U.S. patent application number 14/433309 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for method for manufacturing bristles on toothbrush and toothbrush using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is BBC CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ki-Tae Kang, Yeon-Bok Kang, Guihwan O.
Application Number | 20150257525 14/433309 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50435543 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150257525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kang; Ki-Tae ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
Method for Manufacturing Bristles on Toothbrush and Toothbrush
Using Same
Abstract
A method for manufacturing bristles on a toothbrush and a
toothbrush using the same are provided, in which the bristles on a
toothbrush have a core-sheath double structure and various
cross-sectional shapes, have uneven portions formed on a surface
thereof by a tapering process while containing inorganic particles,
and include inorganic or organic antimicrobial materials.
Inventors: |
Kang; Ki-Tae; (Daejeon,
KR) ; O; Guihwan; (Daejeon, KR) ; Kang;
Yeon-Bok; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BBC CO., LTD. |
Daejeon |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
50435543 |
Appl. No.: |
14/433309 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
October 4, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2013/008890 |
371 Date: |
April 2, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 ;
300/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01F 8/12 20130101; A46B
2200/1066 20130101; D01F 1/10 20130101; D01F 8/14 20130101; A46D
1/0261 20130101; A46D 1/023 20130101; A46D 1/04 20130101; A46D
1/0238 20130101; A46D 1/0276 20130101; A46D 1/006 20130101; D01D
5/253 20130101; A46D 1/0207 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46D 1/04 20060101
A46D001/04; A46D 1/00 20060101 A46D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 4, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0109887 |
Aug 28, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0102757 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing bristles on a toothbrush, the method
comprising: a) manufacturing a core-sheath type filament composed
of a core part and a sheath part; b) cutting the filament; c)
immersing one end of the filament in step b) in a processing tank
filled with a tapering solution; and d) immersing the other end of
the filament in step c) in a processing tank filled with an
alkaline solution.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bristles on the toothbrush
have a cross-sectional shape comprising at least one of the
following: a dumbbell shape, a cross shape, a disk shape, a chevron
shape, a triangular shape, a tetragonal shape, a trapezoidal shape,
and a corn shape.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the bristles on the toothbrush
have a shape comprising at least one of the following: a circular
shape, a dumbbell shape, a cross shape, a disk shape, a chevron
shape, a triangular shape, a tetragonal shape, a trapezoidal shape,
and a corn shape.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the core part or the sheath part
is made of a polymer resin comprising at least one of the
following: polyester, a thermoplastic rubber, an elastomer,
silicone, BPA-free bio plastic, polyoxymethylene, nylon 4, nylon 6,
nylon 7, nylon 9, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 4,6, nylon 6,6, nylon
6,10, nylon 6,12, and a polyester copolymer polymer resin.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the core part, the sheath part,
or both of the core part and the sheath part further contain an
additive including organic particles, inorganic particles, or a
mixture thereof.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the organic particles comprise
any one or at least two selected from green tea extracts, barley
sprout extracts, ginkgo biloba extracts, pine needle extracts,
bamboo extracts, activated carbon, xylitol, and a water soluble
polymer, and the inorganic particles are any one or at least two
selected from zeolite, silica-alumina, calcium phosphate, zirconium
phosphate, calcium carbonate, silica gel, titanium dioxide, zinc
oxide, zirconium carbide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, and
aluminum oxide.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein any one or at least two metals
selected from gold, silver, platinum, and copper is further
supported on the inorganic particles.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the additive has an average
particle size of 0.1 to 10 .mu.m.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein an antimicrobial material is
further added at a content of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on
100 parts by weight of the core part, the sheath part, or the core
part and the sheath part.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the antimicrobial material is a
guanidine based compound or silver ion powder.
11. A toothbrush using bristles on a toothbrush manufactured by the
method of claim 1.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing
bristles on a toothbrush and a toothbrush using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A toothbrush is a representative tool used in order to clean
the mouth including teeth and gums. In general, the toothbrush is
composed of a handle and bristles on the toothbrush, wherein the
bristles on the toothbrush are manufactured using a synthetic resin
having elasticity. In general bristles on a toothbrush as described
above are mainly manufactured using nylon or polyester as a raw
material, wherein the nylon bristles on a toothbrush have
advantages such as suitable elasticity and flexibility but have
disadvantages in that a life time thereof is short due to a high
absorption property, the nylon bristles on a toothbrush should have
a predetermined thickness or more due to low strength, and since it
is impossible to perform a processing process such as a tapering
process, or the like, penetration between the teeth or between the
gums and teeth is low, such that it is difficult to completely
remove tartar, food residue, or the like. Further, in the case in
which polyester-based bristles on a toothbrush are not tapered,
while elasticity is large, flexibility is deteriorated, such that
the gum of a user may be easily hurt, and in the case in which the
polyester-based bristles on a toothbrush are tapered, penetration
and flexibility are excellent but removal of tartar, or the like,
may be deteriorated.
[0003] As another disadvantage of general bristles on a toothbrush,
there is proliferation of bacteria in the bristles. In most of the
cases, after a user brushes his or her teeth, a toothbrush is
stored in a state in which the toothbrush is exposed to air, and
bristles on a toothbrush are not dried due to characteristics of
the toothbrush, such that an environment suitable for microbes to
live therein is generated. These microbes are transferred to the
mouth at the time of brushing, thereby causing periodontal
diseases.
[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, toothbrushes
having antimicrobial and antitoxic activities and having various
shapes have emerged. In these functional toothbrushes, components
of pine needle, charcoal, barley sprout, a bamboo salt, a pine
salt, or the like, are mainly contained, or an inorganic
antimicrobial agent such as nano-silver, silver ions, platinum,
gold, copper, manganese, or the like, is mostly contained in the
bristles on a toothbrush. These materials are generally contained
in a polymer resin configuring a bristle basic material to thereby
be spun. In this case, the inorganic antimicrobial agents are
hardly affected by a spinning resin, but in the case of vegetable
antimicrobial agents, components having antimicrobial activity or
beneficial effects on human bodies may be damaged by a temperature
of a spinning solution.
[0005] The invention relating to a method for manufacturing
bristles on a toothbrush by mixing components of barley sprout and
inorganic antimicrobial agent powder so as to be contained with
predetermined contents in a polymer resin during a molding process
of the bristles on a toothbrush has been disclosed in Korean Patent
No. 10-0944799. According to the above-mentioned invention, there
is an effect of imparting freshness to the gums and promoting blood
circulation due to functions of the components of barley sprout.
However, among the components contained in barley sprout, since
vitamin C is vulnerable to heat, vitamin C is easily destroyed by a
temperature of a spinning solution, such that it is doubtful that
the desired function may be obtained in the above-mentioned
invention.
[0006] In addition, the invention relating to bristles on a
toothbrush having various effects of pine needle such as
antimicrobial activity, humidity controlling performance,
deodorization performance, purification performance, or the like,
by mixing pine needle powder and a bamboo salt component with a
synthetic resin has been disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0953868.
However, in the invention, there is a risk that the component
contained in pine needles will be partially destroyed or deformed
by heat of a spinning solution, and the bristles have failed to
have a function such as penetration performance, or the like,
required in order to effectively remove tartar and food
residue.
RELATED ART DOCUMENT
[0007] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent No. 10-0944799 (Feb. 22,
2010)
[0008] Patent Document 2: Korean Patent No. 10-0953868 (Apr. 20,
2010)
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel
method for manufacturing bristles on a toothbrush capable of having
semi-permanent antimicrobial activity, which is a disadvantage of
an existing toothbrush and bristles on a toothbrush, and
implementing excellent detergency and penetration, and a toothbrush
using the same.
Technical Solution
[0010] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing
bristles on a toothbrush and a toothbrush using the same, wherein
the bristles on a toothbrush have a core-sheath double structure
and various cross-sectional shapes, have uneven portions formed on
a surface thereof by a tapering process while containing inorganic
particles, and include inorganic or organic antimicrobial
materials.
[0011] In one general aspect, a method for manufacturing bristles
on a toothbrush, the method including:
[0012] a) manufacturing a core-sheath type filament composed of a
core part and a sheath part;
[0013] b) cutting the filament;
[0014] c) immersing one end of the filament in step b) in a
processing tank filled with a tapering solution; and
[0015] d) immersing the other end of the filament in step c) in a
processing tank filled with an alkaline solution.
[0016] In another general aspect, there is provided a toothbrush
using bristles on a toothbrush manufactured by the method as
described above.
[0017] Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing bristles on a
toothbrush and the toothbrush using the same according to the
present invention will be described in detail.
[0018] It is preferable that the bristles on a toothbrush according
to the present invention have a core-sheath structure composed of a
core part and a sheath part. It is preferable that a polymer resin
capable of being tapered is used in the core part and the sheath
part, and the polymer resins forming the core part and the sheath
part may be the same as or different from each other, but in order
to dissolve a sea component to form fine bristles on a toothbrush,
it is preferable that different polymer resins are used in the sea
component and an island component. More preferably, polymer resins
satisfying the following Equation are used in the sea component and
the island component.
V.sub.s>V.sub.i [Equation 1]
[0019] (In Equation 1, V.sub.s is a dissolution rate of the sea
component in the alkaline solution, and V.sub.i is a dissolution
rate of the island component in the alkaline solution.)
[0020] As the polymer resin forming the island component, it is
preferable to use any one or at least two polymer resins of
polyester such as polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene
terephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate,
polyester ether, polyether ether ketone, or the like, a
thermoplastic rubber, an elastomer, silicone, BPA(bisphenol-A)-free
bio plastic, polyoxymethylene, nylon 4, nylon 6, nylon 7, nylon 9,
nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 4,6, nylon 6,6, nylon 6,10, and nylon
6,12.
[0021] As the polymer resin forming the sea component, it is
preferable to use a polyester copolymer polymer resin obtained by
copolymerizing at least one monomer selected from polyethylene
glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid,
1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate,
2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,4-butanediol,
2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-propanediol, adipic acid, isophthalic acid,
5-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, polylactic acid, polyethylene
oxide, and ultra-high molecular polyalkylene oxide at a content of
10 to 50 wt % or to use polyester alone. These copolymers have at
least 10 times the solubility of general polyester, such that these
copolymers are suitable for forming fine split-type bristles on a
toothbrush to be described in the present invention.
[0022] It is preferable that the bristles on a toothbrush are
composed of 10 to 90 vol % of the core part and 10 to 90 vol % of
the sheath part based on 100 vol % of the entire filament.
[0023] When the bristles on a toothbrush are cut in a direction
vertical to an axial direction, the bristles on a toothbrush may
have a different cross-sectional shape as well as a circular shape.
It is preferable that the bristles on a toothbrush are formed to
have any one cross-sectional shape of a circular shape, a dumbbell
shape, a cross shape, a disk shape, a chevron shape, a triangular
shape, a tetragonal shape, a trapezoidal shape, and a corn shape.
The cross section may be determined by a shape of a spinneret at
the time of spinning the polymer resin forming the bristles on a
toothbrush.
[0024] An additive may be further contained in the polymer resin
forming the bristles on a toothbrush, that is, any one of the core
part and the sheath part, or both of the core part and the sheath
part. The additive includes organic particles, inorganic particles,
or a mixture of organic particles and inorganic particles, and the
additive serves to improve strength of the bristles on a toothbrush
and adjust elasticity thereof and acts as an insoluble portion at
the time of performing a tapering process on the bristles on a
toothbrush to thereby form uneven portions on a surface of the
bristles on a toothbrush.
[0025] The kind of organic particles is not limited as long as the
organic particles are generally used in the art, and a powdery form
of the organic particles may be also used. As the organic
particles, for example, any one or at least two selected from
various vegetable extracts such as green tea extracts, barley
sprout extracts, ginkgo biloba extracts, pine needle extracts,
bamboo extracts, or the like; powder such as activated carbon,
xylitol, or the like; polyacrylic polymers such as polyacrylic
acid, poly(meth)acrylate, polyvinylacetate, or the like, cellulose
based polymer such as cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,
hydroxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose,
hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose,
hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or the like; a
polyalcohol based polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene
glycol, polypropylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol copolymer, or
the like; and polyethylene oxide may be used. These materials may
impart freshness to the gums, promote blood circulation, activate
cell functions, and release functional components useful for oral
health.
[0026] In addition, based on an idea that among the organic
particles according to the present invention, the activated carbon
has a porous structure, antimicrobial activity and deodorization
performance of charcoal may be significantly improved by adsorbing
a photocatalyst having a nano size in a number of micro pores of
the activated carbon.
[0027] The photocatalyst used in the present invention includes a
visible-light photocatalyst, wherein the visible-light
photocatalyst has excellent antimicrobial activity in a
visible-light wavelength region, high photochemical activity due to
surface characteristics of nano particles, and excellent stability,
such that an artificial filament containing charcoal powder
adsorbing the photocatalyst may have excellent antimicrobial
activity and deodorization performance and continuously exhibit
performance over a long period of time due to excellent
stability.
[0028] As the visible-light photocatalyst used in the present
invention, a material capable of being generally used in the art,
for example, titanium dioxide, zinc dioxide, silver oxide, titanium
oxynitride, or the like, may be used. It is preferable to use
titanium oxynitride.
[0029] According to the present invention, an average particle size
of the photocatalyst-supported activated carbon powder may be 300
to 1500 meshes. In the case in which the particle size of the
activated carbon powder is less than 300 meshes, it is difficult to
mix the activated carbon powder with a resin material, and in the
case in which the particle size is more than 1500 meshes, there is
no pore into which the photocatalyst penetrates.
[0030] According to a method for preparing the
photocatalyst-supported activated carbon powder, activated carbon
powder on which titanium oxynitride is supported may be prepared by
stirring and mixing a mixture in which activated carbon powder and
titanium oxynitride are mixed in an organic solvent for 0.5 to 4
hours, vacuum-drying the mixture at 20 to 70.degree. C., and then
sintering the mixture at 180 to 250.degree. C.
[0031] The titanium oxynitride may be supported on the activated
carbon powder at a content of 5 to 35 wt %. In the case in which
the content is more than the above-mentioned range, adsorption
performance is deteriorated, such that there is no economical
efficiency, and in the case in which the content is less than the
above-mentioned range, it is difficult to obtain the desired
physical properties.
[0032] The photocatalyst-supported activated carbon powder may be
contained in both of the core part (island component) and the
sheath part (sea component), but when the photocatalyst-supported
activated carbon powder is added to the sea component, the
antimicrobial activity and deodorization performance of charcoal
may be maximally exhibited.
[0033] The kind of inorganic particles is not limited as long as
the object of the present invention may be achieved, but it is
preferable to use any one or a mixture of at least two selected
from zeolite, silica-alumina, calcium phosphate, zirconium
phosphate, calcium carbonate, silica gel, titanium dioxide, zinc
oxide, zirconium carbide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, and
aluminum oxide.
[0034] The additive may have an average particle size of preferably
0.1 to 10 .mu.m, and more preferably 2 to 5 .mu.m. In the case in
which the average particle size of the additive is less than 0.1
.mu.m, it may be difficult to obtain detergency to be desired in
the present invention, and in the case in which the average
particle size is more than 10 .mu.m, tensile strength of the
manufactured bristles on a toothbrush may be deteriorated.
[0035] It is preferable that the additive is added at a content of
0.1 to 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the
polymer resin forming the core part or the sheath part. In the case
in which the content is less than 0.1 part by weight, formation of
uneven portions to be desired is insufficient, such that it is
impossible to obtain sufficient detergency, and in the case in
which the content is more than 20 parts by weight, strength of the
filament may be deteriorated. Further, in the case in which the
additive is contained in both of the core part and the sheath part,
it is preferable that the additives are added so as to satisfy the
above-mentioned range, respectively.
[0036] The bristles on a toothbrush according to the present
invention may contain at least one antimicrobial material in order
to effectively block proliferation of microbes and fungi even under
a very moist condition. As the antimicrobial material, organic
materials and inorganic materials may be all used.
[0037] As the inorganic material capable of being used as the
antimicrobial material, it is preferable to use an inorganic
material in which ions of at least one metal selected from gold,
platinum, silver, or copper are supported on at least one carrier
of zeolite, silica-alumina, calcium phosphate, zirconium phosphate,
calcium carbonate, silica gel, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide,
zirconium carbide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, and aluminum
oxide. Alternatively, the metal ion or nano metal may be used
alone, or silver ion powder may be preferably used.
[0038] Here, the inorganic material has an average particle size of
preferably, 0.1 to 10 .mu.m and more preferably 2 to 5 .mu.m. In
addition, the inorganic material acts as an insoluble material at
the time of performing the tapering process to serve to increase
uneven portions of the surface.
[0039] The silver ion powder, which is prepared by containing
silver in a natural glass component soluble in water, mixing and
dispersing the silver at about 1,300.degree. C., and then rapidly
cooling the mixture, has advantages in that even in the case of
using the silver ion powder for a long period of time, there is no
problem such as oxidation, welding, adsorption, and the like, and
even in the case of mixing the silver ion powder with a polymer
resin, the silver ion powder may be easily dispersed. In addition,
there is no risk that the silver ion will be eluted, such that the
antimicrobial activity may be exhibited in water as well as a
contact surface.
[0040] A particle shape, a particle size, or the like, of the
silver ion powder is not limited, but it is preferable that the
silver ion powder has an average particle size of 1 to 20 .mu.m and
a spherical shape. The silver ion powder may also act as an
insoluble material at the time of performing the tapering process
to increase uneven portions of the surface.
[0041] The kind of organic materials capable of being used as the
antimicrobial material is not limited as long as it does not have
toxicity to the human body. In addition, the organic material may
be added at the time of polymerizing a polymer resin for
spinning.
[0042] As the organic material, chlorides such as benzalconium
chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium chloride, or the
like, or a guanidine based compound may be preferably used.
Preferably, cetyl pyridinium chloride, 1,1-hexamethylene
bis(5-(4-chlorophenyl) biguanide)hydrochloride, polyhexamethylene
biguanide hydrochloride,
1-methyl-2-nitro-3[(3-tetrahydrofuryl)methyl]guanidine,
polytetramethyleneguanidinium, polyhexamethyleneguanidinium,
polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate, or the like, may be used.
The organic antimicrobial material acts in a manner in which the
organic antimicrobial material forms a cation on surfaces of the
bristles on a toothbrush in the presence of water, and the cation
electrically pulls an anion formed on a cell surface of a microbe
to destroy a cell wall by attractive force.
[0043] The antimicrobial material may be contained in a content of
preferably 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight
of the polymer resin configuring the core part or the sheath part.
It is preferable that 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of the inorganic
antimicrobial material and 0.1 to 2 parts by weight of the organic
microbial material are mixed and added, and more preferably, as the
organic antimicrobial material, the guanidine based compound is
used.
[0044] In addition, according to the present invention, in order to
form a split type fine filament, only the island component may
remain by dissolving the sea component. It is preferable that the
sea component is dissolved by at least one alkaline solution
selected from a sodium hydroxide solution, an ammonium hydroxide
solution, a calcium hydroxide solution, and a potassium hydroxide
solution. A length of the dissolved sea component may be freely
adjusted as long as the object of the present invention may be
achieved. The length of the dissolved sea component is preferably 1
to 90 percent of the entire length from a distal end of the
bristles on a toothbrush in an axial direction, and more preferably
1 to 50 percent of the entire length.
[0045] In addition, according to the present invention, a tapering
process may be performed using an alkaline solution, or the like,
in order to form uneven portions of the surfaces and thinning
distal ends of the bristles on a toothbrush. At the time of
performing the tapering process, it is preferable that a different
kind of tapering solution is used depending on the kind of resin
forming the bristles on a toothbrush. That is, in the case in which
the polymer resin is polyamide such as nylon, or the like, it is
preferable to use an acidic solution such as a hydrochloric acid
solution, a nitric acid solution, a sulfuric acid solution, or the
like, phenol, or the like, and in the case in which the polymer
resin is polyester, it is preferable to use an alkaline solution
such as a sodium hydroxide solution, an ammonium hydroxide
solution, a calcium hydroxide solution, a potassium hydroxide
solution, or the like. As the taper solution, at least one solution
may be used, and the tapering process may be performed at least one
time depending on the kind of polymer resin forming the core part
and the sheath part.
[0046] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing bristles on a
toothbrush according to the present invention will be
described.
[0047] Preferably, the method for manufacturing bristles on a
toothbrush according to the present invention may include:
[0048] a) manufacturing a core-sheath type filament composed of a
core part and a sheath part, having inorganic particles;
[0049] b) cutting the filament;
[0050] c) immersing one end of the filament in step b) in a
processing tank filled with a tapering solution; and
[0051] d) immersing the other end of the filament in step c) in a
processing tank filled with an alkaline solution.
[0052] First, step a) is a step of manufacturing the core-sheath
type filament composed of the core part and the sheath part. The
filament may be manufactured by a melting and extruding process
using a general spinning method such as a melt spinning method, a
dry spinning method, a wet spinning method, a dry jet-wet spinning
method, or the like. In this case, it is preferable that a
spinneret installed in a spinning machine includes a spinneret
distribution plate having a core portion at a central portion
thereof for preventing adhesion between polymers of the island
component and a discharge hole collecting and discharging polymers
passing through a plurality of island and sea component supply
parts. In addition, in order to diversify a cross-sectional shape
of the filament, the spinneret installed in the spinning machine
may preferably have a circular shape, a dumbbell shape, a cross
shape, a disk shape, a chevron shape, a triangular shape, a
tetragonal shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a
trapezoidal shape, a corn shape, and the like, and as the spinning
machine, a composite spinning machine may be preferably used. The
number of island components is preferably 1 to 20, and more
preferably 2 to 10. In the case in which the number of island
component is more than 20, a diameter of the island component
becomes excessively thin, such that it is difficult to obtain
desired strength.
[0053] In addition, the core part and the sheath part may be spun
so as to have different colors by further adding a dye in addition
to the antimicrobial material or inorganic particles at the time of
preparing a spinning solution. The kind of dye is not limited as
long as the object of the present invention may be achieved, but
preferably, an organic or inorganic pigment may be used. It is
preferable that the pigment is added at a content of 0.01 to 2
parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the entire spinning
solution of the sea component or island component.
[0054] In a melting and extruding process of step a), extrusion is
performed through a nozzle provided with a plurality of (32 to 300)
spinnerets (diameter: 0.5 to 2 mm) having the above-mentioned shape
in the spinning machine heated to 220 to 300.degree. C. After
extrusion, a drawing process may be performed in order to increase
flexibility and strength of the filament. This drawing process is
determined by a winding speed, and it is preferable that the
filament is drawn at a draw ratio of 3 to 6 times at 150 to
220.degree. C. It is preferable that the drawing process may be
performed 1 to 4 times.
[0055] It is preferable that a thickness (diameter) of the
composite filament manufactured in step a) is 0.02 to 1.0 mm. In
the case in which the diameter is less than 0.02 mm, strength may
be deteriorated, and in the case in which the diameter is more than
1.0 mm, the filament may be undrawn, and penetration between the
teeth may be deteriorated at the time of brushing the teeth.
[0056] Next, step b) is a step of cutting the composite filament
manufactured in step a). A binding process of the composite
filaments for forming a bundle may be performed in advance. In this
case, it is preferable in view of easiness of a subsequent process
that a thickness of the bundle is 40 to 60 mm.
[0057] The composite filament is cut so as to have the same length
as that of a completed product at the time of a tapering process or
a length longer than that of the completed product by about 1 to 20
mm. Since a toothbrush is manufactured by implanting the composite
filament into a handle of toothbrush before the tapering process,
it is preferable to adjust a length of the bundle in consideration
of this process.
[0058] Then, step c) is a step of immersing one end of the filament
cut in step b) in the processing tank filled with the alkaline
solution(tapering solution). In the case in which the polymer resin
forming the filament is polyamide such as nylon, or the like, it is
preferable to use an acidic solution such as a hydrochloric acid
solution, a nitric acid solution, a sulfuric acid solution, or the
like, having a concentration of 10 to 30%, phenol having a
concentration of 5 to 10%, or the like, and in the case in which
the polymer resin is polyester, it is preferable to use an alkaline
solution such as a sodium hydroxide solution, an ammonium hydroxide
solution, a potassium hydroxide solution, and the like, having a
concentration of to 40%. The tapering process may be preferably
performed at 80 to 140.degree. C. In this case, a length of a
tapered portion may be adjusted depending on a length of an
immersed portion.
[0059] In addition, a cross-sectional area of the other end to be
tapered may be adjusted by adjusting the number of immersing
process. The immersing process may be preferably performed 2 to 20
times for 10 to 60 seconds per each time. The cross-sectional area
of the tapered filament may be gradually thinned toward the other
end by repeating the immersing process, and a filament having a
thin distal end to be desired in the present invention may be
manufactured.
[0060] The tapering process forms uneven portions of a surface of
the filament while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the other
end of the filament, thereby making it possible to improve
detergency to be desired in the present invention. Detergency may
be improved by variously adjusting a time of the tapering process,
a concentration of the solution, and a length of an immersed
portion of the filament.
[0061] In step d), the other end of the filament of step c) may be
immersed in the processing tank filled with the tapering solution.
The step d) may be performed through the same process as in step
c).
[0062] When the tapering process is terminated, a tapered portion
may be formed by washing to remove a hydrolyzed portion. The
washing may be performed 2 to 3 times using flowing water, and an
alkali neutralization process using dilute sulfuric acid may be
further performed during the washing process.
[0063] The method for manufacturing bristles on a toothbrush may
further include, after the step is terminated, implanting the
filament manufactured in step d) into a toothbrush handle. The
kinds and functions of a toothbrush handle are not limited as long
as the object of the present invention may be achieved. The
toothbrush handle may be manufactured using at least one material
selected from a synthetic resin material, a metal material, a
ceramic material, and a plastic material. The toothbrush handle may
be made of one material or a combination of at least two materials.
For example, the toothbrush handle is made of the metal material
and then a case made of an elastic material is covered thereon, or
the like, such that, the toothbrush handle may be made of the
material in any form.
[0064] An implanting part of the filament may be formed in a
central portion of the filament, and the implanting part of the
filament may be freely changed depending on a shape of the
toothbrush handle and an implanting process.
[0065] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. However, in describing the present invention, a
description of the known function or configuration will be omitted
in order to elucidate the gist of the present invention, and since
the following description is provided only as an example for
describing the present invention in detail, the present invention
is not limited thereto.
[0066] FIG. 1 illustrates cross sections 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,
70, and 80 of single filaments of the bristles on a toothbrush
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
manufactured using spinnerets having various shapes. Here, circles
11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, and 81 positioned at the center of each
of the cross sections indicate core parts, and portions 12, 22, 32,
42, 52, 62, 72, and 82 enclosing the core parts indicate sheath
parts.
[0067] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bristle on a toothbrush
manufactured by a spinneret having a dodecagonal shape 30 in FIG.
1. A bristle 90 on a toothbrush at the left side of FIG. 2
indicates a bristle on a toothbrush manufactured by spinning
without forming a core part, and a bristle 100 on a toothbrush at
the right side of FIG. 2 indicates a bristle on a toothbrush
composed of a core part 101 and a sheath part 102, manufactured by
the method for manufacturing bristles on a toothbrush according to
the present invention.
[0068] FIG. 3 illustrates bristles on a toothbrush obtained by
tapering the bristles on a toothbrush of FIG. 2. A bristle on a
toothbrush obtained by tapering the bristle 90 on a toothbrush of
FIG. 2 is illustrated at the left side of FIG. 3, and a bristle on
a toothbrush obtained by tapering the bristle 100 on a toothbrush
of FIG. 2 is illustrated at the right side of FIG. 3. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, it may be appreciated that the bristle on a
toothbrush manufactured by the method according to the present
invention has uneven portions on the surface thereof.
[0069] FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate cross sections 10, 20, 30, and 40 of
single filaments of the bristles on a toothbrush according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, manufactured using
spinnerets having various shapes. The cross sections may be
represented by island components 11, 21, 31, and 41, and sea
components 12, 22, 32, 42, respectively, and the island components
and the sea components may be replaced by each other.
[0070] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filament having the cross
section of FIG. 6. Here, a filament before removing a sea component
52 is illustrated in the left side of FIG. 8, and a shape of the
filament in which the sea component 52 is removed and an island
component 51 is exposed to the outside at a predetermined portion
of the filament is illustrated in the right side of FIG. 8.
[0071] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a filament having the cross
section of FIG. 7, similarly in FIG. 8. Here, a filament before
removing a sea component 62 is illustrated in the left side of FIG.
9, and a shape of the filament in which the sea component 62 is
removed and only an island component 61 remains at a predetermined
portion of the filament is illustrated in the right side of FIG.
9.
[0072] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate toothbrushes 130 and 140 into
which the filaments of FIG. 11 are implanted. First, FIG. 7
illustrates a toothbrush 130 having a shape in which a sea
component of an implanting part is not partially dissolved and a
sea component of a distal end of the filament is removed. The
toothbrush having the shape of FIG. 7 has relatively strong
elasticity and the fined distal end of the filament has
flexibility, such that cleansing performance, interdental
penetration, and tooth or gum protection functions may be
improved.
[0073] FIG. 11 illustrates a toothbrush having a shape in which the
sea component is entirely removed and only the island component
remains. A toothbrush having a shape as in FIG. 10 may have soft
bristles on a toothbrush having a unique shape by completely
removing the sea component to thereby be used in an anchorless
toothbrush, and have a shape of the bristles on a toothbrush that
is most suitable for tooth-brushing, such that a gum protection
function may be improved as compared to a general toothbrush.
Advantageous Effects
[0074] A toothbrush manufactured by a method for manufacturing
bristles on a toothbrush according to the present invention has a
core-sheath double structure and various cross-sectional shapes,
has uneven portions formed on a surface thereof by a tapering
process while containing inorganic particles, thereby making it
possible to implement more excellent cleansing performance and
penetration as compared to existing bristles on a toothbrush. In
addition, the toothbrush contains inorganic or organic
antimicrobial materials, such that the toothbrush may have a
semi-permanent antimicrobial activity which is difficult to find in
an existing toothbrush.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0075] FIG. 1 illustrates cross sections of a bristle on a
toothbrush manufactured according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0076] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bristle on a toothbrush
manufactured so as to have a dodecagonal shape 30 among the cross
sections of FIG. 1.
[0077] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bristle on a toothbrush
obtained by tapering the bristle on a toothbrush of FIG. 2.
[0078] FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate cross sections of bristles on a
toothbrush manufactured according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0079] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filament having the cross
section of FIG. 6.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a filament having the cross
section of FIG. 7.
[0081] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side views of toothbrushes into which
bristles on a toothbrush manufactured according to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are implanted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MAIN ELEMENTS
[0082] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80: cross section of bristle on
tooth brush [0083] 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81: core part [0084]
12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82: sheath part [0085] 90, 100, 110,
120: filament [0086] 101, 121: core part [0087] 102, 122: sheath
part [0088] 111, 123, 133, 143: uneven portion [0089] 130, 140:
toothbrush [0090] 131, 141: toothbrush handle [0091] 132, 142:
filament
BEST MODE
[0092] Hereinafter, Examples will be provided in order to describe
the present invention in more detail. However, the present
invention is not limited to Examples below.
[0093] Physical properties of toothbrushes manufactured according
to the following Examples were measured as follows.
[0094] (Measurement of Antimicrobial Activity)
[0095] After taking 50 g of filaments forming bristles on a
toothbrush used in the following Examples and Comparative Examples,
bactericidal and bacteriostatic reduction rates thereof were
measured according to an antimicrobial activity measuring method of
Korean Industrial Standard (KS) J 4206. In detail, Staphylococcus
aureus (initial bacterial count: 1.4.times.10.sup.5/ml) and
Klebsiella pneumoniae (initial bacterial count:
1.8.times.10.sup.5/ml) were inoculated in the filament as test
bacteria and cultured. After 18 hours, bacterial counts were
measured, and bactericidal and bacteriostatic reduction rates were
measured using the following Equations 2 and 3.
Bacteriocidal Reduction Rate = M a - M c M a .times. 100 [ Equation
1 ] Bacteriostatic Reduction Rate = M b - M c M b .times. 100 [
Equation 2 ] ##EQU00001##
[0096] (Here, M.sub.a: viable cell count immediately after
inoculation of a test sample in which an antimicrobial material was
not added
[0097] M.sub.b: viable cell count after culturing the test sample
in which the antimicrobial material was not added for 18 hours
[0098] M.sub.c: viable cell count after culturing a test sample in
which an antimicrobial material was added for 18 hours)
[0099] (Customer Preference for Usability)
[0100] After 50 panelists used toothbrushes manufactured by the
method according to the present invention and existing toothbrushes
for a predetermined time (7 days), categories such as feeling of
tooth brushing, detergency, durability, flexibility, and the like
were evaluated through a questionnaire survey, and average values
thereof were shown.
Example 1
[0101] 2 Kg of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) having a weight
average molecular weight of 75,000 as a core part forming material
and 2 Kg of nylon 6,12 having a weight average molecular weight of
40,000 as a sheath part forming material were prepared, and 80 g of
calcium carbonate (Kwangsung Chemical) having an average diameter
of 10 .mu.m as an uneven portion forming material and 80 g of
polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (Guacil TX, SK chemical) as
an antimicrobial material were prepared and added to and mixed with
the core part forming material and the sheath part forming material
at a weight ratio of 5:5, respectively. The core part forming
material was put into a first extruder having a temperature of
260.degree. C., and the sheath part forming material was put into a
second extruder having a temperature of 250.degree. C., and then
mixed in a composite die, such that a filament was discharged
through a spinneret. The spinneret had a circular shape, and a
core-sheath type filament was manufactured by simultaneously
spinning. The spun filament was subjected to a cooling process and
a drawing process and then manufactured as a bundle having a
diameter of 50 mm. The manufactured bundle was cut to have a length
of 30 mm, and then immersed in an alkaline solution having a
concentration of 30% at 120.degree. C., thereby performing a
tapering process. The immersing was performed two times.
[0102] After the immersing of the bundle was terminated, the same
process as in the tapering process was performed on the other end
of the bundle that was not tapered, such that the other end was
tapered. The filament subjected to the tapering process was washed
with flowing water two times, neutralized using dilute sulfuric
acid, and then washed again, thereby manufacturing a tapered
filament bundle of which a distal end was fined in a drill shape.
Antimicrobial activity of the manufactured bundle was measured and
shown in Table 1 and usability of a toothbrush manufactured by
implanting the manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table
2.
Example 2
[0103] A filament bundle was manufactured using the same process
and conditions as in Example 1 except that a shape of the spinneret
was a dodecagonal shape 30. Antimicrobial activity of the
manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table 1 and usability
of a toothbrush manufactured by implanting the manufactured bundle
was measured and shown in Table 2.
Example 3
[0104] A filament bundle was manufactured using the same process
and conditions as in Example 2 except for using 2 Kg of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having a weight average molecular
weight of 40,000 as the core part forming material. Antimicrobial
activity of the manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table
1 and usability of a toothbrush manufactured by implanting the
manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table 2.
Example 4
[0105] A filament bundle was manufactured using the same process
and conditions as in Example 2 except for using 2 Kg of nylon 6,10
having a weight average molecular weight of 32,000 as the sheath
part forming material. Antimicrobial activity of the manufactured
bundle was measured and shown in Table 1 and usability of a
toothbrush manufactured by implanting the manufactured bundle was
measured and shown in Table 2.
Example 5
[0106] A filament bundle was manufactured using the same process
and conditions as in Example 2 except for preparing 80 g of
polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (Guacil TX, SK chemical) and
8 g of an inorganic antimicrobial agent (CWT-A, Jishim Tech) having
an average particle size of 3 .mu.m as antimicrobial materials, and
adding to and mixing with the core part forming material and the
sheath part forming material at a weight ratio of 5:5,
respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the manufactured bundle was
measured and shown in Table 1 and usability of a toothbrush
manufactured by implanting the manufactured bundle was measured and
shown in Table 2.
Example 6
[0107] 2 kg of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) having a weight
average molecular weight of 75,000 as an island component polymer
and 2 kg of a polyethylene glycol-polyester copolymer (weight
average molecular weight: 40,000) in which polyethylene glycol was
copolymerized at a content of 30 wt % as sea component polymer were
prepared, and 80 g of calcium carbonate (Kwangsung Chemical) having
an average diameter of 10 .mu.m as an uneven portion forming
material and 80 g of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (Guacil
TX, SK chemical) as an antimicrobial material were prepared and
added to and mixed with the sea component polymer and the island
component polymer at a weight ratio of 5:5, respectively. A
monofilament was manufactured by supplying the sea component
polymer and the island component polymer to an extruder type
composite spinning machine in a state in which a weight ratio of
the sea component and the island component was set to 50 wt %: 50
wt % and spinning the sea component polymer and the island
component polymer at a spinning temperature of 280.degree. C. so as
to have the shape 30 composed of the sea component 31 and the
island component 32 of FIG. 6.
[0108] After the manufactured monofilament was cooled and drawn
during a winding process, the wound monofilaments were tied into a
bundle, thereby manufacturing a bundle having a diameter of 40 mm.
The manufactured bundle was cut to have a length of 30 mm, and then
immersed in an alkaline solution having a concentration of 30% at
120.degree. C., thereby performing a tapering process on the island
component while dissolving the sea component. After the immersing
of the bundle was terminated, the same process as in the tapering
process was performed on the other end of the bundle that was not
tapered, such that the sea component was removed. The filament
subjected to the tapering process was washed with flowing water two
times, neutralized using dilute sulfuric acid, and then washed
again, thereby manufacturing a tapered filament bundle of which a
distal end was fined in a drill shape. Antimicrobial activity of
the manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table 1 and
usability of a toothbrush manufactured by implanting the
manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table 2.
Example 7
[0109] A filament bundle was manufactured using the same process
and conditions as in Example 1 except for using a spinneret having
a shape 40 in which the sea component 41 and the island component
42 of FIG. 7 were included during a manufacturing process of the
filament. Antimicrobial activity of the manufactured bundle was
measured and shown in Table 1 and usability of a toothbrush
manufactured by implanting the manufactured bundle was measured and
shown in Table 2.
Comparative Example 1
[0110] 2 Kg of PBT was used as a filament forming material and spun
alone without forming a sheath part. The uneven portion forming
material was not added, and 80 g of polyhexamethylene guanidine
phosphate was added as an antimicrobial material, thereby preparing
a spinning solution. A temperature of a spinning machine was
260.degree. C., and a spinneret had a circular shape. The spun
filament was subjected to a cooling process and a drawing process
and then manufactured as a bundle having a diameter of 50 mm. The
manufactured bundle was cut to have a length of 30 mm, and then
immersed in an alkaline solution having a concentration of 30% at
120.degree. C., thereby performing a tapering process. The
immersing was performed two times.
[0111] After the immersing of the bundle was terminated, the same
process as in the tapering process was performed on the other end
of the bundle that was not tapered, such that the other end was
tapered. The filament subjected to the tapering process was washed
with flowing water two times, neutralized using dilute sulfuric
acid, and then washed again, thereby manufacturing a tapered
filament bundle of which a distal end was fined in a drill shape.
Antimicrobial activity of the manufactured bundle was measured and
shown in Table 1 and usability of a toothbrush manufactured by
implanting the manufactured bundle was measured and shown in Table
2.
Comparative Example 2
[0112] A filament bundle was manufactured using the same process
and conditions as in Comparative Example 1 except for not adding
the antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial activity of the manufactured
bundle was measured and shown in Table 1 and usability of a
toothbrush manufactured by implanting the manufactured bundle was
measured and shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Bacteriostatic Reduction Rate (%)
Staphylococcus aureus Klebsiella pneumoniae Example 1 89.1 90.3
Example 2 97.2 98.0 Example 3 97.3 97.9 Example 4 97.4 98.1 Example
5 99.9 99.9 Example 6 98.7 99.9 Example 7 98.1 99.9 Comparative
Example 1 94.2 95.3 Comparative Example 2 15.2 20.4
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Evaluation Category Feeling of Cleansing
Tooth Brushing Performance Durability Flexibility Example 1 4.2 4.1
4 4.3 Example 2 4.5 4.4 4.2 4.3 Example 3 4.3 4.5 4.2 4.2 Example 4
4.3 4.3 4.3 4.2 Example 5 4.8 4.7 4.2 4.1 Example 6 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.2
Example 7 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.5 Comparative 3.7 3.2 3.2 3.0 Example 1
Comparative 2.4 2.1 3.0 3.3 Example 2
[0113] *Evaluation Criteria
[0114] 5: very excellent
[0115] 4: excellent
[0116] 3: fair
[0117] 2: poor
[0118] 1: very poor
[0119] As shown in Table 1, it may be appreciated that in Examples
1 to 7, the antimicrobial activity was significantly excellent as
compared to Comparative Example 2. In addition, it may be
appreciated that in Examples 2 to 7 in which the spinneret was
changed, the antimicrobial activity was slightly excellent as
compared to Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 in which the
circular spinneret was used. The reason may be that a surface area
of the spun filament was increased, such that an amount of
antimicrobial material with a cation that was exposed to the
surface was increased.
[0120] Further, it may be appreciated that in Examples 1 to 7,
feeling of the tooth-brushing and the detergency were significantly
excellent as compared to Comparative Examples 1 and 2 as shown in
Table 2. Particularly, it may be appreciated that in Examples 5 to
7, since the inorganic particles and the inorganic antimicrobial
material were formed as the uneven portions and at the same time, a
surface area of the filament was increased, more excellent
detergency and antimicrobial activity were exhibited.
[0121] As described above, according to the present invention, the
filament may have the core-sheath structure and a surface area of
the filament may be increased by variously adjusting a shape of the
spinneret at the time of spinning the filament. In addition, the
bristles on a toothbrush having excellent antimicrobial activity
and detergency may be manufactured by forming the uneven portions
of the surface thereof by the tapering process and adjusting the
cross-sectional area of the distal end of the filament.
[0122] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention were
described above, but the present invention may include various
changes, modifications, and equivalents. It will be appreciated
that the present invention may be similarly applied by modifying
the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the above-mentioned contents
are not for limiting the present invention defined by the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *