JP7543954B2 - mask - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mask.

A known configuration of a mask to be worn on the face is one that includes a mask body that at least partially covers the wearer's face, and a pair of ear loops that are each connected to the mask body, i.e., a pair of members that can be looped over each of the wearer's ears to hold the mask body in its worn position.

In recent years, in order to reduce the burden on the ears while wearing the mask, the use of sheet-like ear loops rather than string-like ones has been considered. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a mask in which a first ear loop and a second ear loop formed from one or more sheet pieces are joined to one side of the mask body by a first joint and a second joint along a second direction (vertical direction), respectively. In this mask, at least when the mask is worn, the first ear loop is folded back along the first direction (horizontal direction) at the first joint, and the second ear loop is folded back along the first direction at the second joint.

Patent No. 5436262

When wearing a mask, the user usually deforms the mask body to fit the three-dimensional shape of the face. As a result of this deformation, the horizontal ends of the mask body are also curved three-dimensionally, and the joints between the ear loops and the mask body are also curved. More specifically, both joints can be curved so that at least the vertical center area is convex toward the horizontal center. This curvature also causes the folded-back parts of the ear loops at the joints to be distorted three-dimensionally. Here, if the ear loops are joined to the outer surface of the mask body (the surface opposite to the surface facing the face), the above distortion may cause the ear loops to locally float from the mask body. Such floating parts of the ear loops may interfere with the wearer's movements while wearing the mask and may also spoil the appearance.

In view of the above, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a mask in which the sheet-like ear loops are less likely to float away from the mask body when worn.

The first aspect of the present invention comprises a mask body and a pair of annular sheet-like ear loops, each of which is joined to each lateral end of the mask body on the side of the mask body opposite the face-facing side, forming a joint extending in the vertical direction, and the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint has a shape that is concave outward in the horizontal direction.

In the first embodiment, the sheet-like ear loops are joined to the lateral ends of the mask body, and joints are formed in the vertical direction. When wearing such a mask, the sheet-like ear loops are opened in the horizontal direction and folded back at the joints. When the mask body is deformed three-dimensionally to correspond to the shape of the face, the joints between the mask body and the ear loops formed at both lateral ends of the mask body are also curved. For example, the joints may be curved so that the vertical center of the joint approaches the horizontal center. With the bending of the joints, the folded back parts of the ear loops at the joints may also be curved and deformed, causing distortion. Since the ear loops are joined to the outer surface of the mask body (the surface opposite to the surface facing the face), the folded back parts of the ear loops and the parts nearby tend to separate from the mask body and float.

In contrast, according to this embodiment, the contour of the inner edge of the junction between the ear loops and the mask body is recessed outward in the lateral direction. Therefore, even if the lateral end of the mask body is deformed to be convex inward in the lateral direction when the mask is worn, the deformation of the contour of the inner edge of the junction is offset by the recessed shape that the contour originally had, so the degree of curvature of the contour when the mask is worn is small. This reduces or prevents distortion of the folded part at the junction of the ear loops, and suppresses the floating of the folded part of the ear loops from the mask body. Therefore, according to the mask of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the floating of the ear loops from the mask body from interfering with the wearer's movements. For example, when wearing additional protective means such as a face shield over the mask, it is possible to prevent the ear loops from getting caught on the parts of the protective means. In addition, since the ear loops do not float, the appearance of the mask when worn is good.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the bottom of the recessed shape is located in the vertical center region of the mask body.

According to the second aspect, it is possible to more reliably prevent distortion of the folded-over portion of the ear hook at the center in the vertical direction, which is the part most susceptible to distortion.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint extends gradually or stepwise outward in the width direction as it approaches the longitudinal center region.

According to the third aspect, the position of the lateral inner edge of the joint changes gradually and gently. This prevents stress from concentrating at a specific point on the edge contour, making the joint less likely to break even if a strong force is applied to the ear hook.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the maximum width of the joint in the lateral direction is 3 to 20 mm.

According to the fourth aspect, the strength of the joint between the mask body and the ear loops can be increased, and the widthwise end of the mask where the joint is formed can be prevented from becoming excessively hard, which reduces the comfortable fit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a mask can be provided in which the sheet-like ear loops are less likely to float away from the mask body when worn.

1 is a plan view of a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outer surface side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the inner side (face side). 13 is a partial plan view showing the ear hook portion after it has been opened to the side. FIG. 1 shows a conventional mask configuration. FIG. 1 is a partial view showing a conventional mask being worn. FIG. 2 is a partial view showing a state in which the mask according to the present embodiment is worn. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the joint in FIG. 1 . 13 shows a modified example of the joint. 13 shows another variation of the joint. 13 shows another variation of the joint. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mask according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outer surface side. A cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 11 is shown.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted.

(Basic structure of the mask)
The mask according to this embodiment may be a mask that can cover the face of the wearer, more specifically, at least the nose and mouth of the wearer. The mask according to this embodiment may have a function of preventing foreign objects from reaching the face and preventing droplets emitted by the wearer from scattering, and is also called a sanitary mask or a surgical mask. The mask may be disposable or may be reusable by washing.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the mask 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 shows the mask 1 as seen from the outside (or outer surface side), i.e., the surface side that is exposed to the outside and not facing the face when worn. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the mask as seen from the inside (the surface side that faces the face).

As shown in FIG. 1, the mask 1 according to this embodiment includes a mask body 10 that is placed in front of the wearer's face when worn and can cover mainly the wearer's nose and mouth, and a pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a connected to the mask body 10. The mask 1 (mask body 10) has an up-down direction (vertical direction) D1 that corresponds to the up-down direction of the wearer's face when worn, and a left-right direction (horizontal direction) D2 that corresponds to the left-right direction of the wearer's face when worn. The vertical direction D1 and the horizontal direction D2 are perpendicular to each other. The pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are joined to both ends of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 by joints 50, 50 formed along the vertical direction D1.

The mask body 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view with long sides in the horizontal direction D2, but the shape in plan view of the mask body 10 is not limited to that shown in the figures. Also, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the mask body 10 has a pleat structure 15 formed by a plurality of pleats arranged in the vertical direction D1. The pleats of the pleat structure 15 are formed by folding the sheet constituting the mask body 10 at fold lines along the horizontal direction D2. Then, with the plurality of pleats formed, both ends of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 are fixed by heat sealing or the like. Therefore, when the mask 1 is used, the pleats of the pleat structure 15 are spread in the vertical direction D1, so that the center of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 is curved so as to protrude toward the outer surface side of the mask 1, and can be deformed into a shape that fits the three-dimensional shape of the face. The specific configuration of the pleat structure 15 is not particularly limited and may be a known configuration formed on the mask body, but as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is preferable to form a box pleat in the center of the vertical direction D1, because this makes it easier to protrude the center of the vertical direction D1 of the mask body 10 away from the face when worn.

The mask body 10 may have a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated. For example, the mask body 10 may have a structure including at least three layers, in which an intermediate layer having an enhanced function of capturing foreign matter (dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, etc.) is sandwiched between an outer layer and an inner layer. Each layer constituting the mask body 10 preferably includes a fiber-containing layer such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, or a knitted fabric, and more preferably includes a nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include spunbond nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, and point-bonded nonwoven fabric. In addition, it is preferable to use a meltblown nonwoven fabric that may contain fine fibers for the intermediate layer. In addition, the fiber constituting the fiber-containing layer is preferably a resin fiber, and examples of the resin type of the resin fiber include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon. The basis weight of the outer layer and the inner layer may be 15 to 50 g/m ² . The intermediate layer having high foreign matter collecting properties has a basis weight of preferably 10 to 100 g/ ^m2 , and more preferably 15 to 50 g/ ^m2 .

The pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a may each be annular (or closed belt-like) in a plan view. When worn, the wearer's ear can be placed inside the ring of the ear hook 20a, i.e., in the central opening 29 of the ear hook 20a, so that the ear can be hooked around the ear. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are formed in a sheet shape, unlike a string or thread shape. Since the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are sheet-like, when the ear hooks 20a are hung around the ears while wearing the mask, they can come into surface contact with the back of the ear or the back of the earlobe, reducing the burden on the ears. Therefore, discomfort can be reduced even when worn for a long time.

The ring shape of the ear hook 20a may be circular, elliptical, etc., but may be a shape close to a square (or rectangle) as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the ear hook 20a may have a base 22 extending along the vertical direction D1 and fixed to the mask body 10 along the vertical direction D1, a behind-the-ear placement portion 24 located behind the wearer's ear when worn, an upper extension portion 23 extending between the base 22 and the behind-the-ear placement portion 24 on the upper side, and a lower extension portion 26 extending between the base 22 and the behind-the-ear placement portion 24 on the lower side.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are formed as a single sheet detachably joined to each other at the center in the horizontal direction D2, that is, as the ear hook sheet 20. Here, the term "single sheet" refers to a form consisting of one continuous sheet. This single sheet may be a single layer, or may be a laminate consisting of multiple layers stacked together. By forming the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a in the form of a single sheet, the positioning of the ear hooks 20a, 20a can be performed simultaneously during manufacturing, making it easier to manufacture the mask. However, the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a do not necessarily have to be joined together.

When a pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are formed as the ear hook sheet 20, the ear hook sheet 20 may be configured so that the pair of separated ear hooks 20a, 20a can be formed by breaking it at a predetermined position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are connected at a connecting portion 28. The connecting form of the connecting portion 28 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the connecting portion 28 is a connecting portion that can be separated by pulling with a normal force of the user. For example, it may be formed as a perforation as shown in FIG. 1. The connecting portion 28 may also be formed by reducing the thickness of the sheet or by other means to weaken the boundary between the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a or make it easier to apply stress. The connecting portion 28 may also be configured so that the user can cut it with a tool such as scissors.

The ear hooks 20a, 20a (or ear hook sheet 20) may be made of a material that is stretchable, at least in the lateral direction. The ear hooks 20a, 20a are stretchable, so that when putting on the mask, the user can easily pull the ear hooks 20a, 20a behind the ears and then put them over the ears, and the tensile stress generated in the ear hooks 20a, 20a allows the mask body 10 to fit to the face even when putting on the mask (while wearing it).

The ear hook portion 20a may be a single-layer sheet made of a material having elasticity, or may be a multi-layer sheet made of a laminate of multiple layers including a layer made of an elastic material. The elastic material may be an elastic nonwoven fabric, an elastic film, or a thread-like or string-like elastic member such as rubber thread. When an elastic nonwoven fabric is included, the elasticity of the nonwoven fabric may be expressed by the nonwoven fabric containing elastic fibers, for example, by the fiber material itself having elasticity or the fiber being a crimped fiber. Alternatively, the elasticity may be expressed by a predetermined physical structure, for example, by having unevenness on the surface. Specific examples of elastic nonwoven fabrics include shrinkable air-through nonwoven fabrics, elastic spunbond nonwoven fabrics, elastic spunlace nonwoven fabrics, elastic needle punch nonwoven fabrics, and elastic chemical bond nonwoven fabrics. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric used may be preferably 5 to 50 g/m ² , more preferably 8 to 35 g/m ² .

When the ear hook portion 20a is made of a multi-layer sheet in which multiple layers of nonwoven fabric are laminated, it can be made of, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric/spunbond nonwoven fabric, and at least one of these layers can be made of elastic nonwoven fabric. When the ear hook portion 20a is made of a multi-layer sheet containing an elastic film, it can be made of, for example, nonwoven fabric/elastic film, nonwoven fabric/elastic film/nonwoven fabric (for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric/elastic film/spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric/elastic film/air-through nonwoven fabric, etc.). In the case of a sheet in which two layers are laminated, one of the layers is made elastic, and the elastic layer is stretched, and the other layer is laminated and intermittently fixed, and then relaxed to return to its natural state, to obtain a sheet for the ear hook portion 20a. In addition, in the case of a sheet made up of three layers, the central layer is stretched, layers are laminated on both sides and fixed intermittently, and then the sheet is relaxed and returned to its natural state to obtain a sheet for the ear hook 20a.

Among the above, a configuration using an elastic film, particularly a configuration in which nonwoven fabric is arranged on both sides of the elastic film, is preferred because it is easy to manufacture and provides high elasticity. Examples of materials for the elastic film include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyurethane. The elasticity of the elastic film is preferably such that the maximum elongation rate (elongation rate at tensile break) is 3.5 to 4.0 as measured by a tensile tester. The elastic film may also have a function of allowing moisture to pass through. When an elastic film is used, the elastic film is stretched at a predetermined ratio relative to its natural length, and the nonwoven fabric is intermittently bonded to the elastic film by ultrasonic welding or the like, and then relaxed to return to its natural state, thereby obtaining a sheet for the ear hook portion 20a. The relaxation of the elastic film causes the unbonded portions of the nonwoven fabric to rise, so that the obtained sheet has many wrinkles extending along a direction roughly perpendicular to the stretch direction.

The sheet for the ear hook 20a may be formed by sandwiching the stretched rubber thread between non-stretchable or low-stretch non-woven fabric. The above materials may also be bonded together with a stretchable or non-stretchable hot-melt non-woven fabric (a non-woven fabric whose fibers soften or melt when heated, allowing it to be bonded to other components).

The weight of the ear hook portion 20a (ear hook portion sheet 20) may be 20 to 150 g/m ^2. The thickness of the ear hook portion 20a may be 100 to 3,000 μm.

(Use of masks)
When starting to use the mask 1 according to this embodiment, the user opens the ear hooks 20a, 20a in the lateral direction D2 before wearing the mask 1. When the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are separably connected to each other as described above, the connection is released and the ear hooks 20a, 20a are separated from each other before deployment.

Figure 3 shows the right side of the mask 1 after the ear hooks 20a, 20a have been unfolded. After the ear hooks 20a are unfolded outward in the lateral direction D2, the ear hooks 20a are turned inside out, exposing the surface of the ear hooks 20a that faced the mask body 10. Almost the entire outer surface of the mask body 10 is also exposed.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are disposed on the outer surface of the mask body 10. Therefore, when the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are separated from each other and opened outward in the lateral direction D2, the possibility of touching the inner surface of the mask body 10 can be reduced or eliminated, which is preferable from a hygienic standpoint.

The mask 1 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as follows. With the mask 1 placed with the outer surface of the mask body 10 facing up, the user grasps the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a with their hands and opens them outward in the lateral direction D2, and then moves the mask 1 to the face of another person (the wearer) while still grasping the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a. Then, after placing the mask body 10 in the desired position on the other person's face, the user can hang the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a on the other person's ears without changing the way they are held. Therefore, the mask 1 according to this embodiment can be used suitably when putting a mask on someone who has difficulty putting it on by themselves, such as a child or a sick person.

The pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a may have gripping portions 25, 25 that the user can grip when separating the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a from each other and opening them outward in the lateral direction D2 (FIG. 1). The gripping portions 25, 25 may be formed on the lower extension portion 26, and preferably protrude from the edge of the mask body 10 in a plan view, preferably from the lower end of the mask 1 (or the lower end of the mask body 10). In that case, the user can grip the gripping portions 25, 25 with both hands without touching or barely touching the mask body 10 itself, i.e., either the outer surface or the inner surface of the mask body 10. Thus, the user can separate and unfold the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a without touching or barely touching the mask body 10. Therefore, even in a situation where the user cannot pay sufficient attention to the hygiene of his or her hands, the mask 1 in a well-hygienic state can be worn by the user or by another person.

In addition, because the ear hook portion 20a has the knobs 25, 25, the user can easily adjust the ear hook portion by holding the knobs 25 when or after hanging the ear hook portion 20a on the wearer's ear. That is, by holding the knobs 25, 25, the user can adjust the position of the ear hook portion 20a by shifting it in the circumferential direction of the ear hook portion 20a relative to the ear, or by pulling or loosening the ear hook portion 20a toward the rear side to adjust the tension of the ear hook portion 20a.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are joined to both sides of the outer surface of the mask body (Figs. 1 to 3), so that when the mask 1 is worn, i.e., when the ear hooks 20a, 20a are open to the side and hanging on the ears, both sides of the mask body 10 are pressed from the outer surface side toward the face by the ear hooks 20a. This makes it possible to reduce the gap between the mask body 10 and the face at both sides of the mask body 10, improving the mask's functions, such as blocking foreign matter and preventing droplets emitted by the wearer from scattering. In addition, because the ear hooks 20a are not located on the inner surface (face side) of both sides of the body, the ear hooks 20a do not come into direct contact with the wearer's face at both sides of the mask body 10 while wearing it, and discomfort is also reduced.

The mask body 10 may have a mark 18 formed by embossing, printing, sewing, or the like, which allows the outer and inner surfaces of the mask body 10 to be distinguished from each other. The shape of the mark 18 is not limited as long as it can be visually recognized by the user. The mark 18 may be a letter, number, symbol, figure, logo, etc., as shown in FIG. 1, etc.

(Joint)
As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, the sheet-like ear loops 20a, 20a (or ear loop sheet 20) are layered on the outer surface of the mask body 10 and joined at both ends in the lateral direction D2 by joints 50, 50 (areas shown in gray). The joints 50, 50 can be formed by, for example, applying pressure and/or heat to join the opposing surfaces of the ear loops 20a and the mask body 10, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, non-heated embossing, etc. When the material of the ear loops 20a and the mask body 10 is a synthetic resin, it is preferable to use heat sealing because the two are fused together to enable a more reliable joining.

As shown in FIG. 1, the joint 50 may be formed along the vertical direction D1, preferably continuously from the upper end to the lower end of the vertical direction D1 of the ear hook portion 20a. The joint 50 may be formed linearly along the vertical direction D1, but it is preferable that the joint 50 has a certain degree of width from the viewpoint of improving the adhesive strength.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50, 50 in the horizontal direction D2 has a shape that is concave outward in the horizontal direction D2. In the example of FIG. 1, the concave formed in the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the horizontal direction D2 is a trapezoid with a short upper side on the outside in the horizontal direction D2.

The advantages of the joints 50, 50 having an inner edge 51 in the horizontal direction D2 that is recessed outward in the horizontal direction D2 will be described below. To this end, the change in shape of a conventional mask when worn will first be described. Figure 4 shows a plan view of a conventional mask 1' as viewed from the outer surface side of the mask body 10. The conventional mask 1' has the same basic structure as the mask 1 according to the present embodiment shown in Figure 1, but differs from mask 1 in that the joints 50', 50' extend linearly along the vertical direction D1.

5 is a partial perspective view showing the conventional mask 1' shown in FIG. 4 in a worn state. As shown in FIG. 5, when worn, the pleat structure 15 of the mask body 10 of the mask 1' is expanded in the vertical direction D1 at the center of the width direction D2 to correspond to the three-dimensional shape of the face, and the center of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 is deformed so as to protrude outward. With such deformation of the center of the mask body 10, the end of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 is also deformed, so that the joint formed at the end of the horizontal direction D2 is also deformed. More specifically, the joint 50 formed at the end of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 is deformed so that the center of the joint 50 in the vertical direction D1 at least approaches the center of the horizontal direction D2 (so as to be convex toward the center of the horizontal direction D2). Due to such deformation of the joint 50', the part where the ear hook 20a is folded back at the joint 50', particularly the base 22 of the ear hook 20a, may also be curved and deformed, causing distortion. For example, a portion (floating r) where the base 22 separates from the mask body 10 may occur near the center of the base 22 in the longitudinal direction D1 (FIG. 5). The floating r of the base 22 may also become folded or wrinkled.

In contrast, FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of the mask 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) according to this embodiment in a worn state. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, and the mask body 10 is deformed to correspond to the three-dimensional shape of the face, as in the case of the mask 1' (FIG. 5). With this deformation of the mask body 10, the end of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 itself is deformed so that the center of the end in the vertical direction D1 approaches at least the center in the horizontal direction D2. However, in this embodiment, the outline of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 of the joint 50 is recessed outward in the width direction D2 before wearing (FIG. 1), so that when the mask body 10 is deformed when worn, the center in the vertical direction D1 of the outline of the inner edge 51 does not protrude, and can become a straight line or a shape close to it along the vertical direction D1. Therefore, the part of the ear hook 20a folded back at the joint 50, especially the base 22 close to the joint 50, is less curved and distorted. This prevents the ear loops 20a, especially the base 22, from floating up from the mask body 10 (rising up away from the outer surface of the mask body 10). Although floating of the ear loops 20a toward the outer surface may hinder the wearer's movements, this can be avoided. For example, when wearing additional protective means such as a face shield over the mask, it is possible to prevent the floating parts of the ear loops 20a from getting caught on the parts of the protective means. Furthermore, because the ear loops 20a are in close contact with the mask body 10 when worn, the appearance of the mask 1 is improved.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the area near the joint 50 on the right side of Figure 1. As described above, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the width direction D2 is recessed outward in the width direction D22. In the example shown, the recessed portion (recess) is a trapezoid with a short upper side on the outer side in the horizontal direction D2, but it may be a rectangle (rectangle or square) or the like. However, as in the case where the recess shape is a trapezoid, if the contour line of the edge 51 gradually or stepwise moves outward in the width direction D2 as it approaches the central region in the vertical direction D1, a contour line whose direction changes gradually in the vertical direction D1 and horizontal direction D2 is obtained, which prevents stress from concentrating at the point where the contour direction changes, and prevents damage to the joint 50.

7 also shows the upper region UR, the central region MR, and the lower region LR of the mask body 10. The length in the vertical direction D1 of these regions can be approximately equal to the total length (total length in the vertical direction D1) at the end of the mask 1 in the horizontal direction D2. It is preferable that the bottom 51a of the recess in the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the horizontal direction D2 is included in the central region MR. When the mask is worn, the central region MR is most likely to bend at the end of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2, and the part of the base 22 of the ear hook 20a that is joined in the central region MR is most likely to be distorted. Therefore, by positioning the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the width direction D2 further outward in the central region MR, the base 22 can be effectively prevented from floating (FIGS. 5 and 6).

The distance _d1 between the innermost position in the width direction D2 and the outermost position in the width direction D2 of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the width direction D2 may be 2 to 18 mm. By setting the distance _d1 in the above range, the above-mentioned effect that the joint 50 is unlikely to bend when worn can be improved, and the distribution of the tensile force applied to the joint 50 in the vertical direction D1 is prevented from becoming excessively uneven, preventing unnecessary stress from being generated in the mask 1.

Furthermore, the maximum width w _max of the joint 50 may be 3 to 20 mm. By setting the maximum width w _max within the above range, the joint strength between the mask body 10 and the ear hook 20a can be increased, and the end of the mask 1 in the lateral direction D2 where the joint 50 is formed can be prevented from becoming excessively hard, which reduces the comfortable fit. On the other hand, the minimum width w _min of the joint 50 may be 1 to 18 mm. By setting the minimum width w _min within the above range, it becomes easier to form a shape of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 that is recessed outward in the width direction D2, and the increase in hardness of the joint 50 can be suppressed. The maximum width w _max may be located in the upper region UR and/or lower region LR of the mask body 10, and the minimum width w _min may be located in a position within the central region MR of the mask body 10.

8 to 10 show modified examples of the joint 50. The shape of the joint 50 is not particularly limited as long as the contour of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 has a shape that is concave outward in the width direction D2. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the concave shape may not be a trapezoid or other quadrangle, but may have a shape in which the bottom 51a of the concave is the bottom point. In other words, the contour of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 of the joint 50 may have a triangular shape with the base on the inside in the width direction D2.

9, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the width direction D2 may be curved. More specifically, as shown in , the contour of the inner edge 51 may be part of a circle whose center of curvature is on the inside in the width direction D2. Furthermore, as shown in , the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 in the width direction D2 may be a shape in which a part of it is curved. More specifically, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint 50 may include a recess having a bottom (bottom point) 51a in the central region MR of the mask body 10, and may be linear along the vertical direction D1 above and below the recess.

The joint 50 may be such that the ear hook 20a and the mask body 10 are continuously joined throughout the entire area of the joint 50. Alternatively, the joint 50 may include a small joint portion where the ear hook 20a and the mask body 10 are microscopically joined, and a small non-joint portion where the ear hook 20a and the mask body 10 are not microscopically joined. The latter joint 50 including a small joint portion and a small non-joint portion is preferable because it ensures a balance between flexibility and adhesive strength. The small joint portions may be formed as dots scattered within the area of the joint 50, multiple lines extending in the vertical direction D1 or horizontal direction D2, a grid, crosshatch, etc.

(Mask with support material)
Fig. 11 shows a plan view of a mask 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention as seen from the outer surface side. Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in Fig. 11. The basic structure and effects of the mask 101 are similar to those of the mask 1 (Fig. 1). However, the mask 101 differs from the mask 1 (Fig. 1) in that the ear loops 20a are not directly joined to the mask body 10, but are joined via a sheet-like auxiliary material 130.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the auxiliary materials 130, 130 are provided at the ends of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2. The auxiliary materials 130, 130 are arranged on the side of the mask body 10 where the pair of ear hooks 20a, 20a are overlapped. In other words, the mask body 10, the ear hooks 20a, and the auxiliary material 130 are overlapped at the ends of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2.

The auxiliary material 130 is joined to the mask body 10 on the outside in the width direction D2, and joined to the ear hooks 20a on the inside in the width direction D2. As a result, the ear hooks 20a are indirectly joined to the end of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 via the auxiliary material 130, forming a joint 150 that spans the vertical direction D1. The joint 150 is a joint formed by directly joining the auxiliary material 130 and the mask body 10. Meanwhile, the auxiliary material 130 and the ear hooks 20a are directly joined by a second joint 160.

In this way, various advantages are obtained by indirectly joining the ear hooks 20a to the mask body 10 via the auxiliary material 130, rather than directly. For example, the mask body 10 and the ear hooks 20a are usually made of different materials (e.g., materials with different elasticity) suited to their respective purposes, and therefore may not be able to be directly joined with sufficient strength. However, by using the auxiliary material 130 as in this embodiment, the difference in elasticity between the ear hooks 20a and the mask body 10 is buffered, and the ear hooks 20a, 20a and the mask body 10 can be firmly joined. In addition, by using the auxiliary material 130, the ear hooks 20a, 20a can be more freely deformed and moved relative to the mask body 10, allowing them to fit the faces of various users.

When using the mask 101, the connection between the ear hook portions 20a, 20a at the connection portion 28 is released, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a are opened outward in the width direction D2, and the ear hook portions 20a, 20a are placed over the wearer's ears. At this time, the ear hook portions 20a and the auxiliary material 130, which are joined at the second joint portion 160, are deployed together. When the ear hook portions 20a are deployed, the auxiliary material 130 is folded back at the joint portion 150. Therefore, the auxiliary material 130 can be said to be a part or an extension of the ear hook portions 20a.

In the mask 101, the contour of the inner edge 151 of the joint 150 in the horizontal direction D2 has a shape that is concave outward in the horizontal direction D2. The shape of the joint 150 shown in FIG. 11 is a trapezoid with a short upper side on the outside in the width direction D2, similar to the joint 50 of the mask 1 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, in the mask 101, the deformation or distortion of the ear hooks 20a caused by the deformation of the mask body 10 when worn is reduced, and the ear hooks 20a can be prevented from floating up from the mask body 10. More specifically, the folded-back portion of the auxiliary material 130 that is directly joined to the mask body 10 can be prevented from rising up (floating up), and thus the ear hooks 20a can be prevented from floating up.

As shown in Fig. 11, the auxiliary material 130 may extend in the vertical direction D1 of the mask 1. The length (width) of the auxiliary material 130 in the horizontal direction D2 is preferably 15 to 35 mm, depending on the size and configuration of the entire mask 1, and the size, shape, and material of the mask body 10 and the ear hooks 20a. The basis weight of the auxiliary material 130 may be 5 to 100 g/ ^m2 . The thickness of the auxiliary material 130 may be 100 to 1,000 µm.

The auxiliary material 130 may be formed from a material that is not or has little elasticity, or may be formed from a material that has a certain degree of elasticity. The auxiliary material 30 may include, for example, an elastic nonwoven fabric. In this case, it is preferable that the auxiliary material 130 has elasticity at least in the lateral direction D2, but the elasticity of the auxiliary material 130 is preferably less than that of the ear hook portion 20a. The auxiliary material 130 may be formed from a material that can irreversibly deform when a force is applied.

1 Mask 1' Conventional mask 10 Mask body 15 Pleats 18 Mark 20 Ear loop sheet 20a Ear loop 22 Base 23 Upper extension 24 Behind-the-ear placement 25 Pull-out 26 Lower extension 28 Separable joint 29 Opening 30 Auxiliary material 50, 150 Joint 50' Conventional joint 51, 151 Widthwise inner edge of joint 51' Widthwise inner edge of conventional joint 51a Bottom of recess in inner edge 130 Auxiliary material 160 Second joint D1 Vertical direction (up-down direction)
D2 Horizontal (left-right)

Claims (4)

The mask comprises a mask body and a pair of annular sheet-shaped ear loops.
The ear hooks are joined to the lateral ends of the mask body on the side opposite to the face-facing side of the mask body, forming joints extending in the vertical direction , and when worn, the ear hooks are deployed outward in the lateral direction and folded back at the joints,
A mask in which the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint has a shape concave outward in the lateral direction, and has a portion that gradually extends outward in the width direction in a vertical central region having a length that divides the entire length at the lateral end of the mask body into three equal parts . The mask according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the recessed shape is located in the vertical center region of the mask body. The mask according to claim 1 or 2, in which the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint extends gradually or stepwise outward in the width direction as it approaches the longitudinal center region. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the maximum width of the joint in the lateral direction is 3 to 20 mm.

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