RU2768577C2 - Steam-heated mask - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to medical equipment, namely, to variants of a steam-heated mask. In the first variant, the mask comprises a mask including a part of the body of the mask covering the nose and mouth of the wearer when wearing the mask, a pair of ear loops provided at the left and right ends of part of the body of the mask. The mask comprises a steam generator on part of the body of the mask. The percentage of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the area of the entire surface of the part of the body of the mask on the side of the wearer. The value of stiffness of the steam generator in the vertical direction is equal to or greater than 30 gs/60 mm width. The steam generator accommodates a steam-generating part. The steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam-generating part on the side of the wearer and a second sheet on the surface of the steam-generating part opposite the surface on the side of the wearer. The degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 7,000 s/100 ml. The degree of air permeability of the second sheet is greater than 8,000 s/100 ml. In the second variant, the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is equal to or greater than 250 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 8,000 s/100 ml, and the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 20% of the degree of air permeability of the second sheet.

EFFECT: facilitated breathing due to the air heated in the mask during steam generation, increase in the absolute humidity in the mask, and improved feeling of moisturisation of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

3 cl, 4 tbl, 8 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0001]

The present invention relates to a steam heated mask.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

The mask is known to block dust, pollen, and the like in the outside air by covering the mouth and nose, and has preventive effects in, for example, allergic rhinitis and colds. In recent years, the various functions of the mouth and nose mask have been diversified, and various masks have been developed. In particular, improvement of the effect of the mask by including a heating element in the mask to give it the function of heating the nose and cheeks is being studied.

[0003]

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mask provided with a heating sheet or a heat-retaining sheet. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a mask in which a heating element is provided at a position spaced from the longitudinal center line of the mask body part on the left and right. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a nasal hot tool in which a steam-generating heating element is built into the inside of a mask, and the heating element is swollen by the generated steam to tightly contact the nose.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0004]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2009-200

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2006-102145

Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-136060

Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2004-73828

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005]

The present invention provides a steam heated mask (first invention) which includes a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at the left and right ends of the mask body part, and steam generator on the body part of the mask,

in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer,

the steam generator contains the steam generating part,

the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner,

the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml, and

the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is more than 8000 s/100 ml.

In addition, the present invention provides a steam heated mask (second invention) that includes a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at the left and right ends of the part mask body, as well as a steam generator on the part of the mask body,

in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer,

the steam generator contains the steam generating part,

the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner,

the degree of breathability of the second sheet is equal to or greater than 250 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 8000 s/100 ml, and

the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 20% of the degree of air permeability of the second sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]

The above and other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a steam heated mask.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing one example of the use state of the steam heated mask.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a part of the mask according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the wearer's side.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mask according to the first embodiment as viewed from above (from the side of the wearer's eyes).

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one modified example of the mask according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the wearer's side.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one modified example of the mask according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the wearer's side.

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of the mask according to the third embodiment, as viewed from the wearer's side, before the steam generator is attached to the mask.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mask according to the third embodiment as viewed from above (from the side of the wearer's eyes).

Fig. 9 is a cross section showing one example of a steam generator.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for measuring air passage resistance.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a device that measures the amount of steam generated.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0007]

The present inventors have studied the problem of improving the moisturizing effect of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose by inhaling air that is heated in the mask by generating steam and has an increased absolute humidity inside the mask.

[0008]

The present inventors studied the techniques described in the above-described patent documents, and as a result, it was found that since the mask having the heat generating function disclosed in Patent Document 1 is designed to be heated and does not produce steam, it is not possible to sufficiently increase the absolute humidity in the mask. .

In addition, although Patent Document 2 describes that the heating element generates steam, the area ratio of the area where the heating element is provided is low relative to the surface area of the mask, and there is a tendency that sufficient heat generation effect and vaporization effect cannot be obtained.

In addition, Patent Document 3 describes that the heating element generates steam. However, the air permeability of the sheet provided on the opposite side of the wearer side of the heating element is high, and oxygen from the air enters the heating element to cause an oxidation reaction, so that the heating element is intended to be blown up by the generated steam. As a result, the mask comes into firm contact with the cheek or nose with a soft touch to eliminate the gap, and the absolute humidity inside the mask does not increase.

In addition, Patent Document 4 describes a steam generator that supplies a large amount of steam to the skin, as well as a method for using this steam generator as a steam mask. However, the area ratio of the area where the heating element is provided tends to be high relative to the area of the mask body part, and the bulk of the mask body part becomes high and the air permeability is low. Therefore, there is room to improve the feeling of stuffiness when wearing the mask for a long time.

Thus, it has been found that in any of the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, there is room for improvement in terms of solving the problem of improving the moisturizing effect of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose by inhaling air that is heated in the mask when generating steam and has an increased absolute humidity inside the mask.

[0009]

The inventors of the present invention have studied an agent that solves the above problems, and as a result, it has been found that a steam-heated mask that facilitates breathing by the air that is heated in the mask when steam is generated increases the absolute humidity in the mask, and improves the sensation of moisture in the mucous membranes. throat and nose can be achieved by configuring the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator in the mask body part and the steam generator that uses the particular sheet configuration.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a steam-heated mask is provided that facilitates breathing by means of air that is heated in the mask when steam is generated, increases the absolute humidity in the mask, and improves the sensation of moisture in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Throughout the drawings, the same components are identified by the same reference numerals and their description is therefore not repeated.

In addition, as used herein, the word "before" means "equal to or greater than and equal to or less than", unless expressly stated otherwise.

In addition, the structures and elements described in the respective embodiments may be appropriately combined, provided that the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0012]

In addition, in the present embodiment, the degree of air permeability of the sheet and the like. can be measured in the following way.

The degree of air permeability is a value measured according to JIS P8117 (revised edition 2009) and is defined as the time it takes 100 ml of air to pass through an area of 6.42 cm ² at a fixed pressure. Therefore, a large numerical value of the degree of air permeability means that the air takes time to pass, that is, the air permeability is low. On the contrary, a small numerical value of the degree of air permeability means high air permeability. Thus, the value of the numerical value of the degree of air permeability and the level of air permeability are in inverse relationship. The degree of air permeability can be measured with an Oken type air permeability meter.

In the present specification, when the degree of air permeability is equal to or greater than 30,000 sec/100 ml, it is referred to as "air tightness", and when the degree is equal to or greater than 80,000 sec/100 ml, it is referred to as "air tightness".

[0013]

(First embodiment)

The steam heated mask in the present embodiment is shown below.

The steam heated mask includes a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at the left and right ends of the mask body part, and a steam generator on the mask body part,

in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer,

the steam generator contains the steam generating part,

the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner,

the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml, and

the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is more than 8000 s/100 ml.

[0014]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a steam heated mask 100. The steam heated mask 100 is a combination of the mask 110 and the steam generator 120.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing one example of the usage state of the steam heated mask 100. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the mask 110 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the wearer's side. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mask according to the first embodiment as viewed from above (from the side of the wearer's eyes).

In the present embodiment, the steam heated mask 100 is described as a structure in which the mask 110 and the steam generator 120 are separate, and the steam generator 120 can be inserted and removed from the housing 104 for placement, but the steam heated mask 100 can be a structure in which the steam generator 120 is enclosed within a housing 104 to accommodate the mask 110.

[0015]

[Mask]

As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the mask 110 includes a mask body portion 101 covering the nose and mouth when wearing the mask, and a pair of ear pieces 102 provided at the left and right ends of the mask body portion 101.

In the present embodiment, the mask 110 is shown as having a fold line 103 at the position corresponding to the bridge of the wearer's nose, but a mask 110 having a flat shape without the fold line 103 can be used according to an application or the like.

In the following, the shape of the mask 110 will be described using the mask having a fold line 103 as an example.

[0016]

In the present embodiment, the mask body portion 101 is sheet-shaped, and more specifically formed from a single sheet and folded symmetrically along the fold line 103. Before use, the mask body portion 101 is folded along the fold line 103 and is in a flat state.

As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the fold line 103 has a substantially circular arc shape in which the nose is convex and the top and bottom are connected to each other. The mask body part 101 is opened from the side opposite the fold line 103 and is worn so that the surface on the inside on which the sheets are arranged is the surface on the wearer's side. The fold line 103 protrudes forward from the mask body portion 101 when the mask 110 is worn. and hydration can be improved, which is preferable.

[0017]

The single sheet forming the mask body part 101 may have a single structure (ie, a single layer) or may have a composite structure (ie, a multi-layer) by laminating a plurality of sheets. The use of a plurality of sheets is advantageous in that different functions can be given to the cover portion by giving a separate function to each sheet. In the case of using a plurality of sheets, the respective sheets may be in a laminated state where the sheets are bonded over the entire surface, or may be in a state where the sheets are separated from each other. In addition, when the respective sheets are separated from each other, the sheets can be bonded to each other by sealing the edges of the respective sheets along the shape of the cover portion, or simply by bonding part of the edges by spot sealing.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an example will be described in which the mask body portion 101 has a single structure.

[0018]

As the material of the mask body portion 101, the material used for masks of the prior art can be used, and there is no particular limitation on the type of material, as long as the mask provides a certain level of breathability. For example, a fibrous sheet such as non-woven fabric and gauze can be used, and it is preferable to use non-woven fabric from the viewpoint of ease of processing and economic efficiency. As the fiber material of the nonwoven fabric, for example, a material made from one or more fibers selected from polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and a propylene-ethylene copolymer; rayon; cotton wool, etc. In addition, fabric produced by an air laying method, a high speed air ejection method, a needle punched method, a melt blown method, a carding method, a thermal melting method, a water jet method, a solvent bonding method, and the like can be used as a nonwoven fabric. using fibers from one or more of the aforementioned materials.

[0019]

It is preferable that the mask body portion 101 has a suitable resistance to air penetration from the viewpoint of retaining the steam generated by the steam generator 120 in the mask 110 and facilitating breathing.

In particular, the air penetration resistance of the mask body portion 101 is preferably equal to or greater than 5 Pa, more preferably equal to or greater than 20 Pa, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 50 Pa. In addition, the air penetration resistance of the mask body portion 101 is preferably equal to or less than 200 Pa, more preferably equal to or less than 190 Pa, and even more preferably equal to or less than 180 Pa.

In addition, the air penetration resistance of the mask body part 101 is preferably equal to or greater than 5 Pa and equal to or less than 200 Pa, more preferably equal to or greater than 20 Pa and equal to or less than 190 Pa, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 50 Pa and equal to or less than 180 Pa. When the structure of the mask body portion 101 is multi-layered, the air ingress resistance is measured in the state where all the plurality of sheets are integrated into one.

[0020]

The air penetration resistance of the mask body part 101 can be measured as follows.

As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet 101a, which is cut into a square of 3.5 to 5 cm in size from the sheet material of the mask body portion 101, is placed on the top of the main body 70 of the air ingress resistance tester of the MTS-2 mask tester (manufactured by Shibata). Scientific Co., Ltd.) and fixed with the sheet fixing jig 71 so as to prevent air leakage. The measurement is carried out for 10 s for a test area with an area ^of 7 cm2 (inner diameter 30 mm) at a flow rate of 10 l/min, and the air ingress resistance is obtained from the pressure difference between the air intake side (inlet side) and the air outlet side (outlet side). side) of sheet 101a.

[0021]

From the point of view of preventing the inside of the mask 110 from being visible or improving the heat retention, flexibility, thickness and strength of the sheet in a balanced manner, the bulk of the mask body portion 101 is preferably equal to or greater than 5 g/m ² , more preferably equal to or greater than 10 g/m ² , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 30 g/m ² . In addition, the basis weight is preferably equal to or less than 200 g/m ² , more preferably equal to or less than 150 g/m ² , and even more preferably equal to or less than 120 g/m ² . In addition, the basis weight is preferably equal to or greater than 5 g/m ² and equal to or less than 200 g/m ² , more preferably equal to or greater than 10 g/m ² and equal to or less than 150 g/m ² , and still more preferably equal to or greater than 30 g/m ² and equal to or less than 120 g/m ² .

[0022]

In the present embodiment, the steam heated mask 100 is provided with a steam generator 120. The steam generator 120 may be included in the mask body part 101, or may have a means for fixing the steam generator 120 to the mask body part 101, and may be used fixed during use, but in the present embodiment the steam generator 120 is attached during use. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the mask body portion 101 is provided with a housing 104 for placement on the wearer's side surface by means of a sealing portion 107. The accommodation housing 104 accommodates the steam generator 120 in an easily detachable manner. As a result, after using the mask 110, it can be used repeatedly by replacing the steam generator 120 with another steam generator 120 before use.

[0023]

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 104 may be formed by a seal portion 107a that surrounds the outer periphery except for the upper portions of the two steam generators 120 arranged in the transverse direction. In particular, a method of overlapping the sheets constituting the body 104 can be used to place on the surface of the mask body portion 101 from the wearer side and seal the sealing portion 107a shown in FIG. 3, through heat sealing and the like, a method of overlapping the sheets constituting the housing body 104, sealing a portion of the fold line 103 in the longitudinal center portion 101 of the mask body, and then sealing the sealing portion 107a shown in FIG. 3, when preparing the mask body part 101, or the like. As a result, it is possible to form the pocket housing 104 into which the steam generator 120 can be inserted on top of the mask body part 101 .

[0024]

The method for forming the housing 104 for placement is not limited to this. Fig. 5 and 6 are plan views of modified examples of the mask according to the first embodiment as viewed from the wearer's side. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the accommodating body 104 may be formed by a sheet constituting the mask body part 101 and a sealing part 107b or a sealing part 107c to which the sheet constituting the accommodating body 104 is attached at the position where the lower part of the steam generator 120 is attached. In FIG. 5, a sealing portion 107b including a straight line and extending so as to be in contact with the bottom of the steam generator 120 and a longitudinal straight line extending at the bottom of the side surface of the steam generator 120 from the side of the ear portion 102 is shown in the lateral direction of the central portion 101 of the mask body. In FIG. 6, the deformed linear sealing portion 107c is shown along the shape of the lower portion of the steam generator 120 in the lateral direction slightly above the central portion 101 of the mask body.

[0025]

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the housing 104 be attached near the fold line 103 of the mask body part 101 and near the upper end of the mask body part 101 in that the steam generator 120 can be attached to the mask body part 101 at a predetermined position, and space inside the mask 110 from nose to cheek of the wearer can be easily heated and humidified.

In the present embodiment, the housing body 104 has an opening so that the steam generator 120 can be inserted into and removed from the upper end portion, or from the side of the earpiece portion 102, and its other end portion is attached to the mask body portion 101. The position of this opening is not particularly limited, as long as the steam generator 120 does not fall out of the accommodation housing 104 when the mask 110 is worn. steam generator 120 when placed.

[0026]

The housing body 104 is breathable and can be made of the same material as the mask body part 101 . From the point of view of efficient heating and humidification by the steam generator 120 of the mask 110 while preventing overheating, the resistance of the accommodation housing 104 to air ingress is preferably equal to or greater than 1 Pa and equal to or less than 100 Pa, more preferably equal to or greater than 1 Pa and equal to or less than 50 Pa, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 1 Pa and equal to or less than 30 Pa.

[0027]

The ear pieces 102 are used in pairs and are provided on each of the left and right end portions in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the mask body portion 101 .

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the earhook portion 102 will be described with reference to an example in which a cord-like material having resiliency such as a rubber band is formed at the end of the mask body portion 101, but an elastic member integrated with the mask body portion 101 may be used.

The ear part 102 may be made from the same material as the mask body part 101 or from a different material.

[0028]

[Steam Generator]

The steam generator 120 is attached to the mask body part 101.

The inventors of the present invention made a study, and as a result, it was found that the area of the steam generator 120 in a flat form should be equal to a specific proportion of the total surface area of the mask body part 101 on the part of the wearer, and, in addition to this, the steam generator 120 should be made using a sheet having a specific degree of air permeability. Therefore, the generated steam can be kept inside the mask 110, and the breathability of the mask 110 can be ensured to such an extent that the wearer does not feel stuffy.

[0029]

From the viewpoint of increasing the absolute humidity inside the mask 110 when using the mask, the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator 120 relative to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the part of the wearer should be equal to or greater than 30%, preferably equal to or greater than 40%, and more preferably equal to or greater than 45%.

In addition, from the point of view of ensuring adequate breathability of the mask 110, the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator 120 relative to the total surface area of the mask body part 101 on the part of the wearer should be equal to or less than 80%, preferably equal to or less than 70%, and more preferably equal to or less than 65%.

From the same point of view, the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator 120 relative to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side should be equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80%, preferably equal to or greater than 40% and equal to or less than 70%, and more preferably equal to or greater than 45% and equal to or less than 65%.

[0030]

Here, the entire surface area of the wearer-side mask body part 101 is the entire surface area of the sheet constituting the mask body part 101, referring to the entire surface including the region of the steam generator 120 and excluding the ear part 102.

More specifically, when the mask is folded at the center in the longitudinal direction, the point on the fold line which is the furthest from line A connecting the upper and lower points which are the furthest from each other in the vertical direction is set as the end point of the mask, and this the area refers to the portion from line B, parallel to line A, passing through the end point of the mask, to line C, passing parallel to line B at a distance of 7 cm from it in the direction of the ear. In addition, when the folded part of the end point of the mask is in close contact by heat sealing or the like, this distance is measured to the end of the width of the glued part of the seal on the ear side as the end point. In addition, in the case of a pleated mask, it is folded symmetrically in such a state that the mask is stretched up and down, and the fold part of the central part of the mask is expanded, and this distance is measured, but at this time, the fold part of the pleat remaining on the earhook side from the end point of the mask , is not added to the area.

Even when the ear part 102 is made of fiber sheet or the like, this area is not included in the entire surface area of the mask body part 101 on the part of the wearer.

On the other hand, the area of the steam generator 120 is that area in the flat shape of the bag body 122 which accommodates the steam generating portion 121 to be described later, and refers to this area, including the sealing portion of the sheet constituting the bag body.

[0031]

In the present embodiment, the steam generator 120 is attached to the mask body part 101. From the point of view that the space surrounded by the face recess between the nose and cheek on one side and the steam generator 120 on the other side is formed from the side of the wearer of the mask body part 101 when wearing it, and the temperature and absolute humidity inside the mask 110 increase without suppressing the generation of steam , as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the position of the steam generator 120 is preferably located symmetrically near the fold line 103 of the mask body part 101, and near the upper end of the mask body part 101. Said areas near the fold line 103 and near the upper end of the mask body part 101 are not limited to the case of contact with the fold line 103 and the upper end of the mask body part 101, indicate the area near the fold line 103 and the upper end of the mask body part 101, and are the areas where the steam generator 120 attached to the mask body part 101 covers part of the wearer's nose. In addition, the steam generator 120 may reach part of the wearer's cheek, but it is preferable that the steam generator 120 does not cover only part of the cheek, in the sense that the space surrounded by the facial recess between the nose and cheek on one side and the steam generator 120 on the other side, generated by the wearer of the mask body part 101 while wearing it, and the temperature and absolute humidity inside the mask 110 increase without suppressing the generation of steam.

From the point of view of increasing the temperature and absolute humidity in the mask 110 without suppressing steam generation when the mask 110 is attached, in the case where the nose end of the steam generator 120 is linear, the position of the steam generator 120 is preferably such that the average value of the shortest distances from the fold line 103 at both ends of this straight line is equal to or less than 15 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 10 mm, and even more preferably equal to or less than 5 mm, and in the case where the nose end of the steam generator 120 is curved, the position of the steam generator 120 is preferably such that the shortest distance from the fold line 103 to this curve is equal to or less than 15 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 10 mm, and even more preferably equal to or less than 5 mm. In addition, from the same point of view, the position of the steam generator 120 is preferably such that the shortest distance from the upper end of the mask body portion 101 to the upper end of the steam generator 120 is equal to or less than 15 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 10 mm, and even more preferably equal to or less than 5 mm.

[0032]

In addition, the flat shape of the steam generator 120 is not particularly limited, and may be round, polygonal, or the like. From the viewpoints of production efficiency, ease of handling, warming and humidifying effect, a rectangle substantially square is preferable, and from the viewpoint of ease of handling, substantially square is preferable. In addition, in the case where the nose-side end part of the steam generator 120 is linear, it is preferable that the part of the fold line 103 of the mask body part 101 in contact with the steam generator 120 is linear.

[0033]

In addition, from the point of view of maintaining the shape of the mask and improving the absolute humidity inside the mask, and from the point of view of preventing stuffy feeling due to the mask sticking to the skin around the nose and lack of ventilation when inhaled, the vertical direction stiffness value of the steam generator 120 measured under the following conditions, preferably equal to or greater than 30 gs/60 mm wide, more preferably equal to or greater than 60 gs/60 mm wide, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 70 gs/60 mm wide.

In addition, from the viewpoint of improving wearing comfort, the vertical direction stiffness value of the steam generator 120 is preferably equal to or less than 150 gf/60 mm wide, more preferably equal to or less than 130 gf/60 mm wide, and even more preferably equal to or less than 120gsm/60mm wide.

In addition, the vertical stiffness value of the steam generator 120, measured under the following conditions, is preferably equal to or greater than 30 gf/60 mm wide and equal to or less than 150 gf/60 mm wide, more preferably equal to or greater than 60 gf/60 mm of width and equal to or less than 130 gs/60 mm of width, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 70 gs/60 mm of width and equal to or less than 120 gs/60 mm of width.

[0034]

[Hardness value measurement conditions]

The steam generator is fixed with a clamp spacing of 30 mm in the Tensilon ORIENTEC RTC-1150A universal testing machine, and a load is applied to the center of the test piece (steam generator) at a speed of 20 mm/min by means of a plate pressure member having a width of 60 mm and a tip radius of 5 mm . The peak load (average of three measurements) is defined as the stiffness value.

For this measurement, the steam generator 120 itself may be used as the measurement sample, or the mask 110 containing the steam generator 120 may be used as the measurement sample.

[0035]

As shown in FIG. 9, the steam generator 120 houses the steam generating portion 121. In the present embodiment, the steam generator 120 has the steam generating portion 121 and a bag body 122 that houses the steam generating portion 121. The bag body 122 is provided with a first sheet 122A on the wearer side (skin side) ) and a second sheet 122B on the surface opposite the wearer's side.

The steam generator 120 generates heat by generating steam by reacting with atmospheric oxygen.

[0036]

Where the steam generator 120 can be attached to and detached from the mask 110, the steam generator 120 is contained in an oxygen blocking bag prior to use.

The oxygen blocking bag has the property of a barrier to oxygen in general, so that the steam generator 120 does not come into contact with the oxygen contained in the air. As an oxygen blocking bag material having an oxygen barrier property, for example, a material whose oxygen permeability coefficient (according to ASTM D 3985) is preferably equal to or less than 10 cm ³ ⋅mm/(m ² ⋅day⋅ MPa), and is particularly preferably equal to or less than 2 cm ³ ⋅mm/(m ² ⋅day⋅MPa). Specific examples of this include films such as vinyl alcohol-ethylene copolymer and polyacrylonitrile films, as well as films obtained by vapor deposition of ceramics, aluminum, and the like. for such films.

In addition, when the steam generator 120 is enclosed in the mask 110, the entire mask 110 may be stored in an oxygen blocking bag in order to avoid contact between the steam generator 120 and the oxygen contained in the air.

[0037]

The steam generating portion 121 may take various forms. The steam generating portion 121 may, for example, be any one of sheet forms such as a powder mixture or a paper sheet, or a coated sheet obtained by applying a dispersion, or the like. to the substrate.

[0038]

The steam generating portion 121 may include an oxidizable metal, a water absorbent, water, an electrolyte, and a reaction accelerator, if necessary, or the like.

When the steam generating portion 121 comes into contact with air, an oxidation reaction of the oxidizable metal contained therein occurs and heat is generated. Due to this heat, the water contained in the steam generating portion 121 is heated to become steam at a predetermined temperature and exits through the bag body 122 . The steam escapes from the airtight body part 122 of the bag.

[0039]

An oxidizable metal is a metal that generates heat in an oxidation reaction, and examples of this include one or more kinds of powders or fibers selected from iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and calcium. Of these, iron powder is preferable from the viewpoints of ease of handling, safety, production cost, storage stability and stability. Examples of the iron powder include one or more selected from reduced iron powder and atomized iron powder.

[0040]

In the case where the oxidizable metal is a powder, the average particle diameter thereof from the point of view of efficient oxidation reaction is preferably equal to or greater than 0.1 μm, more preferably equal to or greater than 10 μm, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 20 μm. . From the same point of view, it is preferably equal to or less than 300 μm, more preferably equal to or less than 200 μm, and even more preferably equal to or less than 150 μm.

In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the coating ability, the average particle diameter is preferably equal to or greater than 10 μm and equal to or less than 200 μm, and the average particle diameter is more preferably equal to or greater than 20 μm and equal to or less than 150 μm.

In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the fixability of fibrous materials and the like. to the water-retaining material and reaction control, it is preferable to use those having a particle diameter of 0.1 to 150 µm in an amount equal to or greater than 50 wt.%.

The oxidizable metal particle diameter refers to the maximum length in powder form, and is measured by sieve classification, dynamic light scattering method, laser diffraction method, and the like.

[0041]

The oxidizable metal content of the steam generating portion 121 is preferably equal to or greater than 100 g/m ² , and more preferably equal to or greater than 200 g/m ² in terms of basis weight. In addition, the oxidizable metal content of the steam generating portion 121 is preferably equal to or less than 3000 g/m ² , and more preferably equal to or less than 1600 g/m ² in terms of basis weight.

In addition, this content is preferably equal to or greater than 100 g/m ² and equal to or less than 3000 g/m ² , and more preferably equal to or greater than 200 g/m ² and equal to or less than 1600 g/m ² . As a result, the temperature of the steam generator 120 can be raised to the desired temperature.

Here, the oxidizable metal content can be determined by determining the ash content according to JIS P8128 or by using a thermogravimetric instrument. In addition, this content can be quantified by a magnetization measurement test with a vibrating sample or the like using the property that magnetization occurs when an external magnetic field is applied.

[0042]

The type of the water absorbent is not particularly limited as long as the water absorbent can hold water, and examples of this include one or more selected from a carbon component, a fibrous material, a water-absorbent resin, and a water-absorbent powder. As a water absorbent, a suitable agent is used according to the shape of the steam generating part 121.

[0043]

As the carbon component, a component having a water holding capacity, an oxygen releasing capacity, and a catalytic capacity may be used, and, for example, one or more selected from activated carbon, acetylene black, and graphite may be used. Of these, activated carbon is preferable, and one or more kinds of fine powdery substances or fine-grained substances selected from coconut shell coal, charcoal, and peat coal are more preferable. Of these, charcoal is even more preferable from the point of view of obtaining the beneficial effect of heating and moistening.

[0044]

The water scavenger preferably has an average particle diameter equal to or greater than 10 μm, and more preferably equal to or greater than 12 μm. In addition, the water scavenger preferably has an average particle diameter equal to or less than 200 µm, and more preferably equal to or less than 100 µm.

In addition, the water absorbent preferably has an average particle diameter equal to or greater than 10 µm and equal to or less than 200 µm, and more preferably has an average particle diameter equal to or greater than 12 µm and equal to or less than 100 µm.

The average particle diameter of the water absorbent refers to the maximum length in the form of a powder, and is measured by a dynamic light scattering method, a laser diffraction method, and the like. It is preferable to use the powder form of the carbon component, but it is possible to use a form other than the powder form, and for example, a fibrous form may be used.

[0045]

As the fibrous material, natural or synthetic fibrous materials can be used without any particular limitation.

Examples of natural fibrous materials include vegetable fibers such as cotton wool, kapok, wood pulp, non-wood pulp, peanut protein fiber, corn protein fiber, soy protein fiber, mannan fiber, rubber fiber, hemp, manila hemp, sisal hemp, New Zealand hemp. , luobuma fiber, coconut, junkus (rush) and wheat straw. In addition, animal fibers such as wool, goat hair, mohair, cashmere, alpaca, angora, camel hair, vicuña, silk, feathers, down feather, feather, algin fiber, chitin fiber and casein fiber may be included. In addition, mineral fibers such as asbestos may be included.

On the other hand, examples of synthetic fiber materials include semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon, viscose fiber, copper ammonium staple fiber, acetate fiber, triacetate fiber, oxidized acetate fiber, promix, chlorinated rubber, and hydrochloric rubber. In addition to nylon, aramid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polymeric fibers such as polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyurethane, may be included. In addition, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, and the like can be used. These fibers may be used singly or in a mixture. Among them, from the viewpoints of fixability with an oxidizable metal and a reaction accelerator, flexibility of the steam generating part 121, oxygen permeability, sheet shape keeping function and production cost, wood pulp, wadding, polyethylene fiber and polyester fiber are preferably used. In addition to this, wood pulp and cotton wool have the function of supporting and immobilizing hard materials such as iron powder.

[0046]

As the water-absorbing polymer, a hydrophilic polymer having a cross-linked structure capable of absorbing and retaining more than 20 times its own weight in liquid may be included.

[0047]

As the water-absorbing powder, one or more selected from vermiculite, calcium silicate, wood flour, alumina, silica gel, and cellulose powder may be included.

[0048]

In the case where the steam generating portion 121 is in the form of a sheet, it is preferable to use a fibrous material as the water absorbent. The reason for this is that the fibrous material has both the function of the water retaining material and the function of maintaining the shape of the sheet of the steam generating portion 121. As a result, displacement of the oxidizing metal is prevented, and the steam generating portion 121 has a uniform distribution of heat generation temperature.

[0049]

When the steam generating portion 121 is a mixture of powders, it is preferable to use a highly absorbent polymer, vermiculite, calcium silicate, silica gel, silica porous material, alumina, wood powder, and the like as the water absorbent.

[0050]

The content of the water scavenger is preferably equal to or greater than 0.3 mass parts, more preferably equal to or greater than 1 mass part, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 3 mass parts per 100 mass parts of oxidizable metal. The content of the water scavenger is preferably equal to or less than 100 mass parts, more preferably equal to or less than 80 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or less than 60 mass parts per 100 mass parts of oxidizable metal.

In addition, the water absorbent content is preferably equal to or greater than 0.3 mass parts and equal to or less than 100 mass parts, more preferably equal to or greater than 1 mass part and equal to or less than 80 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or greater than than 3 mass parts and equal to or less than 60 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal. Thus, the moisture necessary to maintain the oxidation reaction can be stored in the resulting steam generator 120. In addition, the supply of oxygen to the steam generating portion 121 is sufficiently ensured, so that the steam generator 120 having a high heat generation efficiency is obtained. In addition, since the heat capacity of the steam generator 120 can be suppressed to a small value relative to the obtained calorific value, the increase in heat generation temperature becomes large, an increase in the desired temperature is obtained, and the heat generation reaction can be accelerated.

[0051]

The water absorbent content is preferably equal to or greater than 4 g/m ² and equal to or less than 290 g/m ² , and more preferably equal to or greater than 7 g/m ² and equal to or less than 160 g/m ² in terms of basis weight. Thus, the thickness of the steam generating portion 121 can be made small, and the steam generating portion 121 is small and flexible in product quality. For example, the thickness of the steam generating portion 121 may be set to be equal to or greater than 0.1 mm and equal to or less than 2 mm.

[0052]

Examples of the electrolyte include sulfates, carbonates, chlorides or hydroxides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or transition metals. Of these, from the viewpoint of excellent electrical conductivity, chemical resistance and production cost, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or transition metal chlorides are preferably used, and sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, iron(II) chloride and chloride chloride are particularly preferably used. iron.

[0053]

The steam generating part 121 contains water. This water may be obtained from an aqueous electrolyte solution (for example, an aqueous solution of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, and the like), or may be water added to the steam generating portion 121, and is not particularly limited.

[0054]

The moisture content of the steam generating part 121 is preferably equal to or greater than 35 mass parts and equal to or less than 200 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal. When the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 is set to be equal to or greater than 35 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal, the steam generating portion 121 satisfactorily generates heat, and the heat generation temperature rise becomes fast (temperature rise time becomes short). In addition, when the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 is set to be equal to or less than 200 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizable metal, it is possible to ensure the moisture content required for the heat generation reaction in the steam generation portion 121 and satisfactorily maintain the heat generation reaction in the steam generation portion 121 .

Thus, when the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 is set to be equal to or greater than 35 mass parts and equal to or less than 200 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal, the steam generating portion 121 with satisfactory heat dissipation can be obtained. That is, the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 affects the rate of heat generation. When the moisture content is set to be equal to or greater than 35 mass parts and equal to or less than 200 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizable metal, heat is generated satisfactorily, the heat generation temperature rises rapidly, and the heat generation temperature is maintained.

From the same point of view, the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 is more preferably equal to or greater than 40 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 50 mass parts per 100 mass parts of oxidizing metal. In addition, the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 is preferably equal to or less than 200 mass parts, more preferably equal to or less than 150 mass parts, even more preferably equal to or less than 100 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or less than 80 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidized metal.

In addition, the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 is more preferably equal to or greater than 40 mass parts and equal to or less than 150 mass parts, more preferably equal to or greater than 50 mass parts and equal to or less than 100 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or more than 50 mass parts and equal to or less than 80 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal.

[0055]

In addition to the above components, the steam generating part 121 may contain a thickening agent, a surfactant, a chemical, a flocculant, a colorant, a paper strength enhancer, a pH value adjuster (for example, tripotassium phosphate), a filler, and the like.

[0056]

The thickening agent may be a thickener that absorbs moisture to improve consistency, or a thixotropic agent may be used, and one or more kinds of mixtures selected from polysaccharide thickeners such as alginate, such as sodium alginate, gum arabic, gum tragacanth gum, legume resin, guar gum, carrageenan, agar-agar, xanthan gum; starch thickeners such as dextrin, pregelatinized starch, processing starches; cellulose derivative type thickeners such as carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose acetate, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose; thickening agents such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); metal soap thickeners such as stearate; mineral thickeners such as bentonite, etc. Among them, polysaccharide-based thickeners are preferable, and xanthan gum is preferable from the viewpoint of keeping the moisture content of the steam generating portion 121 constant.

[0057]

When the steam generating portion 121 is a coated sheet, the content of the thickening agent is preferably equal to or greater than 0.1 mass parts, and more preferably equal to or greater than 0.2 mass parts per 100 mass parts of oxidizable metal from the viewpoint of ease of coating. In addition, the content of the thickening agent is preferably equal to or less than 5 mass parts, and more preferably equal to or less than 4 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the metal to be oxidized. The content of the thickening agent is preferably equal to or greater than 0.1 mass parts and equal to or less than 5 mass parts, and more preferably equal to or greater than 0.2 mass parts and equal to or less than 4 mass parts per 100 mass parts of oxidizable metal.

[0058]

In addition, in the case where the steam generating portion 121 is in the form of a sheet, it is preferable that a large number of holes and/or notches be formed. As a result, even if the sheet steam generating portion 121 is thin, high heat generation performance can be obtained, and a desired steam generation performance can be obtained. Preferably, the hole area is 0.01 to 10 mm ² , and in particular 0.1 to 8 mm ² , since sufficient heat dissipation characteristics can be obtained. For the same reason, it is preferable that the holes in the sheet steam generating portion 121 be formed with a density of 0.1-20 holes/cm ² , and in particular 1-15 holes/cm ² . Examples of hole shapes include circle, rectangle, polygon, ellipse, oval, or a combination of two or more of these. On the other hand, in the case of forming incisions, their length is preferably 1-50 mm, and particularly preferably 5-30 mm.

[0059]

The steam generating portion 121 is housed in the bag body 122 provided by the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B of the steam generator 120. Thus, the steam generator 120 is configured to include the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B, and the peripheral edge portions of the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B preferably tightly bonded to form the body 122 of the bag. Regions other than the peripheral edge portions of the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B are unbonded areas, and the steam generating portion 121 is located in this unbonded area.

[0060]

In the present embodiment, the following configuration is used for the steam generating portion 121.

In the steam generator 120, the first sheet 122A is placed on the wearer-side surface of the steam generating portion 121, and the air permeability of the first sheet 122A is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml. The second sheet 122B is positioned on the surface of the steam generating portion 121 which is opposite to the wearer-side surface, and the air permeability of the second sheet 122B exceeds 8000 s/100 ml.

These configurations will be described in detail later.

[0061]

In the present embodiment, the owner-side surface of the steam generator 120 is the first sheet 122A.

Here, the degree of air permeability of the first sheet 122A is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml. From the point of view of holding the space formed by the steam generator 120 and the facial recess between the nose and cheek, ensuring breathability, and easily discharging a large amount of steam from the steam generator 120 to the outside of the bag body 122, the breathability rate of the first sheet 122A is preferably equal to or less than 5000 s/100 ml, more preferably equal to or less than 2500 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 1000 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 600 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 10 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 5 s/100 ml, and even more preferably equal to or less than 0 s/100 ml.

As the first sheet 122A having such a degree of air permeability, for example, it is preferable to use a porous sheet made of synthetic resin having moisture permeability and no water permeability. In particular, a stretch film containing calcium carbonate and the like can be used. in polyethylene. In the case of using such a porous sheet, various fibrous sheets such as one or more kinds of non-woven fabrics selected from needle-punched non-woven fabric, high-speed air ejection non-woven fabric, and spunbond non-woven fabric can be used, and they can be laminated. on the outer surface of the porous sheet in order to improve the texture of the first sheet 122A.

In addition, when the above degree of air permeability is satisfied, a portion of the first sheet 122A may be an air impermeable sheet having no air permeability.

[0062]

Part of the second sheet 122B may be an air-impermeable sheet having air permeability or an air-impermeable sheet having no air permeability, but a sheet having low air permeability is generally used. In particular, the condition that the degree of air permeability of the second sheet 122B exceeds 8000 s/100 ml is accepted, but from the viewpoint of efficient and stable heating and humidification of the inside of the mask body portion 101, it is preferable to use an air-tight sheet.

[0063]

When the above degree of breathability is satisfied, the second sheet 122B can be obtained by laminating various fibrous sheets such as one or more kinds of nonwoven fabrics selected from needle-punched nonwoven fabric, high-speed air ejection nonwoven fabric, and spunbond nonwoven fabric, onto a film having a single-layer or multi-layer synthetic resin, or onto the outer surface of a film having a single-layer or multi-layer synthetic resin, depending on the application, and the texture of the second sheet 122B can be improved. In particular, a two-layer film including a polyethylene film and a polyethylene terephthalate film, a laminate film including a polyethylene film and a nonwoven fabric, a laminate film including a polyethylene film and a cellulose sheet, and the like are used. , and even more preferred is a laminate film including a polyethylene film and a cellulose sheet.

[0064]

When the value of the above degree of air permeability is satisfied, the second sheet 122B may use the same material as the first sheet 122A or may use a different material.

In addition, the air permeability of the second sheet 122B is preferably equal to or greater than 10,000 sec/100 ml, more preferably equal to or greater than 30,000 sec/100 ml, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 80,000 sec/100 ml. When the air permeability of the second sheet 122B is set in this way, it is possible to efficiently exhaust the steam generated in the steam generating portion 121 from the side of the first sheet 122A and suppress expansion of the steam generator 120.

In particular, from the viewpoint of allowing the oxidation reaction of the oxidizable metal and facilitating the production of a large amount of steam from the side of the first sheet 122A, it is even more preferable that the air permeability of the first sheet 122A is equal to or less than 2500 s/100 ml, and the air permeability of the second sheet 122B is or more than 80,000 s/100 ml.

In this case, on the surface opposite the surface of the wearer-side steam generating portion 121, that is, between the steam generating portion 121 and the outermost layer on the wearer-side side of the steam generator 120, an airtight or airtight sheet, more preferably an airtight sheet, is disposed. As a result, the steam generated by the steam generating part 121 can be prevented from leaking outside the mask 110, and the steam can be applied inside the mask 110, that is, from the side of the wearer.

[0065]

One example of a manufacturing method for the steam generating portion 121 will be described below.

In the case where the steam generating portion 121 is in the form of, for example, a sheet, for example, the wet papermaking method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. slotted extrusion head. In this case, first, a molded sheet containing an oxidizable metal, a water absorbent, and a reaction catalyst is formed by a wet papermaking process, and by adding an aqueous electrolyte solution to this molded sheet, a steam generating sheet part 121 is obtained. The obtained steam generating sheet part 121 can be used as one sheet. , or a plurality of stacked sheets may be used. Alternatively, one steam generating portion 121 may be stacked, and a plurality of stacked steam generating portions 121 may be used.

[0066]

In the case where the steam generating part 121 is configured to include powder, the constituent materials are uniformly mixed to obtain the powder steam generating part 121. More specifically, first, a water absorbent such as a superabsorbent polymer and an oxidizable metal are uniformly mixed, thereto an aqueous electrolyte solution is added, and the oxidizing metal is attached to the surface of the water absorber. Thereafter, a reaction accelerator and the like is added. as the remaining materials so that the steam generating part 121 can be prepared. The steam generating part 121 is prepared in such a way that the rise time of the oxidation reaction becomes early and the amount of steam generated per unit time easily reaches the maximum value.

[0067]

In addition, when the steam generating part 121 includes a coated sheet, for example, according to the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2013-146554, also owned by the Applicant, the steam generating part 121 can be obtained by applying an aqueous dispersing the heating powder onto the water holding sheet; and cutting the resultant continuous long heat generating material provided with the heat generating layer and the water holding sheet into pieces of arbitrary size. The steam generating portion 121 may be a single sheet, or may be in a multilayer state in which a plurality of sheets are stacked.

[0068]

Next, the configuration of the steam generator 120 in the case where the steam generating portion 121 includes a coated sheet will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the steam generating portion 121 has a steam generating layer 121A between the base material layer 121B and the water holding sheet 121C. The vapor generating layer 121A and the water holding sheet 121C are in direct contact with each other. The steam generator 120 is provided with the steam generating portion 121 in the bag body 122 having the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B so that the water retaining sheet 121C, that is, the side of the first sheet 122A, is located on the wearer's skin side, and the base material layer 121B is located on the second sheet side. 122b. As a result, steam from the steam generating portion 121 can be efficiently discharged from the first sheet 122A.

The vapor generating layer 121A may be provided on one side of the water holding sheet 121C, or may be provided between the water holding sheet 121C and the base material layer 121B. Fig. 9 shows an example in which the steam generating layer 121A is inserted between the water holding sheet 121C and the base material layer 121B.

[0069]

The water holding sheet 121C contains water. For example, the water content may be equal to or greater than 10 mass% and equal to or less than 45 mass% of the maximum water absorption amount of the water holding sheet 121C.

[0070]

The maximum water absorption amount of the water holding sheet 121C can be calculated as follows.

After measuring the weight (W ₀ ) of the water retaining sheet 121C cut to a size of 25 cm ² , the water retaining sheet 121C is immersed in a 5 wt% sodium chloride aqueous solution for 5 minutes. Then this sheet is taken out with microtweezers, suspended and left in the air for 1 min to drain the unretained water. After that, its mass (W ₁ ) is measured, and the maximum amount of water absorption (W _max ) is calculated by the following formula.

_Wmax \u003d W ₁ -W ₀

[0071]

In addition, the amount of moisture contained in the water holding sheet 121C is preferably 50-350 g/m ² , and more preferably 180-260 g/m ² in terms of basis weight. Since the amount of moisture contained in the water holding sheet 121C is a source of steam generation, the amount of moisture contained in the water holding sheet 121C is preferably set to be equal to or greater than 50 g/m ² in terms of basis weight so that a favorable amount of steam generation can be provided. In addition, the water retaining sheet 121C provides resistance to air penetration due to water absorption (air permeability is reduced compared to a dry sheet due to swelling due to water absorption). Therefore, the moisture content is preferably set to or less than 350 g/m ² in terms of basis weight so that steam can be easily discharged from the water holding sheet 121C and the breathability of the steam generating layer 121A is sufficiently ensured. Therefore, the steam generator 120 having sufficient oxygen supply and high heat generation efficiency can be obtained.

[0072]

In addition, the degree of air permeability of the water holding sheet 121C is preferably equal to or less than 500 sec/100 ml in the state of moisture content. In view of breathability and ease of vapor passage, it is more preferably equal to or less than 300 s/100 ml, and even more preferably equal to or less than 50 s/100 ml.

For example, the value of the lower limit of the degree of air permeability is 1 s/100 ml in the state of moisture content (that is, when the moisture content is equal to or greater than 15 mass% and equal to or less than 30 mass% of the maximum water absorption amount of the water holding sheet 121C).

[0073]

Here, as the water retaining sheet 121C, a sheet material capable of absorbing and retaining moisture and having flexibility is used. Examples of such materials include fibrous sheet such as paper, non-woven fabric, woven fabric, knitwear, and the like, made from fibers. In addition, a porous body such as a sponge may be used. Examples of the above fibers include fibers based on natural fibers such as plant fibers and animal fibers, as well as fibers based on chemical fibers. Examples of plant fibers include one or more selected from cotton wool, kapok, wood pulp, non-wood pulp, peanut protein fiber, corn protein fiber, soy protein fiber, mannan fiber, rubber fiber, hemp, manila hemp, sisal hemp, New Zealand hemp, luobum fiber, coconut, junkus and wheat straw. Examples of animal fibers include one or more selected from wool, goat hair, mohair, cashmere, alpaca, angora, camel hair, vicuña, silk, feathers, down feather, feather, algin fiber, chitin fiber, and casein fiber. As the man-made fiber, for example, one or more of rayon, acetate and cellulose can be used.

[0074]

Of these, as the water retaining sheet 121C, a sheet containing a fibrous material including the above-described fibers and a water-absorbent resin is preferable.

[0075]

As the water-absorbent resin, it is preferable to use a hydrogel material capable of absorbing and retaining more than 20 times its own weight in liquid, and capable of thickening, because the water content of the water-retaining sheet 121C can be maintained at 15-30 wt. .% of the maximum water absorption amount of the water retaining sheet 121C.

Examples of the particle shape of the water absorbent polymer include a spherical shape, a lumpy shape, a vine shape, a fibrous shape, and the like.

In addition, the particle diameter of the water-absorbent polymer is preferably equal to or greater than 1 μm, and more preferably equal to or greater than 10 μm from the viewpoint of ease of handling during production. In addition, the particle diameter of the water-absorbent polymer is preferably equal to or less than 1000 μm, and more preferably equal to or less than 500 μm in terms of the water absorption rate.

In addition, the particle diameter of the water-absorbent polymer is preferably equal to or greater than 1 μm and equal to or less than 1000 μm, and more preferably equal to or greater than 10 μm and equal to or less than 500 μm.

The particle diameter of the water absorbent resin is measured by a dynamic light scattering method, a laser diffraction method, and the like.

[0076]

Specific examples of water-absorbing polymers include one or more selected from starch, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, acrylic acid polymer or copolymer or alkali metal salt of acrylic acid, and polyacrylic acid, its salt, and polyacrylate graft polymer. Of these, it is preferable to use an acrylic acid polymer or copolymer or an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid, as well as polyacrylic acid, a salt thereof, and a polyacrylate graft polymer.

[0077]

The base material layer 121B is located on the surface of the steam generating layer 121A opposite the water retaining sheet 121C. The base material layer 121B is in direct contact with the steam generating layer 121A and covers the steam generating layer 121A. The base material layer 121B is preferably an airtight or airtight sheet, and a resin sheet, for example, is preferably used. By using an air-impermeable or air-impermeable sheet (with an air permeability equal to or greater than 50,000 s/100 ml, and preferably equal to or greater than 80,000 s/100 ml), it is not only possible to discharge steam from the side of the water holding sheet 121C more reliably, but also prevent the heat of vaporization from escaping from the side of the base material layer 121B.

Examples of the base material layers 121B include a synthetic resin film, a polyethylene film, a polyethylene terephthalate film, and the like.

[0078]

In the case where the water retaining sheet 121C is formed on the steam generating layer 121A and the base material layer 121B is not provided, the steam generating portion 121 may be in direct contact with the second sheet 122B. Therefore, it is preferable that the second sheet 122B is a sheet having water resistance.

[0079]

The amount of steam generated by the steam generator 120 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 30 mg/cell*10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 50 mg/cell*10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 150 mg/cell*10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 250 mg/cell x 10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 300 mg/cell x 10 min for the entire steam generator 120 in terms of providing a suitable steam sensation for the mask wearer.

In addition, the amount of steam generated by the steam generator 120 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or less than 1200 mg/cell*10 min, more preferably equal to or less than 1000 mg/cell*10 min, even more preferably equal to or less than 800 mg/cell. ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or less than 700 mg/cell⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or less than 500 mg/cell⋅10 min for the entire steam generator 120 from the point of view of suppressing dew condensation in the mask.

In addition, the amount of steam generated by the steam generator 120 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 30 mg/cell⋅10 min and equal to or less than 1200 mg/cell⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 50 mg/cell⋅ 10 min and equal to or less than 1000 mg/well*10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 150 mg/well*10 min and equal to or less than 800 mg/well*10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 250 mg/ cell x 10 min and equal to or less than 700 mg/cell x 10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 300 mg/cell x 10 min and equal to or less than 500 mg/cell x 10 min for the entire steam generator 120.

[0080]

In addition, the amount of generated steam per unit area of the steam generator 120 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 1 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 1.5 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 5 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 7 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 9 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min for the entire steam generator 120 s in terms of creating a suitable vapor experience for the mask wearer.

In addition, the amount of generated steam per unit area of the steam generator 120 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or less than 20 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or less than 18 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or less than 15 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min for the entire steam generator 120 in terms of mask dew suppression.

In addition, the amount of generated steam per unit area of the steam generator 120 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 1 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min and equal to or less than 20 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 1, 5 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min and equal to or less than 18 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 5 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min and equal to or less than 15 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, still more preferably equal to or greater than 7 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min and equal to or less than 15 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 9 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min and equal to or less than 15 mg/cm cm ² ⋅10 min for the entire steam generator 120.

[0081]

[Method of measuring the amount of steam generated]

Here, the amount of steam generated by the steam generator 120 or the steam heated mask 100 is a numerical value measured using the apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 11 as follows. The device 30 shown in FIG. 11 includes an aluminum measurement chamber 31 (volume 2.1 L), an inlet 32 through which dehumidified air (with a humidity less than 2% and a flow rate of 2.1 l/min) flows into the lower part of the measurement chamber 31, an outlet 33 through which air flows out from the top of the measurement chamber 31, an inlet thermo-hygrometer 34 and an inlet flow meter 35 provided in the inlet 32, an outlet thermo-hygrometer 36 and an outlet flow meter 37 provided in the outlet 33 , and a thermometer (thermistor) 38 provided in the measurement chamber 31 . The thermometer 38 uses a thermometer with a resolution of approximately 0.01°C.

[0082]

When measuring the temperature of the skin-side surface of the steam generator 120 or the steam-heated mask 100, the steam generator 120 is removed from the oxygen-blocking bag, placed in the measurement chamber 31 so that the skin-side surface of the steam generator 120 or the steam-heated mask 100, that is, the surface the steam outlet, was directed upwards, and the thermometer 38 with attached metal ball (mass 4.5 g) is placed on it for measurement at an ambient temperature of 30°C (30±1°C). In addition, in this state, dehydrated air flows from the bottom, and the difference between the absolute humidity of the air flow at the inlet and outlet of the measurement chamber 31 is obtained from the temperature and humidity measured by the inlet thermo-hygrometer 34 and the outlet thermo-hygrometer 36. In addition, the amount of steam emitted by the steam generator 120 or the steam-heated mask 100 is calculated from the flow rate measured by the inlet flow meter 35 and the outlet flow meter 37 . As used herein, the amount of steam generated refers to the total measured amount of steam released 10 minutes after the initial time when the steam generator 120 was removed from the oxygen blocking bag.

[0083]

In addition, the amount of steam generated by the steam heated mask 100 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 60 mg/10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 100 mg/10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 300 mg. /10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 500 mg/10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 600 mg/10 min from the point of view of creating a suitable vapor sensation for the mask wearer.

In addition, the amount of steam generated by the steam heated mask 100 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or less than 2000 mg/10 min, more preferably equal to or less than 1400 mg/10 min, and even more preferably equal to or less than 1000 mg/10 min in terms of mask dew suppression.

In addition, the amount of steam generated by the steam heated mask 100 of the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 60 mg/10 min and equal to or less than 2000 mg/10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 100 mg/10 min and equal to or less than 1400 mg/10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 300 mg/10 min and equal to or less than 1000 mg/10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 500 mg/10 min and equal to or less than 1000 mg/10 min. 10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 600 mg/10 min and equal to or less than 1000 mg/10 min.

[0084]

Next, the effect of the steam heated mask 100 will be described.

The steam-heated mask 100 is a combination of the mask 110 and the steam generator 120 described above, wherein the wearer-side surface of the steam generator 120 is covered with a sheet having an air permeability equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml and a sheet having an air permeability greater than 8000 s /100 ml, are located on the opposite surface of the steam generator 120.

Thus, the air permeability of the first sheet 122A is set to be equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml, and the air permeability of the second sheet 122B is set to more than 8000 s/100 ml, so that the steam generated by the steam generating part 121 cannot leak out of the mask 110 and could be applied inside the mask 110, i.e. from the side of the wearer.

The area ratio occupied by the steam generator 120 is set to be equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% with respect to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side, so that the absolute humidity inside the mask 110 can be improved without creating a stuffy feeling for the wearer.

Due to the synergy of these effects, it is possible to ensure easy breathing, reliably heat the mask by generating steam and increase the absolute humidity in the mask. It is possible to improve comfort by heating and moistening, as well as the feeling of moisture in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. In addition, due to this effect, it is possible to facilitate breathing by reducing discomfort from nasal congestion and the like. and improve the transport function of the fimbriae of the mucosa. Therefore, an effect of improving the foreign substance removal function can be obtained.

[0085]

The steam heated mask 100 is used, for example, as follows.

In the case where the mask 110 and the steam generator 120 are separate, the wearer of the steam heated mask 100 opens the oxygen blocking bag, takes out the steam generator 120, and fixes the steam generator 120 in the predetermined position of the mask 110. The mask 110 is attached so that the earpiece portion 102 hangs on the wearer's ear. , and the wearer's mouth and nose were covered with part 101 of the mask's body.

In addition, when the steam generator 120 is sealed in the housing 104 to accommodate the mask 110, the steam generator 120 is typically sealed in an oxygen blocking bag along with the entire steam heated mask 100. As a use method in this case, after the oxygen-blocking bag is opened, the steam-heated mask 100 is taken out of it, each ear piece 102 is put on the corresponding ear of the wearer, and the mask body part 101 is attached so that it covers the wearer's mouth and nose.

Steam generator 120 reacts with oxygen in the air to generate heat and generate steam. The vapor generated in the mask 110 is inhaled by the wearer through the mouth and nose, the feeling of dryness of the throat and nose due to the low temperature and low humidity of the environment is alleviated, and the discomfort due to nasal congestion and the like. is reduced so that a relaxation effect is achieved and the desired comfort can be obtained. In addition to this, there is a feeling of serenity. In addition, since the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity are heated and moistened, the foreign substance removal function is improved, and an effect in terms of prevention of colds can be expected.

In addition, since the corner layer is thin, the lip part is temperature sensitive, and the heat generated by the steam generator 120 touches the lip part, so the lip part is likely to feel hot, while when the side of the nose is heated, such problems may be suppressed.

[0086]

The maximum absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask 100 in the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 12 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or greater than 13 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 15 g/m 3 m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 20 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 25 g/m ³ from the point of view of providing a comfortable vapor for the wearer.

In addition, the maximum absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask 100 is preferably equal to or less than 50 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or less than 45 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or less than 40 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or less than 35 g/m ³ from the point of view of preventing dew condensation in the mask.

In addition, the maximum absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask 100 is preferably equal to or greater than 12 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 50 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or greater than 13 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 45 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 15 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 40 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 20 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 35 g/m 3 m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 25 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 35 g/m ³ .

[0087]

In addition, the average absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask 100 in the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 11.7 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or greater than 12 g/m ³ , even more preferably is equal to or greater than 13 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 15 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 19 g/m ³ from the point of view of providing a comfortable vapor for the wearer.

In addition, the average absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask 100 is preferably equal to or less than 35 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or less than 30 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or less than 25 g/m 3 ³ in terms of preventing dew condensation in the mask.

In addition, the average absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask 100 is preferably equal to or greater than 11.7 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 35 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or greater than 12 g/m 3 ³ and equal to or less than 30 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 13 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 25 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 15 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 25 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 19 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 25 g/m ³ from the point of view of providing a comfortable vapor for the wearer.

The absolute humidity during use of the steam heated mask 100 can be measured as follows.

[0088]

[Absolute Humidity Measurement Conditions]

In an environment with a temperature of 20°C and a relative humidity of 60%, a temperature and humidity sensor (SHT 71 manufactured by Sensirion Co., Ltd.) is attached to the lower part of the manikin's nose in the form of a head model prepared using data from a human male head (on based on an average of 52 Japanese adult males) manufactured by Digital Human Technology Co., Ltd., and air is inhaled 500 ml at a time at a rate of 15 times per minute through the nose of the headform using a ventilator (HARVARD APPARATUS DUAL PHASE CONTROL RESPIRATOR manufactured by HARVARD APPARATUS Co., Ltd.), simulating the human respiratory rhythm. In this state, the steam heated mask 100 is attached to the manikin, and changes in temperature and humidity are measured and recorded. As a recorder, for example, the EK-H4 device manufactured by Sensirion Co., Ltd. is used. The absolute humidity is calculated from the temperature and the relative humidity, and the maximum absolute humidity and average absolute humidity over 10 minutes are obtained.

[0089]

(Second embodiment)

In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml and the air permeability of the second sheet is greater than 8000 s/100 ml, and in the second embodiment, the air permeability of the first sheet and the second sheet are set as follows.

In the present embodiment, the air permeability of the second sheet is equal to or greater than 250 s/100 ml and 8000 s/100 ml or less, and the air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 20% of the air permeability of the second sheet.

Next, the present embodiment will be described.

Descriptions of configurations and effects similar to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0090]

In the present embodiment, a portion of the second sheet 122B may be an air-permeable sheet having air-permeability or an air-impermeable sheet having no air-permeability, but in general, the air-permeability rate of the second sheet 122B is equal to or greater than 250 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 8000 s /100 ml.

From the point of view of preventing abnormal heat generation of the steam generator, and from the point of view of properly distributing the steam generated by the steam generating part 121, as well as supplying enough steam to the wearer side, the air permeability rate of the second sheet 122B is preferably equal to or greater than 4000 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 7500 s/100 ml, and more preferably equal to or greater than 5000 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml.

[0091]

When the above degree of breathability is satisfied, the second sheet 122B can be obtained by laminating various fibrous sheets such as one or more kinds of nonwoven fabrics selected from needle-punched nonwoven fabric, high-speed air ejection nonwoven fabric, and spunbond nonwoven fabric, onto a film having a single-layer or multi-layer synthetic resin, or onto the outer surface of a film having a single-layer or multi-layer synthetic resin, depending on the application, and the texture of the second sheet 122B can be improved. In particular, a two-layer film including a polyethylene film and a polyethylene terephthalate film, a laminate film including a polyethylene film and a nonwoven fabric, a laminate film including a polyethylene film and a cellulose sheet, and the like are used. , and even more preferred is a laminate film including a polyethylene film and a cellulose sheet.

[0092]

In the present embodiment, the air permeability of the first sheet 122A located on the owner-side surface of the steam generator 120 is equal to or less than 20% of the air permeability of the second sheet 122B.

From the viewpoint of properly distributing the steam generated by the steam generating portion 121, residual steam supply to the wearer's side, and from the viewpoint of suppressing blowing of the steam generator and preventing stuffy feeling when wearing the steam heated mask, the air permeability rate of the first sheet 122A is preferably equal to or less than 10%, more preferably equal to or less than 5%, even more preferably equal to or less than 3%, even more preferably equal to or less than 1%, and even more preferably equal to 0% of the air permeability of the second sheet 122B.

[0093]

Although the degree of air permeability of the first sheet 122A can be suitably selected from those satisfying the condition that it is equal to or less than 20% of the degree of air permeability of the second sheet 122B, in terms of proper distribution of the steam generated by the steam generating portion 121 and sufficient supply steam to the wearer's side, and from the viewpoint of suppressing blowing of the steam generator and preventing stuffy feeling when wearing the steam heated mask, more specifically, it is preferably equal to or less than 1600 s/100 ml, more preferably equal to or less than 1000 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 250 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 10 s/100 ml, even more preferably equal to or less than 5 s/100 ml, and even more preferably 0 s/100 ml.

As the first sheet 122A having such a degree of air permeability, for example, it is preferable to use a porous sheet made of synthetic resin having moisture permeability and no water permeability. In particular, a stretch film containing calcium carbonate and the like can be used. in polyethylene. In the case of using such a porous sheet, various fibrous sheets such as one or more kinds of non-woven fabrics selected from needle-punched non-woven fabric, high-speed air ejection non-woven fabric, and spunbond non-woven fabric can be used, and they can be laminated. on the outer surface of the porous sheet in order to improve the texture of the first sheet 122A.

In addition, when the above degree of air permeability is satisfied, a portion of the first sheet 122A may be an air impermeable sheet having no air permeability.

[0094]

Next, the effects of the steam heated mask 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

In the steam heated mask 100 of this embodiment, the air permeability of the second sheet 122B is set to be equal to or less than 8000 s/100 ml, and the air permeability of the first sheet 122A is set to be equal to or less than 20% of the air permeability of the second sheet 122B, so that the steam generated by the steam generator part 121, could not leak out of the mask 110 and could be applied inside the mask 110, that is, from the side of the wearer.

The area ratio occupied by the steam generator 120 is set to be equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% with respect to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side, so that the absolute humidity inside the mask 110 can be improved without creating a stuffy feeling for the wearer.

Due to the synergy of these effects, it is possible to ensure easy breathing, reliably heat the mask by generating steam and increase the absolute humidity in the mask. It is possible to improve comfort by heating and moistening, as well as the feeling of moisture in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. In addition, due to this effect, it is possible to facilitate breathing by reducing discomfort from nasal congestion and the like. and improve the transport function of the fimbriae of the mucosa. Therefore, an effect of improving the foreign substance removal function can be obtained.

[0095]

(Third embodiment)

In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the accommodating body 104 is used as a fastening means, and in the third embodiment, an example will be described in which an adhesive is used as a fastening means. Descriptions of configurations and effects similar to the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of the mask according to the third embodiment, as viewed from the wearer's side, before the steam generator is attached to the mask. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mask according to the third embodiment as viewed from above (from the side of the wearer's eyes).

[0096]

[Mask]

The mask body part 101 may use materials similar to those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that a marking area 105 showing the position at which the steam generator 120 is to be connected is formed on the surface of the mask body part 101 on the wearer's side. As shown in FIG. 8, the steam generator 120 is attached to the mask body part 101 on the marking area 105 by means of an adhesive 106. In the marking area 105, its color can be changed by printing, or embossing can be performed. In addition, the marking area 105 may be provided with lines such as a solid line and a dotted line around the marking area 105 .

[0097]

In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the wearing feeling, a non-woven fabric such as a non-woven fabric obtained by the high-speed air ejection method, which is a sheet material having a good texture, can be disposed between the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120 and the holder (not shown ). In this case, it is preferable that the non-woven fabric has air permeability so as not to impede the passage of steam. In addition, it is more preferable that the nonwoven fabric has water-repellent properties so as not to impede the passage of steam and not to impede the passage of air due to wetting the nonwoven fabric with steam.

Such a non-woven fabric may be formed on the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120, and may be a non-woven fabric that is attached to the surface of the mask 110 from the wearer side so that it opens and closes freely, and which closes after the steam generator 120 is attached.

[0098]

[Adhesive]

In the present embodiment, the adhesive 106 is provided on the surface of the steam generator 120 opposite the side of the wearer, that is, on the surface of the second sheet 122B opposite the side of the wearer. As a result, it is possible to stably attach the steam generator 120 to the mask 110.

The adhesive 106 can attach at least the steam generator 120 to the mask body part 101, and the size and shape are not particularly limited.

[0099]

As the adhesive 106, a hot melt adhesive is preferably used. The hot melt adhesive usually contains an adhesive base, a tackifying resin and a softener as components. Examples of hot melt adhesive types include synthetic rubber type, polyolefin type (polyethylene type (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate type (EVA), ethylene-ethyl acrylate type (EEA - ethylene-ethyl-acrylate), atactic polypropylene type (APP - atactic polypropylene), amorphous polyalpha olefin (APAO) type), polyamide type (nylon type and polyamide type), polyester type, acrylic type, and the like. They may be used singly or in combination of two or more of them. In particular, from the viewpoints of durability, adhesive strength and safety, synthetic rubber type, polyolefin type, acrylic type, and polyamide type are preferred, and synthetic rubber type is particularly preferred.

[0100]

The adhesive 106 in the state prior to use of the steam heated mask 100 is protected from premature adhesion by release paper. The release paper is not particularly limited, and any known release paper may be used.

[0101]

An adhesive substance may be provided on the surface of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side. In particular, adhesives are provided symmetrically near the fold line 103 of the mask body part 101 and near the upper end of the mask body part 101. As a result, the installation position of the steam generator 120 can be easily understood. In this case, it is preferable to use an adhesive that can be used repeatedly.

[0102]

Although embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings, they are merely examples of the present invention and various configurations other than those described above may be used.

[0103]

For example, although in each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which two steam generators 120 are separately attached to the mask 110, a structure in which the two steam generators 120 are connected through one bag body can be used.

[0104]

In addition, although each of the above embodiments describes an example in which the mask body portion 101 is formed by one sheet and folded symmetrically along the fold line 103, the mask body portion 101 may be two sheets of the same shape that form the fold line 103 in account of their binding on one side. The sheet used in this case may use the same sheets as those described in each of the above embodiments.

[0105]

With regard to the above embodiments, the present invention further discloses the following composition, production method or use.

[0106]

<1> A steam-heated mask that includes a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at the left and right ends of the mask body part, and a steam generator on the body part masks,

in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer,

the steam generator is placed inside the steam generating part,

the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner,

the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml, and

the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is more than 8000 s/100 ml.

<2> A steam-heated mask that includes a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at the left and right ends of the mask body part, and a steam generator on the body part masks,

in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer,

the steam generator is placed inside the steam generating part,

the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner,

the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is equal to or greater than 250 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 8000 s/100 ml, and

the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 20% of the degree of air permeability of the second sheet.

[0107]

<3> The steam-heated mask according to <1> or <2>, wherein the vertical direction stiffness value of the steam generator is preferably equal to or greater than 30 gs/60 mm width, more preferably equal to or greater than 60 gs/60 mm width, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 70 gf/60 mm width.

<4> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the vertical direction stiffness value of the steam generator is preferably equal to or less than 150 gf/60 mm wide, more preferably equal to or less than 130 gf/60 mm width, and even more preferably equal to or less than 120 gsm/60 mm width.

<5> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the maximum absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask in the present embodiment is preferably equal to or greater than 12 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or greater than 13 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 15 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 20 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 25 g/m 3 ³ .

<6> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the maximum absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask is preferably equal to or less than 50 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or less than 45 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or less than 40 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or less than 35 g/m ³ .

<7> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the air penetration resistance of the mask body part is preferably equal to or greater than 5 Pa, more preferably equal to or greater than 20 Pa, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 50 Pa.

<8> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the air penetration resistance of the mask body part is preferably equal to or less than 200 Pa, more preferably equal to or less than 190 Pa, and even more preferably equal to or less than 180 Pa.

<9> The steam-heated mask according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the basis weight of the body part of the mask is preferably equal to or greater than 5 g/m ² , more preferably equal to or greater than 10 g/m ² , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 30 g/m ² .

<10> The steam-heated mask according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the main body part weight of the mask is preferably equal to or less than 200 g/m ² , more preferably equal to or less than 150 g/m ² , and even more preferably equal to or less than 120 g/m ² .

<11> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the steam generating part includes an oxidizable metal, a water absorbent, water, and an electrolyte.

<12> The steam heated mask according to <11>, wherein the water absorbent content is preferably equal to or greater than 0.3 parts by mass, more preferably equal to or greater than 1 mass part, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 3 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal.

<13> The steam-heated mask according to <11> or <12>, in which the water absorbent content is preferably equal to or less than 100 mass parts, more preferably equal to or less than 80 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or less than 60 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizing metal.

<14> The steam heated mask according to any one of <11> to <13>, wherein the moisture content of the steam generating part is preferably equal to or greater than 35 parts by mass, more preferably equal to or greater than 40 parts by mass, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 50 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizable metal.

<15> The steam heated mask according to any one of <11> to <14>, wherein the moisture content of the steam generating part is preferably equal to or less than 200 mass parts, more preferably equal to or less than 150 mass parts, even more preferably equal to or less than 100 mass parts, and even more preferably equal to or less than 80 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the oxidizable metal.

<16> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <15>, wherein the amount of steam generated by the steam generator is preferably equal to or greater than 30 mg/cell⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 50 mg /well*10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 150 mg/well*10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 250 mg/well*10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 300 mg/well*10 min for the steam generator as a whole.

<17> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein the amount of steam generated by the steam generator is preferably equal to or less than 1200 mg/cell⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or less than 1000 mg/cell ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or less than 800 mg/well⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or less than 700 mg/well⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or less than 500 mg/well⋅10 min for the steam generator as a whole .

<18> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <17>, wherein the amount of steam generated by the steam generator per unit area is preferably equal to or greater than 1 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or more than 1.5 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 5 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 7 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or more than 9 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min for the steam generator as a whole.

<19> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <18>, wherein the amount of steam generated by the steam generator per unit area is preferably equal to or less than 20 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, more preferably equal to or less than 18 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min, and even more preferably equal to or less than 15 mg/cm ² ⋅10 min for the steam generator as a whole.

<20> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <19>, wherein the amount of steam generated by the steam heated mask is preferably equal to or greater than 60 mg/10 min, more preferably equal to or greater than 100 mg/10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 300 mg/10 min, even more preferably equal to or greater than 500 mg/10 min, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 600 mg/10 min.

<21> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <20>, wherein the amount of steam generated by the steam heated mask is preferably equal to or less than 2000 mg/10 min, more preferably equal to or less than 1400 mg/ 10 min, and even more preferably equal to or less than 1000 mg/10 min.

<22> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <21>, wherein the average absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask is preferably equal to or greater than 11.7 g/m ³ , more preferably is equal to or greater than 12 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 13 g/m ³ , even more preferably equal to or greater than 15 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or greater than 19 g/m ³ .

<23> The steam heated mask according to any one of <1> to <22>, wherein the average absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask is preferably equal to or less than 35 g/m ³ , more preferably equal to or less than 30 g/m ³ , and even more preferably equal to or less than 25 g/m ³ .

[Example]

[0108]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically by means of the following examples. These examples are intended to describe and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0109]

[Example A]

(Example A1)

A steam heated mask 100 similar to the mask described in the first embodiment was prepared. More specifically, it was prepared as follows.

<Preparing the steam generating part 121>

A fuel composition having the composition shown in Table 1 was prepared by the following procedure.

The thickening agent was dissolved in water, after which an aqueous solution was prepared by dissolving tripotassium phosphate. A powder premixed with iron powder and activated carbon was also prepared, and this premixed powder was placed in an aqueous solution and mixed with a disk turbine agitator at a speed of 150 rpm for 10 minutes in order to obtain a fuel composition in the form of a thick suspensions.

The resulting fuel composition was applied to one side of the base material layer 121B using a stamping plating method so that its amount was 1.4 g per steam generating portion 121 (4.9 cm × 4.9 cm in size; 24.0 cm in area). cm ² ). Salt (common sodium chloride (manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)) was sprayed onto the coated surface so that its amount was 0.07 g per one steam generating part 121 (the same as described above), so to form the steam generating layer 121A, and the water retaining sheet 121C was placed thereon to prepare the steam generating portion 121.

As the base material layer 121B, a polyethylene film having a basis weight of 27 g/m ² was used. As the water retaining sheet 121C, a resin sheet integrally formed by laminating wood pulp paper (based on 20 g/m ² , manufactured by Ino Paper Co., Ltd.), a water absorbent resin (sodium polyacrylate, spherical, average particle diameter 300 µm, basis weight 50 g/m ² , Aqualic CA brand, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.), and wood pulp paper (basic weight 30 g/m ² , manufactured by Ino Paper Co., Ltd.).

The steam generating portion 121 thus obtained was applied in two layers (weight 3.43 g) so that the water retaining sheet 121C was located on the skin side (first sheet 122A side). The moisture content of the steam generating part 121 immediately after its preparation was 62 mass parts per 100 mass parts of iron powder.

[0110]

[Table 1]

Components mass parts iron powder Iron powder RKH: manufactured by DOWA Electronics Materials Co., Ltd. one hundred Activated carbon Carboraffin: manufactured by Japan EnviroChemicals Co., Ltd. 8 Thickener Xanthan gum: manufactured by DSP Gokyo Food & Chemical Co., Ltd. 0.25 pH regulator Tripotassium Phosphate: Produced by Yoneyama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 1.8 Water Demineralized water 62 Total 172.05

[0111]

<Steam generator preparation 120>

The whole obtained steam generating part 121 was covered with the bag body 122, including the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B having air permeability degrees shown in Table 3, in order to prepare the steam generator 120. Specifically, as the first sheet 122A (the same hereinafter) of the steam generator 120, two sheets of TMS non-woven fabric (laminated integrated type thermobonded PET/PE-meltblown polypropylene-polypropylene spunbond with a basis weight of 50 g/m ² manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) were laminated in order to obtain a sheet having a degree of air permeability of 0 s/100 ml. As the second sheet 122B (same hereafter) of the steam generator 120, an airtight sheet having a basis weight of 40 g/m ² laminated with a 100 mass% polyethylene film and a cellulose sheet was used.

The steam generating portion 121 was positioned between the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B so as to seal the periphery of the edge to obtain the steam generator 120. At this time, the base material layer 121B of the steam generating portion 121 was located on the side of the second sheet 122B. At this time, the area of the first sheet 122A, including the air-permeable surface and the sealing portion, was 39.7 cm ² (6.3 cm×6.3 cm).

The steam generator 120 was stored in the oxygen blocking bag until the evaluation, which will be described later.

[0112]

<Preparation of mask 100 with steam heating>

As a sheet of the mask body part 101 constituting the mask 110, ^two layers were laminated so that an SMS non-woven fabric and a spunbond nonwoven polypropylene fabric with a basis weight of 25 g was on the inside (wearer's side). At this time, the blocking ratio in the mask body portion 101 of particles with a size equal to or greater than 0.3 μm was 25%. Each of them on the upper side on both sides of the fold line 103 at the longitudinal center of the mask body part 101 (that is, two in total), except for the upper part of the housing 104, was thermally fused to prepare the housing 104 to accommodate the steam generator 120. The earhook portion 102 in the form of an elastic band was attached to the end of the mask body portion 101, and a mask 110 having a three-dimensional shape was prepared. The air permeation resistance of the mask body part 101 was measured in the housing part to receive a pressure drop of 148 Pa/30 mm diameter. In the following evaluation, each of the steam generators 120 (that is, two in total) was placed in the housing 104 to be placed on the upper side of the mask 110, where the two non-woven fabrics of the mask body part 101 were not thermally fused, and a pair of steam generators 120 were attached symmetrically near the fold line 103 of the part 101 mask body and near the upper end portion (nose side) of the mask body portion 101 to form the steam heated mask 100.

In the present example, the entire surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side was calculated in the following way.

The mask body part 101 was folded in the longitudinal direction at the central part, the ear-side end part of the sealing part was set as the end point of the mask at the point on the fold line which is the furthest from the line (line A) connecting the upper and lower points, which are vertically apart from each other in the direction of the end point, then it was cut along the line C spaced 7 cm in the ear-hook direction from the parallel line A of the line B passing through the end point of the mask, and the sealing part was further cut. The outer periphery of one side of the cropped mask body was outlined on an A4 size paper (type G80A4W, manufactured by Toppan Forms Co., Ltd., basis weight 64 g/m ² , size 21.0 cm × 29.7 cm, area 623, 7 cm ² ), then the resulting figure was cut out with scissors, and the weight of the cut out paper figure was measured. When converted from the total weight of the A4 paper, twice the weight of the cut paper figure, and the total area ^of the A4 sheet, the entire surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side was 152.0 cm the surface area of the mask body part 101 on the wearer's side was 52%.

[0113]

(Examples A2 and A3)

As the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120, a synthetic pulp paper having an air permeability of 4.0 s/100 ml and a basis weight of 40 g/m ² (trade name: Eleven MOA, manufactured by Tokai Pulp Co., Ltd.) was used, and one sheet of synthetic cellulose paper was laid in example A2 and two sheets were laid in example A3. The steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except for this.

[0114]

(Examples A4 - A8)

The steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that a calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having an air permeability shown in Table 3 and a basis weight of 50 g/m ² (trade name: TSF-EU, manufactured by Kohjin Co., Ltd.) was used as the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120.

[0115]

(Examples A9 - A11)

The steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that a calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having an air permeability shown in Table 3 and a basis weight of 50 g/m ² (trade name: TSF-EU, manufactured by Kohjin Co., Ltd.) was used as the second sheet 122B of the steam generator 120.

[0116]

(Examples A12, A13 and Comparative Example A1)

The steam generating part 121 (size 4.9 cm × 4.9 cm; area 24.0 cm ² ) of Example A1 was cut into a size 3.3 cm × 3.3 cm (area 10.9 cm ² ) and used as a steam generating parts. In addition, when preparing the steam generator, the dimensions of the first sheet and the second sheet were set to 4.8 cm × 4.8 cm (area 23.0 cm ² ) in Example A12, 5.5 cm × 5.5 cm (area 30 3 cm ² ) in Example A13 and 3.9 cm × 3.9 cm (area 15.2 cm ² ) in Comparative Example A1, the steam generating portion 121 was placed between the respective sheets, and the peripheral portions of the edge were hermetically sealed to to obtain the steam generators 120. The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that the proportion of the area of the steam generator 120 relative to the area of the entire surface area of the mask body part 101 on the wearer's side was set to the values shown in Table 3.

[0117]

(Examples A14, A15 and Comparative Example A2)

When preparing the steam generating part 121 at the time of stamping coating of the fuel composition on one side of the base material layer 121B, the size of one steam generating part 121 was set to 4.9 cm × 6.5 cm (area 31.9 cm ² ) in Example A14, 4.9 cm × 7.5 cm (area 36.8 cm ² ) in Example A15, and 4.9 cm × 8.5 cm (area 41.7 cm ² ) in Comparative Example A2, and the fuel composition was prepared as so that the fuel composition coating has the same thickness (1.4 g per 4.9 cm x 4.9 cm area) as in Example A1. In addition, when preparing the steam generator, the dimensions of the first sheet and the second sheet were set to 6.3 cm × 8.4 (area 52.9 cm ² ) in Example A14, 6.3 cm × 9.6 cm (area 60, 5 cm ² ) in Example A15, and 6.4 cm × 10.6 cm (area 67.8 cm ² ) in Comparative Example A2, the steam generating portion 121 was placed between the respective sheets, and the peripheral portions of the edge were hermetically sealed in order to to obtain the steam generators 120. The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that the proportion of the area of the steam generator 120 relative to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side was set to the values shown in Table 3.

[0118]

(Examples A16 and A17)

The steam generator 120 was prepared in accordance with Example A1, except that only one layer of the steam generating part 121 used in Example A1 was used as the steam generating part, and the first sheet having the air permeability shown in Table 3 was used. In Example A16 the steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in example A1 except for this. In example A17, a steam heated mask 100 was prepared by laminating one sheet of ADVANTEC (Registered Trademark) No. 2 quality filter paper, cut into a 63 mm square, so that it was in contact with a second steam generator sheet in addition to the steam generator prepared during the preparation of the mask with steam heating.

[0119]

(Examples A18 and A19)

A powdered fuel composition having the composition shown in Table 2 was prepared for the steam generating part by the following procedure.

Iron powder, water, salt, water-absorbing polymer and activated carbon were homogeneously mixed in a nitrogen flow, and thus a powdered steam generating part was prepared. In preparing the steam generator 120, the steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that 2.8 g of the powdered steam generating portion was respectively used in place of the sheet steam generating portions 121 in Example A1 for Example A18, and in example A8 for example A19.

[0120]

[Table 2]

Components mass parts iron powder Iron powder RKH: manufactured by DOWA Electronics Materials Co., Ltd. one hundred Activated carbon Carboraffin: manufactured by Japan EnviroChemicals Co., Ltd. 34.1 Water absorbent polymer Aquapearl A3: manufactured by San-DiaPolymers Co., Ltd. 23.7 Salt - 5.05 Water Demineralized water 152.7 Total 315.55

[0121]

(Comparative examples A3 and A4)

The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that a calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having a basis weight of 50 g/m ² of the TSF-EU brand manufactured by Koshin Co., Ltd. , and a film having an air permeability of 8000 s/100 ml were used for Comparative Example A3, and an air permeability of 10000 s/100 ml was used for Comparative Example A4 as the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120.

[0122]

The oxygen blocking bag (packaging material) was opened, the prepared steam generator 120 was taken out, quickly installed on the mask 110, and the following evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0123]

[Measuring the hardness value of the steam generator]

Using the ORIENTEC RTC-1150A Tensilon Universal Testing Machine, the flexural stiffness value of the mask was measured. The bending stiffness value was measured in a state in which the fold line of the mask body was cut and one steam generator cell was inserted into the mask housing using one side of the mask. The measurement conditions were as follows: the steam generator was fixed with a clamp spacing of 30 mm, and a load was applied to the center of the test piece (steam generator) at a speed of 20 mm/min by means of a plate pressure member having a width of 60 mm and a tip radius of 5 mm. The peak load at this time (mean of 3 measurements) was taken as the stiffness value.

[0124]

[Measuring the amount of steam generated (Steam Generator)]

A test machine capable of supplying dry air at a rate of 2.1 l/min to a closed system with an internal volume of 4.2 l and an internal relative humidity of 1% was prepared, and a steam generator 120 of a predetermined size generated heat so that the steam could enter into this test cars. The humidity of the air discharged to the outside from the closed system was measured with a hygrometer, and the amount of steam generated after the start of heat generation was determined using the following formula (1) to obtain the amount of steam per unit time. Here, e is the vapor pressure (Pa), es is the saturation vapor pressure (Pa: taken from JIS Z8806), T is the temperature (°C: dry bulb temperature), s is the sampling period (s).

[0125]

Relative humidity U (%)=(e/es) ×100

Absolute humidity D (g/m ³ )=(0.794×10 ^-2 ×e)/(1+0.00366T)=(0.794×10 ^-2 ×U×es)/[100×(1+0.00366T) ]

Unit air volume P (l)=(2.1 × s)/60

The amount of steam generated per unit time A (g)=(P × D)/1,000... (1)

[0126]

[Steam heating element inflation]

30 minutes after putting on the mask, a head model prepared using data from a male human head (based on the average of data from 52 Japanese adult males) manufactured by Digital Human Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "dummy"), in an environment of 20°C and 60% relative humidity, the steam generator was removed from the mask body, the gas inside the steam generator (inside the space covered by the skin side sheet and the outer sheet) was aspirated with a syringe, and its volume was measured.

Two measurements were taken and their arithmetic mean was used as the measured value.

[0127]

[Measuring the amount of steam generated (steam heated mask)]

The amount of steam generated was measured by the above-described method to measure the amount of steam produced by the steam generator.

[0128]

[Measurement of air penetration resistance of mask body part 101]

The air penetration resistance of the mask body part 101 was measured using an MTS-2 mask tester manufactured by Shibata Science. A sheet cut in the form of a square of 3.5 to 5 cm in size from the sheet material of the mask body part 101 was placed on the top of the body of the MTS-2 mask tester (manufactured by Shibata Science) and fixed with a sheet fixing jig so that prevent air leakage. The measurement was performed on a test area of 7 cm ² (diameter 3 cm) with a flow rate of 10 l/min for 10 s. The air penetration resistance was 148 Pa when the value was determined from the pressure difference between the air inlet side (inlet side) and the air outlet side (outlet side) of the sheet.

[0129]

[Measurement of absolute humidity in the mask]

In an environment with a temperature of 20°C and a relative humidity of 60%, a temperature and humidity sensor (SHT 75 manufactured by Sensirion Co., Ltd.) was attached to the bottom of the manikin's nose, and air was inhaled 500 ml at a time at a rate of 15 times per minute through the nose of the headform using a ventilator (HARVARD APPARATUS DUAL PHASE CONTROL RESPIRATOR manufactured by HARVARD APPARATUS Co., Ltd.), simulating the human respiratory rhythm. In this state, the steam-heated mask 100 was attached to the dummy, and the change in temperature and humidity was measured. The absolute humidity was calculated from the temperature and the relative humidity, and the maximum absolute humidity and the average absolute humidity over 10 minutes were obtained.

[0130]

[Assessment of the feeling when wearing the mask (feelings of warmth, endurance, feeling of steam (feeling of moisture) and feeling of stuffiness)]

In an environment with a temperature of 22°C, the sensations of wearing a mask were evaluated by a group of five men. The feeling of warmth, endurance, feeling of steam (feeling wet), and feeling of stuffiness in the mask-wearing state were evaluated according to the following criteria, and the most frequently encountered score was selected as the score.

[0131]

Feeling warm

1: It is difficult to feel the difference in warmth compared to the mask body alone

2: Warm compared to the mask body alone

3: Sufficient and adequate warm feeling compared to mask body alone

4: Quite warm and slightly hot compared to the mask body alone

5: Quite warm and hot compared to the mask body alone

[0132]

Endurance

1: Less than 5 minutes of comfortable feeling of warmth and steam

2: Equal to or greater than 5 and less than 10 minutes of comfortable feeling of warmth and steam

3: Equal to or more than 10 minutes of comfortable feeling of warmth and steam

[0133]

Feeling of steam (feeling of wetness)

1: It is difficult to feel the difference in the moisture content of the mucous membrane of the throat and nose compared to the mask body alone

2: Slight feeling of moisture in the mucous membrane of the throat and nose compared to the mask body alone

3: The feeling of moisture in the mucous membrane of the throat and nose compared to the mask body alone

4: Excellent feeling of moisture in the mucous membrane of the throat and nose compared to the mask body alone

5: Extremely superior wet feeling of the mucous membrane of the throat and nose compared to the mask body alone

[0134]

Feeling stuffy

1: Very stuffy compared to the mask body alone

2: Stuffy compared to the mask body alone

3: Slight stuffy feeling compared to mask body alone

4: Slightly stuffy compared to the mask body alone

5: Stuffiness is not felt, equivalent to one mask body

[0135]

[0136]

[Example B]

(Example B1)

A steam heated mask 100 having the same shape as in Example A above was prepared. More specifically, it was prepared as follows.

<Preparing the steam generating part 121>

Using the fuel composition having the composition shown in Table 1, the steam generating portion 121 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1.

[0137]

<Steam generator preparation 120>

The whole obtained steam generating part 121 was covered with the bag body 122, including the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B having the air permeability degrees shown in Table 4 in order to prepare the steam generator 120. Specifically, as the first sheet 122A (the same hereinafter) of the steam generator 120, two sheets of TMS non-woven fabric (laminated integrated type thermobonded PET/PE - melt blown polypropylene - polypropylene spunbond with a basis weight of 50 g/m ² manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) were laminated in order to obtain a sheet having a degree of air permeability of 0 s/100 ml. As the second sheet 122B (same hereafter) of the steam generator 120, a calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having an air permeability of 7000 s/100 ml and a basis weight of 50 g/m ² (trade name: TSF-EU, manufactured by Kohjin Co.) was used. ., Ltd.). The steam generating portion 121 was positioned between the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B so as to seal the periphery of the edge to obtain the steam generator 120. At this time, the base material layer 121B of the steam generating portion 121 was located on the side of the second sheet 122B. At this time, the breathable surface area (first sheet 122A) was set to 6.3 cm×6.3 cm (area 39.7 cm ² ) (the area ratio of the steam generating portion 121 relative to the breathable surface area was 60.5%).

The steam generator 120 was stored in the oxygen blocking bag until the evaluation, which will be described later.

[0138]

<Preparation of mask 100 with steam heating>

The steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1.

[0139]

(Examples B2 and B3)

As the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120, a synthetic pulp paper having an air permeability of 4.0 s/100 ml and a basis weight of 40 g/m ² (trade name: Eleven MOA, manufactured by Tokai Pulp Co., Ltd.) was used, and one sheet of synthetic cellulose paper was stacked in Example B2 and two sheets were stacked in Example B3. The steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except for this.

[0140]

(Example B4)

As the first sheet 122A of the steam generator 120, a calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having an air permeability of 250 s/100 ml and a basis weight of 50 g/m ² (trade name: TSF-EU, manufactured by Kohjin Co., Ltd.) was used. The steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except for this.

[0141]

(Examples B5 - B9)

The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except that a calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having an air permeability shown in Table 4 and a basis weight of 50 g/m ² (trade name: TSF-EU, manufactured by Kohjin Co., Ltd.) was used as the second sheet 122B of the steam generator 120.

[0142]

(Examples B10, B11 and Comparative Example B1)

The steam generating portion 121 (size 4.9 cm×4.9 cm; area 24.0 cm ² ) of Example B1 was cut to a size 3.3 cm×3.3 cm (area 10.9 cm ² ) and used as a steam generating parts. In addition, when preparing the steam generator, the dimensions of the first sheet and the second sheet were set to 4.8 cm × 4.8 cm (area 23.0 cm ² ) in Example B10, 5.5 cm × 5.5 cm (area 30 3 cm ² ) in Example B11 and 3.9 cm × 3.9 cm (area 15.2 cm ² ) in Comparative Example B1, the steam generating portion 121 was located between the respective sheets, and the peripheral portions of the edge were hermetically sealed to to obtain the steam generators 120. The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except that the proportion of the area of the steam generator 120 relative to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side was set to the values shown in Table 4.

[0143]

(Examples B12, B13 and Comparative Example B2)

When preparing the steam generating part 121 at the time of stamping coating of the fuel composition on one side of the base material layer 121B, the size of one steam generating part 121 was set to 4.9 cm × 6.5 cm (area 31.9 cm ² ) in Example B12, 4.9 cm × 7.5 cm (area 36.8 cm ² ) in Example B13, and 4.9 cm × 8.5 cm (area 41.7 cm ² ) in Comparative Example B2, and the fuel composition was prepared as so that the fuel composition coating has the same thickness (1.4 g per 4.9 cm x 4.9 cm area) as in Example B1. In addition, when preparing the steam generator, the dimensions of the first sheet and the second sheet were set to 6.3 cm × 8.4 (area 52.9 cm ² ) in Example B12, 6.3 cm × 9.6 cm (area 60, 5 cm ² ) in Example B13, and 6.4 cm × 10.6 cm (area 67.8 cm ² ) in Comparative Example B2, the steam generating portion 121 was located between the respective sheets, and the peripheral portions of the edge were hermetically sealed in order to to obtain the steam generators 120. The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except that the proportion of the area of the steam generator 120 relative to the total surface area of the mask body portion 101 on the wearer's side was set to the values shown in Table 4.

[0144]

(Examples B14 and B15)

The steam generator 120 was prepared in accordance with Example B1, except that only one layer of the steam generating part 121 used in Example B1 was used as the steam generating part, and the first sheet having the degree of air permeability shown in Table 4 was used. In Example B14 the steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except for this. In example B15, a steam heated mask 100 was prepared by laminating one sheet of quality ADVANTEC (registered trademark) No. 2 filter paper cut into a 63 mm square so that it was in contact with a second steam generator sheet in addition to the steam generator prepared during the preparation of the mask with steam heating.

[0145]

(Example B16)

A powdered fuel composition having the composition shown in Table 2 was prepared for the steam generating part by the following procedure. Iron powder, water, salt, water-absorbing polymer and activated carbon were homogeneously mixed in a nitrogen flow, and thus a powdered steam generating part was prepared. In the preparation of the steam generator 120, the steam heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except that 2.8 g of the powdered steam generation portion was used instead of the sheet steam generation portion 121 in Example B1.

[0146]

(Comparative examples B3 and B4)

The steam-heated mask 100 was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1, except that the calcium carbonate-containing polyethylene film having the air permeability shown in Table 4 and the basis weight of 50 g/m ² , grade TSF- EU manufactured by Kohjin Co., Ltd. was used as the first sheet 122A and the second sheet 122B of the steam generator 120.

[0147]

The oxygen blocking bag (packaging material) was opened, the prepared steam generator 120 was taken out, quickly installed on the mask 110, and the same assessment was made as in example A. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0148]

Claims (20)

1. A steam heated mask, comprising: a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at left and right ends of the mask body part; And steam generator on the body part of the mask, in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer, in which the stiffness value of the steam generator in the vertical direction is equal to or greater than 30 gf/60 mm width, the steam generator contains the steam generating part, the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner, the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 7000 s/100 ml and the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is more than 8000 s/100 ml. 2. A steam heated mask, comprising: a mask that includes a mask body part covering the wearer's nose and mouth when wearing the mask, a pair of ear hooks provided at left and right ends of the mask body part; And steam generator on the body part of the mask, in which the proportion of the area occupied by the steam generator is equal to or greater than 30% and equal to or less than 80% of the total surface area of the mask body part on the part of the wearer, in which the stiffness value of the steam generator in the vertical direction is equal to or greater than 30 gf/60 mm width, the steam generator contains the steam generating part, the steam generator includes a first sheet on the surface of the steam generating part on the side of the owner, as well as a second sheet on the surface of the steam generating part opposite the surface on the side of the owner, the degree of air permeability of the second sheet is equal to or greater than 250 s/100 ml and equal to or less than 8000 s/100 ml, and the degree of air permeability of the first sheet is equal to or less than 20% of the degree of air permeability of the second sheet. 3. Mask with steam heating according to item 1 or 2, wherein the maximum value of absolute humidity in the mask during use of the steam heated mask is equal to or greater than 12 g/m ³ and equal to or less than 50 g/m ³ .

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