AU2019415216A1

AU2019415216A1 - Mask

Info

Publication number: AU2019415216A1
Application number: AU2019415216A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryutaro ISHIYAMA; Ayumi Kimura; Yoshito KOKAJI
Original assignee: Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2019-12-18
Publication date: 2021-07-08
Also published as: WO2020137765A1; CN113286636A; JP2020105669A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mask that can supply a sufficient amount of steam immediately after putting on the mask. [Solution] This mask 1 is provided with a mask main body 2 which covers part of the wearer's face, and a water -containing body 3 which contains moisture and which is heated by being irradiated with microwaves and emits steam. The mask main body 2 includes a housing unit 6 for housing the heated water-containing body 3.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of Invention: MASK

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask worn on the face, and in particular, to a mask that emits vapor.

Background Art

[0002] Masks have been widely used as a protection measure against fine dust, such as pollen and yellow sand, and as a measure against infection with viruses, bacteria, etc. In recent years, various masks that have a wide variety of functions have been proposed. During sleep, for example, the oral cavity may tend to become dry because there is no swallowing of, for example, food or drink, or saliva. In winter, the air is generally dry, and also, air conditioners are used in offices not only in winter, but also in other seasons (i.e., in all seasons). Accordingly, there are many environments in which the air tends to be dry even in the daytime, which makes the oral cavity prone to dryness.

[0003] In order to prevent this, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a mask that has a humidification function. In the mask of Patent Literature 1, a water-containing body containing moisture and a heating element, such as a chemical body-warming pad, closely attached to the water-containing body are attached to a mask body that covers the nose and mouth. Since warm vapor is generated by heating the water-containing body, which contains moisture, with the heating element, the space between the mask and the face is humidified, and moisture is supplied to the oral cavity, thereby preventing the oral cavity from becoming dry.

Citation List Patent Literature

[0004] PTL 1: JP2000-225205A

Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0005] However, since the mask of Patent Literature 1 uses a chemical body-warming pad to heat the water-containing body, it takes time for heat generation of the chemical body-warming pad, and the water-containing body is heated indirectly. It thus takes time to generate vapor from immediately after putting on the mask, and the amount of vapor immediately after the mask is put on is insufficient.

[0006] The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a mask that can supply a sufficient amount of vapor immediately after being put on.

Solution to Problem

[0007] The present invention relates to a mask that is worn on the face and emits vapor. The mask of the present invention comprises a mask body for covering part of a wearer's face and a water-containing body that contains moisture and is heated by microwave irradiation to emit vapor, the mask body comprising a housing portion for housing the heated water-containing body.

[0008] In the mask of the present invention, it is preferable that the mask body comprises a covering portion for covering part of a wearer's face, and the housing portion that is disposed on a surface of the covering portion on the face side and is in the shape of a bag, that the housing portion comprises at least a first layer on the face side and a second layer on the covering portion side between which the water-containing body is inserted, that the first layer has moisture permeability, and that a vapor retention layer capable of retaining vapor is disposed on a surface of the first layer on the face side.

[00091 In the mask of the present invention, it is preferable that the first layer and the second layer have a heat-insulating property.

[0010] In the mask of the present invention, it is preferable that the second layer is moisture-impermeable.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, when the mask is worn, warm vapor is generated from the water-containing body heated by microwave irradiation in, for example, a microwave oven, allowing for humidification between the mask body and the wearer's face. Accordingly, moisture is supplied to the oral cavity, preventing the oral cavity from becoming dry.

[0012] Further, since the water-containing body is housed in a heated state in the housing portion, warm vapor is immediately generated; i.e., it does not take time to generate vapor from immediately after the mask is put on. Therefore, a sufficient amount of vapor can be supplied from immediately after the mask is put on.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] Fig. 1 (A) is a front view of a mask of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 (B) is a rear view of the mask. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line Xl-Xl of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 (A) is a rear view of a housing portion. Fig. 3 (B) is a front view of the housing portion. Fig. 3 (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line X2-X2. Fig. 4 (A) is a front view of a water-containing body. Fig. 4 (B) is a side view of the water-containing body.

Description of Embodiments

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 show a mask 1 of an embodiment of the present invention. The mask 1 includes a mask body 2 for covering part of the wearer's face (area below the eyes, particularly the nose and mouth), and a water-containing body 3 that contains moisture. The mask body 2 includes a covering portion 5 for covering part of the wearer's face when worn, and a bag-shaped housing portion 6 provided on the surface of the covering portion 5 on the face side. After being housed in the housing portion 6 of the mask body 2, the water-containing body 3 is heated by microwave irradiation in, for example, a microwave oven. Thus, warm vapor is emitted from the water-containing body 3 when the mask 1 is worn.

[0015] The covering portion 5 has a rectangular shape in plan view in this embodiment. The covering portion 5 has an upper edge 50 extending horizontally below the eyes of the wearer's face when the mask 1 is worn, a lower edge 51 extending horizontally across the lower jaw (or under the chin) when the mask 1 is worn, and left and right side edges 52, 53 connecting the upper edge 50 and the lower edge 51. The size of the covering portion 5 is not particularly limited. For example, the covering portion 5 may have a size that covers the nose, mouth, lower jaw, and part of the cheeks of the face while the left and right side edges 52, 53 vertically cross the cheeks.

[0016]

In this embodiment, the covering portion 5 is flat before the mask 1 is put on (when not in use). That is, the covering portion 5 of this embodiment has a structure different from a three-dimensional covering portion. Specifically, the structure of the covering portion 5 differs from a structure in which side edges of two mask pieces are joined by thermal fusion bonding or the like, the two mask pieces are folded by using a folding portion extending vertically at the center in the horizontal direction when not in use, the two mask pieces do not form a flat shape when they are unfolded, and a large space is formed between the bottom of the nose (nostrils) and the mouth when the mask is worn on the face. Thus, when worn on the face, the covering portion 5 comes into closer contact with the surface of the face than such a three-dimensional covering portion.

[0017] The covering portion 5 may have a single-layer structure or a laminate structure of two or more layers, and each layer may be formed by using an air-permeable sheet, such as a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. Of these, non-woven fabrics made by a spunbonding process, a meltblowing process, a thermal bonding process, or a spunlacing process can be preferably used. More preferably, non-woven fabrics made by a spunbonding process can be used in terms of texture and shape retention, and non woven fabrics made by a meltblowing process can be used in terms of performance in blocking out pollen, viruses, and the like. Considering the above, a preferable example of the layer structure of the covering portion 5 is an SMS layer (three-layer structure of spunbond-meltblow-spunbond). Other preferable examples include an S layer (single layer of spunbond) and an SS layer (two-layer structure of spunbond-spunbond). When the covering portion 5 has a laminate structure, the covering portion 5 can be formed by joining the outer peripheral edges of the sheets of the individual layers at a predetermined width by, for example, a known process, such as sewing, ultrasonic welding, or thermal fusion bonding.

[0018] Known materials can be used as the fiber material of the woven or non-woven fabric forming the layer(s) of the covering portion 5. Examples include natural fibers such as paper and cotton, semisynthetic fibers such as rayon and acetate, and synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon. Of these, polypropylene and polyethylene can be preferably used in terms of productivity, polypropylene can be used in terms of shape retention, and nylon can be used in terms of texture.

[0019] The covering portion 5 has a structure in which the covering portion 5 is extendable in the vertical direction. For example, the covering portion 5 is provided with at least one pleat 54 formed by at least two creases extending in the horizontal direction. By expanding the pleat 54, the covering portion 5 can be extended in the vertical direction, and the size of the covering portion 5 can be freely adjusted according to the size of the wearer's face.

[0020] Ear loop bands 7 are attached to the left and right side edges 52, 53 of the covering portion 5 as a holding means for holding the covering portion 5 on the wearer's face. The ear loop bands 7 may be attached to the covering portion 5 by, for example, a known method, such as sewing, ultrasonic welding, or thermal fusion bonding. The material of the ear loop bands 7 is not particularly limited, and for example, elastic materials such as polyester are preferable. Various means other than the ear loop bands 7 may be used as the holding means of the covering portion 5.

[0021] A linear nosepiece 8 made of, for example, a plastic resin such as polyethylene or a biodegradable resin is provided at a position inside the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5. The nosepiece 8 prevents a gap from being created between the wearer's nose and the covering portion 5, thus allowing the covering portion 5 to fit the face. The nosepiece 8 may be fixed at a predetermined position by, for example, incorporating the nosepiece 8 in the covering portion 5 and joining the sheets of the individual layers forming the covering portion 5 at the upper and lower positions of the nosepiece 8 by, for example, ultrasonic welding.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the housing portion 6 has a first layer 60 on the face side and a second layer 61 on the covering portion 5 side, and the outer peripheral edge of the second layer 61, except for the upper edge, is joined to the first layer 60. The housing portion 6 is thereby formed in the shape of a bag with an opening at the upper portion in which the water-containing body 3 can be inserted and held between the first layer 60 and the second layer 61. In this embodiment, the upper edge of the second layer 61 is located below the upper edge of the first layer 60 in the housing portion 6, which makes it easier to insert the water-containing body 3 into the housing portion 6 from the upper opening.

[0023] The housing portion 6 is attached to the covering portion 5 by joining the first layer 60 on the face side to the face side surface of the covering portion 5 by a known method such as sewing, ultrasonic welding, or thermal fusion bonding. In this embodiment, only the upper edge of the first layer 60 located above the upper edge of the second layer 61 in the housing portion 6 is joined to the face side surface of the covering portion 5. Accordingly, the housing portion 6 will not be an obstacle when the covering portion 5 is extended in the vertical direction by expanding the pleat 54, and the housing portion 6 is not constrained by the covering portion 5, which makes it easier to bring the water-containing body 3 close to the wearer's face due to the weight of the water-containing body 3; thus, vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 can be efficiently supplied to the nose and mouth.

[0024] Further, since the upper edge of the first layer 60 on the face side is joined to the face side surface of the covering portion 5, the first layer 60 is between the upper opening of the housing portion 6 and the wearer's face when the mask 1 is worn. This prevents direct exposure of warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 to the wearer's face because when the warm vapor is released from the upper opening of the housing portion 6, it is released to the wearer's face side only after it passes through the first layer 60.

[0025] In this embodiment, the housing portion 6 is attached to the covering portion 5 at a position below the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5. The upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5 extends horizontally below the eyes of the wearer's face when the mask 1 is worn. Thus, if the housing portion 6 is attached at the position of the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5, the nose is covered with the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6. If the nose is covered with the water containing body 3, it becomes difficult to breathe through the nose, and the water-containing body 3 touches the nose, which may make the mask 1 less comfortable to wear. Therefore, in this embodiment, the housing portion 6 is attached to the covering portion 5 at a predetermined height (e.g., 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less) below the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5 so that the housing portion 6 is positioned below the wearer's nose when the mask 1 is worn.

[0026] The size of the housing portion 6 is not limited as long as the water-containing body 3 can be placed inside the housing portion 6. For example, the length in the horizontal direction may be 50 mm or more and 150 mm less, and the length in the vertical direction may be 30 mm or more and 80 mm or less.

[0027]

The first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6 has moisture permeability. The moisture permeability is a property that allows vapor (water molecules) to pass through. For example, the first layer 60 preferably has a water vapor transmission rate of 1000 g/m 2 /24 h or more, more preferably 2000 2 g/m2 /24 h or more, and even more preferably 3000 g/m /24 h or more. Thus, warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 passes through the first layer 60 and is released to the wearer's face side. On the other hand, the second layer 61 on the covering portion 5 side of the housing portion 6 is moisture-impermeable. This moisture impermeability is not limited to the property of being completely impermeable to vapor (water molecules), but also includes the property of being slightly permeable to vapor (water molecules). For example, the second layer 61 preferably has a water vapor transmission rate of 350 g/m2/24 h or less, and more preferably 300 g/m 2/24 h or less. Warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 is not released to the side opposite to the wearer's face because the moisture-impermeable second layer 61 acts as a barrier. In this way, by making the first layer 60 of the housing portion 6 moisture-permeable and the second layer 61 of the housing portion 6 moisture-impermeable, warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 can be supplied only to the wearer's face side, allowing for efficient humidification.

[0028] Moreover, the first layer 60 and the second layer 61 of the housing portion 6 both have heat-insulating properties. The housing portion 6 houses the water-containing body 3 heated by microwave irradiation in a microwave oven or the like. A decrease in the temperature of the water-containing body 3 in a heated state shortens the time period during which warm vapor is generated from the water-containing body 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first layer 60 and the second layer 61 of the housing portion 6 have heat-insulating properties, which prevent the temperature of the heated water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 from rapidly decreasing, resulting in an extended time period during which warm vapor is emitted from the water-containing body 3.

[0029] The first layer 60 of the housing portion 6, which has moisture permeability and heat-insulating properties, may be formed by using, for example, a foamed resin sheet made of polyurethane foam, polyolefin foam, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam, or the like, or sheet-like fiber cotton. Examples of fibers forming fiber cotton include polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyamide fibers, acrylonitrile fibers, and the like.

[0030] The second layer 61 of the housing portion 6, which has heat-insulating properties and moisture-impermeability, may be formed by using, for example, a foamed resin sheet or sheet-like fiber cotton used for the first layer 60 described above, covered with a moisture-impermeable material.

[0031] In this embodiment, a vapor retention layer 62 capable of retaining vapor is provided on the face side of the first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6. The vapor retention layer 62 allows some of the vapor that has emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 and passed through the first layer 60 to pass through and be released to the wearer's face side, and retains some of the vapor, thereby increasing the humidity between the mask body 2 and the wearer's face when the mask 1 is worn. This improves the humidification effect and allows for efficient humidification between the mask body 2 and the wearer's face.

[0032] The vapor retention layer 62 may be formed by using sheet-like, air-permeable fibers, such as a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. Of these, non-woven fabrics can be preferably used. Non-woven fabrics made by a spunbonding process, a thermal bonding process, a spunlacing process, or the like can be used.

In terms of texture, non-woven fabrics made by a thermal bonding process or a spunlacing process can be preferably used, and non woven fabrics made by a spunlacing process can be particularly preferably used. As the fiber material of the woven or non-woven fabric forming the vapor retention layer 62, hydrophobic fibers can be preferably used in terms of preventing wetting and stickiness. Examples includes synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester. Of these, polypropylene and polyethylene can be preferably used in terms of flexibility and productivity. In terms of vapor retention function and flexibility, the vapor retention layer 62 is preferably formed by stacking multiple (in this embodiment, two) sheets of fibers (e.g., non-woven fabrics).

[00331 The water-containing body 3 is impregnated with a water retention liquid containing water as the main component and can generate vapor by being heated by microwave irradiation in, for example, a microwave oven. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, since the water-containing body 3 is housed in a heated state in the housing portion 6 of the mask body 2 when the mask 1 is worn, it releases vapor and allows for humidification between the mask body 2 and the face to supply moisture to the oral cavity.

[0034] Although there is no particular limitation, the water containing body 3 preferably contains a large amount of the water retention liquid. The amount of the water retention liquid (impregnation amount) contained in the water-containing body 3 is preferably 6 g or more, more preferably 12 g or more, and even more preferably 16 g or more. In terms of the effect of the weight of the water-containing body 3 on the feel during use, the impregnation amount in the water-containing body 3 is preferably 30 g or less, more preferably 24 g or less, and even more preferably 20 g or less. Since the water-containing body 3 contains a large amount of the water retention liquid, a large amount of vapor can be supplied to the oral cavity, and the water-containing body 3 does not easily cool down after being heated, thus allowing the temperature of the heated water containing body 3, which is a high temperature, to be maintained for a long period of time. As described above, the water containing body 3 can be kept warm for a long period of time when the mask 1 is worn; therefore, warm vapor can be generated for a long period of time, and a good feeling during use can be obtained.

[0035] Further, in order to retain such an amount of the water retention liquid, the weight per area of the water-containing body 3 is preferably 500 g/m 2 or more, and more preferably 800 g/m2 or more. If the weight per area is too high, the water containing body 3 becomes hard, and as a result, the water containing body 3 does not deform so as to conform to the shape of the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn, which may make the wearer feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the weight per area of the water-containing body 3 is preferably 1500 g/m2 or less, and more preferably 1000 g/m2 or less.

[0036] In this embodiment, the water-containing body 3 has a rectangular shape in plan view. Since the water-containing body 3 is used at the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn, the size of the water-containing body 3 is, for example, preferably 4 cm or more and 14 cm or less in the horizontal direction and 2 cm or more and 7 cm or less in the vertical direction, more preferably 7 cm or more and 11 cm or less in the horizontal direction and 3 cm or more and 6 cm or less in the vertical direction. The area of the water-containing body 3 is, for example, preferably 8 cm 2 or more and 98 cm2 or less, and more preferably 25 cm2 or more and 50 cm2 or less.

[0037] Since the water-containing body 3 covers the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn, a vent 30 is formed in the water containing body 3 so that the water-containing body 3 does not interfere with the wearer's breathing through the mouth. This facilitates the wearer's breathing through the mouth when the mask 1 is worn. The vent 30 may be composed of multiple small diameter holes or one or more notches. The vent 30 is preferably composed of a notch extending up and down at the center in the left-right direction of the water-containing body 3. Thus, the water-containing body 3 can be easily folded along the vent 30 at the center in the left-right direction of the water-containing body 3. In order to impregnate the water-containing body 3 with a large amount of moisture, it is necessary to increase the weight per area of the water-containing body 3 as described above. If the weight per area is increased, the water-containing body 3 becomes hard and does not conform to the shape of the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn, which may make the wearer feel uncomfortable. However, when the water-containing body 3 is easily folded at the center in the left-right direction of the water-containing body 3 by the vent 30, even if the weight per area of the water-containing body 3 is high, the water-containing body 3 deforms so as to conform to the shape of the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn, and so the wearer does not feel uncomfortable.

[0038] In this embodiment, the vent 30 is formed so that the vent 30 extends upward from the lower edge of the water containing body 3. However, the vent 30 may be formed so that the vent 30 extends downward from the upper edge of the water containing body 3, formed so that the vents 30 extend downward and upward from the upper edge and the lower edge of the water containing body 3, respectively, or formed so that the vent 30 extends vertically in the area between the upper edge and the lower edge of the water-containing body 3.

[0039] The water-containing body 3 may be formed from various fiber materials. For example, the water-containing body 3 may be formed from hydrophilic fibers or a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and synthetic fibers. Examples of fiber materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, rayon, cotton, pulp, and the like. In terms of flexibility and water retention, pulp, for example, is preferable. The method for producing such water containing body 3 is not particularly limited. The water containing body 3 may be produced by an air-laid process or the like. In terms of productivity, processability, and durability, it is preferable to blend pulp, which is the main component, with thermo-fusible fibers, such as polyethylene in a predetermined ratio.

[0040] For example, when the water-containing body 3 is formed by using pulp, the ratio of pulp to thermo-fusible fibers is, for example, 60:40 to 80:20. The water-containing body 3 may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. In terms of durability and water retention, it is preferable that the water-containing body 3 has a three-layer structure in which a fiber material is sandwiched between a pair of non-woven fabrics. Here, the layer sandwiched between the pair of non-woven fabrics is referred to as the "intermediate layer," and the layers of the pair of non woven fabrics are referred to as the "side layers." The non-woven fabrics in the side layers may be made of the same material or different materials. Examples of materials of the non-woven fabrics include hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, synthetic fibers, and mixtures of hydrophilic fibers and synthetic fibers. Examples of hydrophilic fibers include rayon and cotton; rayon is preferable. Using hydrophilic fibers has the advantage that it makes it easy for pulp to absorb moisture during production, which facilitates the production. Examples of hydrophobic fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate and like polyesters; polyethylene and polypropylene are preferable. Using hydrophobic fibers has the advantage that it prevents wetting and stickiness. Therefore, it is preferable that the surface facing the wearer is formed from hydrophobic fibers and that the surface on the opposite side is formed from hydrophilic fibers, such as rayon. The pair of non-woven fabrics described above preferably have a weight per area of, for example, 20 g/m 2 or more and 50 g/m2 or less.

[0041] The water retention liquid impregnated into the water containing body 3 may consist of water or may contain water as the main component and a polyol. Examples of polyols include glycerol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, and the like. Of these, glycerol is preferable in terms of safety. In addition to these, components such as preservatives (e.g., methylparaben and phenoxyethanol), moisturizing agents (e.g., hyaluronic acid salt and betaine), plant extracts, water-soluble thickeners (e.g., xanthan gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), agar, guar gum, and carrageenan), fragrances (e.g., eucalyptus and mint), surfactants for solubilizing fragrances (e.g., nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and anionic surfactants), can be suitably used. The water-containing body 3 is preferably contained in, for example, a bag made of an impermeable aluminum laminate film, an aluminum-vapor-deposited PET film, or a transparent (silica) vapor-deposited PET film before the mask 1 is put on, i.e., before the water-containing body 3 is housed in the housing portion 6.

[0042] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, warm vapor is generated from the heated water-containing body 3 after microwave irradiation in, for example, a microwave oven, thereby achieving humidification between the mask body 2 and the wearer's face. Thus, since moisture is supplied to the oral cavity, the oral cavity can be prevented from becoming dry. Further, since the water-containing body 3 is housed in a heated state in the housing portion 6 of the mask body 2, vapor is emitted from immediately after the mask 1 is put on. Accordingly, the mask 1 does not require time to generate vapor and can thus supply a sufficient amount of vapor from immediately after the mask 1 is put on.

[0043] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, since the vapor retention layer 62, which is capable of retaining vapor, is provided on the face side surface of the first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6, some of the vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 and passing through the first layer 60 is retained by the vapor retention layer 62. Accordingly, the vapor retention layer 62 increases the humidity between the mask body 2 and the wearer's face when the mask 1 is worn, thus improving the humidification effect and allowing for efficient humidification between the mask body 2 and the wearer's face.

[0044] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, since the first layer 60 and the second layer 61 of the housing portion 6 have heat-insulating properties, the temperature of the heated water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 can be prevented from rapidly decreasing. Accordingly, warm vapor can be generated from the water-containing body 3 for a longer period of time.

[0045] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, since the first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6 is moisture-permeable, and the second layer 61 on the covering portion 5 side is moisture-impermeable, warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 passes through the moisture-permeable first layer 60 and is released to the wearer's face side, but the vapor is not released to the side opposite to the wearer's face because the moisture-impermeable second layer 61 acts as a barrier. Accordingly, warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 can be supplied only to the wearer's face side, allowing for efficient humidification.

[0046] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, since the upper edge of the first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6 is located above the upper edge of the second layer 61 on the covering portion 5 side and is joined to the surface of the covering portion 5 on the face side, the first layer 60 is between the upper opening of the housing portion 6 and the wearer's face when the mask 1 is worn. Accordingly, when warm vapor emitted from the water-containing body 3 in the housing portion 6 is released from the upper opening of the housing portion 6, it is released to the wearer's face side only after it passes through the first layer 60; therefore, direct exposure of the vapor to the wearer's face can be prevented.

[0047] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, the housing portion 6 is attached to the covering portion 5 at a position below the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5. Accordingly, when the mask 1 is worn, the housing portion 6 is positioned below the wearer's nose. The nose is thus not covered with the water-containing body 3, which makes it easy for the wearer to breathe through the nose and also does not reduce the wearing comfort of the mask 1 because the water-containing body 3 does not touch the nose.

[0048] The embodiment of the present invention has been described above; however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0049] For example, in the above embodiment, the water containing body 3 is heated by microwave irradiation after it is housed in the housing portion 6 of the mask body 2. However, the water-containing body 3 may be housed in the housing portion 6 of the mask body 2 after it is heated by microwave irradiation.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the vapor retention layer 62 is provided on the first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6. However, the vapor retention layer 62 need not necessarily be provided.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the first layer 60 and the second layer 61 of the housing portion 6 both have heat insulating properties. However, only one of them may have heat insulating properties, or neither of them may have heat insulating properties.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the first layer 60 of the housing portion 6 is moisture-permeable, and the second layer 61 of the housing portion 6 is moisture-impermeable. However, both may be moisture-permeable.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the housing portion 6 is attached to the covering portion 5 at a position below the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5. However, the housing portion 6 may be attached to the covering portion 5 at the position of the upper edge 50 of the covering portion 5.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the upper edge of the first layer 60 on the face side of the housing portion 6 is located above the upper edge of the second layer 61 on the covering portion 5 side and joined to the covering portion 5. However, the upper edge of the second layer 61 on the covering portion 5 side may be located above the upper edge of the first layer 60 on the face side and joined to the covering portion 5.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the vent 30 is formed in the water-containing body 3. However, the vent 30 need not necessarily be formed.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the upper edge 50, the lower edge 51, and the left and right side edges 52, 53 of the covering portion 5 are linear. However, for example, the upper edge 50 may have a bent shape or curved shape protruding toward the upper side, and/or the lower edge 51 may have a bent shape or curved shape protruding toward the lower side, and/or the left and right side edges 52, 53 may have a bent shape or curved shape protruding toward the inside.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the housing portion 6 covers the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn. Thus, a vent may be provided in the housing portion 6 to prevent the housing portion 6 from interfering with the wearer's breathing through the mouth.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the water-containing body 3 has a rectangular shape in plan view. However, the water containing body 3 may have various shapes such as a triangular shape, a square shape, other polygonal shapes, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the covering portion 5 has a rectangular shape in plan view. However, the covering portion 5 may have various shapes such as a triangular shape, a square shape, other polygonal shapes, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the covering portion 5 has a structure in which the covering portion 5 is extendable in the vertical direction by using the pleat 54. However, the means for making the covering portion 5 extendable in the vertical direction is not limited to the pleat 54, and various other means can be used. For example, by forming gathers in the covering portion 5, the covering portion 5 may be made extendable in the vertical direction. The means and structure for making the covering portion 5 extendable, such as pleat 54, may not be provided in the covering portion 5.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the covering portion 5 is flat. However, the covering portion 5 may be three-dimensional. In this case, the housing portion 6 may not be provided separately from the covering portion 5, and the internal space of the covering portion 5 may be used as the housing portion 6.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1: Mask 2: Mask body 3: Water-containing body 5: Covering portion 6: Housing portion 50: Upper edge of covering portion 60: First layer of housing portion 61: Second layer of housing portion 62: Vapor retention layer of housing portion

Claims

[Claim 1] A mask comprising: a mask body for covering part of a wearer's face; and a water-containing body that contains moisture and is heated by microwave irradiation to emit vapor, the mask body comprising a housing portion for housing the heated water-containing body.
[Claim 2] The mask according to claim 1, wherein the mask body comprises a covering portion for covering part of a wearer's face, and the housing portion that is disposed on a surface of the covering portion on the face side and is in the shape of a bag; the housing portion comprises at least a first layer on the face side and a second layer on the covering portion side between which the water-containing body is inserted; the first layer has moisture permeability; and a vapor retention layer capable of retaining vapor is disposed on a surface of the first layer on the face side.
[Claim 3] The mask according to claim 2, wherein the first layer and the second layer have a heat-insulating property.
[Claim 4] The mask according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second layer is moisture-impermeable.