JP2010178765A - Mask - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mask capable of suppressing infection by preventing virus from intruding into the body of a mask-worn user without giving the sense of discomfort such as a stifled feeling to the user. <P>SOLUTION: The mask 1 comprises a mask body 2 and gauze 3. The mask body 2 covers the oral cavity peripheral edge parts including the nasal head part 4a, the lower jaw part 4b, and both jaw joint parts 4c on the face 4 of the user in such a state that the mask is worn to the face 4 of the user. For example, the mask body 2 is provided with a metal base 5 on which a plurality of projections 6 are formed, and each of the projections 6 is provided with a through-hole communicating with the inner surface 7 and the outer surface 8 of the mask body 2. The plurality of projections 6 are provided on the base 5 as to be raised from the outer surface 8 of the mask body 2 on the side opposite to the inner surface 7 facing the face 4 of the user. A covering layer 9 containing a titanium oxide is formed on the outer surface 8 of the mask body 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mask for preventing infection by viruses, bacteria, and the like.

  Infectious diseases are caused by viruses and bacteria (hereinafter simply referred to as “viruses”), and infections such as viruses are mainly caused by air infection, droplet infection, and contact infection. The droplet infection is caused by droplet particles containing a virus having a diameter of more than 5 μm, and is densely infected within a distance of about 1 m such as coughing, sneezing, conversation, and tracheal suction. Microorganisms causing droplet infection include influenza virus, meningococcus, diphtheria, pertussis, pestis, streptococcus, mycoplasma, measles virus and the like.

  Influenza viruses are classified into three genera, type A, type B, and type C, based on differences in antigenicity, and more than 100 types are considered to exist due to their morphological characteristics. Influenza is an epidemic, and vaccination is effective for prevention, but it is difficult to predict the type of virus that is prevalent. There is a risk of an explosion (pandemic).

  Therefore, basic measures to prevent viruses from entering the body, such as hand washing, gargle enforcement, and wearing a mask, are regarded as important preventive measures.

  Masks used to prevent infection by viruses include routinely used surgical masks and masks for medical workers, all of which use the filter function to collect viruses contained in exhaled air and inhaled air. .

  Therefore, various materials such as paper, gauze, cloth, cotton fabric, non-woven fabric, and foamable resin fabric are used as the fabric, and it is necessary to improve the collection characteristics of viruses by reducing the openings provided in the fabric. There is.

  For example, a mask conforming to the N95 standard is effective as a mask for a medical worker who has a high possibility of infection. The N95 standard is a national industrial standard set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a subordinate research institution of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it can block 95% or more of fine particles of 0.3μm or more. It is a standard.

  Thus, the function of the conventional mask is a filter function, and the infection prevention effect by the mask is improved by improving the filter function. However, the filter function simply collects the virus in the mask, and some viruses that have not been collected are sucked into the body, or the collected virus is separated from the mask for sufficient prevention. The effect is not obtained.

  In addition, improving the filter function increases the airflow resistance, and it is difficult for the mask wearer to breathe and to make it difficult to breathe for a long time.

  In the mask described in Patent Document 1, a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide is attached to the mask substrate to impart antibacterial and bactericidal action. Further, in the mask described in Patent Document 2, composite particles in which metal silver fine particles are supported on photocatalytic titanium oxide particles are fixed to the mask body.

JP 2000-202052 A JP 2005-73949 A

  In the masks described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the increase in ventilation resistance is suppressed, and the antibacterial action against the collected virus improves the infection prevention effect, but to effectively function the antibacterial action and the bactericidal action, It is premised on the collection by the filter function, and the breathlessness by improving the filter function is not improved. Further, simply attaching the photocatalyst to the nonwoven fabric or the gauze fabric does not sufficiently irradiate ultraviolet rays and visible light for exciting the photocatalyst, and the catalytic activity is not sufficiently improved.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mask that can prevent invasion of a virus or the like into the body and suppress infection without causing the mask wearer to feel uncomfortable feeling such as breathlessness.

The present invention is a mask having a mask body that covers a peripheral portion of the oral cavity spanning the nasal head portion, lower jaw portion, and both jaw joint portions of the face in a state of wearing on the face,
In the mask body, a coating layer containing titanium oxide is formed on the outer surface opposite to the inner surface facing the face, and a plurality of protrusions in which the outer surface and the clothing layer are raised are formed. A through-hole communicating with the inner surface and the surface of the coating layer is formed, respectively.

  Further, the present invention provides that the through hole opens downward facing in the central region extending from the nasal head cover portion covering the nasal head portion of the mask body and the lower jaw cover portion covering the lower jaw portion. Each side region over the joint is characterized by being open outward and upward.

  Further, the present invention provides that the through hole opens downward facing in the central region extending from the nasal head cover portion covering the nasal head portion of the mask body and the lower jaw cover portion covering the lower jaw portion. Each side region over the joint is characterized by being open to the outside and inside.

Further, the present invention comprises a sheet body interposed between the mask body and the face in a state of being mounted on the face,
The sheet body has air permeability in a thickness direction, and an opening of a region corresponding to the central region is larger than an opening of a region corresponding to each side region.

  According to the present invention, since the coating layer containing titanium oxide is formed on the outer surface, the titanium oxide is sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays and visible light. In addition, by having a plurality of protrusions, the surface area of the mask body can be increased, and the chance of contact between titanium oxide and viruses can be increased.

  Therefore, the bactericidal effect and antibacterial effect of viruses etc. by the mask body can be improved.

  The plurality of projections each formed with a through-hole reduce the in-plane expiratory flow resistance and allow the exhaled air to be smoothly discharged to the outside, expelling exhaled air without requiring a high exhalation pressure, and high suction. Intake can be taken in without requiring atmospheric pressure. As a result, the virus can be prevented from entering the body without causing discomfort such as breathlessness to the wearer of the mask, and infection can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the through hole in the central region of the mask body faces downward and is open, the exhaled air exhausted from the nostril inside the mask body greatly bypasses the outside from the through hole. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of stagnation and stagnation in the mask main body, and to exhaust it from the mask main body as short as possible. A part of the air flowing from the through holes in the side regions of the mask main body is discharged together with the exhaled air.

  At the time of inhalation, air flows in from the outside. At this time, two through holes that open outward and upward, or two through holes that open outward and inward, are provided to reduce the airflow resistance. It flows from the through hole in the side region. Therefore, during inhalation, air flowing along each side region wider than the central region flows in, increasing the chance of contact between an external virus or the like and titanium oxide.

  In this way, by changing the direction in which the through holes open in the central region and each side region, the flow of exhaled air and inhaled air in the mask body can be controlled, and smooth breathing and bactericidal effects and antibacterial effects can be achieved. The effect can be improved.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the mask 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a side view showing an appearance of a mask 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the mask 1 in cut surface line AA shown in FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a protrusion 6 portion formed in a central region 11 of the mask body 2. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a protrusion 6 portion formed in each side region 12 of the mask body 2. FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the folding | turning part 14. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the other example of the gauze 3. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the mask 20 which is other embodiment of this invention. 2 is a side view showing an appearance of a mask 20. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the mask 20 in cut surface line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a folded portion 16.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a mask 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the appearance of the mask 1. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mask 1 taken along the section line AA shown in FIG.

  The mask 1 includes a mask body 2 and a gauze 3. The mask main body 2 is configured so as to cover the peripheral edge of the oral cavity covering the nose head 4a, the lower jaw 4b, and the both jaw joints 4c of the face 4 while being mounted on the face 4. In the mask body 2, for example, a plurality of protrusions 6 are provided on a metal base 5, and through holes communicating with the inner surface 7 and the outer surface 8 of the mask body 2 are formed in the protrusions 6, respectively. A plurality of protrusions 6 are provided on the substrate 5 so as to protrude from the outer surface 8 of the mask body 2 opposite to the inner surface 7 facing the face 4.

  In the mask body 2 of the present invention, a coating layer 9 containing titanium oxide is formed on the outer surface 8. The covering layer 9 is provided in at least a region of the outer surface 8 of the mask main body 2 where the protrusions 6 are formed, and is preferably provided so as to cover the entire outer surface 8.

  The mask 1 of the present invention utilizes the bactericidal action when active oxygen is generated, which is one of the ability of titanium oxide as a photocatalyst to decompose harmful substances. Titanium oxide can be excited either by ultraviolet light or visible light depending on the type used, and can be sufficiently excited even by irradiation light from an indoor fluorescent lamp without irradiating sunlight outdoors. Active oxygen generated instantaneously on the surface of titanium oxide by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and visible light can sterilize influenza viruses and the like.

  In the conventional mask, since the photocatalyst such as titanium oxide is attached to the fiber body such as gauze, the ultraviolet ray and the visible light for exciting the catalyst are not sufficiently irradiated. However, the mask 1 of the present invention contains titanium oxide. Since the coating layer 9 is formed on the outer surface 8, the titanium oxide is sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays and visible light to excite the titanium oxide, thereby effectively exhibiting the catalytic activity.

  Further, as described above, a plurality of protrusions 6 are formed on the mask main body 2, thereby increasing the surface area of the outer surface of the mask main body 2 that comes into contact with air containing virus or the like. Since viruses and the like are sucked together with external air during inhalation, increasing the surface area of the outer surface of the mask body 2 increases the chance of contact between the titanium oxide contained in the coating layer 9 and viruses, and the mask body. 2 can improve the bactericidal and antibacterial effects of viruses and the like.

  Further, the irradiation light can be diffusely reflected on the surface of the mask body 2 on the plurality of protrusions 6 formed on the mask body 2, and the catalytic activity can be further improved as compared with the case where the protrusions 6 are not formed. .

  Titanium oxide, which is a photocatalyst, is capable of not only bactericidal action such as viruses but also decomposition of pollen and decomposition of harmful substances such as nitrogen oxides. Therefore, the use of the mask 1 of the present invention can prevent infection. In addition, it has a remarkable effect in preventing hay fever and preventing inhalation of toxic substances.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protrusion 6 portion formed in the central region 11 of the mask main body 2, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protrusion 6 portion formed in each side region 12 of the mask main body 2. is there.

  As described above, the protrusion 6 is formed with the through holes 13 communicating with the inner surface 7, the outer surface 8, and the surface of the coating layer 9.

  By forming each of the through holes 13, the flow resistance of the exhalation in the surface is small, the exhalation can be smoothly discharged to the outside, the exhalation is discharged without requiring a high exhalation pressure, and the high inspiratory pressure. Intake can be taken in without requiring.

  At this time, the space surrounded by the inner surface 7 and the face 4 of the mask main body 2 is filled with air sterilized and cleaned on the surface of the mask main body 2, and deep breathing can be performed with the mask 1 attached. .

  Thus, without causing the wearer of the mask 1 to feel uncomfortable, such as breathlessness, it is possible to prevent invasion of viruses and the like into the body and to suppress infection.

  If the through-hole 13 is formed in the projection 6, the wearer can breathe without feeling uncomfortable such as breathlessness. Furthermore, depending on the region where the projection 6 is formed, the through-hole 13 It is preferable to change the opening direction. In the present invention, the opening direction of the through-hole 13 is set to three types: upward, downward and outward. A through hole 13 formed in the projection 6 of the central region 11 extending from the nasal head cover portion covering the nasal head portion 4a and the lower jaw cover portion covering the lower jaw portion 4b of the mask body 2, and each side extending from the central region 11 to each temporomandibular joint portion 4c. The direction of opening of the through hole 13 is different from that of the through hole 13 formed in the protrusion 6 of the partial region 12.

  Specifically, the through holes 13 formed in the protrusions 6 of the central region 11 are opened facing downward, and the through holes 13 formed in the protrusions 6 of each side region 12 are opened outward and upward. is doing.

  Further, the through holes 13 formed in the protrusions 6 of the respective side regions 12 are not limited to the outer side and the upper side, and may be provided so as to open toward the outer side and the inner side.

  As for exhalation, the through-hole 13 formed in the projection 6 in the central region 11 is open facing downward, so that exhalation exhausted from the nostril inside the mask body 2 does not greatly bypass when wearing the mask. It is discharged from the through hole 13 to the outside. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of stagnation and stagnation inside the mask main body 2 and quickly discharge the breath from the mask main body 2 to the outside at as short a distance as possible. Further, when exhaled air is discharged from the inside of the mask body 2 to the outside, the pressure inside the mask body 2 decreases, so that air flows from the through holes 13 formed in the projections 6 of the side regions 12 of the mask body 2. Although it flows in, a part of it is discharged from the through hole 13 in the central region 11 together with exhalation.

  During intake, air flows from the outside of the mask body 2 toward the inside. At this time, it tends to flow from a portion where the ventilation resistance is smaller. Here, the through holes 13 formed in the protrusions 6 of each side region 12 are provided so as to open outward and upward, and the through holes 13 formed in the protrusions 6 of the central region 11 open downward. It is provided to do. Since the ventilation resistance is smaller when the two through holes 13 are provided, the air flows mainly from the through holes 13 of the side regions 12 during intake.

  In the intake air, the air flowing along the outer surface of the mask body 2 flows from the through holes 13. Since each side region 12 is wider than the central region 11, the contact area of the outer surface of the mask body 2 that comes into contact with the air flowing in from the outside to the inside of the mask body 2 can be increased. The chance of contact between the virus and the like contained in the inflowing air and the titanium oxide contained in the coating layer 9 is increased. Thereby, the bactericidal effect and antibacterial effect of the virus etc. by the mask main body 2 can further be improved.

  Further, among the protrusions 6 of each side region 12, the protrusions 6 in the outermost row are not provided with the through-holes 13 that open to the outer side but are open to the upper side. Alternatively, it is preferable to provide only the through-hole 13 that opens toward the inside. In the vicinity of the projections 6 in the outermost row, there is a possibility that a virus or the like may not be sufficiently contacted with the titanium oxide on the outer side of the projections 6. If air is provided, air containing a relatively large amount of virus may flow in. In the projections 6 in the outermost row, it is possible to more effectively prevent intrusion of viruses and the like by not providing the through holes 13 that open to the outside.

  The mask body 2 is made of metal as described above, and any material that can be coated with titanium oxide on the surface can be used. Further, in order to obtain adhesion with the face, a material that easily deforms along the shape of the face is preferable. As such a material, for example, an aluminum plate member having a thickness of about 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm can be used.

  The coating of the coating layer 9 containing titanium oxide can be performed by a known method, for example, by a liquid coating method by dipping by a sol-gel method, a vapor deposition method by chemical vapor deposition, or the like.

  Since the coating layer 9 exhibits a bactericidal action by titanium oxide on its surface, the thickness is not particularly limited. For example, if there is a thickness of several nanometers to several micrometers, sufficient catalytic activity can be obtained.

  The size of the protrusion 6 is not particularly limited, but considering that the surface area of the mask body 2 is increased and that the irradiation light is diffusely reflected on the surface of the mask body 2, for example, the diameter is about 2 mm to 5 mm and the height is also 2 mm to It is preferably about 5 mm.

  Since the through-hole 13 formed in the protrusion 6 becomes a vent hole, for example, the hole diameter may be about 1 mm to 3 mm.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to set suitably the number and magnitude | size of the processus | protrusion 6, and the hole diameter of the through-hole 13 so that 500 ml which is a respiration volume can be discharged | emitted and flowed in.

  In the present invention, the gauze 3 is described as an example of the sheet body interposed between the mask body 2 and the face 4 in the state of being mounted on the face 4, but at least it has air permeability in the thickness direction. For example, not only gauze but also non-woven fabrics and various cloth members in mesh form can be used.

  Since the air flowing into the mask body 2 is killed by titanium oxide outside the mask body 2, the air flowing into the mask body 2 hardly contains viruses. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a conventional sheet body conforming to the N95 standard, and a commercially available gauze can be used.

  On the outer side of each side region 12 of the mask body 2, a loop-shaped rubber string 10 is provided to be hooked on the ear when worn. Due to the elasticity of the rubber strap 10, when the mask body 2 is mounted, the inner surface 7 of the mask body 2 is pressed against the face 4, so that the gauze 3 can be held between the inner surface 7 of the mask body 2 and the face 4. it can.

  In order to prevent the gauze 3 from shifting, the gauze 3 may be fixed to the inner surface 7 of the mask body 2 with a double-sided tape or a hook-and-loop fastener, for example. However, when a double-sided tape, a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like is used, there is a possibility that the gauze 3 is torn when the gauze 3 is peeled off or the fibers are unwound and cannot be reused.

  Since the mask main body 2 is made of metal and is a relatively thin plate-like member as described above, it is easy to perform bending or the like. By bending the peripheral portion of the mask body 2 and providing the folded portion 14 as shown in the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 6, the peripheral portion of the gauze 3 can be sandwiched and fixed to the folded portion 14. The folded portion 14 does not need to be provided on the entire peripheral portion of the mask body 2. For example, if the folded portion 14 is provided on the peripheral portions on the lower side and the both sides, the gauze 3 can be fixed.

  By providing the folded portion 14, the strength at the peripheral edge increases. In order to obtain close contact with the face, it is preferable to easily deform along the shape of the face. However, if the strength is too low, the surface is deformed even by a small external force, and the close contact is inferior. The strength of only the peripheral portion is increased by the folded portion 14, and the mask body 2 as a whole is easily deformed along the shape of the face, and the peripheral portion closely contacting the face is deformed by a certain external force, Since it does not deform, high adhesion to the face is maintained.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the gauze 3. The gauze 3 in this example is configured such that the opening in the region 11 a corresponding to the central region 11 of the mask body 2 is larger than the opening in the region 12 a corresponding to each side region 12. The region 11a is a region through which exhalation mainly passes, and in this region 11a, the opening resistance can be increased and the ventilation resistance can be further reduced.

  In the present invention, the filter function of the gauze 3 is enhanced and the ventilation resistance is not increased, but it is preferable to impart bactericidal and antibacterial properties to the gauze 3 without increasing the ventilation resistance. For influenza viruses, for example, gauze 3 can be used to repel viruses that have passed through the through-holes 13 of the mask body 2 by using an antibody produced in vivo, such as an ostrich, or a solution soaked with a nasal vaccine. it can.

  FIG. 8 is a front view showing the appearance of a mask 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a side view showing the appearance of the mask 20. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the mask 20 taken along the section line AA shown in FIG.

  The mask 20 of the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the mask 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and a substantially semi-circular protruding portion 15 is adjacent to the peripheral portion of the mask body 2 along the peripheral portion. The outer shape of the mask main body 2 is provided in a wave shape as a whole.

  The overhanging portion 15 has a width (corresponding to a semicircular diameter) of about 0.5 cm to 2 cm. Since the plurality of overhanging portions 15 can be independently deformed, when the mask 20 is attached to the face 4, the overhanging portions 15 are deformed according to the shape of each part of the face 4 with which each overhanging portion 15 contacts. To do. Thereby, the adhesiveness to the face 4 of the mask main body 2 can further be improved.

  The overhanging portion 15 of the mask body 2 is preferably provided with a folded portion as in the above embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the folded portion 16. The folded portion 16 of the present embodiment is not for sandwiching and fixing the gauze 3 as shown in FIG. 6 but for increasing the strength of the overhang portion 15. Since the overhanging portions 15 are deformed and are in close contact with the face 4, as described above, if the strength is too low, the overhanging portion 15 is deformed even with a small external force, and the adhesion is inferior. The strength of the overhanging portion 15 is increased by the folded-back portion 16, and the mask body 2 as a whole is easily deformed along the shape of the face, and the overhanging portion 15 that is in close contact with the face is deformed by a certain external force or more. Since it does not deform, high adhesion to the face is maintained.

  As still another embodiment of the present invention, a strip-like member or a linear member (hereinafter referred to as “strip-like member”) made of the same material as that of the substrate 5 can be provided over the tops of the plurality of protrusions 6. . As a result, the mask body 2 and the belt-like member are provided in parallel with each other with the same distance as the height of the protrusion 6. A plurality of minute spaces are formed between the belt-like member and the mask main body 2, and air that is going to flow in from the outside during inhalation passes through the formed minute spaces and the through holes 13 of the protrusions 6. From the inside to the inside.

  Therefore, the flow of air flowing in during intake is restricted to a minute space, the flow of air is complicated, and the chance of contact with titanium oxide contained in the coating layer 9 increases. Thereby, the bactericidal effect and antibacterial effect of the virus etc. by the mask main body 2 can further be improved.

  In addition, such a belt-like member is provided over the top of the projection 6 appropriately selected from the regularly arranged projections 6, for example, a plurality of belt-like members are provided in parallel, or are provided so as to be curved, The mask 1 can be provided in a zigzag shape, a polygonal line shape, or the like, and the mask 1 can be provided with designability by a provided band-like member or the like.

  The mask of the present invention uses a metal mask body 2 and the activity of titanium oxide is not lowered even by cleaning. Since titanium oxide is a catalyst, titanium oxide itself is not deteriorated even if it exhibits a bactericidal action, and the bactericidal action can be maintained for a long time. Moreover, since the adhesiveness to the face is excellent, fogging of the glasses due to exhalation can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, the mask of the present invention is effective not only for wearing an uninfected person to prevent his / her own infection but also for preventing an infection by wearing an infected person. Since the through-hole 13 provided in the protrusion 6 is formed in any of the upper, lower and side directions, the exhaled air that would contain viruses when worn by an infected person It is not emitted in the front direction of, but is emitted vertically or laterally. Therefore, the splash included in the exhalation does not fly in the front direction, but flies up and down or to the side, so that the flying distance of the splash becomes short.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mask 2 Mask main body 3 Gauze 4 Face 5 Base material 6 Protrusion 9 Covering layer 11 Central area | region 12 Side area | region 13 Through-hole

Claims (4)

A mask having a mask body that covers the peripheral edge of the oral cavity spanning the nasal head, lower jaw, and both temporomandibular joints of the face when worn on the face,
In the mask body, a coating layer containing titanium oxide is formed on the outer surface opposite to the inner surface facing the face, and a plurality of protrusions in which the outer surface and the clothing layer are raised are formed. A mask comprising a through hole communicating with an inner surface and a surface of the coating layer.   The through-hole opens downward facing in the central region extending from the nasal head cover portion covering the nasal head portion of the mask body and the lower jaw cover portion covering the lower jaw portion, and opens on each side extending from the central region to each temporomandibular joint portion. 2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein in the partial region, the mask is opened facing outward and upward.   The through-hole opens downward facing in the central region extending from the nasal head cover portion covering the nasal head portion of the mask body and the lower jaw cover portion covering the lower jaw portion, and opens on each side extending from the central region to each temporomandibular joint portion. 2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein in the partial area, the mask is opened facing the outer side and the inner side. In a state of wearing on the face, comprising a sheet body interposed between the mask body and the face,
The sheet body has air permeability in a thickness direction, and an opening of a region corresponding to the central region is larger than an opening of a region corresponding to each side region. 3. The mask according to 3.

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