processed into an appropriate shape such as a hemisphere.

  In addition to the core-sheath structure, the tapered hair used for the synthetic resin bristles 42 is a synthetic resin filament having a cross-sectional shape in which a plurality of unit cross-section elements 63 are connected as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). The tip of the tip is dipped in a solution such as alkali or acid, and the number of tapered tapered bristles corresponding to the number of connected unit cross-sectional elements can be configured to form a tapered bristles formed on the tip of the brush hair. The shape and length of the branched hair can be arbitrarily adjusted by the concentration, the immersion time, the pulling speed from the chemical solution, and the like.

  Similarly, FIG. 13 (c) shows two unit cross-section elements, (d) shows three unit cross-section elements arranged in a line, and (e) shows four unit cross-section elements. Similarly, a tapered bristles in which a tapered tapered branched hair is formed at the tip of the brush hair can be constituted. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, a core part can be provided in the center part of each unit cross-section element, and each branch hair can be made into the core sheath structure similar to the above.

  The toothbrush described in each of the above embodiments can be applied as a brush of an electric toothbrush that has a handle portion formed short and is attached to a brush body having a driving means to vibrate the brush portion 3.

  Hereinafter, the results of sensory tests such as a cleaning property test, a durability test, and a polishing feeling will be described for each example of the present invention.

  Table 1 below shows the toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 used in the test. Each of the bristles is composed of three rows of bristles in the center row and both outer rows, and the “elastomer” is a brush hair made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a diameter of 0.2 mm (“Hytrel” manufactured by Toray DuPont). “Polyester hair” is a brush hair made of a mixture of polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate having a diameter of 0.15 mm, and “core sheath” is made of a nylon core and a polybutylene terephthalate sheath, and has three at the tip. It is a brush hair with a diameter of 0.19 mm from which the core hair protrudes. The “roof type” is a shape in which the tip of the bristle is cut so as to be inclined substantially linearly from the center in the width direction to the outside, the inclination angle is 25 °, and the brush bristles at the center and the outer end The hair length difference was set to 1.5 mm. “(Large inclination)” is set such that the inclination angle is 40 °, and the difference in bristle length between the central portion and the outer end is 2.5 mm. “Convex type” means that the hair length of the outer row of hair bundles is shorter than the hair length of the center row of hairs, the difference in hair length (step) is set to 1.0 mm, and the brush hair in the center portion The inclination angle with respect to the straight flocked surface passing through the tip and the outermost brush hair tip was set to 25 °. “(Large step)” is a hair height difference set to 2.5 mm, and the inclination angle with respect to the straight flocked surface passing through the center bristle tip and the outermost bristle tip is set to 40 °. is there.

(Cleanability test)
For each toothbrush of Examples and Comparative Examples, a pseudo plaque is attached to the upper second premolar portion of the jaw model, the jaw model is attached to a brushing simulation device, and one end of the toothbrush flocked portion is attached to the upper second premolar. Place the toothbrush so that the flocked part covers the second premolars. Brushing for 3 seconds with a lateral stroke of 20 mm, applying a load of 150 g, and measuring and calculating the area of the pseudo plaque for each part with the image analyzer, the pseudo plaque for the area where the pseudo plaque was attached The ratio of the removed area was defined as the plaque removal rate. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

(Plaque removal rate (%))
◎; 90% or more,
○: 70 to less than 90%,
Δ: 50 to less than 70%,
×: Less than 50%

From Table 2, in roof type and convex Examples 1, 2, 5, and 6, both the cleaning ability (average) of the tooth surface part and the cleaning stability (error) are conventional polyester hair (Comparative Examples 3 to 5). In comparison with Comparative Examples 1 and 2 that are equivalent or superior and have a massage effect, both the tooth surface portion and the tooth neck portion show better cleaning properties.
In Examples 3 and 4, the cleaning performance of the tooth surface portion is lowered, but if the hair length difference (inclination or step) is too large, sufficient contact with the tooth surface of the synthetic resin hair in the outer region cannot be obtained. I understand that.

(Durability test)
When the toothbrush is immersed in warm water at 37 ° C and is reciprocated 10,000 times with a load of 300 g, (A) the width of the flocked portion in the initial direction of the short axis of the toothbrush (the width at the tip of the brushed bristles) ), (B) Durability index obtained by measuring the width of the flocked portion in the direction of the minor axis of the toothbrush with the bristles open after 10,000 reciprocations, and calculating the durability index according to the following formula (the lower the index, the more durable Was evaluated based on the following criteria.
Durability index (%) = [(B) / (A)] / 100

(Criteria)
A: 100-150%,
○: 150-200%
Δ: 200-250%
×: Over 250%

  From Table 3, in Examples 1, 2, 4, and 6, although the elastomer hair is used, it is difficult to spread or durability equal to or more than that of the conventional polyester hair (Comparative Examples 2 to 5). You can see that

(Sensory test)
For each toothbrush of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, a sensory test of massage feeling, presence / absence of stimulation, brushing feeling, ease of application to the tooth neck was performed by 10 subjects, respectively, Evaluation was performed according to the criteria shown in.

(Massage feeling)
◎;
○;
△;
×: Cannot feel at all

(Stimulation)
◎;
○;
△; Feel a little,
× ； Very feel

(A feeling of brushing, ease of application to the tooth neck)
◎; very good,
○;
△: Not good,
×; bad

From Table 4, in Example 1, 2, compared with the comparative examples 1 and 2 which have the conventional massage effect, and polyester hair (Comparative Examples 3-5), it was excellent in a feeling of brushing, a feeling of brushing, and a tooth neck part. It turns out that it is easy to guess.
In Examples 3 and 4, the feeling of polishing and the feeling of brushing decrease, but if the hair length difference (inclination and step) is too large, the elastomeric hair in the center row is too long, and as in Comparative Example 2, it is reliable. It can be seen that the outer synthetic resin bristles do not touch the tooth surface, and a sufficient cleaning feeling cannot be obtained.
In the straights of Examples 5 and 6, it is understood that the synthetic resin hair in the outer region hits the gingival part, which is not comparable to Examples 1 and 2 in terms of ease of application.

(Comprehensive judgment)
Based on the determinations of cleanability, durability, and sensory test, scores were given according to the following criteria, averaged, and comprehensive determination was performed based on the following criteria.
◎; 3 points
○: 2 points
△; 1 point,
×: 0 points,

(Comprehensive criteria)
◎; 2.5 points or more,
○: 2.0 to less than 2.5 points,
Δ: 1.5 to less than 2.0 points,
×: Less than 1.5 points

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The perspective view which shows the principal part of the toothbrush which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view seen from the longitudinal direction front end similarly. FIG. Explanatory drawing which similarly shows the use aspect by a bus method. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the modification in 1st Embodiment, respectively. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows another modification. The perspective view which shows the principal part of the toothbrush which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The side view seen from the longitudinal direction front end similarly. Similarly front view. Explanatory drawing which similarly shows the use aspect by a bus method. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the synthetic resin hair in 2nd Embodiment. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which similarly shows the modification of a synthetic resin hair. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the other modification of a synthetic resin hair similarly. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the further another modification of a synthetic resin hair similarly.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toothbrush 2 Brush body 3 Brush part 4 Brush bristles 5 Hair bundle 20 Flocking table 20a Flocking hole 21 Neck part 41 Thermoplastic elastomer bristles 42 Synthetic resin bristles 60 Sheath part 61 Core bristles 63 Unit cross-section element θ Inclination angle h1, h2 Hair length difference R1, R2, R3, R10, R11 region

Claims (13)

  A toothbrush formed by implanting brush bristles on a flocking table, wherein a thermoplastic elastomer hair made of a polyester elastomer or a polyamide elastomer is implanted in a width direction inner region of the flocking table, and both widthwise outer sides of the flocking table A toothbrush characterized in that synthetic resin bristles harder than the thermoplastic elastomer bristles are planted in the region.   The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the thermoplastic elastomer bristles is 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.   The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a synthetic resin bristles harder than the thermoplastic elastomer bristles is implanted in a region on a distal end side and a proximal end side in a longitudinal direction in a width direction inner side region of the flocking table.   Of the flocking holes of the flocking table, the hair bundle composed of the thermoplastic elastomer bristles is implanted into each flocking hole excluding the flocking hole at the distal end in the longitudinal direction and the flocking hole at the proximal end near the neck in one or more inner rows. The toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein a hair bundle composed of the synthetic resin bristles is planted in the flock holes at the front end and the base end of the inner row and the flock holes constituting both outer rows sandwiching the inner row. .   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the synthetic resin bristles are made of a polyamide resin or a polyester resin.   2. The synthetic resin hair is made of one or two or more kinds of melt-mixed resins selected from nylon, which is a polyamide resin, or polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate, which are polyester resins. The toothbrush of any one of -4.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the synthetic resin bristles are core-sheath hairs composed of a polyamide resin core and a polyester resin sheath.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a bristle height of each brush planted on the tuft is shortened continuously or stepwise from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction.   The toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein an inclination angle with respect to a straight flocked surface passing through a central bristle tip and an outermost bristle tip in a cross-sectional view is 5 to 40 °.   The toothbrush according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the hair length of the outermost brush bristles is 0.5 to 2.5 mm shorter than the bristles of the central portion.   The line passing through the tip of each bristle is inclined substantially linearly from the center in the width direction toward the outside, and the bristle length of each brush bristle continuously shortens from the center toward the outside. The toothbrush of any one of these.   The bristles of the hair bundle to be implanted in each flock hole have substantially the same bristle length, and the bristles of the bristles of the hair bundle outside the bristles on the inner side in the width direction of the flocking table The toothbrush according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the toothbrush is shorter and the bristle length of each brush becomes shorter stepwise from the center toward the outside. The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer bristles are made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness of 30D to 100D.

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