EP3909649A1 - Disposable breathing mask for covering mouth and nose and method of making same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a respiratory protection mask (2), in particular for single use, for covering the mouth and nose of the user, based on a fleece material with a mask base body (4) which is rectangular in plan view and which is formed from a rectangular flat material section (16) of the fleece material the mask base body (4) having an upper and a lower transverse edge (27, 35) extending in a transverse direction (18) and two lateral longitudinal edges (21) extending in a longitudinal direction (20), which have the rectangular shape of the mask base body (4) limit, wherein the upper and the lower transverse edge (27, 35) is formed by an upper and lower fold line (24, 32) extending in the transverse direction (18), around which an upper and a lower edge portion (22, 30) of the rectangular flat material section (16) is folded inwards, that is to say on the side of the flat material section (16) facing the user, so that an upper and an un tere envelope fold (28, 34) is formed, the mask base body (4) in the longitudinal direction (18) between the folded upper and lower edge section (28, 34) at least one transverse fold (36) along two further in the transverse direction (18) Has fold lines (38, 40) on itself, which can be unfolded at least in areas when the respirator is placed on the user in the area of the user's chin, mouth or nose, so that the respiratory mask can adapt to a face surface of the user, the respiratory mask continuing an upper elasticizing means, which is attached to the mask main body only with its ends (42) in upper corner areas (12) of the mask base body (4), and the respirator furthermore has a lower elasticizing means which only has its ends (44) in lower ones Corner regions (14) of the mask base body (4) is attached to the mask base body, the upper and lower elastics fication means are provided to run in a head circumferential direction (10) of the user, preferably above or below the ears of the user when the respiratory mask is put on, characterized in that the upper and lower elasticization means are made up of an upper and a lower elastic thread (6, 8) is formed so that the upper and the lower elastic thread (6, 8) are accommodated by the manufacturer over their respective entire extent within the upper or lower envelope folds (28, 34), and that the upper and the lower elastic thread (6, 8) by the manufacturer is either tension-free but still extends straight in the transverse direction (18) in the upper or lower envelope folds (28, 34) or extends with such a slight bias in a straight line in the transverse direction (18) in the upper or lower is arranged lower envelope fold (28, 34) that this pretensioning the manufacturer in flat and evenly designed The respiratory protection mask presented in the ridden state is not able to bulge out of the flat state.

Description

The invention relates to a respirator mask, in particular for single use, for covering the mouth and nose of the user, based on a nonwoven material with a mask base body which is rectangular in plan view and which is formed from a rectangular flat material section of the nonwoven material, the mask base body having an upper and an upper one has lower transverse edge extending in a transverse direction and two lateral longitudinal edges extending in a longitudinal direction, which have the rectangular shape of the mask base body limit, the upper and the lower transverse edge being formed by an upper and lower fold line extending in the transverse direction, around which an upper and a lower edge section of the rectangular flat material section is folded inwards, i.e. on the side of the flat material section facing the user, so that this forms an upper and a lower envelope fold, the mask base body having at least one transverse fold on itself in the longitudinal direction between the folded upper and lower edge section along two further fold lines running in the transverse direction, which are in the area when the respiratory mask is put on the user of the chin, mouth or nose of the user is at least partially foldable so that the respirator can adapt to a face surface of the user, wherein the respirator further has an upper elasticizing means, which only with its ends in the upper corner area Chen of the mask base body is attached to the mask base body, and the respiratory protection mask further has a lower elasticizing means, which is only attached to the mask base body with its ends in the lower corner areas of the mask main body, the upper and lower elasticizing means being provided when the respiratory protective mask is put on to run in a head circumferential direction of the user, preferably above or below the user's ears. The invention also relates to a method for producing the respiratory protection mask.

A respirator of the type mentioned above is known from FR 2 467 608 A . EP 1 743 535 B9 shows a mask concept deviating from a rectangular mask body with transverse folds, with a protective strip at the edge is provided which receives and covers an elastic fastening element. EP 1 118 278 B1 also shows a different, more complex structure of the so-called "duck bill type". In the area of the transverse edges, separately attached reinforcement strips are provided which, by the manufacturer, accommodate the elasticizing means that can be placed around the head.

DE 11 2014 001 988 T5 shows a rectangular respiratory mask with laterally attached and laterally protruding straps, which are each guided around the ears when the respiratory mask is put on. A similar concept is being pursued US 2016/0029716 A1 .

The present invention is based on the object of improving a respiratory protection mask of the type mentioned at the outset with a view to achieving further advantages in use, the aim being that it can also be manufactured economically.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a respiratory mask of the type mentioned at the outset in that the upper and lower elasticizing means are formed by an upper and a lower elastic thread, that the upper and the lower elastic thread are provided by the manufacturer over their respective entire extent within the upper or lower elastic thread. the lower envelope fold is received, and that the upper and the lower elastic thread are either tension-free but still extend in a straight line in the transverse direction in the upper or lower envelope fold or with such a slight pretensioning in a straight line in the transverse direction in the upper or lower direction. the lower Envelope folding is arranged so that this pretensioning is not able to bulge the respiratory protection mask, which is presented by the manufacturer in the flat and flatly spread-out state, out of the flat state.

It is therefore proposed according to the invention to dispense with additional edge-side cover or reinforcement strips and to provide the respective upper and lower elastic thread completely within the upper or lower foldover by the manufacturer. It is proposed that the upper and lower elastic threads are designed, dimensioned and arranged and fixed on the mask base body in such a way that they extend and are arranged in a straight line in the transverse direction of the respiratory mask by the manufacturer. If the respirator is then presented, for example, in a stacked arrangement of several respirators, there is no risk of the elastic threads catching or tangling with elastic threads or components of an adjacent respiratory mask, or of catching or entangling elastic threads of one and the same product with one another when removing a respiratory mask from an outer packaging . The product also conveys a more pleasant and tidier visual appearance. The upper and lower edge sections are available for enlarging the active mask area. This is supported by the fact that the elastic threads are fixed with their ends in the respective corner area and remain fixed. When the elastic threads are taken out of the fold and lengthened so that they can be wrapped around the head of the user, they thereby support the opening and unfolding of the upper and lower folds so that the upper and the lower fold Open the edge section and bring about an enlargement of the active mask area and then lie against the skin surface of the user in the area of the nose or chin.

Despite the possibly slight pre-tensioning and straight extension of the upper and lower elastic threads, the respiratory protection mask remains in its flat and flat-out state as provided by the manufacturer. The inherent rigidity of the fleece material can have a supporting effect here; In this regard, however, the upper and lower folds and the at least one transverse fold formed between them have an even more significant effect.

It proves to be advantageous if the first and / or the second elastic thread comprises or is formed from polyurethane, in particular polyester-polyurethane or polyether-polyurethane. These materials allow a high degree of elongation with the formation of restoring forces which are suitable here, which are particularly suitable for ensuring that the breathing mask fits securely on the face of the user without the restoring forces being perceived as uncomfortable.

It also proves to be advantageous if the first and / or the second elastic thread has a tensile strength or breaking force of at least 650 cN, in particular of at least 700 cN, in particular of at least 750 cN and in particular of at most 1100 cN, in particular of at most 1070 cN. The terms "tensile strength" and "breaking force" are used synonymously and denote the force at which the elastic thread in question breaks.

It also proves to be advantageous if the first and / or the second elastic thread in the relaxed, unstretched state has a thread thickness of at least 800 Dtex, in particular of at least 900 Dtex and in particular of at most 1200 Dtex, in particular of at most 1170 Dtex.

It also proves to be advantageous if the first and / or the second elastic thread has an elongation at break of at least 800%, in particular of at least 850%, in particular of at least 900% and in particular of at most 1100%, in particular of at most 1000%. If, for example, an elongation at break of 800% is mentioned, this means that a break only occurs when the elongation is eight times the length. The total length is then nine times the original length, since an elongation of 800% means an extension of eight times the original length.

The tensile strength and elongation at break are determined on elastic threads conditioned for at least 2 hours at 20 ± 2 ° C. in a tensile testing machine with a tensile device at a test speed of 500 mm / min.

It also proves to be particularly advantageous if the upper and lower elastic threads are designed and dimensioned in such a way that they do not retract to their original length after the first use after removing the respirator, but rather retain such a permanent elongation that they do not automatically retracts into the upper or lower envelope fold and therefore can be visually perceived immediately. Thus, once a respirator has been used, it can be immediately recognized as such, which has proven to be particularly advantageous in the case of the concept of rectangular respiratory masks provided with transverse pleats, since these tend to assume their original, flat-folded configuration again, which is done intuitively haptic treatment of the mask when the user takes it off is still supported.

It proves to be advantageous that the length of the upper fold in the longitudinal direction is at least 10 mm, in particular at least 12 mm, in particular at least 14 mm, in particular at least 16 mm and in particular at most 25 mm, in particular at most 22 mm, in particular at most 20 mm . It also proves to be advantageous if an extension of the lower fold in the longitudinal direction is at least 8 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, in particular at least 12 mm, and in particular at most 20 mm, in particular at most 18 mm, in particular at most 15 mm. By means of these dimensions, a reservoir, which is advantageous in practice, can be implemented on an area that can be enlarged for the respiratory protection mask, with the respective elastic thread being able to be arranged and fixed within the relevant foldover without any problems in terms of process technology.

It also proves to be advantageous if the extent of the upper envelope fold in the longitudinal direction is greater than the extent of the lower envelope fold in the longitudinal direction, in particular with a ratio of the extent of the upper envelope fold in the longitudinal direction to the extent of the lower envelope fold in the Longitudinal direction is at least 1.2, in particular at least 1.4, in particular at most 1.8, in particular at most 1.6, and in particular 1.5. This is because it has been shown that the aforementioned reservoir of enlargement potential of the active mask surface is required more in the nose area than below the chin.

It also proves to be advantageous if the upper elastic thread is arranged in an upper half of the upper envelope fold and / or that the lower elastic thread is arranged in a lower half of the lower envelope fold. In such a case, the elastic thread in question is closer to the upper or lower transverse edge or the fold line of the cover fold than to a free edge of the folded edge section running in the transverse direction. This supports the opening effect on the fold of the envelope when the elastic thread in question is removed and stretched.

According to a further idea, it is proposed that the upper and the lower elastic thread received in the upper and lower folds can be visually perceived through the fleece material. In this way, the user is intuitively instructed to grasp and pull out the elastic threads for the intended application of the mask. The visual perceptibility can be supported by a more or less transparent design of the fleece material in connection with a contrasting design of the upper and lower elastic thread with respect to the fleece material. In particular, it is possible and advantageous to design the elastic thread in color.

Correct operability of the respirator is supported according to a further inventive concept in that the upper and the lower elastic thread received in the upper and lower envelope folds can be haptically perceptible through the fleece material or that a haptically perceptible one in the area of the upper and lower envelope folds Orientation aid is provided, which can indicate the extent of the respective elastic thread to a visually impaired user so that he can grasp it more easily.

The fixing of the elastic threads to the mask base body can in principle be implemented by any joining means or joining method. In a preferred embodiment, however, it is provided that the upper and / or the lower elastic thread and preferably both elastic threads are joined to the fleece material with their respective ends in the respective corner areas of the mask base body by means of adhesive application, in particular by means of hot-melt adhesive application. A joining by means of ultrasonic welding technology, in particular in addition to an adhesive connection, would also be conceivable. - When "corner areas" of the mask body are mentioned at this or at another point in this application, this does not necessarily mean areas or surface sections that extend up to the one-dimensional corner point, i.e. until the transverse edge and the longitudinal edge meet, but rather these are areas or sections that are positioned at least in the vicinity of this corner point. They can be at a slight distance in the transverse direction or in the longitudinal direction from the relevant corner point or from the adjoining transverse edge or longitudinal edge of the mask base body, and it is easy to do so For obvious reasons, it is preferred that the relevant corner area essentially at least almost reaches the adjacent corner point and the transverse edge or longitudinal edge.

With regard to stabilizing and fixing the envelope folds, it has proven to be advantageous that the upper and lower envelope folds are only fixed to themselves in the upper and lower corner areas by joining areas of the nonwoven material that have been folded onto one another, in particular by means of adhesive application, in particular by means of hot melt adhesive application, and / or preferably by ultrasonic welding, in particular by means of a plurality of in particular point-shaped ultrasonic welding points.

It is further proposed that the upper and / or lower corner areas extend at least 5 mm, in particular at least 8 mm, and in particular at most 25 mm, in particular at most 20 mm, in particular at most 18 mm in the longitudinal direction, starting from the upper or lower transverse edge and starting from the respective lateral longitudinal edge, at least 5 mm, in particular at least 8 mm and in particular at most 15 mm, in particular at most 12 mm, extend inward in the transverse direction. The corner areas here designate those areas in which joint connections, of whatever type, are formed between adjacent areas of the folds. Or, in other words, outside of these corner areas, no further joints are formed within the fold over.

It is further proposed that in the area of a respective longitudinal edge of the mask base body, no fold is provided about a fold line running in the longitudinal direction. in the In contrast to the two transverse edges, there is therefore no fold-over in the area of the longitudinal edge of the basic mask body and the respiratory protection mask. This proves to be advantageous in terms of production technology, since - as will be explained later - no folding processes with folding lines transverse to the machine direction have to be provided.

In order to laterally fix the at least one transverse fold with fold lines running in the transverse direction in the central chin, mouth or nose area, it proves to be advantageous that a respective longitudinal edge area of the mask base body has a plurality, in particular a plurality of, in particular, point-shaped joints, in particular ultrasonic welds has, of which at least a majority grasp the at least one transverse fold and fix it on itself. In this way, good fixation of the at least one transverse fold in the area of its transverse ends can be achieved without lateral folds running in the longitudinal direction. This supports the opening of this transverse fold when putting on the respirator and leads to a good fit and a large active mask area. The mentioned longitudinal edge area, in which the joints are provided, extends from the longitudinal edge in the transverse direction preferably up to a maximum of 15 mm, in particular up to a maximum of 12 mm, and more preferably up to a maximum of 10 mm inward.

It is further recommended that the at least one transverse fold and its two fold lines running in the transverse direction are arranged and oriented in such a way that they face downward on an outer side of the protective mask facing away from the user to open. In this way it is achieved that there is no dirt-absorbing joint on the outside of the respirator, into which suspended matter can get from above.

As already indicated, it proves to be advantageous if not only one transverse fold, but at least two and preferably three or four transverse folds are provided in the mask body, since this increases the active mask surface by unfolding these transverse folds when it is put on and improves the overall fit of the mask can be.

The selection of the fleece material should preferably be based on the properties to be achieved for the respiratory mask. Sufficient stability and tear resistance of the nonwoven material as such should be mentioned here. A good filtration effect is also in the foreground, i.e. a retention capacity for suspended matter, aerosols, bacteria or viruses in accordance with the relevant standards, depending on the requirements placed on the respirator. Furthermore, for practical usability, however, good breathability, that is to say air permeability, must be guaranteed so that the user can breathe through the respirator and not past it. The production of the mask base body from a flat material section made of nonwoven material opens up the possibility of optimally resolving this conflict of objectives, which would not be possible or would only be possible with great effort with textile materials, in particular woven, knitted or knitted materials.

For example, it proves to be advantageous if the fleece material is preferably a single-layered material Is a nonwoven composite material which comprises spunbond nonwoven layers (S) and meltblown nonwoven layers (M), in particular an SMS nonwoven composite material, with a preferred weight per unit area of at least 20 g / m ² , in particular at least 30 g / m ² , further in particular at least 35 g / m ² , in particular at least 40 g / m ² , in particular at least 45 g / m ² and in particular at most 60 g / m ² , in particular at most 50 g / m 2. In particular, fibers based on polyolefin, in particular polypropylene, can preferably be used.

It can also prove to be advantageous if there are visually perceptible or haptically perceptible markings on the inside and / or on the outside of the mask base body, which markings are intended to convey orientation information to the user. These markings can convey to the user, for example, the outside and the inside of the respirator as well as the top / bottom orientation.

In the state provided by the manufacturer, the respiratory mask preferably has a transverse dimension of 140 mm-190 mm, preferably 150 mm-190 mm, more preferably 160 mm-185 mm, more preferably 165 mm-180 mm. A longitudinal extension of the breathing mask in the state provided by the manufacturer is preferably 70 mm-110 mm, more preferably 80 mm-105 mm, more preferably 90 mm-100 mm.

The respiratory protection mask according to the invention preferably consists of the flat material section folded as described and the two elastic threads and possibly added Adhesive material. This also supports economic producibility.

• Bereitstellen und Zuführen einer Flachmaterialbahn aus einem Vliesmaterial in einer Maschinenrichtung, wobei die Maschinenrichtung parallel zu dem oberen und unteren Querrand des Maskengrundkörpers der herzustellenden Atemschutzmaske verläuft,
• Zuführen des oberen und des unteren Elastikfadens in der Maschinenrichtung und Applizieren des oberen und des unteren Elastikfadens auf der Flachmaterialbahn entlang einer jeweiligen in der Maschinenrichtung erstreckten geraden Linie,
• Anfügen des oberen und des unteren Elastikfadens an die Flachmaterialbahn in voneinander in der Maschinenrichtung beabstandeten Bereichen, wobei diese Bereiche die späteren Eckbereiche des Maskengrundkörpers bilden,
• Einschlagen von beidseitigen in der Maschinenrichtung erstreckten Seitenrandabschnitten der Flachmaterialbahn nach innen zur Bildung der oberen und der unteren Umschlagfaltung, in welcher der jeweilige Elastikfaden aufgenommen ist,
• Falten der Flachmaterialbahn um wenigstens zwei in der Maschinenrichtung verlaufenden Faltlinien zur Bildung wenigstens einer Querfaltung bei der herzustellenden Atemschutzmaske,
• Vereinzeln der Maskengrundkörper durch Anbringen eines orthogonal zur Maschinenrichtung verlaufenden Trennschnitts, welcher den jeweiligen Längsrand des Maskengrundkörpers bildet.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a respiratory protection mask according to the invention, which comprises the following method steps:

• Providing and feeding a flat material web made of a nonwoven material in a machine direction, the machine direction running parallel to the upper and lower transverse edge of the basic mask body of the respiratory protection mask to be produced,
• Feeding the upper and lower elastic threads in the machine direction and applying the upper and lower elastic threads to the sheet of material along a respective straight line extending in the machine direction,
• Attaching the upper and lower elastic thread to the flat material web in areas spaced apart from one another in the machine direction, these areas forming the later corner areas of the mask base body,
• Folding inward side edge sections of the flat material web extending in the machine direction to form the upper and lower envelope folds in which the respective elastic thread is received,
• Folding the flat material web around at least two fold lines running in the machine direction to form at least one transverse fold in the respiratory protection mask to be produced,
• Separation of the mask body by making a separating cut running orthogonally to the machine direction, which forms the respective longitudinal edge of the mask body.

The execution of the above method allows the production of a respiratory protection mask according to the invention without having to make folds with fold lines extending transversely to the machine direction, which proves to be advantageous in terms of production technology and economically. The joining of the upper and lower elastic thread to the flat material web can be done by any joining method and joining means. An adhesive connection, preferably a hot melt adhesive connection, using a spray adhesive is preferably provided here. This is associated with the advantage that this adhesive connection can also serve to join the two folded-in side edge sections extending in the machine direction.

In order to join these folded-in side edge sections at their longitudinal ends, however, it is proposed that a joint, in particular and preferably in the form of ultrasonic welding, be made in the corner areas before the mask base bodies are separated from one another, by means of which the inwardly folded-in side edge sections of the flat material web are fixed to the flat material web. In an area in the machine direction between these corner areas, the respective folded side edge section, i.e. the upper and lower cover folds, remains unsecured to the flat material section underneath, so that the elastic thread received therein can be removed without a joint having to be broken.

It is further proposed that the ultrasonic welding is formed by a plurality of ultrasonic welding points, in particular by a plurality of at least eight, in particular point-like ultrasonic welding points, which are arranged in particular in an array-like manner with respect to one another.

It also proves to be particularly advantageous if, prior to the separation of the basic mask bodies, ultrasonic welding is carried out in the respective longitudinal edge areas of the basic mask bodies to be produced and in the longitudinal direction between the corner areas of the basic mask bodies to be produced, in particular in the form of a plurality of ultrasonic welds, whereby the at least one transverse fold in the area of the longitudinal edge of the mask body to be produced is fixed. It is particularly possible and advantageous in terms of process technology if the ultrasonic welding in the corner areas and the ultrasonic welding in the area of the longitudinal edge between the corner areas are produced essentially at the same point in the machine direction. In particular, the same ultrasonic joining device, in particular roller device, can be used for this purpose.

It also proves to be advantageous if the ultrasonic welding in the area of a respective longitudinal edge of the mask base body to be produced and between the corner areas does not extend to a respective longitudinal edge of the mask base body to be produced, so that the separating cut for separating the mask base body in this area is not made by an ultrasonic weld will. It is therefore proposed that the relevant ultrasonic welding in the area of a respective The longitudinal edge of a mask base body is spaced apart from the corresponding ultrasonic weld in the region of the longitudinal edge of a mask base body adjoining in the machine direction. The severing cut can thus be made in such a way that it is not made through ultrasonic welds, at least in the area between the corner areas. This reduces the wear and tear in the cutting devices used for this purpose and leads to soft longitudinal edges, which is perceived as pleasant in the cheek area.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention emerge from the attached claims and from the drawing and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the respiratory protection mask according to the invention and the manufacturing method according to the invention.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Benutzers mit angelegter erfindungsgemäßer Atemschutzmaske;

Figur 2

eine Aufsicht auf eine Innenseite der erfindungsgemäßen Atemschutzmaske im herstellerseitig dargebotenen flachgelegten und ebenen Zustand;

Figur 3

eine schematische Schnittansicht gesehen in Richtung der Pfeile 3-3 in Figur 2 und

Figur 4

eine Darstellung des Verfahrensablaufs bei der Herstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Atemschutzmaske.

In the drawing shows:

Figure 1

a perspective view of a user with a respirator according to the invention put on;

Figure 2

a plan view of an inside of the respirator according to the invention in the flat and flat state presented by the manufacturer;

Figure 3

a schematic sectional view seen in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in Figure 2 and

Figure 4

a representation of the process sequence in the production of a respirator according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a sketched user with an applied respiratory protection mask 2 according to the invention, which is designed to cover the mouth and nose of the user and is applied as intended. One can already see in the schematic representation of the Figure 1 and from the Figures 2 and 3 that the respiratory mask 2 has a rectangular mask base body 4 and is worn on the user's head by means of elasticizing means in the form of an upper and a lower elastic thread 6, 8, the upper elastic thread 6 in an only approximately horizontally oriented loop in a circumferential direction 10 above the ears extends around the head. The upper elastic thread 6 thus connects two upper corner areas 12 of the mask base body 4 and runs above the ears. The lower elastic thread 8 connects two lower corner areas 14 of the mask body 4 and, as intended, also runs around the head, preferably below the ears.

The mask base body 4 comprises a rectangular flat material section 16 made of nonwoven material, in particular of the type and composition described at the outset. This flat material section 16 is shown in FIG Figure 3 folded schematically shown way. First of all, let us introduce the following directions, namely one in the Figure 2 horizontally running transverse direction 18 and a vertically running longitudinal direction 20 of the mask base body 4 and the respiratory protection mask 2.

An upper edge section 22 of the flat material section 16, which extends in the transverse direction 18, is around an upper fold line 24 also extending in the transverse direction 18 on an inner side 26 of the facing the user The breathing mask is folded in and lies flat against the inside of the flat material section 16 there. In the Figure 3 The apparent spacing between the folded areas is purely schematic and serves to make the course of the folds visible. As a result, an upper envelope fold 28 is formed. The upper fold line 24 forms or defines at the same time an upper transverse edge 27 of the mask base body 4 a lower transverse edge 35 of the mask base body 4. The mask base body 4 is further delimited by lateral longitudinal edges 21 lying opposite one another.

In the longitudinal direction 20 between the upper and lower envelope folds 28, 34, three transverse folds 36 are formed in the flat material section 16, each of which comprises a lower fold line 38 and an upper fold line 40, that is to say is Z-shaped, so that in the area of this In a Z-shape, three layers of the flat material section 16 or its fleece material lie one above the other. In the case shown by way of example, there is even a short overlap area extending in the longitudinal direction 20 of two adjacent transverse folds 36, within which five layers of the flat material section 16 then lie on top of one another in the laid flat state. But this is purely exemplary. The fold lines 38 and 40 can also be positioned in the longitudinal direction 20 in such a way that only three layers are ever folded over one another.

The upper elastic thread 6 is arranged in the upper envelope fold 28 and therefore in Figure 2 shown in dashed lines. It is only fixed with its two ends 42 in the respective upper corner area 12 concerned. The term of the end 42 of the upper elastic thread means a longitudinal end section a few millimeters in length. The joining takes place - as will be explained in detail on the basis of the manufacturing process - preferably by means of a hot melt adhesive, other joining methods or means being also conceivable. The upper elastic thread is essentially free of tension or it is under very little pretension, so that it is not able to arch the protective mask 2 in the flat and flat state provided by the manufacturer. In any case, the elastic thread 6 extends in a straight line in the transverse direction 18. With regard to the color and the degree of transparency of the nonwoven material of the flat material section 2, it is designed, in particular colored, in such a way that it is visually recognizable through the flat material 16 or the envelope fold 28 inwards and outwards. This makes it easier to find and forms an intuitive instruction for the user to grip the thread by engaging in the envelope fold 28 and to pull it out. It also proves to be advantageous that the elastic thread 6 and the nonwoven material, in particular with regard to weight per unit area and flexibility, are designed in such a way that the elastic thread 6 can also be perceived haptically when a user grips the respirator 2 in the area of the upper fold 28 between two fingers.

The lower elastic thread 8 is designed, arranged and fixed with its ends 44 in lower corner regions 14 to the nonwoven material of the flat material section 16.

One recognizes in Figures 2 and 3 that the extent of the upper envelope fold 28 in the longitudinal direction 20 is approximately a factor of 1.5 greater, that is, extends further inward than the lower envelope fold 34, but this is not mandatory. The respective folded-in upper edge section 22 or lower edge section 30 forming the envelope folds 28, 34 is fixed on the flat material section 16 in the respective upper corner area 12 or in the lower corner area 14. This can be done by any joining method, in particular using an adhesive already used to fix the ends 42, 44 of the elastic threads 6, 8. In the preferred case shown, however, an additional joint connection in the form of an ultrasonic welded connection 46 is provided for this purpose. The ultrasonic weld connection 46 is formed, for example, by a multiplicity of point-shaped ultrasonic weld points 48.

In a respective left and right longitudinal edge area 50 of the mask base body 4 in the longitudinal direction 20 between the upper and lower corner areas 12, 14, further joints 52 are formed in the form of point-shaped ultrasonic welds 54, through which the transverse folds 36 on their ends lying in the transverse direction 18 on themselves are fixed themselves. Thus, not only the upper and lower envelope folds 28, 34 but also the transverse folds 36 are fixed on themselves at their respective ends. This contributes to the overall stability of the breathing mask 2. When the top and the bottom Elastic thread 6, 8 are brought out of the upper and lower envelope folds 28, 34 and stretched to apply and slipped over the head of the user, the respective elastic thread 6, 8 causes the upper and lower envelope folds 28, 34 to be folded up so that the active mask area is enlarged upwards and downwards. The unfolding upper and lower edge sections 22, 30 can then adapt to the facial contour in the area of the nose (above) and the chin (below) of the user. This unfolding effect when the elastic threads 6, 8 are pulled out is greater the closer the elastic threads 6, 8 are to the upper and lower fold lines 24, 32 when they are introduced and fastened by the manufacturer. When the breathing mask 2 is put on the user, the transverse folds 36 also open, at least partially, so that the breathing mask can nestle against the facial contour of the user. The already mentioned fixing of the transverse folds 36 in longitudinal edge regions 50 on both sides has a stabilizing effect. Furthermore, this prevents the breathing mask from opening in the area of the user's cheeks.

Figure 4 illustrates in a schematic representation a process sequence for producing a respiratory protection mask 2 according to the invention. An endless flat material web 60 made of nonwoven material is provided and fed in a high-speed assembly machine in a machine direction 62. The machine direction 62 is parallel to the transverse direction 18 and thus to the upper and lower transverse edges 27, 35 of the respiratory protection mask to be produced. The upper and lower elastic threads 6, 8 are then fed on both sides in the machine direction 62 and onto a later inner side 26 of the flat material web 60 or the flat material section 16 of the mask body 4 applied. The respective supplied elastic thread 6, 8 is joined to the nonwoven material of the flat material web 60 in areas spaced from one another in the machine direction 62, preferably using a hotmelt adhesive application 64. This hotmelt adhesive application 64 takes place in the later corner areas 12, 14 of the respiratory protection mask to be produced.

The second representation of the Figure 4 shows a state in which a respective side edge section 66, 68 of the flat material web 60 fed in the machine direction 62 is folded around a fold line running in the machine direction 62 onto the inside 26 of the flat material web 60. These side edge sections 66, 68 of the flat material web 60 are the upper edge section 22 and the lower edge section 30 of the respiratory protection mask to be produced. It can be seen from the dashed representation of the elastic threads 6, 8 that they are received in the upper and lower folds 28, 34 formed in this way. It can also be seen that the elastic threads 6, 8 extend in a straight line in the machine direction 62. This takes place either essentially without tension or with a slight pretension, which is, however, dimensioned such that it is not able to bulge the finished product starting from the flat, flat state provided by the manufacturer.

In the third representation of the Figure 4 the folding in of the further transverse folds 36 around the lower and upper fold lines 38, 40 extending in the machine direction 62 is shown.

Then according to the fourth representation of Figure 4 another joint in the form of a Ultrasonic weld connection produced by several essentially point-shaped ultrasonic welds.

In the respective upper and lower corner areas 12, 14 of the respiratory protection masks to be produced, which extend in the longitudinal direction 20 starting from the upper or lower transverse edge of the mask to be produced approximately to the edge of the turned-in side edge section 66, 68, ultrasonic welds 48 arranged in an array-like manner are introduced, by means of which the folded-in side edge sections 66, 68, that is to say the upper and lower envelope folds 28, 34, are fixed. Between these upper and lower corner regions 12, 14 one can see further point-shaped ultrasonic welds 54 in later longitudinal edge regions 50 of the masks to be produced. Between these two arrangements of ultrasonic welding points 54, a line 72 running transversely to the machine direction 62 indicates a joint-free area, along which a separating cut 74 for separating the products is then made. That in the last illustration of the Figure 4 The product obtained represents the finished respiratory protection mask 2.

Claims (19)

Respiratory protection mask (2), in particular for single use, for covering the mouth and nose of the user, based on a nonwoven material with a mask base body (4) which is rectangular in plan view and which is formed from a rectangular flat material section (16) of the nonwoven material, the Mask base body (4) has an upper and a lower transverse edge (27, 35) extending in a transverse direction (18) and two lateral longitudinal edges (21) extending in a longitudinal direction (20), which delimit the rectangular shape of the mask base body (4), the The upper and lower transverse edges (27, 35) are formed by an upper and lower fold line (24, 32) extending in the transverse direction (18), around which an upper and a lower edge section (22, 30) of the rectangular flat material section (16 ) is folded inwards, that is to say on the side of the flat material section (16) facing the user, so that an upper and a lower envelope fold (28, 34 ) is formed, the mask base body (4) in the longitudinal direction (18) between the folded upper and lower edge sections (28, 34) at least one transverse fold (36) along two further fold lines (38, 40) running in the transverse direction (18) has on itself, which when the respirator is put on the user in the area of the chin, mouth or nose of the user can be at least partially unfolded so that the respirator is on a face surface of the User can adjust, wherein the respirator further has an upper elasticizing means, which is only attached with its ends (42) in the upper corner areas (12) of the mask base body (4) to the mask base body, and wherein the respirator further has a lower elasticizing means, which only with its ends (44) in lower corner areas (14) of the mask base body (4) is attached to the mask base body, the upper and the lower elasticizing means being provided for when the respirator is put on in a head circumferential direction (10) of the user, preferably above or below to run below the ears of the user, characterized in that the upper and the lower elasticizing means are formed by an upper and a lower elastic thread (6, 8), that the upper and the lower elastic thread (6, 8) by its respective manufacturer entire extent within the upper or lower envelope fold (28, 34) and that the upper and lower elastic threads (6, 8) are either tension-free but still extend straight in the transverse direction (18) in the upper and lower folds (28, 34) or are arranged with such a slight pretension extending in a straight line in the transverse direction (18) in the upper and lower folds (28, 34) is arranged so that this pretensioning is not able to bend the respiratory protection mask, which is provided by the manufacturer in the flat and flat-out state, out of the flat state. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and / or the second elastic thread (6, 8) in the relaxed, non-stretched state has a thread thickness of at least 800 Dtex, in particular of at least 900 Dtex and in particular of at most 1200 Dtex, in particular of at most 1170 Dtex. Breathing protection mask (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and / or the second elastic thread (6, 8) has an elongation at break of at least 800%, in particular of at least 850%, in particular of at least 900% and in particular of at most 1100 %, in particular of at most 1000% and / or that the first and / or the second elastic thread (6, 8) has a tensile strength or breaking force of at least 650 cN, in particular of at least 700 cN, in particular of at least 750 cN and in particular of at most 1100 cN, in particular of at most 1070 cN. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper and lower elastic threads (6, 8) are designed and dimensioned in such a way that they do not retract to their original length after removing the respiratory protection mask after a first use rather, it retains such a permanent elongation that it does not automatically retract into the upper or lower envelope fold (28, 34) and can therefore be perceived visually immediately. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an extension of the upper fold (28) in the longitudinal direction (20) is at least 10 mm, in particular at least 12 mm, in particular at least 14 mm, in particular at least 16 mm and in particular at most 25 mm, in particular at most 22 mm, in particular at most 20 mm and / or that an extension of the lower envelope fold (34) in the longitudinal direction (20) is at least 8 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, in particular at least 12 mm, and in particular at most 20 mm, in particular at most 18 mm, in particular at most 15 mm. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extent of the upper envelope fold (28) in the longitudinal direction (20) is greater than the extent of the lower envelope fold (34) in the longitudinal direction (20), in particular wherein a ratio of the extent of the upper envelope fold (28) in the longitudinal direction (20) to the extent of the lower envelope fold (34) in the longitudinal direction (20) at least 1.2, in particular at least 1.4, in particular at most 1.8, in particular at most 1 , 6, and especially 1.5. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper elastic thread (6) is arranged in an upper half of the upper fold (28) and / or that the lower elastic thread (8) in a lower half of the lower Envelope fold (34) is arranged. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the The upper and lower elastic threads (6, 8) received in the upper and lower folds (28, 34) are visually perceptible through the nonwoven material. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper and lower elastic threads (6, 8) received in the upper and lower folds (28, 34) are haptically perceptible through the fleece material or that A haptically perceptible orientation aid is provided in the area of the upper or lower envelope fold (28, 34), which a visually impaired user can identify the extent of the respective elastic thread (6, 8) so that he can grasp it more easily. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper and lower folds (28, 34) are fixed to themselves only in upper and lower corner areas (12, 14) by joining areas of the fleece material that are folded onto one another is, in particular by means of adhesive application, in particular by means of hot-melt adhesive application, and / or preferably by ultrasonic welding, in particular by means of a plurality of ultrasonic welds. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the upper and / or lower corner areas (12, 14) extend at least 5 mm, in particular at least 8 mm, and in particular at most, starting from the upper or lower transverse edge (27, 35) 25 mm, in particular at most 20 mm, in particular at most 18 mm in the longitudinal direction (20) and, starting from the respective lateral longitudinal edge (21), at least 5 mm, in particular at least 8 mm and in particular at most 15 mm, in particular at most 12 mm in the transverse direction ( 18) extend inward. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective longitudinal edge region (50) of the mask base body (4) has a plurality, in particular a plurality of joints (52), in particular ultrasonic welds (54), of which at least a plurality of the at least one transverse fold (36) grasp and fix on themselves. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two and preferably three or four transverse folds (36) are provided. Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fleece material is a preferably single-layer fleece composite material which comprises spunbond fleece layers (S) and meltblown fleece layers (M), in particular an SMS fleece composite material, with a preferred weight per unit area of at least 20 g / m ² , in particular at least 30 g / m ² , further in particular at least 35 g / m ² , in particular at least 40 g / m ² , in particular at least 45 g / m ² and in particular at most 60 g / m ² , in particular at most 50 g / m ² . Respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by visually perceptible or haptically perceptible markings which are present on the inside (26) and / or on the outside of the mask body and which are intended to convey orientation information to the user. Method for producing a respiratory protection mask (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the following method steps: - Providing and feeding a flat material web (60) made of a nonwoven material in a machine direction (62), the machine direction (62) running parallel to the upper and lower transverse edge (27, 35) of the mask base body (4) of the respiratory protection mask (2) to be produced, - feeding the upper and the lower elastic thread (6, 8) in the machine direction (62) and applying the upper and the lower elastic thread (6, 8) on the flat material web (60) along a respective straight line extending in the machine direction (62) , - Attaching the upper and lower elastic thread (6, 8) to the flat material web (60) in areas spaced apart from one another in the machine direction (62), these areas forming the later corner areas (12, 14) of the mask base body, - Folding inward side edge sections (66, 68) of the flat material web (60) extending in the machine direction (62) to form the upper and lower envelope folds (28, 34) in which the respective elastic thread (6, 8) is received , - folding the flat material web (60) around at least two fold lines (38, 40) running in the machine direction (62) to form at least one transverse fold (36) in the respiratory protection mask to be produced, - Separation of the mask body (4) by making a separating cut (74) which runs orthogonally to the machine direction (62) and which forms the respective longitudinal edge (21) of the mask body (4). Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that before the basic mask bodies are separated from one another in the corner areas (12, 14), a joint connection, in particular in the form of ultrasonic welding, is carried out, by means of which the inwardly folded side edge sections (66, 68) of the flat material web (60 ) are fixed on the flat material web (60). Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the ultrasonic welding is formed by a plurality of ultrasonic welding points (48), in particular by a plurality of at least eight ultrasonic welding points (48), which are in particular arranged in an array-like manner to one another. The method according to claim 16, 17 or 18, characterized in that before the separation of the mask body (4) in the respective longitudinal edge regions (50) of the mask body (4) to be produced and in the longitudinal direction (20) between the corner regions (12, 14) of the Mask base body (4) an ultrasonic welding is carried out, in particular in the form of a plurality of ultrasonic welding points (54), whereby the at least one transverse fold (36) is fixed in the region of the longitudinal edge (21) of the mask base body (4) to be produced and that the ultrasonic welding takes place in the respective longitudinal edge region (50) of the mask base body (4) to be produced and in the longitudinal direction (20 ) between the corner areas (12, 14) of the mask body (4) to be produced preferably not up to a respective longitudinal edge (21) of the mask body (4) to be produced, so that the separating cut (74) for separating the mask body (4) in this area is not passed through an ultrasonic weld.

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