JP7498962B2 - Mouth and mouth moisturizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an oral and oral moisturizing device that is primarily useful for maintaining moisture in the throat, oral cavity, and the areas around the mouth.

There is a demand for maintaining a comfortable humidity level around oneself when using an air conditioner or when exposed to dry air conditions such as winter, as well as for cold prevention, beauty, etc. In addition, in consideration of the adverse effects of mouth breathing and having the mouth open while sleeping (exposure to dry indoor air, etc.), such as throat discomfort felt upon waking, there is a demand for moderate humidification, especially around the mouth.
In such cases, adjustments can be made by using a humidifier to humidify the entire room, but there are problems with this, such as it being inappropriate depending on the situation, it being inconvenient, and there being concerns about mold due to condensation.

In this regard, there are devices that can easily humidify only the area around the mouth to an appropriate degree and maintain moisture, such as the following technology.
The "respiratory protective equipment" described in Patent Document 1 has a main body composed of a case and a moisture-retaining material loaded inside the case. A mounting part consisting of a pair of elastic arms is provided on the top surface of the case 4, and the main body is supported by clamping the nasal septum between the two elastic arms. Moisture supply ports are provided on the left and right sides of the top surface of the case facing the nostrils.
A part of the exhaled air is blown in through the moisture inlet and comes into contact with the moisture-containing material 6 to promote evaporation. The evaporated water vapor is contained in the inhaled air and is drawn into the nasal cavity.
This provides the effect of preventing the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity and pharynx from drying out easily, without causing a feeling of cramping.

Furthermore, from the perspective of preventing mouth breathing and opening the mouth while sleeping, the "mouth breathing corrective tape" described in Patent Document 2 comprises a sheet portion that covers at least both ends of the lips and an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the sheet portion, and a gripping portion without the adhesive layer extends to the outside of the sheet portion, so that the user can grasp the gripping portion that extends outward and does not have the adhesive layer and separate the sheet portion from the lips, thereby peeling the adhesive layer off from the skin without sticking it to the fingers, and since this peeling operation can be performed simply and easily, it can be easily removed at the desired time.
This makes it possible to provide a mouth breathing corrective tape that can be quickly removed at any desired time.

JP 2002-253671 A JP 2014-236928 A

However, the respiratory protective device in Document 1 is not easy to produce and use, and there are problems with its effectiveness and comfort when used in public, such as when the user is sleeping or has a severe nasal congestion, or when the user has a habit of breathing through their mouth.
In addition, the mouth-breathing correction tape in Reference 2 has problems in terms of usability, effectiveness, and comfort for users who cannot break the habit of mouth-breathing when they have severe nasal congestion, inconvenience when drinking water, yawning, or having a conversation with a third party in the same room, etc.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device that is relatively easy to produce and use, effectively moisturizes the mouth area according to the user's condition, and maintains comfort when worn.

In order to solve the above problems, a method for producing an oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a step of forming pleats by processing with a blade, and is provided with a mouth covering part that does not cover the wearer's nostrils but covers the wearer's mouth to allow inhalation and exhalation through the mouth to pass, attachment means for attaching the mouth covering part to the wearer's face, space providing means for providing space in the area around the wearer's mouth when the mouth covering part is worn, stabilizing means that is provided below the nose and above the mouth and stabilizes the position of the mouth covering part to prevent exposure of the oral cavity and coverage of the nostrils, and sagging prevention means for preventing the mouth covering part from being pulled down under the chin when the wearer opens their mouth and exposing the oral cavity, and the space providing means includes one or more pleats having a total of two or more folds, and the mouth covering part has an outer a lower end adhesive portion, a portion of the mouth covering portion that is welded over the entire layer at least in the portion in front of the wearer's lips, and a linear portion of the mouth covering portion that is welded over the entire layer at each fold of the pleats and that intersects with the folds of the pleats, and the mouth covering device is limited to use as a device worn while sleeping. A method for producing an mouth and mouth moisturizing device, the method comprising the steps of: prior to the step of forming pleats by processing with the blade, bonding by welding at least the portion of the laminated material that is to become the mouth covering portion that is to be in front of the wearer's lips over the entire layer, including a line that intersects with the line that is to become the fold of the pleats.
This mouth and mouth moisturizer has the effect of retaining moisture contained in the breath within the mouth cover, providing moisture to the covered area and the area behind it. Furthermore, by configuring the mouth cover so that it does not cover the wearer's nostrils, it does not interfere with the wearer's nasal breathing and maintains comfort while wearing it.

Furthermore, a method for producing an oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device according to claim 2 is a method for producing an oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the step of welding all layers of the laminated material to become the mouth covering part, at least the part that is to be in front of the wearer's lips, including lines that intersect with the lines that are to become the folds of the pleats, heats all layers of the laminated material to become the mouth covering part in a diagonal grid pattern.

In addition, when referring to "prevention of sagging," the up-down direction refers to the direction as seen by the wearer, and similarly, the front-back and left-right directions refer to the directions as seen by the wearer. In other words, when a wearer is standing upright, the head is the up direction, the feet are the down direction, the chest is the forward direction, the back is the backward direction, the right hand side is the right direction, and the left hand side is the left direction.
"Room" refers to the physical space provided between the wearer's mouth and the mouth covering portion at least in the front-to-back direction.
A "mask" is a sanitary product that does not fall under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and that is made primarily of woven or nonwoven fabrics made from natural or chemical fibers, is designed to cover the mouth and nose, and is used to prevent particles such as pollen and dust from entering the body, as well as to prevent the spread of droplets caused by coughing or sneezing due to a cold.

To provide a moisturizing tool for the mouth and around the mouth which can effectively and easily keep the moisture around the mouth, the oral cavity, the throat, etc. according to the condition of a user, can maintain comfort when worn and used, does not cause breathlessness, and can be used with high convenience.
Furthermore, if the area covered by the mouth cover is expanded, it can also help keep lips, cheeks, and nasolabial folds moisturized.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall appearance of an oral cavity/peri-mouth moisturizing device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a front view showing the state before welding is performed on the central portions of the upper and lower ends to provide adhesive portions during the manufacturing process of the oral cavity/perioral moisturizing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the state after welding has been performed on the central portions of the upper and lower ends to form adhesive portions during the manufacturing process of the oral cavity/perioral moisturizing device of the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a method for a wearer to wear the oral cavity/peri-oral moisturizing device. FIG. 2 is a side view of the state immediately after putting on the oral cavity/peri-oral moisturizing device of the first or second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of how suction occurs. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a process for forming pleats using two blades. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of a process for forming pleats using one blade and a step forming means. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of how misalignment and wrinkles occur in the mouth cover portion. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the lines that will become the pleat folds and the locations where pre-bonding will be performed in the manufacturing process of the oral cavity/perioral moisturizing device of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an oral cavity/peri-mouth moisturizing device according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.
As one embodiment of the mouth moisturizer, a type intended to be worn mainly by adult males while sleeping and not intended to be washed and reused will be described as a first embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device according to a first embodiment.
The mouth cover 10 does not cover the wearer's nostrils, but at least covers the wearer's mouth to allow the wearer to breathe in and out through the mouth. In this embodiment, in addition to covering the mouth and under the chin, it also covers the cheeks, chin, lips, etc. It is large on both sides and covers close to the ears, which has a great moisturizing effect. For the outer layer 1 of the mouth cover 10, polypropylene, a material suitable for shape retention and inner fabric protection, is used as an example, and for the inner layer 2, a hydrophilic material (a nonwoven fabric that feels good on the skin and is a different type of polypropylene from the outer layer that has moderate moisture retention). In this embodiment, we have pursued comfort rather than reducing costs, and have adopted a fabric that is several to several tens of percent more hydrophilic than a similar material that only feels good to the touch. It is configured so that the outer side and the size before and after folding are the same, that is, the mouth cover as a whole is two layers. (The overlapping caused by the pleats is excluded from the layers.) There are only these two layers.

As a means for attaching the mouth cover 10 to the wearer's face, moderately elastic polypropylene ear loops 3 are provided on each of the left and right ends of the mouth cover. The ear loops are made wide to reduce stress on the skin (rubber marks, etc.) and are attached so that they can be removed with a relatively light force. This is because the oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device of this embodiment is used while sleeping and for long periods of time, and it is considered more desirable for it to come off without disturbing a good night's sleep, rather than being displaced by the wearer's own movements or the movements of the comforter, causing the mouth to not be covered, or for the nose to be unintentionally covered.

As a means for providing space around the mouth of the wearer in the mouth covering part 10 when worn, pleats 4 designed to allow the vertical length of the mouth covering part 10 to be stretched as appropriate, and a kamaboko-shaped adhesive part 5 that pinches up the part of the mouth covering part 10 that should be below the wearer's nose and above the mouth are provided. These also act as a sagging prevention means that prevents the mouth covering part 10 from being pulled down under the chin and exposing the mouth when the wearer opens the mouth. The adhesive part 5 is provided below the nose and above the mouth, and also acts as a stabilizing means that stabilizes the position of the mouth covering part 10 to prevent the mouth from being exposed and the nostrils from being covered.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the state before welding is performed on the central portions of the upper and lower ends to provide adhesive portions in the manufacturing process of the oral cavity and around-the-mouth moisturizing device of the first embodiment.
In the first and second embodiments, the manufacturing steps are arranged in a sequence for the sake of convenience, but the manufacturing procedure does not necessarily have to be in the sequence shown in the embodiments. Any suitable ingenuity can be employed, such as consolidating the steps that may cause welding into a series to make them more efficient, or arranging the process to suit existing manufacturing equipment.
To make the mouth covering part 10, a nonwoven fabric forming an outer layer and a nonwoven fabric forming an inner layer are overlapped, folds to become pleats 4 are made, and the mouth covering part is cut to a size suitable for the mouth covering part, the upper, lower, left and right ends of the mouth covering part 10 are fixed by welding, ear loops 3 are attached by welding, and star-shaped marks 6 are made at predetermined positions.

The mouth cover 10 should be configured to at least cover the mouth and allow inhalation and exhalation from the mouth to pass through, but in this embodiment, it is configured to cover the cheeks, chin, and under the chin in addition to the mouth. In order to cover the cheeks of the expected wearer (an adult male in this embodiment) as much as possible, the mouth cover is configured to be as long as possible horizontally and to have a U-shaped curved shape with the upper end along the cheekbone of the wearer, taking into consideration the average face size of the expected wearer. The adjustment of the moisturizing range (especially important when the expected wearer is an adult woman) and the direction of the pulling force of the ear hook 3 leading to the ear are adjusted and taken into consideration. Furthermore, by using a mouth cover that causes less skin stress than ear hooks and is less likely to leave marks, the ear hooks are made as short as possible, the starting line of the ear hooks is made to be at the edge of the face, and the tip where pressure is applied is designed to be on the cheekbone as much as possible. Furthermore, the wide area of the mouth cover also helps to prevent slipping.
The position, size and number of the pleats 4 are adjusted so as to suit the action and effect described below.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the state after welding has been performed on the central portions of the upper and lower ends to provide adhesive portions in the manufacturing process of the oral cavity and around-the-mouth moisturizing device of the embodiment.
When the state shown in Fig. 2 was reached, the mouth covering part 10 was folded over at the center in the left-right direction. Next, a kamaboko-shaped adhesive part 5 was provided at the top end of this central part by welding (thermal bonding) from above the fold. A similar adhesive part was also provided at the bottom end to form a bottom end adhesive part 7. This allows for an appropriate degree of adhesion under the chin, which helps prevent the mouth covering part 10 from shifting upward and the formation of gaps in the chin area.
The adhesive portion 5 is kamaboko shaped, which is designed to give the part that touches the wearer's skin a rounded shape, and because the opposite side may come into contact with the wearer's nasal septum, by not welding this part, it is possible that the corners will prick the wearer even if they come into contact with it.

The adhesive part 5 works together with the pleats 4 to provide a space around the wearer's mouth in the mouth covering part 10 when worn. The left and right width of the upper end of the mouth covering part becomes relatively short, which makes the left and right width of the center of the mouth covering part relatively long, and the pleats 4 stretch, which makes the vertical width of the center of the mouth covering part 10 relatively long (because the vertical widths of the left and right ends are welded so that the pleats 4 cannot be stretched), each of which creates space, and the vertical lines created by the adhesive part 5 act to be forward of the skin under the nose. The pleats 4 also have an arching effect. The vertical lines created by the adhesive part 5 can also be expected to have an arching effect.

The lips of the wearer protrude forward around the mouth, but if the mouth cover is designed to protrude forward beyond this, it creates more space around the mouth and prevents the inside of the mouth cover from entering or touching the mouth when the mouth is opened. This has the effect of preventing inconveniences such as the inside of the mouth cover entering due to gravity or suction when the mouth is opened, touching acne around the mouth, or becoming stuffy.
This effect is particularly important when the user is in a lying down position.
Next, we will explain how to prevent the mouth covering part from shifting, particularly by preventing it from shifting upwards and covering the nostrils, and by preventing it from shifting downwards and exposing the mouth.

In the embodiment, the adhesive part 5 is provided below the nose and above the mouth, and acts as a stabilizing means for stabilizing the position of the mouth covering part to prevent the mouth from being exposed. Other configurations for this purpose include using a urethane cushion to prevent slippage (such as absorbing slippage by tilting the cushion). Alternatively, it may be possible to attach the mask to the face with adhesive tape.

In the embodiment, an adhesive part 5 is provided as a means for preventing the mouth covering part from being pulled down under the chin and exposing the mouth when the wearer opens the mouth, and this catches on the lips, and also utilizes the extra space around the mouth and the stretch of the pleats 4 when further developed. Although it depends on the design of other parts and the size of the face of the wearer, the embodiment design with three pleats etc. is sufficient to accommodate natural opening of the mouth during sleep and conversation, and can withstand large openings such as yawning without having to adjust the position once or twice. Other configurations for this purpose include, for example, a design with a relatively large mouth covering part 10 as described below, and utilizing its frictional force or adhesive force (especially when there is sufficient moisture inside the mouth covering part or when a material with adhesive force is used).

The mark on the lower left of the mouth cover (lower left as seen by the wearer, lower right as seen by the viewer of the drawing as described above) is attached by welding, and is a device to make it easier for the user to identify the orientation of the oral and oral moisturizer. When this configuration is adopted, by indicating in the product explanation etc. that the product should be worn so that the mark is at the lower left as seen by the user, it has the effect of preventing the user from worrying about the orientation of the product.
In addition, ear hooks 4 are attached as a means of attaching the mask to the face. The mask is wide and flat, and the surface area that comes into contact with the face is wide, reducing stress and discomfort caused by strain on the ears without leaving marks.

The material of the mouth cover 10 is not limited as long as it has the required function, such as gauze, instead of nonwoven fabric. It is also possible to use polyurethane or other materials as the material of choice, and to provide an outer layer of another material for design purposes, although this is not limited to the mouth cover.
Also, the area under the chin does not necessarily have to be covered. If it is not covered, there is less need to worry about it slipping when the mouth is opened, but the range of effect such as moisturizing is narrowed. On the other hand, variations that cover the neck, or in some cases the collarbone or forehead are also considered.
For example, there are types that cover the lower part down to the chin and the upper part has the mouth covering part 10 up to nose height (around the cheekbones) with the nose part (whole nose or nostril part) cut out, and types that extend the upper part further down to the forehead and cut out the eye part in addition to the nose part, etc. By expanding the coverage area in this way, the ease of wearing may decrease, but the moisturizing effect on the wearer is increased, and the frictional force of the mouth covering part 10 also increases the effect of preventing slippage.

The mouth cover 10 provides a moisturizing effect through self-breathing, and is also expected to have the effect of retaining moisture secreted from the skin, sweat glands, etc. with the inner fabric. It also helps to maintain the moisture provided by lotions, etc. in good condition without being exposed to dry indoor air. In addition, as described below, by designing it to be highly breathable, it can be used without interfering with secretions from sweat glands, etc. (what is known in the beauty industry as skin respiration).

In addition to the inner fabric used in this embodiment, many other variations are possible, and considerations such as hydrophilicity could include the use of moisture, lotion, etc. that has been soaked into the inside beforehand. A hydrophilic layer could be provided on only a portion of the inside in comparison with the nonwoven fabric layer on the outside, or a pocket could be provided on the inside into which small pieces of hydrophilic material could be placed, and these small pieces could be soaked in lotion, fragrance, etc. beforehand. Making good use of moisture other than that from exhalation is extremely effective in situations where breathing is mainly done through the nose but the mouth is open.

For the inner fabric, since the feel is also very important, it is possible to use a super soft fabric that causes less stress on the skin. In addition, it is also possible to use towel fabric that can be washed and reused, or to use a material that prioritizes cost.
Other means of providing roominess include a more overall three-dimensional structure (a mouth cover 10 having a three-dimensional structure including the front and rear directions, a mouth cover 10 with a cushion placed on all or part of the end of the mouth cover 10, a mouth cover 10 with a relatively hard shape like a cup placed over the mouth, etc.), or a polyurethane cushion or the like may be used to cover the area around the mouth, even if not the end. It is also possible to make the inside of the mouth cover not touch the mouth or lips at all, and even if there is no such direct contact, it still covers the mouth. In addition, when using a polyurethane cushion, it is preferable not to interfere with nasal breathing. Of course, it is preferable to avoid not only designs that provide roominess, but also designs that may interfere with nasal breathing (for example, designs in which the mouth cover is extremely thick under the nose). In short, it is preferable to avoid designs that block the nostrils.
Wires can also be used to create arches under the nose or around the mouth.

Furthermore, the adhesive portion 5 may be formed in a crescent, circle, oval, peanut or sector shape, etc. as appropriate.
When welding the upper end after cutting the mouth cover portion 10, in order to prevent irritation to the nasal septum, it is possible to consider leaving the area below the nose unwelded, welding it only lightly, or welding it downwards.
Instead of ear loops 3, for example, an overhead mask can be used with two strings or a flexible material that extends the width of the mouth covering part while keeping it the same from top to bottom and is tied at the back of the head, or the ear loops or overhead mask can be equipped with a band or other means that can be adjusted to a length that is preferred by the wearer.
The mark for identifying the orientation is not essential, and other methods of identification may be used, such as color coding.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a method in which a wearer wears the oral cavity/peri-mouth moisturizing device of the embodiment.
The wearer sets the mouth covering part 10 so as not to cover the nose, attaches it by the ear hooks 3, and fits it under the chin while appropriately stretching the pleats 4.
As explained above, the inventors have developed the shape of the oral cavity and surrounding mouth moisturizing device to the extent that it is feasible, but have also made further improvements in terms of breathability, etc., in consideration of the comfort of the wearer.
Specifically, first, we determined the material and thickness of the nonwoven fabric to be used on the inside (rear side) of the mouth cover, which would have an appropriate feel and hydrophilicity, and then we adjusted the breathability of the entire mouth cover, including the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, by adjusting the layer structure, material used, and thickness. The data is as follows:

The breathability of the present oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device is 225.3 cubic centimeters/(square centimeters·s) as measured according to JIS L 1096A method.
The air permeability of the comparative sample is 19.8 cubic centimeters/(square centimeters·s) as measured according to JIS L 1096A method.
The subject matter for comparison of breathability with the oral and mouth moisturizing device in question is a mask manufactured and sold by the applicant.

Here, a mask is defined by the Japan Sanitary Materials Industry Association as "a sanitary product that does not fall under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, with the main body made of woven or nonwoven fabric made of natural or chemical fibers, is shaped to cover the mouth and nose, and is used to prevent particles such as pollen and dust from entering the body, and to prevent the spread of droplets from coughing or sneezing due to colds, etc."
In this respect, the subject oral and mouth moisturizing device does not qualify as a mask because it does not cover the nose and because of its intended use. Furthermore, since it does not have a layer for optimizing the collection (filtration) efficiency that is generally provided in the masks used for comparison and other masks (a filter layer, often made of nonwoven fabric produced by the melt-blown method and provided between the outer and inner layers; this layer is the core of the mask and is adjusted according to the target to be captured), in order to prevent the wearer from misunderstanding that it can also be used as a mask, it is indicated in the product description that it is not a mask and is used for moisturizing.

When manufacturing a mask, the layer that serves as the filter is important.
Although gauze may be used for the filter layer, in order to simplify mass production of disposable masks, it is more common to use nonwoven fabric produced by the melt-blown method for the filter layer.
Masks as a whole are designed to filter out pollen, viruses, fine particulate matter, etc., and their capture rate is tested, but the determining factor is still the filter layer.

And in order to improve filter performance, as a rule, breathability must be sacrificed, although this is influenced by other design factors.
The degree of collection (filtration) efficiency can be measured by tests such as PFE, and the masks used for comparison in the breathability test also exceeded 99% on average in PFE tests. There have been attempts to propose that a test value of over 99% be set as a standard for a "mask," but this does not appear to have been established as of the filing date. However, the market consciousness in the mask industry as of the filing date is that anything less than 99% is not suitable for sale as meeting the definition and purpose of a mask. (99% or more in PFE tests for those that respond to viruses, and 99% or more in BFE tests for those that respond to pollen.)

The development of this type of breathability adjustment has the following background. That is, masks are sometimes worn for the purpose of moisturizing, either in addition to or apart from the original purpose of the mask. However, when used in this way, it is possible that the wearer will stop wearing the mask due to shortness of breath or unconsciously remove it, or that the wearer will tend to breathe through their mouth while wearing the mask, and if this continues for a long time, the habit of mouth breathing may develop. We wanted to provide a moisturizing device for the mouth and around the mouth that would avoid such problems.
Of course, since a mask also covers the nose, it is thought that the humidity effect inside the mask can also be utilized for inhaled and exhaled air from the nose. However, when breathing through the nose, a certain degree of humidification can be obtained for exhaled air without the use of a mask or other device, so there is little need to simply cover the nostrils from the standpoint of humidity. (The air inhaled through the nose is given the appropriate amount of humidity and temperature, and is taken in with the filtering effect of nose hairs, etc.)

Thus, while the starting point is different from a mask in terms of breathlessness in that the nose is not covered, it is necessary to assume that people may breathe through their mouths during sleep, etc., so the first idea was to make the mouth cover 10 more breathable than a mask. Specifically, in light of the test results of a mask that underwent breathability testing, the company created an oral cavity and mouth moisturizer characterized by the mouth cover 10 having breathability of more than 19.8 cubic centimeters/(square centimeters-s) as measured according to the JIS L 1096A method.

Then, the two-layer structure of the mouth cover 10 was adjusted from the perspective of effectiveness, and the development and experimental collaborators within the applicant company completed a prototype through trial and error to find the best level. In consideration of the data values, specifically, the test results of the mouth and mouth moisturizer that had been subjected to the breathability test, the mouth cover 10 was created as a mouth and mouth moisturizer characterized by having a breathability of 225.3 cubic centimeters/(square centimeters-s) or more as measured according to the JIS L 1096A method. At this point, the mouth cover of the prototype does not have a filter layer produced by the melt-blowing method.

Even after that, the applicant continued research and development in pursuit of ideal breathability, moisture retention, texture, etc. During this time, the applicant came into contact with a new polyethylene nonwoven fabric material that was breathable, moisture retention, textured, stretchable, and flexible, and was able to procure it.
We immediately produced a prototype with this nonwoven fabric as the inner layer, but the following two new issues arose that needed to be resolved.
The first issue is suction.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the state immediately after putting on the oral cavity/perioral moisturizing device.
There is ample space in front of the wearer's lips. There is also space under the chin, which acts as a sagging prevention means to prevent the mouth covering part 10 from being pulled down under the chin and exposing the mouth when the mouth is opened.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of how suction occurs.
It was found that when a user wears the prototype with the inner layer made of the new material and repeatedly breathes through their mouth for a while, the relatively flexible and stretchy inner layer 2 of the mouth covering part is attracted to the inhaled air, gradually reducing the space around the mouth that was carefully provided, and the inner layer begins to cling to the mouth, and eventually the inner layer is sucked into the mouth.
In order to solve this problem, it is effective to provide the mouth cover with an adhesive part that covers the inner and outer layers at least in the area in front of the wearer's lips. In the example of the wearer in both figures, the part that should be attached can be grasped by translating the part depicted as the lips to the left of the figure.
The second issue is the occurrence of misalignment and wrinkles in the mouth covering area.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a process for forming pleats using two blades.
The blade 11 is applied to the fabric from above and below as in (b), and then passed through (c) to form the fabric into a pleat with two folds.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a process for forming pleats using one blade and a step forming means.
As shown in (b), a step is formed in the fabric by a step forming means 12, and a blade 11 is applied to the step to form pleats.
These processes are designed according to the number, depth, and direction of the pleats, and then pressure is applied to secure the folds.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing how misalignment and wrinkles occur in the mouth cover portion.
7, 8 and 9 are schematic views for the sake of convenience, and for example which is the outer layer 1 and which is the inner layer 2 is merely for convenience.
The mechanism by which the misalignment (top diagram) and wrinkles (bottom diagram) shown in Figure 9 occur is thought to be that when each layer is pressed by the blade, the layer with higher elasticity stretches more and is processed by the blade, but returns to its original shape after the blade retracts, or conversely, the layer exerts elasticity before the blade retracts, taking more of the fabric. Differences in flexibility may also play a role. Layers with higher flexibility tend to conform to the blade more easily, are folded in the shortest distance, and are less likely to leave excess thickness.
Such misalignments and wrinkles not only reduce the value of the product, but also pose a concern of adverse effects on the production line.

As a means for solving this problem, it is effective to bond the outer layer and inner layer of the fabric that constitutes the mouth covering portion at an appropriate position and size.
So, what is the best way to bond them? First, if bonding is to be done simply within the manufacturing line, it is desirable to use pulse welding, etc., in consideration of other processes. However, the welded parts melt and harden, hindering ventilation and moisture retention, and also causing a feeling of hardness, roughness, resistance, etc. when touched by the skin. In other words, if all or most of each layer is fused, the benefits of the inner layer 2, which is a material that was carefully procured, in terms of breathability, moisture retention, and texture, will not be obtained.
When the welding is not linear but is a group of scattered points, it is not bad for preventing wrinkles, but the effect on adhesive strength and texture is a concern. Texture is a matter of feeling, but it is thought that the best thing is for it to just cling slightly when you touch it, and the spacing between the adhesive parts should not be too large or too small. In principle, adhesive strength and breathability will not change if the total area is about the same as when the welding is linear, but if the number of points or the area of each point is increased, breathability will be difficult and the texture will be even worse.

Now, if we consider the direction of the line when welding is performed in a line, a line that does not intersect with the fold will act on one or two nearby folds, and is considered to be relatively less efficient than a line that intersects with the fold, although other design factors may also be involved.
Also, while Figures 7 and 8 show a movement in which the blade 11 is pushed in, in order to achieve a movement equivalent to this within an automated line, the tip of the blade should be designed to be slanted in the depth direction so that the blade pushes in deeper the further it goes, and it is desirable to anticipate that the force will be applied diagonally and that misalignment and wrinkles will also be diagonal.
Furthermore, if there is one or more parallel lines, it is possible that the misalignment and wrinkles will accumulate along the lines and become larger. By changing the angle of the multiple lines to create a grid pattern, for example, it is expected that the accumulation of misalignment and wrinkles can be reset to zero for each grid.
Here, a second embodiment that addresses the two new problems will be described as an example.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the lines that will become the pleat folds and the locations where pre-bonding will be performed in the manufacturing process of the oral cavity and around-the-mouth moisturizing device of the second embodiment.
By forming the folds 41, 44, and 46 as valley folds and the folds 42, 43, and 45 as mountain folds, pleats that allow expansion and contraction in the vertical direction can be provided.
Prior to this folding process, a process is provided in which double dotted lines as shown by pre-bonding points 8 are welded diagonally to the folds in a grid pattern across all layers of the fabric. Each pleat fold is provided with a linear bonded portion across all layers that intersects with the pleat fold. Note that the phrase "each" does not necessarily mean that a single welded line is required to cover all folds. Furthermore, the "line" in the term "linear" does not necessarily need to be continuous or uninterrupted in the length and width directions, and may include, for example, two dotted lines or three broken lines.

As mentioned above, the reason for the diagonal grid is that in order to automatically create pleats within the line, the blade is set at an angle so that it goes inward as it goes further, or the blade length is gradually increased, which can cause the fabric to slip diagonally, so this is good for effectively preventing slippage and wrinkles with a smaller welding area. In addition to this reason, it also has a design effect, and can effectively deal with the blade being inserted from the opposite direction.
In this second embodiment, the front part of the lips corresponds to the area around the first fold line 41 and the second fold line 42 from the top. (In the left-right direction, it is about the width of a normal lip from the center of the line to the left and right.) The area slightly above that will be glued after folding in half, and the area even higher will be cut out to expose the area around the wearer's nose.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the oral cavity/peri-mouth moisturizing device of the second embodiment.
For the outer layer 1 of the mouth cover 10, for example, polypropylene, a material suitable for shape retention and inner fabric protection, is used, and for the inner layer 2, a procured material with different elasticity is used in two layers, taking into consideration the desired moisture retention performance, etc. It is thought that the importance of measures against shifting and wrinkles increases because the inner layer is two layers.
The manufacturing process is as follows: the fabric for each layer is unwound from a roll and stacked; then, as shown in FIG. 10, the welding points 8 are welded; pleats 4 are applied; the pleats are pressed down to stabilize the folds of the pleats 4; and then, as in the first embodiment, the selvedge 3, the kamaboko-shaped adhesive portion 5, the bottom end adhesive portion 7, and the crescent-shaped mark 60 are applied.

There is also a process of cutting the mouth cover into a size suitable for use as the mouth cover, and fixing the top, bottom, left and right ends of the mouth cover 10 by welding.
It goes without saying that variations in adhesion are not limited to those exemplified. The outer periphery of the mouth covering part 10 (particularly the left and right ends) is adhered, but since this is adhered from above the overlapping pleats, it is not preferable to substitute this step or to carry out the step of "adhering all layers of the laminated material that will become the mouth covering part, including the lines that intersect with the lines that will become the folds of the pleats" as an afterthought to this step. The same can be said for the step of providing the kamaboko-shaped adhesive part 5. It is not preferable to carry out a pleating step after this. On the other hand, it is possible to carry out this step after a step of welding a pocket at a position that does not overlap with the pleats, for example.

Mouth and mouth moisturizers are particularly effective in protecting the throat, and are also useful for voice actors, lecturers, and those involved in voice training. On the other hand, constantly being conscious of not opening your mouth and breathing through your mouth can be stressful, and because mouth breathing allows more air to be taken in, people who play sports, for example, tend to breathe through their mouths. People who want to stay healthy should stay moisturized by appropriate means, but mouth breathing has many disadvantages, so it is best to avoid developing the habit.

The oral cavity and mouth moisturizing device of the present invention provides sufficient moisturizing effects when there is a stuffy nose, a habit of mouth breathing, or when breathing through the mouth unconsciously while sleeping or concentrating, and is expected to provide a certain level of moisturizing effects, such as preventing the covered area and areas behind it from being exposed to dry air even when breathing through the nose.
In any case, the harm of not dealing with nose breathing is smaller than not dealing with mouth breathing, and if you spend a long time with your nostrils covered, as in the case of using a mask, you will consciously or unconsciously breathe through your mouth due to breathlessness, especially when sleeping or concentrating, which is not good for forming a habit. In this regard, it would be more desirable to consider breathability.
Because it allows unhindered nasal breathing, it is comfortable to wear; furthermore, exposing the nose can have aesthetic benefits, and it may be easier to identify by others and to speak.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral cavity and around-the-mouth moisturizing device that is convenient in a wider range of situations.
For manufacturers, the present invention is also useful in that it allows them to utilize mask manufacturing equipment that they already have or that can be relatively easily introduced.

1 Mouth cover outer layer 2 Mouth cover inner layer 3 Ear tab 4 Pleats 5 Adhesive section 10 Mouth cover

Claims (2)

The process includes a step of forming pleats by processing with a blade,
A mouth covering part that does not cover the wearer's nostrils but covers the wearer's mouth to allow inhalation and exhalation through the mouth;
An attachment means for attaching the mouth covering portion to a wearer's face;
A space providing means for providing space around the mouth of the wearer in the mouth covering portion when the mask is worn;
A stabilizing means is provided at a portion below the nose and above the mouth, for stabilizing the position of the mouth covering portion to prevent the oral cavity from being exposed and the nostrils from being covered;
a sagging prevention means for preventing the mouth covering part from being pulled down under the chin and exposing the oral cavity when the wearer opens the mouth;
Equipped with
The space providing means includes one or more pleats having a total of two or more folds,
The mouth covering part is composed of two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer which has a different elasticity and a higher hydrophilicity than the outer layer,
The mouth covering portion is provided with a lower end adhesive portion,
The mouth covering portion has an adhesive portion that is welded over the entire layer at least in front of the wearer's lips,
The mouth covering portion is provided with linear, fused adhesion portions across the entire layer, which intersect with each fold of the pleats,
The oral/perioral moisturizing device is limited to be worn while sleeping. A method for producing the oral/perioral moisturizing device,
This method for producing an oral/mouth moisturizing device is characterized in that it comprises, prior to the step of forming pleats by processing with the blade, a step of welding at least the part of the laminated material that is to become the mouth covering portion that is to be in front of the wearer's lips, including a line that intersects with the line that is to become the fold of the pleats throughout all layers. The method for producing an oral/mouth moisturizing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the step of welding the entire layer of the laminated material to become the mouth cover, at least in the portion that is to be in front of the wearer's lips, including lines that intersect with the lines that are to become the folds of the pleats, comprises welding the entire layer of the laminated material to become the mouth cover in a diagonal grid pattern.

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