JPH10327930A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve hair tip reaching capability to necessary parts in an oral cavity, improve hair tip follow-up capability to irregular move of a toothbrush, improve bacterial plaque eliminating effect, and reduce setting of hairs by providing change in flexure degree of the hairs. SOLUTION: In a tooth brush 1, a lot of hairs 3 are protruded from a brush base 2. The hairs 3 include plural hairs 3A which are oval at least for a cross sectional form. The oval hairs 3A comprises a first group of hairs 12 which are disposed in such a way that a longer diameter direction D of the oval form is roughly parallel to a longer axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1, and a second group of hairs 13 which are disposed in such a way that the longer diameter direction D of the oval form is roughly perpendicular to the longer axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1, which are disposed to be mixed with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a toothbrush for brushing human teeth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a wide variety of toothbrushes are produced and sold by many manufacturers, but most of the bristles have a circular cross-sectional shape. Other cross-sectional shapes that are seen in a small number are also concentric shapes without directionality, such as polygons. In addition, it has been generally used in the past,
In the manufacturing technique of implanting the hair on the brush base, there is little freedom in the arrangement of the hair bundle, and the arrangement is almost uniform.

[0003]

By the way, in order to remove plaque, it is necessary that the tip of the toothbrush surely hits the plaque on the tooth surface and that the tip moves well following the movement of the toothbrush. However, in a toothbrush having bristles with circular cross-sections that have no directivity as in the past, in the mouth with many irregularities, the tip of the bristles can easily reach This causes a bias in the hair, which makes it difficult for the soft gums and hard teeth to reliably reach the point in the oral cavity adjacent to the mouth.Furthermore, the circular hair has no direction, so the bending of the hair changes. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the contact strength of the bristle tip in the oral cavity, and there are problems such as the inability to sufficiently remove plaque and the tendency of the hair to settle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and by changing the degree of bending of hair, it is possible to improve the reach of the hair tip to a necessary portion in the oral cavity and to improve the accessibility of the hair in a specific direction. Not only the movement of the toothbrush but also the movement of the toothbrush in an unspecified direction can be improved, so that the plaque removal effect can be enhanced and the settling of the hair can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush that can be used.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a toothbrush according to the present invention has a plurality of bristles 3 protruding from a brush base 2, and the plurality of bristles 3 have at least an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The elliptical bristles 3A include a first bristle group 12 arranged so that the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1; It is characterized in that the direction D is the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 and the second bristle group 13 arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, and is arranged in a mixed manner. When the toothbrush 1 is moved in the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 as described above, the long diameter direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the first bristle group 12 becomes parallel to the movement direction of the toothbrush 1, so that the ellipse The bristles 3A are hard to bend, and the bristles can follow the movement of the toothbrush 1 well. On the other hand, in the case of rotating the toothbrush 1 like rolling polishing, the major axis direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the first bristle group 12 becomes parallel to the movement direction of the toothbrush 1 or the like. Since the major axis direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the second bristles 13 is parallel to the direction of movement of the toothbrush 1, the tip of the bristles can well follow the movement of the toothbrush 1 and the plaque removing effect And the effect of reducing hair set is obtained.

A first bristle group 12 arranged so that the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 is arranged at least in a substantially central area 2a of the brush base 2. In this case, the oval bristles 3A having rigidity can be applied to the most important part of the oral cavity at a portion that easily touches the teeth, and plaque is more easily removed.

Further, the first bristle group 12 arranged such that the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 is positioned at the center side in the minor axis direction X of the toothbrush 1. In this case, it is preferable that the tip of the hair is protruded. In this case, when the hair 3A is obliquely applied to the tooth 4, the tip of the elliptical hair 3A more easily hits the boundary between the tooth 4 and the gum 5. Become.

Further, a cross section other than the ellipse is formed on both sides of the first bristle group 12 arranged so that the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the bristles having a cross section. In this case, the tips of the elliptical bristles 3A in the substantially central region 2a follow the movement of the toothbrush 1 well, but have a cross-sectional shape other than the ellipses on both sides thereof. Since the hair has little followability, it softly hits the oral cavity.

In addition, it is preferable to provide, in addition to the elliptical bristles 3A, bristles 3B having a circular cross section, and to make the total number of the bristles 3B 10% or more of the total number of bristles. Circular bristles 3B that can be handled by toothbrush movement in a specific direction
Can be secured. In addition, it is preferable that the circular hair 3B is arranged at least around the entire arrangement portion of the hair 3,
In this case, the circular bristles 3B are located in the peripheral portion, which is the front row when the toothbrush 1 is applied to the teeth 4, and can cope with toothbrush movement in an unspecified direction.

In addition, the entire shape of the arrangement portion of the hair 3
The second bristle is formed in a substantially gourd shape along the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 when viewed from the protruding direction of the toothbrush 1, and the elliptical long diameter direction D is arranged substantially perpendicular to the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1. It is preferable that the groups 13 are arranged at least substantially in the central areas of the two gourd-shaped large-diameter portions 14, respectively. In this case, when the bristles 3 of the toothbrush 1 are applied to the teeth, the plaque is removed. The tip of the second hair group 13 well penetrates between the teeth, which are the points, and the direction in which the hair tip enters and the second hair group 13
Since the major axis direction D of the bristles of the bristles is substantially parallel, the bristles of the large diameter portion 14 can follow the toothbrush movement well.

The toothbrush 1 is an electric toothbrush 6 having at least a reciprocating linear motion function and a reciprocating rotary motion function. The bristles including the elliptical bristles 3A as a large number of bristles protruding from the brush base 2. Preferably, the electric toothbrush 16 is said to be less likely to fit on the tooth surface than the hand toothbrush due to vibration.
However, by using the hair 3 including the oval hair A,
A good fit feeling with the tooth surface can be obtained.

It is preferable that the bristle is formed integrally with the brush base 2 or the brush base 2 with the handle 10, and in this case, the cross-sectional shape of the bristle 3 and its arrangement are changed. In this case, the arrangement can be performed more easily than the conventional method using flocking, and the degree of freedom in arrangement can be increased.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the toothbrush 1 includes a large number of bristles 3 implanted on an upper surface of a brush base 2. Note that the large number of bristles 3 do not necessarily have to be separate from the brush base 2 and may be formed integrally with the brush base 2 by molding. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a handle, and reference numeral 11 denotes a neck.

In the present embodiment, the large number of hairs 3
Hairs 3A having an elliptical cross section arranged in 15 rows and 15 rows
And bristles 3B having a circular cross-sectional shape arranged in one column between the columns of the elliptical bristles 3A. Here, the oval hairs 3A arranged in 3 rows and 15 rows are:
A first bristle group 12 arranged such that the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 and the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 And a second hair group 13 arranged on the second hair group. The oval bristles 3A constituting the first bristles 12 and the oval bristles 3A constituting the second bristles 13 are arranged alternately in the column direction, thereby forming the second bristles. The first hair group 12 and the second hair group 13 are arranged in a mixed state. That is, in the tandem direction, the elliptical hair 3A constituting the first hair group 12 and the elliptical hair 3A constituting the second hair group 13
Are arranged regularly alternately one by one, and
In the row direction, the oval hairs 3A and the circular hairs 3B constituting the first hair group 12 are alternately and regularly arranged one by one. The first hair group 12 and the second hair group 13
Is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and can be freely changed.

Further, the elliptical hair 3A forming the first hair group 12 and the elliptical hair 3A forming the second hair group 13
Is set such that the ratio (B / A) between the major axis A and the minor axis B is equal, but it is of course possible to use those having different elliptical ratios (B / A). In order to make a difference between the rigidity in the major axis direction D and the minor axis direction E of the elliptical shape, for example, it is desirable that the major axis of the elliptical shape is 1.1 times or more the minor axis.
Furthermore, in order to obtain a soft hit in the oral cavity, it is desirable that the bristles 3B having a circular cross-sectional shape are made of bristles having less rigidity than the oval bristles 3A.
It is desirable that the total number of B be 10% or more of the total number of hairs.

Thus, the plurality of bristles 3 implanted on the brush base 2 are first bristles arranged such that the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1. Group 12
And a second bristle group 13 in which the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is arranged substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1, and these first bristle group 12 and second bristle group 13 Are arranged in a mixed manner, the degree of bending of the hair 3 can be changed. That is, when the toothbrush 1 is moved in the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 as in the case of bathing, the long diameter direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the first bristle group 12 is the movement direction of the toothbrush 1 Oval hair 3A
The bristles are less likely to bend, and the bristle tip can follow the movement of the toothbrush 1 well. On the other hand, in the case of rotating the toothbrush 1 like rolling polishing, the major axis direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the first bristle group 12 becomes parallel to the movement direction of the toothbrush 1 or the second bristles. The major axis direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the bristles 13 of the first and second bristles may be parallel to the direction of movement of the toothbrush 1, so even in the case of this rolling polishing, the first bristles 12 or the second bristles 13 may be used. By making one of the elliptical bristles 3A difficult to bend, the bristles can follow the movement of the toothbrush 1 well. That is,
In both the Y direction and the X direction, which are general ways of moving the toothbrush 1, the bristle tips move well in correspondence with each direction, so that the plaque removing effect and the effect of reducing settling of the hair are improved. Will be obtained. Moreover, since the elliptical bristles 3A constituting the first bristle group 12 are arranged in the central region of the brush base 2, the bristles having rigidity are located in the portions where the teeth easily touch, and the plaque is more reduced. It is easier to remove.

When the bristle 3 is obliquely applied to the tooth 4 as shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the elliptical bristles 3A at the boundary between the hard tooth 4 and the soft gum 5 which is the point of plaque removal. As a result, the tip of the hair can reliably reach the plaque. Also, at this time, the minor axis direction E of the elliptical bristles 3A becomes the same as the force in the direction in which the toothbrush 1 is applied to the teeth 4, and in this minor axis direction E, the elliptical bristles 3A easily bend. It will fit well.

As a result, in either case of bath polishing or rolling polishing, the degree of deflection of the bristles 3 can be changed, so that the tips of the bristles fit tightly on the tooth surface and the bristles 3
A is less likely to bend, and can move following the movement of the toothbrush 1 well, so that the effect of removing plaque can be improved and the settling of the bristles 3 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the elliptical major axis direction D
Are located on both sides of a first bristle group 12 arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1, and circular bristles 3 </ b> B
When the toothbrush 1 is moved in the major axis direction Y or the minor axis direction X, the tip of the elliptical bristles 3A follows the movement of the toothbrush 1 well, while the toothbrush 1 is circular. Hair 3B softly hits the oral cavity. In addition, when the toothbrush 1 is moved in an unspecified direction, the direction of the toothbrush 1 is changed by changing the direction of the toothbrush 1 by changing the direction of the toothbrush 1 by arranging the bristle 3C having little followability on both sides. The degree of contact can be adjusted, so that not only the movement of the toothbrush 1 in a specific direction but also the movement of the toothbrush 1 in an unspecified direction can be sufficiently coped with, and the plaque removing effect can be further enhanced. In addition, by setting the total number of the bristles 3B having a circular cross section to be 10% or more of the total number of the bristles, the bristles 3B can cope with toothbrush movement in an unspecified direction, so that the bristles hit the mouth more softly. can do.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of elliptical bristles 3A and a second bristles 1
The case where the plurality of elliptical hairs 3A constituting 3 are arranged regularly and alternately one by one in the longitudinal direction has been described. However, the arrangement of each elliptical hair 3A is not limited to this, and is random. The arrangement may be such that the first hair group 12 and the second hair group 13 are arranged in a mixed manner. Also, the hair constituting the first hair group 12 and the second hair group 1
The cross-sectional shape of the bristle constituting No. 3 is an elliptical shape in which the ratio (B / A) between the major axis A and the minor axis B is equal, but a plurality of types of ellipses having different sizes and shapes may be used. . Also,
Although the case where circular hairs 3B are arranged on both sides of the first hair group 12 has been described, hairs having a cross-sectional shape other than a circle (for example, hairs having a square cross-section) may be arranged. Of course, the circular bristles 3B may be omitted. The ends of the hairs including the oval hairs 3A may be rounded. These are the same in the following embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment, in which the first bristle group 12 arranged so that the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 is attached to the brush base 2. A second bristle group 13 arranged on both sides of the first bristle group 12 in which the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is arranged substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1; Hairs having a cross-sectional shape other than an elliptical shape are arranged. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. In this embodiment, circular bristles 3B are used as the bristles having a cross-sectional shape other than the elliptical shape, and the circular bristles 3B and the elliptical bristles 3A are alternately arranged one by one.
They are arranged in columns. By arranging the circular bristles 3 </ b> B having less followability than the first bristle group 12 on both sides of the first bristle group 12 in this manner, the peripheral portion that is the front row when the toothbrush 1 is applied to the teeth 4. The circular bristles 3B come to be positioned at the center. In other words, when the toothbrush 1 is moved in the long axis direction Y as shown in FIG. 4, elliptical bristles 3A having more direction are arranged in the center area, and circular bristles 3B having no direction are arranged on both sides.
Is arranged, the degree of contact with the bristles can be adjusted by the part, it is possible to sufficiently respond not only to the movement of the toothbrush in a specific direction but also to the movement of the toothbrush in an unspecified direction, and the plaque removal effect Can be further enhanced.

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the plurality of elliptical bristles 3A are
The center of the hair in the short axis direction X is raised in a mountain shape so that the tip of the hair protrudes. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the elliptical bristles 3 </ b> A arranged in the substantially central area 2 a of the brush base 2 is raised in a mountain shape when viewed from the short-axis direction X of the toothbrush 1. In addition, when the bristles 3 are obliquely applied to the teeth 4, the tips of the elliptical bristles 3 </ b> A in the substantially central region 2 a protruding in the mountain shape more easily hit the boundary between the teeth 4 and the gums 5. Accordingly, the tip of the elliptical bristles 3A in the substantially central region 2a efficiently hits the wide range of the teeth 4 and fits and moves well, so that the plaque removing effect is improved and the bristles 3A are improved.
The effect of reducing the sag can be obtained. In addition, the inclination angle θ of the crest of the tip of the elliptical bristles 3A in the substantially central region 2a is 25 ° to 45 ° in consideration of the angle when the bristles 3 of the toothbrush 1 are applied to the tooth surface. desirable.

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, a first bristle group 12 is arranged in a substantially central area 2a of the brush base 2 such that the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1. At the same time, bristles 3B having at least a circular cross section are arranged on both side regions 2b. In the present embodiment, bristles 3B having a circular cross-sectional shape and bristles 3A having an elliptical shape are arranged in both side regions 2b. The elliptical bristles 3A and the elliptical bristles 3A arranged in the substantially central region 2a have different elliptical sizes. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the elliptical hair 3A in the substantially central area 2a has a ratio (B /
A) has a sufficiently large elliptical shape, while the peripheral elliptical hair 3A has a ratio (B ') between the major axis A' and the minor axis B '.
/ A ') is a small ellipse. Further, the elliptical bristles 3A in the peripheral portion are moved along the major axis direction D of the ellipse by the toothbrush 1.
Oval hair 3A arranged parallel to the major axis direction Y
And the elliptical bristles 3A arranged so that the major axis direction D of the ellipse is substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. In this embodiment, the circular bristle 3 is placed around the entire arrangement of the bristle 3 (the front row when the toothbrush 1 is applied to the teeth).
B and the elliptical bristles 3A, which are slightly more circular than the elliptical bristles 3A in the substantially central region 2a, are arranged so that they can sufficiently cope with toothbrush movement in unspecified directions, and can be softly applied to the oral cavity. Will be able to do it.

As shown in FIG. 8, only the circular bristles 3B may be arranged around the entire arrangement of the bristles 3. In this embodiment, the first hair group 12 and the second hair group 1
Since the bristles 3B having a circular cross section are arranged around the periphery of the brush base 2 so as to surround the toothbrush 3, even when the toothbrush 1 is moved in an unspecified direction, when the toothbrush 1 is applied to the teeth 4. Since only the circular bristles 3B are located in the peripheral portion of the front row, it is possible to cope with toothbrush movement in an unspecified direction.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape of the entire arrangement portion of the bristle 3 is formed in a substantially gourd shape along the long axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 when viewed from the protruding direction of the bristle 3, and the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is the toothbrush 1. Second hair group 13 arranged substantially perpendicular to the long axis direction Y
Are arranged at least substantially in the central regions of the two large-diameter portions 14 of the gourd shape. In this embodiment, the first bristle group 12 arranged so that the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 is arranged in the gourd-shaped constricted portion 15, Circular hairs 3B are arranged on the periphery of the second hair group 13 and the periphery of the second hair group 13, respectively.

Thus, the entire shape of the arrangement portion of the hair 3
When the bristles 3 of the toothbrush 1 are obliquely applied to the teeth as shown in FIG.
The second bristle group 13 in which the major axis direction D of the elliptical shape is arranged substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction Y of the toothbrush 1 is arranged in a substantially central region of two large diameter portions 14 of a gourd shape. Therefore, the tip of the second hair group 13 well enters between the teeth, which is the point of plaque removal. Therefore, when the bristles of the large diameter portion 14 are, for example, polished by rolling, the bristles can follow the rotational movement of the toothbrush 1 well. In other words, the direction in which the bristle enters is substantially parallel to the major-diameter direction D of the bristles of the second bristle group 13, so that the bristle tips of the large-diameter portion 14 can follow the toothbrush movement well. Moreover, since the bristle tip can enter with the short diameter width of the elliptical bristles 3A, the bristle tip can easily enter the interdental portion. Therefore, the bristle tip penetrates into the interdental portion and moves well, so that the plaque removing effect can be further enhanced.

FIG. 10 shows the electric toothbrush 6 having at least a reciprocating linear motion function and a reciprocating rotary motion function. As the hair to be implanted on the brush base 2, FIG.
To oval hair 3A shown in any of the embodiments of FIGS.
Is used. FIG. 10 shows a case where the hair 3 of the embodiment of FIG. 9 is used, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. In the present embodiment, a drive shaft 8 is protruded from the tip of a main body 7 having a mechanism for performing a reciprocating linear motion and a reciprocating rotary motion, and a replacement brush 9 integrated with the brush base 2 is mounted on the drive shaft 8. . Then, the motor built in the main body 7 is rotated in one direction to cause the drive shaft 8 to perform a reciprocating linear motion (bus polishing) and a reciprocating rotary motion (bus polishing) via the eccentric shaft and the cam. At the time of reciprocating linear movement, the major axis direction D of the elliptical bristles 3A is parallel to the direction of movement of the electric toothbrush 6, so that the elliptical bristles 3A are less likely to bend and the tips of the bristles can follow the movement of the electric toothbrush 6 well. become. In addition, during the reciprocating rotation, the major axis direction D of any of the elliptical bristles 3A is parallel to the direction of movement of the electric toothbrush 6, so that the file elliptical bristles 3A are less likely to bend, and the tip of the electric toothbrush 6 is You will be able to follow your exercise well. Furthermore, even with the electric toothbrush 16 which is said to be less likely to fit on the tooth surface than the hand toothbrush due to vibration, the use of the bristle 3 including the elliptical bristle A enables good fit with the tooth surface. A feeling can be obtained. Here, in the arrangement structure of the bristles 3 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 8, it is desirable to use the so-called auto bass rolling mode, for example, in which bath polishing and rolling polishing are automatically repeated, and FIGS. In the arrangement structure of the bristle 3 shown in FIG. 7, it is desirable to use it in the bath polishing mode.
It is desirable to use the rolling polishing mode in the arrangement structure of the above. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this use method, and it is needless to say that it can be arbitrarily selected and used according to the user's preference.

FIG. 11 shows a case where the bristles 3 protruding from the brush base 2 are formed integrally with the brush base 2 or the brush base 2 with the handle 10. As the bristles implanted on the brush base 2, the bristles 3 including the oval bristles 3A shown in any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7 are used. In this embodiment, The bristles 3, the brush base 2, and the handle 10 are integrally formed via the neck 11.
Therefore, it is possible to easily change the cross-sectional shape and arrangement of the bristles 3 compared to the conventional method by flocking, and even when the bristles are rounded, the bristles are more sharp than the conventional polishing method. Processing can be performed smoothly and reliably. In addition, for example, in the case of a mountain-shaped brush, in the conventional technology, the rounding of the tip of the bristles tends to be incomplete, but the bristles become smooth and soft by integral molding, and the contact in the oral cavity is further improved. There is an advantage that a toothbrush that is highly safe to use can be easily manufactured.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a large number of hairs protrude from the brush base, and the large number of hairs include a plurality of hairs having at least an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The elliptical bristles are arranged such that the major axis of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis of the toothbrush, and the major hair group of the ellipse is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the toothbrush. When the toothbrush is moved in the long axis direction of the toothbrush as in the case of bath polishing, the elliptical bristles constituting the first bristle group are arranged together with the second bristle group arranged in the direction. Because the major axis direction is parallel to the direction of movement of the toothbrush, elliptical bristles are less likely to bend, and the tips of the bristles can better follow the movement of the toothbrush.On the other hand, when rotating the toothbrush like rolling brushing The length of the elliptical hair constituting the first hair group Since the direction is parallel to the direction of movement of the toothbrush, and the major axis direction of the elliptical bristles constituting the second bristle group is parallel to the direction of movement of the toothbrush, the tip also follows the movement of the toothbrush well it can. As a result, not only the movement of the toothbrush in a specific direction but also the movement of the toothbrush in an unspecified direction can change the degree of bending of the bristles. It is possible to follow and move, to improve the effect of removing plaque and to reduce the settling of the hair.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the first bristle group arranged such that the major axis direction of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the toothbrush is provided. Since it is arranged at least in the substantially central area of the brush base, the bristles having rigidity on the parts that easily touch the teeth can be applied to the most important parts of the oral cavity, and plaque is more easily removed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the first configuration is such that the major axis direction of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the toothbrush. Since the bristles protrude from the bristle at the center located in the short axis direction of the toothbrush, the bristles of the elliptical bristles at the boundary between the teeth and the gum when the bristles are applied diagonally to the teeth. The elliptical bristles in the substantially central region efficiently hit the wide area of the teeth and fit well and exercise well, so that the plaque removing effect is further improved and the bristles are improved. Settling can be further reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the first bristle group arranged so that the major axis direction of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the toothbrush. Since the bristles having a cross-sectional shape other than the elliptical shape are arranged on both sides thereof, the tips of the elliptical bristles of the first bristle group well follow the movement of the toothbrush, while the directions located on both sides thereof By the presence of bristles of any sex, that is, by arranging bristles with less followability, it is possible to adjust the degree of bristles by changing the direction of the toothbrush, so that it can respond more to the movement of the toothbrush in unspecified directions And the plaque removal effect can be further enhanced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, in addition to the elliptical hairs, hairs having a circular cross section are provided, and the total number of the circular hairs is reduced by the total number of hairs. Since it is 10% or more, the number of circular bristles that can cope with toothbrush movement in an unspecified direction can be secured, and the toothbrush can be more softly applied in the oral cavity. According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the fourth or fifth aspect, the circular bristles are arranged at least on the periphery of the entire arrangement portion of the bristles. Circular bristles are located in the peripheral portion, and can sufficiently cope with toothbrush movement in an unspecified direction.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the entire bristle disposition portion is formed in a substantially gourd shape along the long axis direction of the toothbrush viewed from the protruding direction of the bristle. In addition, the second bristle group in which the major axis direction of the elliptical shape is arranged substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction of the toothbrush is arranged at least in the approximate center area of at least the two large diameter portions of the gourd. When the toothbrush bristles 3 are applied to the teeth, the tips of the second bristles are well inserted between the teeth, which is the point of plaque removal, and the direction in which the bristles enter and the second bristles are removed. Since the major axis direction of the ellipse of the bristles is substantially parallel, the bristles of the large diameter part can follow the toothbrush movement well, and the plaque removing effect is further enhanced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the toothbrush is an electric toothbrush having at least a reciprocating linear motion function and a reciprocating rotary motion function, wherein a number of bristles protruding from the brush base are claimed. 7. Since it is composed of bristles including the elliptical bristles described in any one of claims 7 to 7, in addition to the effects described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the hand toothbrush is applied to the tooth surface due to vibration. Even with an electric toothbrush that is said to be difficult to fit, by using bristles including elliptical bristles, a good fit feeling with the tooth surface can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the bristles including the elliptical bristles according to any one of the first to eighth aspects are formed integrally with a brush base or a brush base with a handle. Therefore, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in giving a change in the cross-sectional shape and arrangement of the hairs, the hairs can be more easily arranged than the conventional hair transplantation method, The degree of freedom of arrangement also expands. Moreover, when the bristles are rounded by integrally molding the bristles, the bristles can be processed more smoothly and more reliably than the conventional polishing method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional shape of a hair.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in which bristles of the toothbrush are applied to a tooth surface in an oblique direction.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the movement direction of the toothbrush of FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a front view and a side view showing still another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which bristles of the toothbrush of FIG. 5 are applied to a boundary between a tooth and a gum.

FIG. 7A is a front view of still another embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional shape of two kinds of elliptical hairs.

FIG. 8 is a front view of still another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of still another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of an electric toothbrush according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toothbrush 2 Brush base 2a Substantially central area 3 Bristle 3A Elliptical bristle 3B Circular bristle 6 Electric toothbrush 12 First bristle group 13 Second bristle group 14 Large diameter part D Elliptical major axis direction E Elliptical Short axis direction Y Long axis direction of toothbrush X Short axis direction of toothbrush

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A large number of bristles are projected from a brush base, and the plurality of bristles include a plurality of bristles having at least an elliptical cross-sectional shape. A first group of hairs arranged to be substantially parallel to the direction;
A toothbrush characterized in that a second bristle group in which the major axis direction of the ellipse is arranged substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction of the toothbrush is mixed. 2. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the first bristle group is disposed at least in a substantially central region of the brush base so that a major axis direction of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to a major axis direction of the toothbrush. Item 7. The toothbrush according to Item 1. 3. The first bristle group arranged so that the major axis direction of the elliptical shape is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the toothbrush, the bristle located closer to the center in the minor axis direction of the toothbrush, and the bristle tip The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the toothbrush is protruded. 4. Bristles having a cross-sectional shape other than an ellipse are arranged on both sides of a first bristle group arranged so that the major axis direction of the ellipse is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the toothbrush. The toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the toothbrush is used. 5. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein bristles having a circular cross section are provided separately from the oval bristles, and the total number of the bristles is 10% or more of the total number of bristles. 6. The toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein the circular bristles are arranged at least on the periphery of the entire arrangement portion of the bristles. 7. The shape of the entire bristle disposition portion is formed in a substantially gourd shape along the long axis direction of the toothbrush viewed from the direction in which the bristles protrude, and the major axis direction of the ellipse is substantially perpendicular to the long axis direction of the toothbrush. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the second bristle group arranged in the direction is arranged at least in a substantially central region of the two large diameter portions of the gourd. 8. The toothbrush is an electric toothbrush having at least a reciprocating linear motion function and a reciprocating rotary motion function,
A toothbrush comprising a plurality of bristles protruding from a brush base made of bristles including the elliptical bristles according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A toothbrush, wherein the bristles including the elliptical bristles according to claim 1 are formed integrally with a brush base or a brush base with a handle portion. .