JP5419645B2 - mask - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mask covering a user's nose and mouth, and more particularly to a mask having a function of inactivating collected allergens and viruses.

  In recent years, the demand for masks used for prevention of allergic diseases and viral infections has increased. However, conventional masks only physically collect allergens and viruses, and the collected allergens and viruses remain attached to the mask. For this reason, when removing a mask etc., there existed a problem that the allergen and virus adhering to the mask scattered again.

  On the other hand, various masks that inactivate allergens and viruses collected in the mask have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 show masks using tea polyphenols, which are tea extraction components, as inactivating agents for inactivating allergens and viruses. Patent Document 3 discloses a mask using a protease as an enzyme that inactivates allergens and viruses.

JP 2002-136615 A JP 2000-5553 A JP 2005-206547 A

  By the way, in a mask having a function of inactivating allergens and viruses as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a fine filter material is used to increase the ability to collect allergens and viruses. The above-mentioned inactivator is added. Therefore, there is a problem that the ventilation resistance is increased as compared with a conventional mask having no inactivating function, and the breathing is difficult when the mask is worn. In particular, it is desired to develop a mask that allows breathing even when the mask wearer suffers from a respiratory disease or the like.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at providing the mask which can inactivate allergen and a virus efficiently, and is easy to breathe at the time of wear.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a mask according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a mask main body that covers a wearer 's nose and mouth, and a pair of ears provided on both sides of the mask main body. In the mask having a hanging portion, the mask main body portion is formed into a sheet shape in which an enzyme is attached to a constituent layer of a hygroscopic substrate, and a filtration layer that captures one or both of allergens and viruses. And an enzyme layer that is disposed adjacent to at least one surface of the filtration layer to inactivate any one or both of the allergen and virus captured by the filtration layer with the enzyme, and basis weight of the substrate of the enzyme layer, Ri range der of 10 to 30 g / m ^2, the base material of said enzyme layer and said rayon der Rukoto.

  The mask according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned claim 1, the fiber diameter of the constituent fibers of the substrate is 40 μm or less.

  The mask according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned claim 1 or 2, the enzyme functions in air at a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher and a humidity of 70% RH or higher.

  A mask according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 3, the enzyme is a protease.

The mask according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 4, the enzyme layer contains urea .

The mask according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the mask according to any one of the first to fifth aspects , wherein the filter body and the enzyme layer are disposed between the outer coating layer and the inner coating layer. It is characterized by being interposed .

The mask of the present invention comprises an allergen captured by a filtration layer by disposing a sheet-like enzyme layer having an enzyme attached to a constituent fiber of a hygroscopic substrate adjacent to at least one surface of the filtration layer, and One or both of the viruses are configured to be inactivated by an enzyme. With the above-described configuration, the moisture contained in the user's breath is retained in the enzyme layer, and the state in which moisture is replenished to the enzyme in the substrate is maintained. As a result, since the enzyme is efficiently activated only by the user's breath, allergens and viruses captured by the filtration layer adjacent to the enzyme layer can be inactivated efficiently. In particular, since the basis weight of the enzyme layer is in the range of 10 to 30 g / m ² , the desired inactivation efficiency of allergens and viruses is ensured, and it is easier to breathe than a mask having a conventional inactivation function. , You can get a comfortable feeling.

  Further, according to the mask of the present invention, since the fiber diameter of the constituent fibers of the base material is set to 40 μm or less, the desired inactivation characteristics and respiratory properties of allergen and virus can be satisfied.

  Moreover, according to the mask of the present invention, since the enzyme that functions in the air at a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher and a humidity of 70% RH or higher is used, the protease can be efficiently produced by the breath of the mask wearer. Can be activated.

  In addition, according to the mask of the present invention, as an enzyme that inactivates allergens and viruses, a protease whose activity conditions such as temperature and humidity substantially match those of human breath is used. Proteases can be activated. As a result, allergens and viruses captured by the filtration layer can be inactivated more efficiently.

  Further, according to the mask of the present invention, as the substrate of the enzyme layer, since the rayon fiber that is particularly excellent in hygroscopicity and good in adhesion of the enzyme is used, the moisture contained in the breath of the user is sufficiently absorbed, Enzyme can be rehydrated. As a result, the enzyme can be reliably activated only by exhalation of the mask wearer.

  In addition, according to the mask of the present invention, the enzyme can be more activated by including urea in the enzyme layer, so that allergens and viruses can be inactivated more efficiently.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which a part of the mask according to the present embodiment is broken. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body in the mask shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the mask shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the inactivation rate in the enzyme layer. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the relative humidity and the inactivation rate in the enzyme layer.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments). In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

  The substance that can be inactivated by the mask according to the present invention is one or both of viruses such as influenza and allergens such as mites and pollen particles. In the present invention, the inactivation of a virus means that the infectivity of the virus is lost. Moreover, inactivation of allergen means that the property as an antigen causing allergic diseases is lost.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which a part of the mask according to the present embodiment is broken, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main body portion in the mask shown in FIG. A mask 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with a mask main body 11 that covers the face including the wearer's nose and mouth, and a pair that is provided on both left and right edges of the mask main body 11 and that is hung on both ears of the wearer. The ear-hook part 12 is comprised. The mask body 11 has a four-layer structure in which a filtration layer 14 and an enzyme layer 15 are interposed between the outer coating layer 13a and the inner coating layer 13b. Hereinafter, each layer which comprises the mask main-body part 11 is demonstrated.

  The outer covering layer 13a is a layer located on the outermost side when the mask is worn, and is made of a material having appropriate air permeability and a filter function. Although the material of the outer coating layer 13a is not particularly limited, an example of the material is a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene. Moreover, the inner side coating layer 13b is a layer which is located in the innermost side at the time of mask wearing, and contacts a mask wearer's face, and is comprised with the same material as the outer side coating layer 13a. The mask main body 11 does not necessarily have a four-layer structure, and either one or both of the outer coating layer 13a and the inner coating layer 13b can be omitted.

  The filtration layer 14 is a sheet having a filter function that captures viruses and allergens in the outside air while maintaining air permeability and prevents these harmful substances from entering the body of the mask wearer. Examples of the material of the filtration layer 14 include nonwoven fabrics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyamide, and glass fibers. The inside of the nonwoven fabric constituting the filtration layer 14 has a labyrinth structure in which fibers are entangled three-dimensionally, and viruses and allergens are separated from the streamlines by inertial force and collected on the fiber surface.

  The enzyme layer 15 is a sheet-like member formed by attaching an enzyme to the surface of a fiber constituting the substrate. Here, “attaching” an enzyme to a fiber means either a form in which the enzyme is physically attached to the fiber or a form in which the enzyme is supported on the fiber by a chemical reaction. As shown in FIG. 2, the enzyme layer 15 is disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the filtration layer 14 (opposite to the face of the mask wearer) (that is, the outer covering layer 13a and the filtration layer 14). And a function as a so-called “bioclear filter” that inactivates viruses and allergens captured by the filtration layer 14 with an enzyme.

  The enzyme layer 15 has a structure in which the mesh size is the largest among the four layers constituting the mask body 11 and the pressure loss is low. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the droplets and allergens containing the virus pass through the enzyme layer 15 and are almost captured on the surface of the filtration layer 14.

  As a material of the base material of the enzyme layer 15, fibers having a property of absorbing moisture in the air (hygroscopicity) are used. Examples of hygroscopic fibers include regenerated fibers such as rayon and cellulose acetate, natural fibers such as cotton, wool, hemp and silk, nonwoven fabrics or knitted fabrics of synthetic fibers such as polyamide and nylon, acrylic acids, acrylamides, Examples thereof include synthetic resins such as polyvinyl alcohol. Among the above fibers, rayon is preferably used from the viewpoint of good enzyme attachment in addition to hygroscopicity.

  Enzymes are directly attached to the substrate, or are attached via a support. Examples of the material of the carrier include synthetic materials such as polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, and polyvinyl alcohol, natural materials such as cotton, wool, sodium alginate, mannan, and agar, and recycled materials such as rayon. It is done.

Basis weight of the base material is preferably in the range of 10 to 30 g / ^{m 2,} particularly preferably in the range of 15-25 g / ^{m 2.} Here, the basis weight is the weight of the fiber per unit area. The reason why the basis weight is within the above range is as follows. The respirability of the mask (the ease of breathing by the mask wearer) is determined by the size of the fiber mesh constituting the substrate, and the amount of enzyme attached to the fiber is determined by the surface area of the fiber. The size of the fiber mesh and the surface area of the fiber are related to the basis weight and the fiber diameter. For example, the fiber diameter of rayon is generally about 40 μm (about 9 to 38 μm: 0.9 to 17 Dtex). Therefore, the present inventors have found that when the basis weight is within the above range, both inactivation characteristics and respiratory properties are satisfied. When the basis weight of the base material is less than 10 g / m ² , the virus or allergen captured by the filtration layer 14 is inactivated because a sufficient amount of enzyme to inactivate the virus or allergen cannot be attached to the fiber. Efficiency is reduced. On the other hand, if the basis weight of the base material exceeds 30 g / m ² , the mesh of the base material becomes too fine and the airflow resistance increases (that is, the pressure loss increases), so that sufficient breathability is not ensured. The mask wearer will be stuffy.

  The enzyme attached to the base material constituted as described above is capable of degrading or denaturing the proteins constituting viruses and allergens, and in air at a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher and a humidity of 70% RH or higher. Those that function are preferably used, and specific examples include proteases such as proteases and peptidases, and proteases are particularly preferably used. The reason is that the protease is activated under conditions where the temperature is 30 ° C. or higher and the humidity is 60% or higher, whereas the breath of the human body is about 34 ° C. and humidity is about 95%, and the protease is active. This is because the condition is satisfied.

  Proteases are enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in protein molecules, and proteins are peptinated. The protease that can be used in this embodiment may be acidic, neutral, or basic. Examples include serine proteases such as trypsin, cysteine proteases such as papain, calpain, cathepsin B and cathepsin L, aspartic proteases such as pepsin, renin and cathepsin D, and metalloproteases.

  In addition to the above-mentioned proteolytic enzyme, it is possible to inactivate allergens more efficiently by attaching a protein denaturant to the substrate. As the protein denaturant, for example, urea can be used. JP-A-2003-180865 describes that the efficiency of inactivating allergens by using protease and urea together is described.

  When the virus and allergen are inactivated by protease alone, the protease concentration is preferably about 2%. Further, when the virus and allergen are inactivated in the presence of protease and urea, a sufficient inactivation effect can be obtained at a protease concentration of about 0.2%.

  As a method of attaching the enzyme to the fiber of the base material, there are a method of physically attaching the enzyme to the fiber and a method of supporting the enzyme on the fiber by a chemical reaction. As an example of a method for physically attaching an enzyme to a fiber, there are a method of immersing a substrate in an enzyme solution, a method of spraying an enzyme solution onto a substrate using a spray, and the like. Enzyme is brought into contact with the fiber by such means, and a strong adhesion state is created through holding and drying. Necessary functions can be ensured by optimally controlling the holding time and the drying speed in the state where the fiber and the enzyme solution are in contact. In addition, as an example of a method for supporting an enzyme on a fiber by a chemical reaction, the enzyme can be supported on a base material by azidating a carboxyl group of the base material and chemically binding the enzyme with an amide bond. Note that not only a carboxyl group but also a functional group such as a hydroxyl group or an amino group can be used for chemical bonding. As described above, a method for chemically supporting an enzyme is conventionally known (New Experimental Chemistry Course, Biochemistry (I), p. 363-409, Maruzen (1978)).

  In general, an enzyme does not have its activity in an absolutely dry state, and it is necessary to supply water to make the enzyme active. In the enzyme layer 15, the moisture-absorbing substrate absorbs moisture contained in the breath of the mask wearer, so that the enzyme in the substrate is maintained in a state where moisture is replenished. At the same time, the enzyme layer 15 is maintained at a temperature suitable for activating the enzyme by the breath of the mask wearer. As a result, the enzyme can be efficiently activated only by the breath of the mask wearer, and the virus and allergen captured by the filtration layer 14 can be inactivated efficiently. In particular, by using a protease whose activation condition substantially matches the breath of the human body, the protease can be activated efficiently, and the allergen and virus captured by the filtration layer 14 can be inactivated more efficiently.

  Next, the operation of the mask 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the mask 10 and is an example conceptually showing the filtration layer 14 and the enzyme layer 15. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 18 is an enzyme attached to the enzyme layer 15, reference numeral 21 is a virus, and reference numeral 22 is an allergen. 3A to 3C, the mask wearer's face is positioned on the right side of the filtration layer 14, and the left side of the enzyme layer 15 is in contact with the outside air.

As shown to (a) of FIG. 3, the virus 21 and the allergen 22 which float in the outside air are suck | inhaled inside the mask 10 as a mask wearer breathes. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the virus 21 and the allergen 22 that have entered the mask 10 pass through the mesh of the enzyme layer 15 and are captured on the surface of the filtration layer 14. At this time, the enzyme layer 15 is maintained at a temperature of about 34 ° C. and a humidity of about 95% by the breath of the mask wearer, and the enzyme 18 attached to the enzyme layer 15 is in an active state that can exert its effectiveness. is there. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3C, the virus 21 and the allergen 22 captured on the surface of the filtration layer 14 are inactivated by the adjacent enzyme 18. At the same time, since the basis weight of the enzyme layer 15 is in the range of 10 to 30 g / m ² , the ventilation resistance of the mask 10 is not increased by the enzyme layer 15, and the breathability of the mask wearer is ensured and comfortable. A feeling of use is obtained.

  Here, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, by arranging the enzyme layer 15 adjacent to the outer surface of the filtration layer 14 (opposite the face of the mask wearer), Allergens are captured by the filtration layer 14 and inactivated by the enzyme of the enzyme layer 15 to prevent entry into the body of the mask wearer. However, the arrangement position of the enzyme layer 15 is limited to this. It is not something. For example, although illustration is omitted, the enzyme layer 15 is placed on the inner side of the filtration layer 14 (mask wearer) in order to prevent infection to others in order to cope with the case where the mask wearer is already infected with a virus. May be arranged adjacent to the face side).

When the enzyme layer 15 is disposed between the filtration layer 14 and the inner coating layer 13 b, the virus released from the mask wearer's mouth passes through the enzyme layer 15 and is almost trapped on the surface of the filtration layer 14. The enzyme layer 15 is maintained at a temperature of about 34 ° C. and a humidity of about 95% by the breath of the mask wearer, and the enzyme attached to the enzyme layer 15 is in an active state that can exert its effectiveness. For this reason, the virus 21 and the allergen 22 trapped on the surface of the filtration layer 14 are inactivated by the enzyme 18. At the same time, since the basis weight of the enzyme layer 15 is in the range of 10 to 30 g / m ² , the ventilation resistance of the mask 10 is not increased, the breathability of the mask wearer is ensured, and a comfortable feeling of use is obtained. .

  Furthermore, you may arrange | position the enzyme layer 15 adjacent to the surface of the both sides (a mask wearer's face side and the other side) of the filtration layer 14. FIG. That is, the enzyme layer 15 may be disposed between the outer coating layer 13a and the filtration layer 14 and between the filtration layer 14 and the inner coating layer 13b. With the above configuration, both the virus and allergen taken into the mask 10 from the outside air and the virus contained in the breath of the mask wearer can be inactivated by the enzyme layer 15.

(Test example)
In order to confirm the inactivation characteristics of allergen in the mask 10 described above, the following measurements were performed.

  Filtration layer: Polypropylene nonwoven fabric 4 cm long × 4 cm wide was used. A predetermined amount of mite allergen was adhered to the surface of the filtration layer.

  Enzyme layer: A rayon chemical bond nonwoven fabric (weight per unit area: 20 g / m 2, rayon fiber diameter: about 16.8 μm (= 3.3 Dtex)) in which rayon fibers were bonded with an acrylic resin was used as a substrate for the enzyme layer. . The substrate dimensions are the same as the filtration layer. As a proteolytic enzyme, Pfu protease S (manufactured by Takara Bio Inc.) was used to prepare a physiological saline phosphate buffer (PBS) solution. An aqueous urea solution was mixed with the enzyme solution to prepare an inactivating agent. The prepared inactivating agent was adhered to the substrate and dried to prepare an enzyme layer.

  The filtration layer and the enzyme layer were placed in an atmosphere maintained at a relative humidity of 80% RH in a state where the surface of the filtration layer on which the mite allergen was adhered was in contact with the enzyme layer. The mite allergen inactivation rate of the filtration layer was measured when the atmospheric temperature was set to 25 ° C, 27 ° C, 30 ° C, and 40 ° C. The measurement results are shown in FIG.

  The filtration layer and the enzyme layer were disposed in an atmosphere maintained at a temperature of 40 ° C. with the surface of the filtration layer on which the mite allergen was adhered in contact with the enzyme layer. The mite allergen inactivation rate of the filtration layer was measured when the relative humidity of the atmosphere was set to 50% RH, 60% RH, 70% RH, and 80% RH. The measurement results are shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the atmospheric relative humidity is 80% RH, the inactivation rate exceeds 90% when the atmospheric temperature exceeds 30 ° C., and a sufficient inactivation rate is obtained. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the ambient temperature is 40 ° C., the inactivation rate exceeds 90% when the ambient relative humidity exceeds 70%, and a sufficient inactivation rate is obtained.

  From the results of FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that sufficient inactivation efficiency can be obtained if the temperature is 30 ° C. or higher and the humidity is 70% or higher. And human breath is about 34 ° C and humidity is about 95%, and this is encouraged when wearing a mask, so make sure that human breath meets the conditions to inactivate mite allergens efficiently. I was able to.

Moreover, using the filtration layer and the enzyme layer, a mask having a four-layer structure as shown in FIG. 1 was prepared, and pressure loss was measured. As a result, the pressure loss was ₂ mmH ₂ O / cm ² , which could be suppressed to a level where the mask wearer did not feel stuffy.

As described above, in the mask 10 according to the present embodiment, the sheet-like enzyme layer 15 in which the enzyme is attached to the constituent fibers of the hygroscopic substrate is adjacent to at least one surface of the filtration layer 14. By arranging, either one or both of the allergen and the virus captured by the filtration layer 14 are inactivated by the enzyme. With the above configuration, the moisture contained in the user's breath is retained in the enzyme layer 15 and the state in which moisture is replenished to the enzyme in the substrate is maintained. As a result, since the enzyme can be efficiently activated by the breath of the user, the allergen and virus captured by the filtration layer can be efficiently inactivated by the enzyme layer 15 adjacent to the filtration layer 14. Furthermore, the basis weight of the enzyme layer 15 is in the range of 10 to 30 g / m ² , so that the mask is worn as compared with a mask having a conventional inactivation function while ensuring the desired inactivation efficiency of allergens and viruses. The person can easily breathe and can obtain a comfortable feeling of use.

  In addition, according to the mask 10 according to the present embodiment, the protease that inactivates allergens and viruses has activity conditions such as temperature and humidity that are substantially the same as those of human breath. Only by this, protease can be activated more efficiently. As a result, allergens and viruses captured by the filtration layer 14 can be inactivated more efficiently.

  In addition, according to the mask 10 according to the present embodiment, rayon fibers that are particularly excellent in hygroscopicity and have good enzyme attachment properties are used as the base material of the enzyme layer 15, which is included in the breath of the user. Moisture can be absorbed sufficiently. As a result, the enzyme can be reliably activated only by exhalation of the mask wearer.

  Moreover, according to the mask 10 according to the present embodiment, the protease can be more activated by including urea in the enzyme layer 15, so that the allergen and virus can be inactivated more efficiently. it can.

  In the above embodiment, a configuration is described in which the enzyme layer 15 is disposed adjacent to at least one surface of the filtration layer 14 and the viruses and allergens captured by the filtration layer 14 are inactivated by the enzyme of the enzyme layer 15. However, the enzyme layer 15 can be omitted by adopting the following configuration. For example, the filtration layer 14 has a two-layer structure of a first layer having a mesh larger than the size of the droplets or allergen containing virus and a second layer having a mesh smaller than the size of the particle or allergen containing virus. The above-described enzyme or urea may be attached to the first layer. In this case, it is preferable that the first layer has a hygroscopic property by including a moisture retaining material such as hyaluronic acid in the first layer. In the mask configured as described above, viruses and allergens taken into the mask from the outside air pass through the mesh of the first layer of the filtration layer 14 and are captured on the surface of the second layer. Since the first layer of the filtration layer 14 is maintained at a temperature of about 34 ° C. and a humidity of about 95% by the breath of the mask wearer, the enzyme attached to the first layer is in an active state that can exert its effectiveness. It is in. For this reason, the virus and allergen trapped in the second layer of the filtration layer 14 are inactivated by the enzyme in the first layer. Further, since the size of the mesh of the first layer is formed larger than the size of the mesh of the second layer, even if an enzyme is attached to the first layer, the ventilation resistance of the filtration layer 14 does not increase.

  As described above, since the mask of the present invention can effectively inactivate viruses and allergens, it can be used for all types of mask applications such as general virus infection / hay fever prevention masks and surgical masks. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mask 11 Mask main-body part 12 Ear hook part 13a Inner coating layer 13b Outer coating layer 14 Filtration layer 15 Enzyme layer 18 Enzyme 21 Virus 22 Allergen

Claims (6)

In a mask having a mask main body covering the nose and mouth of the wearer and a pair of ear hooks provided on both sides of the mask main body,
The mask body is
A filtration layer that captures either or both of allergens and viruses;
It forms a sheet formed by adhering enzymes to the constituent fibers of the substrate having hygroscopicity, and is arranged adjacent to at least one surface of the filtration layer, so that allergens and viruses captured by the filtration layer can be obtained. An enzyme layer that inactivates either one or both with the enzyme,
Basis weight of the substrate of the enzyme layer is Ri range der of 10 to 30 g / ^{m 2,}
Mask substrate of the enzyme layer is characterized rayon der Rukoto.   The mask according to claim 1, wherein the fiber diameter of the constituent fibers of the base material is 40 μm or less.   The mask according to claim 1, wherein the enzyme functions in air at a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher and a humidity of 70% RH or higher.   The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the enzyme is a protease. Mask according to claim 1, any one of 4, characterized in that it comprises a said enzyme layer is urea. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mask body includes the filtration layer and the enzyme layer interposed between an outer coating layer and an inner coating layer .

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