EP4316604A1

EP4316604A1 - Ear-hanging member for mask, and mask

Info

Publication number: EP4316604A1
Application number: EP22774674.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kodai UJIIE
Original assignee: Daio Paper Corp
Current assignee: Daio Paper Corp
Priority date: 2021-03-25
Filing date: 2022-02-01
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2042-02-01
Also published as: JP7537332B2; KR20230158459A; JP2022149154A; EP4316604A4; WO2022201872A1; CN116916777A; TWI893279B; KR102942916B1; EP4316604B1; TW202237230A

Abstract

An ear hook member has an annular sheet shape and has, in a plan view thereof, a first direction corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the mask and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The ear hook member includes: a first surface material; a second surface material that is disposed on an opposite side to the first surface material; and a plurality of stretchable string materials between the first surface material and the second surface material, the plurality of stretchable string materials being spaced from each other in the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction. Each of the stretchable string materials is adhered to the first surface material and the second surface material, with the stretchable string materials being stretched.

Description

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to an ear hook member for a mask, and a mask.

[Background Art]

A well-known mask to be worn on the face includes a mask body that at least partially covers the face of a wearer, and a pair of ear hook members each bonded to the mask body; i.e., a pair of members that can be hung around the ears of the wearer in order to keep the mask body at a wearing position.
The ear hook members of the above-described mask are often in the form of a string. However, sheet-shaped ear hook members (ear hook portions) have been studied in order to reduce the burden on the ears during the wearing of the mask to obtain comfortable feelings during the wearing of the mask. For example, PTL 1 describes a single sheet-shaped ear hook sheet in which both ear hook portions extend on the same plane, with both the ear hook portions being coupled to each other at a coupling portion. PTL 1 exemplifies, as the material of the ear hook members, stretchable or extendible nonwoven fabric and stretchable hot-melt adhesive nonwoven fabric.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 5762803

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

In recent years, masks have become used by various users regardless of age and gender. Therefore, there has been a demand for producing various masks that can accommodate, for example, the sizes of users' faces, sizes, and desired types of comfort during use. However, in the case of the ear hook member made of, for example, stretchable nonwoven fabric as described in PTL 1, it is not possible to adjust stretchability of the ear hook member across a wide range, nor is it possible to meet various demands from users in some cases. In view thereof, there has been a demand for an ear hook member for a mask in which the stretchability of the ear hook member can be more readily adjusted.
In one aspect of the present invention in view of the above, it is an object to provide an ear hook member for a mask in which the stretchability of the ear hook member can be more readily adjusted.

[Solution to Problem]

One aspect of the present invention is an ear hook member for a mask. The ear hook member has an annular sheet shape and has, in a plan view thereof, a first direction corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the mask and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The ear hook member includes: a first surface material; a second surface material that is disposed on an opposite side to the first surface material; and a plurality of stretchable string materials between the first surface material and the second surface material, the plurality of stretchable string materials being spaced from each other in the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction. Each of the stretchable string materials is adhered to the first surface material and the second surface material, with the stretchable string materials being stretched.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an ear hook member for a mask in which the stretchability of the ear hook member can be more readily adjusted.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mask according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from an outer face side thereof (outer side).
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask as illustrated in FIG. 1, as viewed from an inner face side thereof (face side).
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line I-I of FIG. 1.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a state where a pair of ear hook members are opened laterally.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line II-II of FIG. 4.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of only the ear hook member as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line III-III of FIG. 6.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 6.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a view of a modified example of an ear hook member.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a view of another modified example of an ear hook member.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a view of still another modified example of an ear hook member.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modified example of how stretchable string materials are placed in an ear hook member.
[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mask according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from an outer face side thereof (outer side).

[Description of Embodiments]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding components across the drawings are given the same symbols, and the description thereof may be omitted.

(Basic configuration of mask)

The mask in the present embodiment may be a mask that is capable of covering the face of a wearer, and more specifically at least the nose and mouth of the wearer. The mask according to the present embodiment can have functions of preventing foreign matter from reaching the face and preventing scattering of droplets from the wearer. This mask is also called a hygiene mask or surgical mask. The mask of the present embodiment is suitably used as a disposable mask, but may be used as a reusable mask by, for example, washing the mask.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mask 1. FIG. 1 is a view of the mask 1 from the outer face side thereof; i.e., the side on which the mask 1 is not facing towards the face upon being worn and is exposed to the outside. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask from the inner face side thereof (face side). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line I-I of FIG. 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mask 1 according to the present embodiment includes: a mask body 10 disposed at the front of the face of a wearer upon putting the mask 1 on and capable of mainly covering the nose and mouth of the wearer; and a pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a bonded to the mask body 10. The mask body 10 extends in a vertical direction (first direction) D1 corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the face of a wearer upon putting the mask 1 on and in a lateral direction (second direction) D2 that is orthogonal to the vertical direction (first direction) D1 and corresponds to a left-and-right direction of the face of a wearer upon putting the mask 1 on. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the mask body 10 has a rectangular shape in the plan view thereof, the rectangular shape having a longer side in the lateral direction D2. However, the shape of the mask body 10 in the plan view thereof is not limited to the illustrated shape.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the mask body 10 has a pleated structure 15 made of a plurality of pleats that are juxtaposed in the vertical direction D1. The pleats of the pleated structure 15 can be formed by folding a sheet for the mask body 10 twice or more at fold lines along the lateral direction D2. The plurality of pleats are fixed at the lateral portions (the end portions in the lateral direction D2) of the mask body 10. Therefore, upon use of the mask 1, it is possible to expand a middle portion in the lateral direction D2 of the pleated structure 15 in the vertical direction D1. Thereby, a middle portion in the lateral direction D2 of the mask body 10 can be deformed and specifically curved so as to project towards the outer face side of the mask 1 and contour the three-dimensional shape of the face. The pleated structure 15 is not particularly limited to any specific structure, and may be a publicly known structure formed in a mask body.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are disposed on the outer face of the mask body 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ear hook member 20a may be annular (or be a closed annular band) in the plan view. Upon putting the mask on, the ear hook member 20a can be hung around the wearer's ear, with the wearer's ear being put in the ring of the ear hook member 20a; i.e., a central opening 29 of the ear hook member 20a. No particular limitation is imposed on the shape of the above ring, but the shape thereof is preferably a tetragonal ring as described below. However, the shape of the ring may be a circular or elliptical shape, a trigonal ring, or another polygonal ring.
The pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be formed as a single sheet-shaped ear hook member (ear hook member sheet) 20, in which the ear hook members 20a and 20a are bonded together in a separable manner at a central portion in the lateral direction D2. In the present specification, "sheet-shaped" or "sheet" refers to a shape in which the length and width thereof are larger than the thickness thereof and that extends or can extend in one flat plane. Therefore, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a in the present embodiment are different from the ear hook member in the form of a string or thread. By the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a being made as the ear hook member sheet 20, when a wearer has the ear hook member 20a hung around his or her ear upon putting the mask on, the ear hook member 20a can make surface contact with the back face of the earlobe. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the ear and the portion around the ear to reduce discomfort and pain, and offer comfortable feelings during the wearing of the mask.
No particular limitation is imposed on the bonding manner of the separable bond portion 28 between the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a. However, it is preferable that the bond thereof be separable by being pulled apart with normal amount of force by a user. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, discontinuous notches (cuts) may be provided to form a perforated line. Rather than the perforated line, the bond portion 28 may be formed by reducing the thickness of the sheet or by other means so as to embrittle the boundary between the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a, and make the boundary subjectable to stress. Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the configuration of the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be in a line symmetry, with the line of symmetry being a line passing the bond portion 28 along the vertical direction D1.
The mask body 10 may have a multi-layered structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated on top of one another. For example, the mask body 10 may have a structure including at least three layers: an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer has an enhanced function of capturing foreign matter (e.g., dust, pollens, bacteria, and virus particles). Each of the layers forming the mask body 10 preferably contains a fiber-containing layer such as nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, or knit fabric, and more preferably contains nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include spunbonded nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, and point bond nonwoven fabric. Also, the intermediate layer preferably uses meltblown nonwoven fabric that can contain thin fibers. The fiber of the fiber-containing layer is preferably a resin fiber. Examples of the resin of the resin fiber include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon. The basis weight of the outer layer or the inner layer may be from 15 through 50 g/m². The basis weight of the intermediate layer having a high ability to capture foreign matter is preferably from 10 through 100 g/m², and more preferably from 15 through 50 g/m².
The pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are bonded to both lateral portions (both end portions in the lateral direction D2) of the outer face of the mask body 10. The ear hook members 20a and 20a have stretchability. In the present specification, "stretchability" refers to a property in which the length of a substance can become longer in a direction in which the substance is pulled (a tensile force is applied to the substance) and the length of the substance returns to the original length or substantially the original length when pulling of the substance is stopped (the tensile force is released). Moreover, as used herein, "stretchable" also refers to a property of to what degree a material is stretched when the material is pulled with a predetermined force, and/or to what degree a tensile stress occurs in the material when the material is stretched to a predetermined length.
Note that, in the examples as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are respectively bonded to both lateral portions of the mask body 10 via the auxiliary materials 30 and 30. The auxiliary materials 30 and 30 may be a sheet-shaped member that extends along the vertical direction D1 of the mask 1. The auxiliary materials 30 and 30 are joined, at outer joined portions 50 and 50, with both end portions of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2. Also, the auxiliary materials 30 and 30 are joined, at inner joined portions 60 and 60, with both end portions of the ear hook member sheet 20 in the lateral direction D2. The outer joined portions 50 and 50 and the inner joined portions 60 and 60 may be joined by joining means such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or an adhesive. However, in the present embodiment, an optimal way of bonding can be selected for the outer joined portion 50 between the auxiliary material 30 and the mask body 10 and for the inner joined portion 60 between the auxiliary material 30 and the ear hook member sheet 20. With this structure, it is possible to obtain the mask 1 that is firmer than a mask including the ear hook member sheet 20 and the mask body 10 that are directly joined together. The auxiliary material 30 may have stretchability but preferably has lower stretchability than the ear hook member sheet 20.

(How to use the mask)

Hereinafter, how to use the mask 1 of the present embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 will be described. When the mask 1 according to the present embodiment is to be used for the first time, a user tears the separable bond portion 28 between the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a and separates the ear hook members 20a and 20a from each other, before putting the mask 1 on. More specifically, the user can pinch or grasp the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a with his or her hands, and pull the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a in opposite directions to each other. Thereby, first, the user can tear the bond of the separable bond portion 28. Subsequently, portions of the ear hook members 20a and 20a not joined with the mask body 10 are spread out laterally in the lateral direction D2. At this time, the user can open the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a outward (laterally) in the lateral direction D2, while grasping the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a.
FIG. 4 is a view of a state where the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a of the mask 1 of FIG. 1 are opened laterally. Also, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line II-II of FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are opened, the ear hook members 20a and 20a are turned over, and the faces thereof having previously faced the mask body 10 are exposed. Also, the outer face of the mask body 10 is almost entirely exposed.
The pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be disposed on the outer face side of the mask body 10 or may be disposed on the inner face side thereof. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are preferably disposed on the outer face side of the mask 1. With the structure in which the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are disposed on the outer face side of the mask body 10, it is possible to reduce or eliminate possibility of touching the inner face of the mask body 10 when separating and opening the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a outward in the lateral direction D2. From a hygienic viewpoint, the above structure is preferable.
The mask 1 according to the present embodiment can be actually used, for example, in the following manner. Specifically, in a state where the mask 1 is placed with the outer face of the mask body 10 facing upward, a user grasps and opens the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a with his or her hands outward in the lateral direction D2. Then, the user can move the mask 1 to the face of another person (wearer) while grasping the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a. After applying the mask body 10 at a desired position on the face of the other person, the user can hang the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a around the ears of the other person without changing the way of holding the mask 1. Therefore, the mask 1 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used for those who cannot readily put a mask on by themselves, such as children and the sick.
Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be provided with pinch portions 25 and 25. A user can pinch the pinch portions 25 and 25 when separating and opening the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a outward in the lateral direction D2. Preferably, the pinch portions 25 and 25 project from the edge of the mask body 10 in the plan view thereof, preferably from the bottom end of the mask 1 (or the bottom end of the mask body 10). By the pinch portions 25 and 25 projecting from the edge of the mask body 10, a user can pinch the pinch portions 25 and 25 with his or her hands without or substantially without touching the mask body 10 itself; i.e., both the outer face and the inner face of the mask body 10. Then, the user can separate and spread out the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a without or substantially without touching the mask body 10. Therefore, even in a situation where a user cannot sufficiently take care of hygiene of his or her hands and fingers, the user can put the mask 1 on or can have another person put the mask 1 on under good hygienic conditions. Note that, when the pinch portion 25 projects from the edge of the mask body 10, the maximum length of the projected portion in the vertical direction D1 is preferably from 5 through 20 mm and more preferably from 8 through 15 mm.
Also, by the pinch portions 25 and 25 of the ear hook member 20a, the user can readily adjust the ear hook members with the pinch portions 25 and 25 upon or after hanging the ear hook member 20a around the ear of the wearer. Specifically, with the pinch portions 25 and 25, it is possible to make a positional adjustment by shifting the ear hook member 20a in a circumferential direction of the ear hook member 20a relative to the ear, or to adjust the degree of tension of the ear hook member 20a by pulling the ear hook member 20a backward or loosening the ear hook member 20a.
Moreover, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are bonded to both the lateral portions of the outer face of the mask body 10 rather than the inner face thereof (the face on the face side). Thus, during the wearing of the mask 1; i.e., in a state where the ear hook members 20a and 20a are opened laterally and hung around the ears (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), both the lateral portions of the mask body 10 are pushed towards the face from the outer face side by the ear hook member 20a. Thereby, it is possible to reduce gaps between the mask body 10 and the face at both the lateral portions of the mask body 10, and to improve the functions as a mask, such as the function of blocking foreign matter and the function of preventing scattering of droplets from a wearer. Also, since the ear hook member 20a is not disposed on the inner face side (face side) of both the lateral portions of the body, the ear hook member 20a does not directly contact the face of the wearer at both the lateral portions of the mask body 10 during the wearing of the mask 1, and discomfort is reduced.
Note that, the mask body 10 may be provided with a mark 18 by embossing, printing, sewing, etc. The mark 18 allows for distinction between the outer face and the inner face of the mask body 10. The mark 18 may be any form as long as the mark 18 can be identified by a user visually. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 1, the mark 18 may be a letter, a number, a symbol, a figure, a logo, etc.

(Ear hook member)

FIG. 6 illustrates only the pair of the ear hook members 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20) of the mask 1 of FIG. 1. As described above, the ear hook member 20a (or the ear hook member sheet 20) has the stretchability. This stretchability of the ear hook member 20a is obtained by a plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... that are disposed in the vertical direction D1 so as to be spaced from each other all over the ear hook member 20a having an annular sheet shape, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... respectively extend along the lateral direction D2. This makes it possible to obtain the stretchability of the ear hook member 20a in the lateral direction D2. The direction in which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... extend is preferably in parallel to the lateral direction D2. However, the above direction may be nearly in parallel to the lateral direction D2; i.e., may be a direction tilted relative to the lateral direction D2 by about ±10°, preferably about ±5°. Also, each of the intervals L (pitch) at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are placed in the vertical direction D1 may be about from 1 through about 10 mm.
The stretchable string material 9 may be, for example, a string- or thread-form elastic member (e.g., a rubber thread). The thickness of the stretchable string material 9 may be preferably from 200 through 1,500 dtex, and more preferably from 400 through 1,000 dtex. Also, the shape of the cross section of the stretchable string material 9 may be a circle but may also be an ellipse, a tetragon (e.g., a square or a rectangle), or another polygon. Note that, as the stretchable string material 9, a material having a maximum stretch rate of from 150% through 1,000% of the natural length thereof may be used, with the maximum stretch rate being measured by a tensile tester.
FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line III-III of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 6 (a view of a cross section of the stretchable string material 9, the cross section passing through the center line of the stretchable string material 9). FIG. 8(a) illustrates a state where the stretchable string material 9 is pulled outward in the lateral direction D2 by external forces T and T. FIG. 8(b) illustrates a state where no external force is applied (natural state). Note that, FIG. 8(a) also illustrates a state where in a production step of the ear hook member 20a, the stretchable string material 9 being stretched is adhered to the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3. FIG. 8(b) also illustrates a state where in the production step, the stretching of the stretchable string material 9 in the state as illustrated in FIG. 8(a) is lifted (pulling of the stretchable string material 9 is stopped).
Production of the ear hook member 20a (ear hook member sheet 20) will be described below in more detail. In a state where the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are stretched at a predetermined stretch rate, the first surface material 2 is disposed at one side of the stretchable string material 9, and the second surface material 3 is disposed at the other side of the stretchable string material 9. The stretchable string material 9 is adhered at intervals to each of the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 at adhesion portions 6, 6, ... (FIG. 8 (a)). Here, the predetermined stretch rate (the length Le in the stretched state to the length Ln in the natural state; i.e., Le/Ln × 100 (%)) may be preferably from 100 through 400%, and more preferably from 150 through 300%. The adhesion between the stretchable string material 9 and the surface materials 2 and 3 can be achieved with an adhesive, sewing, etc. Also, in a portion where the stretchable string material 9 is not disposed, the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 may be directly joined together.
After the above-described adhesion between the stretchable string material 9 and the surface materials 2 and 3, the stretching of the stretchable string material 9 is lifted to return the stretchable string material 9 into the natural state. Since the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 are made from a material having high flexibility, portions of the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 other than the adhesion portions 6, 6, ... project in a direction away from the stretchable string material 9. As a result, in the ear hook member 20a, a plurality of small wrinkles extending along the vertical direction D1 are formed in juxtaposition in the lateral direction D2 (FIG. 8(b)). The configuration of a stretchable sheet-shaped body having such a plurality of wrinkles (gathers) can be formed in the same manner as in publicly known stretchable gathers. In an actually employable production process of the ear hook member 20a, the plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are sandwiched between the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3, to form a joined body. The joined body is punched into the shape of the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a.
By virtue of a large number of the above-described wrinkles that are formed on the surface of the ear hook member 20a, when the surface of the ear hook member 20a contacts skin, spaces are formed between the ear hook member 20a and the skin, rather than the material of the ear hook member 20a contacting all over the surface of the skin. This makes it possible to reduce feelings as if the material thereof were stickily adhered to the skin, and to improve feelings during the wearing of the mask.
The first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 may be made of any material as long as the material has flexibility. The materials of the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 may be the same or different. Also, the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 are preferably a fiber assembly. Examples of the fiber assembly include nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and knit fabric. Of these, the nonwoven fabric is preferable because the nonwoven fabric is favorable in texture and gas permeability and contributes to improvement in feelings during the wearing of the mask. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, needle-punched nonwoven fabric, and chemical bond nonwoven fabric. Of these, for example, the spunbonded nonwoven fabric, which does not become fluffy and has high strength, and the air-through nonwoven fabric, which is soft, are preferable. Also, the fiber contained in the nonwoven fabric may be a resin fiber. Examples of the resin of the resin fiber include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon. When the first surface material 2 or the second surface material 3 is nonwoven fabric, the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric may be preferably from 5 through 50 g/m², and more preferably from 8 through 25 g/m².
As described above, the ear hook member 20a according to the present embodiment is a stretchable member made of a plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, .... Therefore, the stretchability of the stretchable string material 9; i.e., to what degree the string material is stretched when the string material is pulled with a predetermined force, or to what degree a tensile stress occurs in the string material when the string material is stretched to a predetermined length, can be readily adjusted across a wide range by changing the thickness and material of the stretchable string material 9. Thus, for the adjustment of the stretchability of the ear hook member 20a according to the present embodiment, the stretchability of the ear hook member 20a or the ear hook member sheet 20 is more readily adjusted than that of an ear hook member made of, for example, stretchable nonwoven fabric. In some cases, the ear hook member 20a that is short in a state before use (natural state) but becomes longer upon putting the mask 1 on is desired. In these cases, by, for example, increasing the stretch rate in the production of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... (the length of the stretchable string material to be adhered to the surface material relative to the length of the stretchable string material in the natural state), it is possible to obtain the ear hook member 20a that can be stretched long upon being pulled. In some cases, it is desired to more closely fit the mask body 10 to the face. In these cases, by, for example, using the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... that are thick (have a large dtex number), it is possible to cause the ear hook member 20a to generate a higher tensile stress upon being pulled, and to increase the function of the ear hook members 20a and 20a to keep the mask body 10 in a predetermined position. Also, when the stretchable string material 9 is made of an elastic material such as rubber among others, remarkable stretchability can be achieved as compared to, for example, the stretchable nonwoven fabric.
Moreover, the configurations of the plurality of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the ear hook members 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20) may be the same all over the ear hook member 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20). Alternatively, the configurations thereof may be made partially different from region to region in the ear hook members 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20) (as described below). In this case, for example, in upper, middle, and lower regions as viewed in the vertical direction D1, the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ..., the stretch rate thereof in the production, the arrangement thereof (intervals), etc. may be made different.
The ear hook member 20a according to the present embodiment is annular, and preferably a tetragonal ring shape as illustrated in FIG. 6, and preferably a rectangular ring shape. The tetragonal ring shape is a shape in which there are recognized to be four positions at which the direction of the outline of the ring greatly changes, as viewed along the perimeter of the ring. As illustrated in FIG. 6, one ear hook member 20a having a tetragonal ring shape may have an upper-side portion 23 corresponding to an upper side of the tetragonal ring, and a lower-side portion 26 corresponding to a lower side of the tetragonal ring. The upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 are portions that are mainly stretched from the mask body 10 to the ear in the lateral direction D2 upon putting the mask on. Moreover, the ear hook member 20a may include: an ear backward arrangement portion 24 that is positioned at the back of the ear of a wearer upon putting the mask on; and a base portion 22 the most of which is joined with the mask body 10. The ear backward arrangement portion 24 is a portion that extends, between the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26, along the vertical direction D1 at a middle portion of the ear hook member sheet 20 in the lateral direction D2. The base portion 22 is a portion that extends, between the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26, along the vertical direction D1 at an end portion of the ear hook member sheet 20 in the lateral direction D2.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the ear hook member 20a may include: an upper-end region E1 corresponding to the upper-side portion 23; a lower-end region E2 corresponding to the lower-side portion 26; and a middle region M between the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2, as viewed in the vertical direction D1. In the case of the shape of the ear hook member 20a as illustrated in FIG. 6, more specifically, the inner perimeter of the tetragonal ring has four points (p1, p2, p1', p2') at which the radius of curvature is a local minimum. Thus, when straight lines that respectively pass through two points (p1, p2) closer to the middle portion are drawn parallelly to the lateral direction D2, a region between the straight lines can be the middle region M. In other words, the straight line that passes through a first point p1 at the upper side and is in parallel to the lateral direction D2 can be defined as a boundary line between the upper-end region E1 and the middle region M. The straight line that passes through a second point p2 at the lower side and is in parallel to the lateral direction D2 can be defined as a boundary line between the lower-end region E2 and the middle region M.

(Modified examples of the ear hook member)

FIG. 9 illustrates ear hook members 20aA and 20aA (ear hook member sheet 20A) according to a modified example. A basic configuration of the ear hook member 20aA as illustrated in FIG. 9 is similar to that of the ear hook member 20a described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. However, in the ear hook member 20aA, the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9t, 9t, ... used in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 are larger than the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... used in the middle region M. For example, a ratio (D_E/D_M) of the thicknesses D_E (dtex) of the stretchable string materials 9t, 9t, ... in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 relative to the thicknesses D_M (dtex) of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M can be preferably from 1.1 through 3. Also, the thicknesses D_M of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M may be from 200 through 900 dtex. The thicknesses D_E of the stretchable string materials 9t, 9t, ... in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 may be from 220 through 1,200 dtex.
When the ear hook member 20aA as illustrated in FIG. 9 is pulled in the lateral direction D2, a higher tensile stress in the lateral direction D2 occurs in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 than in the middle region M. Here, the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 respectively correspond to the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 that are greatly pulled in the lateral direction D2 upon putting the mask on. When a tensile stress is higher in the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26, the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 can pull the mask body 10 with a greater force. This makes it possible to more strongly press the mask body towards a face, and to more closely adhere the mask body to the face. In the middle region M, it is preferable that the stretchability be present to some degree in the lateral direction D2. However, when the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are smaller, it is possible to make the ear backward arrangement portion 24 flexible, and to reduce discomfort when the ear backward arrangement portion 24 touches skin at the back of the ear. Therefore, according to the example as illustrated in FIG. 9, it is possible to provide an ear hook member and a mask that are suitable for a wearer who seeks for fitness of the mask and comfort around his or her ears.
FIG. 10 illustrates ear hook members 20aB and 20aB (ear hook member sheet 20B) according to another modified example. A basic configuration of the ear hook member 20aB as illustrated in FIG. 10 is similar to that of the ear hook member 20a described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. However, in the ear hook member 20aB, the stretch rates of the stretchable string materials 9s, 9s, ... used in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 are larger than the stretch rates of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... used in the middle region M. For example, a ratio (R_E/R_M) of the stretch rates R_E (%) of the stretchable string materials 9s, 9s, ... in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 relative to the stretch rates R_M (%) of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M can be preferably from 1.1 through 2. Also, the stretch rates R_M of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M may be from 100 through 300%. The stretch rates R_E of the stretchable string material 9s, 9s, ... in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 may be from 110 through 400%.
The high stretch rates of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 mean that the maximum lengths of those regions being pulled are long. Therefore, it is possible to greatly stretch the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 that respectively correspond to the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2. Thus, it is possible to obtain an ear hook member that has enough length upon putting the mask on and can accommodate the case in which the distance from the mask body to the ear is long, even when the length thereof in the lateral direction D2 is short before application of a tensile force. Meanwhile, it is preferable that the ear backward arrangement portion 24 corresponding to the middle region M have the stretchability to some degree so that the ear backward arrangement portion 24 can deform naturally. However, it is better for the stretch rate not to be extensively high because the wrinkles of the surface materials are not excessively densely or thickly formed per the length in the lateral direction D2. This improves texture upon touching the ears. Therefore, by the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... having a relatively low stretch rate in the middle region M, comfortable texture around the ears can be obtained. Note that, FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an example of the wrinkles of the first surface material 2 that extend in the vertical direction D1. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the pitch between the wrinkles of the surface material in the lateral direction D2 is small in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2, and the wrinkles are densely formed there. Meanwhile, the pitch between the wrinkles of the surface material in the lateral direction D2 is large in the middle region M, and the wrinkles are sparsely formed there. Therefore, in the example as illustrated in FIG. 10, it is possible to provide a mask that is suitable for a wearer who seeks for a long length from the ear to the end portion of the mask body in the lateral direction D2 and for comfort around his or her ears.
FIG. 11 illustrates ear hook members 20aC and 20aC (ear hook member sheet 20C) according to still another modified example. A basic configuration of the ear hook member 20aC as illustrated in FIG. 11 is similar to that of the ear hook member 20a described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. The plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... extending in the lateral direction D2 are provided all over the ear hook member 20aC so as to be spaced from each other in the vertical direction D1. However, in the ear hook member 20aC, the intervals (pitch) at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed become shorter in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 than in the middle region M. For example, a ratio (L_E/L_M) of each of the intervals L_E at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 relative to each of the intervals L_M at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the middle region M can be preferably from 1.1 through 2. Also, each of the intervals L_M at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the middle region M may be from 1.1 through 10 mm. Each of the intervals L_E at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 may be from 1 through 5 mm.
When the intervals at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 are shorter, the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are more densely disposed. Therefore, the tensile stress occurring upon pulling, in the lateral direction D2, these regions and the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 respectively corresponding to these regions becomes larger than the tensile stress occurring in the middle region M. When the tensile stress in the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 is large, the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 can pull the mask body 10 with a greater force. This makes it possible to more strongly press the mask body towards a face, and to more closely adhere the mask body to the face. In the middle region M, it is preferable that the stretchability be present to some degree in the lateral direction D2. However, it is better for the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... not to be densely disposed in the middle region M because the ear backward arrangement portion 24 can be made flexible to reduce discomfort around the ear during the wearing of the mask. Therefore, according to the example as illustrated in FIG. 11, it is possible to provide an ear hook member and a mask that are suitable for a wearer who seeks for fitness of the mask and comfort around his or her ears.
Moreover, FIG. 12 illustrates a modified example of the stretchable string material. Stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... as illustrated in FIG. 12 do not extend as a straight line along the lateral direction D2 but instead have a wavy shape having amplitudes in the vertical direction D1. FIG. 12(a) is a plan view of a state where no tensile force is applied. FIG. 12(b) is a plan view of a state where the stretchable string materials are pulled from both sides in the lateral direction D2. When the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... receive a tensile force from both sides in the lateral direction D2, the stretchable string material 9w itself is stretched in the lateral direction D2, and the amplitudes in the vertical direction D1 of the wavy shape become smaller and the wavy shape becomes closer to a straight line (FIG. 12(b)). In other words, when a material on which the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... extending in the lateral direction D2 are disposed is pulled in the lateral direction D2, the length of the material in the lateral direction D2 becomes longer and the length thereof in the vertical direction D1 becomes shorter. As a result, the material originally located before the length thereof in the vertical direction D1 becomes shorter contributes to stretch in the lateral direction D2. Therefore, when the ear hook member including the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... is compared to the ear hook member including the straight-line stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... (e.g., FIG. 6) under the conditions that the same tensile force is applied, the ear hook member including the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... can be more stretched in the lateral direction D2 (the stretchability is high). In other words, the ear hook member including the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... generates a lower stress even when the degree of stretch is the same. Therefore, by using the ear hook member including the stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... as illustrated in FIG. 12, it is possible to provide a mask that is suitable for a wearer who wants to avoid the mask body being excessively pressed against his or her face, or the ear hook member being pressed against his or her ears.
The above describes the embodiments in which the mask body and the pair of ear hook members are joined together via the auxiliary material. However, a mask including no auxiliary material is possible. FIG. 13 illustrates a mask 101 including no auxiliary material. In the mask 101, a pair of ear hook members 120a and 120a are respectively directly joined at joined portions 70 and 70 with end portions of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2. The joined portions 70 and 70 can be formed by similar joining means to that used for the outer joined portions 50 and 50 and the inner joined portions 60 and 60 in the mask 1 (FIG. 1 to FIG. 5). Also, the pair of ear hook members 120a and 120a form a single-sheet ear hook member sheet 120.
Note that, the features of the above examples and embodiments that are described with reference to the drawings can be each independently included in the configuration, and two or more of the features can be combined and included in the configuration. For example, it is possible to configure an ear hook member in which the thickness and the stretch rate of the stretchable string material are changed in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2.
Hereinafter, specific aspects of the present invention will be described.

(Supplementary Note 1)

An aspect according to Supplementary Note 1 is an ear hook member for a mask, where the ear hook member has an annular sheet shape and has, in a plan view thereof, a first direction corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the mask and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the ear hook member including: a first surface material; a second surface material that is disposed on an opposite side to the first surface material; and a plurality of stretchable string materials between the first surface material and the second surface material, the plurality of stretchable string materials being spaced from each other in the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction, wherein each of the stretchable string materials is adhered to the first surface material and the second surface material, with the stretchable string materials being stretched.
In the aspect according to the Supplementary Note 1, the stretchability of the ear hook member can be achieved by using the plurality of stretchable string materials. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the material and the thickness of the stretchable string material (e.g., a rubber thread) and/or by appropriately selecting the arrangement, the stretch rate, etc. of the stretchable string material, it is possible to provide a resulting ear hook member with any level of the stretchability. This makes it possible to relatively easily produce various ear hook members for a mask that meet demands from users.
Also, the stretchable string material is provided all over the ear hook member, and is also provided at the ear backward arrangement portion of the ear hook member that is to be positioned at the back of the ear of a wearer upon putting the mask on. Thereby, not only the upper-side portion and the lower-side portion of the ear hook member that are to extend from the mask body towards the ear upon putting the mask on, but also the ear backward arrangement portion can have the stretchability to some degree in the lateral direction D2. This makes it possible to enhance comfortable feelings during the wearing of the mask.

(Supplementary Note 2)

In an aspect according to Supplementary Note 2, the first surface material and the second surface material are made of nonwoven fabric.
According to the aspect according to the Supplementary Note 2, since the nonwoven fabric is used as the surface materials of the ear hook member, it is possible to obtain an ear hook member having good texture.

(Supplementary Note 3)

In an aspect according to Supplementary Note 3, the stretchable string material extends in a wavy shape having amplitudes in the first direction.
According to the aspect according to the Supplementary Note 3, by the stretchable string material extending in the wavy shape, it is possible to achieve a higher stretch property; i.e., to make the stretched length be longer than the length in the natural state when the stretchable string material is compared to another type of stretchable string material under application of the same tensile force.

(Supplementary Note 4)

In an aspect according to Supplementary Note 4, the ear hook member has a shape of a tetragonal ring and includes an upper-side portion and a lower-side portion that respectively correspond to an upper side and a lower side of the tetragonal ring; and the ear hook member includes, as viewed in the first direction, an upper-end region corresponding to a region over which the upper-side portion extends, a lower-end region corresponding to a region over which the lower-side portion extends, and the middle region between the upper-end region and the lower-end region, wherein one or more of thicknesses, stretch rates, and intervals of the plurality of stretchable string materials are different between the middle region and a region that is either or both of the upper-end region and the lower-end region.
According to the embodiment according to the Supplementary Note 4, as viewed in the vertical direction, behaviors of stretch can be made different between the regions of the ear hook member. For example, when the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials disposed in the upper-end region and the lower-end region are made larger and the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials disposed in the middle region are made smaller, the tensile stress occurring in the upper-end region and the lower-end region when the ear hook member is pulled upon putting the mask on can be made higher than the tensile stress occurring in the middle region. The upper-end region and the lower-end region respectively correspond to the upper-side portion and the lower-side portion of the ear hook member that are to be greatly pulled in the lateral direction D2 upon putting the mask on. When the tensile stress in the upper-side portion and the lower-side portion is high, the mask body is more strongly pulled towards the ears, which makes it possible to more closely adhere the mask body to the face. Meanwhile, although it is preferable that the ear backward arrangement portion corresponding to the middle region of the ear hook member also have the stretchability in the lateral direction D2 so that the ear backward arrangement portion can deform along a curve of the ear, thicker stretchable members may degrade feelings during the wearing of the mask. Therefore, when the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials in the middle region are smaller, it is possible to keep the ear backward arrangement portion flexible.

(Supplementary Note 5)

An aspect according to Supplementary Note 5 is a mask including: a body for a mask; and the ear hook member for the mask according to any one of the Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the ear hook member for the mask being joined with an outer face of the body for the mask.
According to the aspect according to the Supplementary Note 5, it is possible to provide a mask having similar effects to those exhibited in the aspect according to any one of the Supplementary Notes 1 to 4.
The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-051173, filed on March 25, 2021 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[Description of the Reference Numeral]

1 mask
2 first surface material
3 second surface material
6 adhesion portion
9,9t,9s,9w stretchable string material
10 mask body
15 pleat
18 mark
20,120 ear hook member sheet
20a,120a ear hook member
22 base portion
23 upper-side portion
24 ear backward arrangement portion
25 pinch portion
26 lower-side portion
28 separable bond portion
29 opening
30 auxiliary material
50 outer joined portion
60 inner joined portion
70 joined portion
D1 first direction (up-and-down direction, vertical direction)
D2 second direction (left-and-right direction, lateral direction)
E1 upper-end region
E2 lower-end region
M middle region

Claims

An ear hook member for a mask, where the ear hook member has an annular sheet shape and has, in a plan view thereof, a first direction corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the mask and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the ear hook member comprising:
a first surface material;

a second surface material that is disposed on an opposite side to the first surface material; and

a plurality of stretchable string materials between the first surface material and the second surface material, the plurality of stretchable string materials being spaced from each other in the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction,

wherein each of the stretchable string materials is adhered to the first surface material and the second surface material, with the stretchable string materials being stretched.
The ear hook member for the mask according to claim 1, wherein the first surface material and the second surface material are made of nonwoven fabric.
The ear hook member for the mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stretchable string material extends in a wavy shape having amplitudes in the first direction.
The ear hook member for the mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
the ear hook member has a shape of a tetragonal ring and includes an upper-side portion and a lower-side portion that respectively correspond to an upper side and a lower side of the tetragonal ring;

the ear hook member includes, as viewed in the first direction,
an upper-end region corresponding to a region over which the upper-side portion extends,

a lower-end region corresponding to a region over which the lower-side portion extends, and

a middle region between the upper-end region and the lower-end region; and

one or more of thicknesses, stretch rates, and intervals of the plurality of stretchable string materials are different between the middle region and a region that is either or both of the upper-end region and the lower-end region.
A mask, comprising:
a body for a mask; and

the ear hook member for the mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the ear hook member for the mask being joined with an outer face of the body for the mask.