WO2018094009A1

WO2018094009A1 - Mask respirator with filter cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2018094009A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/061960
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuoka; Mari Nonogi; Yasuyuki Daigo
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2016-11-18
Filing date: 2017-11-16
Publication date: 2018-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-18
Also published as: JP2018079207A

Abstract

There is provided an object to make it easier to manufacture a mask capable of ensuring a good field of vision for wearers. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed mask is provided with a body in which an inner space for housing a folded filter has been formed, a cover that can open and close the inner space, and an alignment member arranged in the inner space to support the folded filter.

Description

MASK RESPIRATOR WITH FILTER CARTRIDGE

Technical Field

One aspect of the present invention relates to a mask.

Background

There are conventional masks that can be used continuously while filters therefor are changed. For example, a dust mask that allows the replacement of a filtering material made of an electrostatic filter is disclosed in JP 2896313(B2) (Hitoshi) described below. This dust mask is provided with a filtering unit with a substantially octagonal planar shape. The filtering unit is configured from an inner lid positioned on a surface body side, an outer lid positioned on an opposite side therefrom, and a detachable filter material a periphery of which is sandwiched by the lids.

Furthermore, a dust mask that reduces a width of a cup shaped filtering unit is disclosed in registered Japanese design number JP 1130564 S (Koken) described below.

Summary

Because a filtering unit that spreads out left and right blocks a field of vision below when the dust mask disclosed in JP 2896313(B2) is worn, the mask has the potential for making the work of a wearer more difficult. While the dust mask disclosed in JP 1130564 S improves on this point, because the cup shaped filtering unit is cup shaped, this unit must be manufactured using a mold with a complex shape, which has the potential to increase production costs.

Therefore, it is preferable that a mask capable of ensuring a good field of vision be more easily manufactured.

The mask according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided with a body in which an inner space for housing a folded filter has been formed, a cover that is able to open and close the inner space, and an alignment member arranged in the inner space to hold the folded filter.

In such an aspect, a filtering unit can be obtained by producing the body, cover, and alignment member using simple molds, and then assembling these parts. Therefore, there is no need to give a filtering unit for housing a filter a complex shape, like that of a cup, and thus a mask can be made more easily. Additionally, the size of the filtering unit itself can be reduced by housing a filter in a folded state. For the reasons described above, a mask capable of ensuring a good field of vision can be manufactured more easily. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a mask capable of ensuring a good field of vision can be manufactured more easily.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mask according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an interior of the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an interior of the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an interior of the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a use method for the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a use method for the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating an air flow inside the mask according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a mask according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating a latch of the mask according to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating the latch of the mask according to the

embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view (a view as seen from a filter side) of the mask according to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating a slot of the mask according to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a sealing member of the mask according to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an interior of a mask according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an interior of a mask according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating an interior of a mask according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an interior of a mask according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Detailed descriptions of various embodiments of the present disclosure will be given below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that, in the descriptions of the drawings, the same reference symbols have been assigned to elements that are the same or equivalent, and redundant descriptions have been omitted.

A structure of a mask 1 according to the some embodiments of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mask, while FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the mask. FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 are views illustrating an interior of the mask 1 from various directions.

A "mask" is an article or a device provided with a part that covers at least part (in particular a person's nose or mouth) of a wearer's face. The mask 1 has a function for removing at least a portion of a specific substance in air a wearer is trying to inhale. In the specification of the present invention, removing a specific air borne substance is also referred to as "filtering."

The substance removed by the mask 1 depends on the filter attached to the mask 1. For example, the mask 1 may have a function for removing minute airborne particles (minute solids or foreign matter). Examples of minute particles include dust, dirt, and pollen, although the mask may also remove any other minute particles. Or, the mask may have a function for removing a specific airborne gas (for example, a toxic or odorous gas).

The mask 1 is a replaceable filter type, so a wearer can continue to use the mask 1 while replacing filters to actually filter air. The mask 1 is provided with a filtering unit 10 for housing a filter, and a face seal 20 for sealing a space between a wearer's face and the filtering unit 10. When the wearer breathes in, air is filtered by the filtering unit 10, passes through the face seal 20 interior, and reaches the wearer's nose or mouth. The wearer's exhaled breath passes through the face seal 20 interior and is discharged outside the mask 1 from an exhaust hole formed in the filtering unit 10.

In the present embodiment, the side where the filtering unit 10 is positioned is referred to as the "front" of the mask 1, and the side where the face seal 20 is positioned is referred to as the "back" of the mask 1. Furthermore, the side of the mask 1 nearest the top of the head of the wearer while being worn is referred to as the "top" of the mask 1 while the side nearest the lower body of the wearer at that time is referred to as the "bottom" of the mask 1. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the front and back direction of the mask 1 is referred to as the width direction of the mask 1.

The face seal 20 is, for example, substantially cylindrical and is large enough to cover a wearer's nose and mouth. The specific values for regulating the shape and size of the face seal 20 are not limited in any way. The face seal 20 may be flexible, in which case, the adhesion of the mask 1 with respect to a wearer's face can be improved. To realize a flexible face seal 20, the face seal 20 may be manufactured using an elastic member made of silicone rubber, or the like. Naturally, the face seal 20 may be manufactured using other materials.

The filtering unit 10 has a three dimensional structure in the shape of a box with a multifaceted, polygonal shape (this does not rule out that the box may be configured to include a curved surface). In the some embodiments, the filtering unit 10 is designed so that an outer edge thereof runs substantially along the face seal 20 (see FIG. 2), and so that a thickness (a length running along a front and back direction) is as thin as possible. One reason that the shape and size of the filtering unit 10 are designed in this way is so as to block a wearer's field of vision as little as possible. However, the size and shape of the filtering unit 10 are not limited to those shown specifically in the presently disclosed embodiments. For example, a wearer's field of vision is not particularly blocked even when the outer edge of the filtering unit 10 sticks out, below the filtering unit, significantly from the outer edge of the face seal 20. However, it is also necessary to consider avoiding inconveniences, such as the outer edge of the filtering unit hitting the wearer's chest when the wearer is engaged in work that involves looking down (a nodding behavior). The three dimensional structure of the filtering unit 10 is not limited either, and thus, for example, may be hemispherical, conical, or frustum shaped.

The filtering unit 10 is generally rigid in order to ensure a flow of air and to reliably hold a filter. For example, the filtering unit 10 may be made using a synthetic resin (for example, a poly olefin), such as plastic, or the like. The filtering unit 10 may naturally be manufactured using other materials.

The filtering unit 10 is provided with; a body 110 in which an inner space 11 for housing a filter has been formed; a cover 120 that is able to open and close the inner space 11; and an alignment member 130 arranged in the inner space 11 to hold the filter. In fact, the filter is housed in the body 110 in a folded state, and the alignment member 130 holds the folded filter. "Able to open and close" means the ability to change between states where the inner space is and is not covered by the cover 120, respectively. "Clos[ed]" does not necessarily mean that the inner space is sealed, but rather that the inner space is in a "closed" state whenever covered by the cover 120, even when there are intake holes and venting holes, "to hold the folded filter," means to sustain the posture of the folded filter.

The body 110 forms the back side of the filtering unit 10, while the cover 120 forms the front side of the filtering unit 10. In the some embodiments, the side where the inner space 11 is present is referred to as the "inside" of the filtering unit 10 (the body 110 or the cover 120), and the side that defines the outer edge of the filtering unit 10 (the body 1 10 or the cover 120) is referred to as the "outside" of the filtering unit 10 (the body 110 or the cover 120).

The cover 120 is linked to the body 110 so as to be moveable with respect to the body

110. The alignment member 130 is also linked to the body 110 so as to be moveable with respect to the body 110. Here, the term "linked" means to be in a state joined together such that two constituent elements become one continuous element. Furthermore, "the cover (or the alignment member)...be[ing] moveable with respect to the body" means that the cover (or alignment member) can move either in a direction drawing closer to or drawing farther away from body.

In the some embodiments, the cover 120 is rotatably linked to an upper edge (first edge part) of the body 110 by a first hinge 141. The alignment member 130 is rotatably linked to a lower edge (second edge part) of the body 110 by a second hinge 142. That is, the edge part on the side opposite the first edge part is set as the second edge part, and the cover 120 and the alignment member 130 are linked to the body 110 so that the cover 120 and the alignment member 130 face one another with the body 110 sandwiched therebetween. Structuring the filtering unit 10 in this way, enables a user to set the filtering unit 10 as if folding a piece of paper in thirds by rotating the alignment member 130 and the cover 120 toward the body 110. "Rotatable" is one example of being "moveable." In the present embodiment, both the first hinge 141 and the second hinge 142 are configured of a shaft and a bearing, however, the specific hinge structures are not limited to this. For example, integral hinges may be used. An integral hinge is a hinge configured from thin parts formed integrally between two members. The flexibility of the thin parts allows the rotation of one member toward another member or the rotation of the one member away from the other member.

The body 110 is connected to the face seal 20. An outer form of the body 110 is roughly formed by a main surface 111, equivalent to a back surface of the filtering unit 10, and a side surface 112 formed along a peripheral edge of the main surface 111. An intake hole 113 for passing filtered air to a wearer is provided in an upper part of the main surface 111. A cup shaped venting pathway 114, which opens downward, is provided below the intake hole 113 on an outside of the main surface 111 (see FIG. 5). A venting hole 114a for guiding a wearer's exhaled breath to the venting pathway 114 is provided in an upper part of the venting pathway

114 (see FIG. 4). A plurality of plate like projections 115 are provided like dots on an inside of the main surface 111. A small protrusion 116 for hooking a filter is provided in the vicinity of a lower edge on the inside of the main surface 111. A step 117 for holding the alignment member 130 is formed on an inside of the side surface 112. The filter is held by the plate like projections

115 and the step 117 to secure a flow path (a second flow path 162 described later in reference to FIG. 8) for filtered air. An engaging groove 118a and a protrusion 118b for securing a cover 120, to be described later, are provided on an outside of the side surface 112. A slot 119 for attaching a strap for securing the mask 1 to a wearer's head is also provided on the outside of the side surface 112.

A sealing member 150 is attached in the vicinity of the upper edge of the body 110 along a peripheral edge of the body 110 (see FIG. 3). The sealing member 150 more reliably prevents air from flowing into the filtering unit 10 from the outside by making contact with both an inner surface of the body 110 and an inner surface of the cover 120 when the inner space 11 is closed off by the cover 120. The sealing member 150 may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber and the like, or may be made of another material. The sealing member 150 is not an essential constituent element, and thus may be omitted.

An intake valve 151 for ensuring a flow of air from the filtering unit 10 to the face seal 20, and for at the same time preventing a flow of a wearer's exhaled breath to the filtering unit 10, is attached to the intake hole 113. The intake valve 151 is attached to the outside of the main surface 111. A venting valve 152 for causing exhaled breath to pass through to the venting pathway 114, and for at the same time preventing outside air from flowing into the face seal 20 is attached to the venting hole 114a. The venting valve 152 is attached to an inner wall of the venting pathway 114. The intake valve 151 and the venting valve 152 may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or the like, or may be made of another material.

The entire body 110, including the venting pathway 114, is produced by injection molding. The intake hole 113 and the venting hole 114a are both formed by drilling holes in the body 110, and are not provided as separate parts. Forming the intake hole 113 and the venting hole 114a in the body 110 itself, reduces the labor required to assemble the body 110, and, in turn, makes the mask 1 even easier to produce.

An outer form of the cover 120 is roughly formed by a main surface 121, equivalent to the front surface of the filtering unit 10, and a side surface 122 formed along a peripheral edge of the main surface 121. A plurality of plate like projections 123 are provided like dots on an inside of the main surface 121. A step 124 for holding the alignment member 130 is formed on an inside of the side surface 122. Furthermore, an engaging hook 125a and a hole 125b for securing the cover 120 to the body 110 are provided on an inside of the side surface 122. The engaging hook 125a corresponds to the engaging groove 118a of the body 110, and the hole 125b corresponds to the protrusion 118b of the body 110. A small protrusion 126 for hooking a filter is provided in the vicinity of a lower edge on the inside of the main surface 121.

The alignment member 130 has an outer edge that roughly corresponds to the inside shape of the body 110 that defines the inner space 1 1, and is a part that has a latticed appearance. The alignment member 130 has uniform thickness, and an opening 131 is formed in a lower edge of the alignment member 130 (see FIG. 3). If an area surrounded by a frame material forming the alignment member 130 is referred to as an interior of the alignment member 130, the interior is a space connected to the opening 131. This space functions as an upper flow path for guiding unfiltered air entering from the opening 131 to the filter.

Next, an embodiment for a use method of the mask 1 is described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. First, a user prepares the mask 1 and a filter 200 provided for the mask 1. Then, the user opens the cover 120, rotates the alignment member 130, and removes the body 110. This operation puts the mask 1 in the state illustrated in FIG. 3.

Next, the user places the filter 200 from the body 1 10 to the cover 120. This operation puts the mask 1 in the state illustrated in FIG. 6. At this time, the user can hook the filter 200 to the body 110 and the cover 120 using the small protrusions 116 and 126. Because these small protrusions 116 and 126 prevent the filter 200 from shifting, subsequent operations for attaching the filter 200 to the mask 1 are easy. Holes corresponding to the small protrusions 116 and 126 may be drilled in the filter.

Next, the user places the alignment member 130 on top of the filter 200 by rotating the alignment member 130 toward the body 110. This operation puts the mask 1 in the state illustrated in FIG. 7. Finally, the user rotates the cover 120 toward the body 110 until the engaging hook 125a hooks in the engaging groove 118a, and the protrusion 118b fits into the hole 125b. This operation closes the cover 120, and puts the mask 1 in the state illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the user is the same individual as the wearer of the mask. In some embodiments, the user and the wearer of the mask are different individuals.

Through the series of operations described above, the attachment of the filter 200 is completed, and the mask 1 becomes usable. If the mutually linked body 110, cover 120, and alignment member 130 are likened to a single piece of paper, the user sets the filtering unit 10 of the mask 1 as if folding the piece of paper in thirds by rotating the alignment member 130 and the cover 120 toward the body 110.

The filter 200 is housed in the inner space 11 of the mask 1 folded in half. The folded filter 200 is held by the alignment member 130 and the plurality of plate like projections 115 and 123. Here, "the folded filter" means a filter folded so that one part of the filter faces the other part of the filter. Put another way, "the folded filter" means that an angle (the angle formed by two parts present across a crease) formed by the folded filter is an acute angle.

Next, an air flow inside the mask 1 when the mask 1 is worn by a wearer will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, solid arrows are used to illustrate the flow of air inhaled by the wearer, and dotted arrows are used to illustrate the flow of breath exhaled by the wearer.

Air enters the mask 1 from the opening 131 of the alignment member 130, and reaches the filter 200 through an upper flow path (the interior of the alignment member 130). The air is filtered by passing through the filter 200, and reaches the first flow path 161 formed between the filter 200 and the cover 120, or the second flow path 162 formed between the filter 200 and the body 110. In the present embodiment, the part of the filter 200 that passes air to the first flow path 161 is referred to as a first part of the filter, and the part of the filter 200 that passes air to the second flow path 161 is referred to as the second part of the filter. The air that flows to the first flow path 161 (cover 120 side) passes through a flow path (path just beside the sealing member 150) 163 formed between an edge part of the alignment member 130 and the first hinge 141, and reaches the intake hole 113. On the other hand, the air that flows to the second flow path 162 (body 110 side) reaches the intake hole 113 without passing through the flow path 163. Intake air entering the intake hole 113 passes inside the face seal 20 and reaches a nose or mouth of the wearer. Because the venting valve 152 is attached to an inner wall of the venting pathway 114 of the body 110, air inside the venting pathway 114 is blocked by the venting valve 152 even if the wearer exhales, and thus does not enter into the face seal 20.

Exhaled breath of the wearer passes through the interior of the face seal 20 and reaches the venting hole 114a, and is then discharged outside (more specifically, in the direction of a lower half of the wearer's body) the mask 1 from the venting pathway 114. Because the intake valve 151 is attached to the outside (face seal 20 side) of the body 110, exhaled breath is blocked by the intake valve 151, and thus does not enter into the filtering unit 10.

In some embodiments, a structure of a mask 1 A is described with reference to FIG. 9 through FIG. 14. FIG. 9 is a side view of the mask 1 A, and includes an enlarged view of a first hinge and an enlarged view of the first hinge according to the first embodiment for comparison. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are enlarged views illustrating a latch of the mask 1 A. FIG. 12 is a perspective view (a view as seen from a filter side) of the mask 1 A. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating a slot of the mask 1 A. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a sealing member of the mask 1 A. Below, only configurations that are different from the first embodiment will be described, and thus descriptions of configurations that are the same as those in the first embodiment are omitted.

A filtering unit 10A of the mask 1 A is provided with a body 110A, a cover 120A, and the alignment member 130. The cover 120A is rotatably linked to an upper edge (first edge part) of the body 11 OA by a first hinge 141 A. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a shaft of the first hinge 141 A has an extension 143 extending outward in a radial direction. A hook 128 A (a hook like part for engaging with a shaft of the first hinge 141 A) of the cover 120 A sandwiches a rotation shaft of the cover 120 A, and has an asymmetrical shape. As illustrated in FIG. 9, an angle (for example, approximately 90 degrees) of an opening of the hook 128 A formed along a circumferential direction of the shaft of the first hinge 141 A is larger than an angle (for example, approximately 30 degrees) of a hook 128 A of the cover 120 in the first embodiment. A range of movement (range of rotation) for the cover 120A with respect to the body 110A is limited by the shapes of the extension 143 and the hook 128 A. If a wearer applies force in an attempt to rotate the cover 120A beyond said range, the hook 128A deforms elastically in a state where the hook 128A is hitting the extension 143, and furthermore, because the opening of the hook 128A is large, the cover 120A is removed from the body 110A without being damaged. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the extension 143 is provided such that the maximum angle of the cover 120 A (maximum value of an angle formed by a main surface of the body 110A and the cover 120A) is approximately 90 degrees, however, the maximum angle of the cover 120A may be set randomly (so long as it is an angle where the cover 120 A can be removed from the body 110A while hitting the extension 143 while being protected from being damaged), and, based on this, the shape and position of the extension 143 can also be determined at random. By providing the extension in the first hinge, damage to the hook 128 A of the cover 120 A can be prevented when the cover is rotated more than necessary such that the cover is removed from the body.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a latch 170 is provided in the mask 1 A as an added structure to secure the cover 120 A to the body 110A more securely than in the first embodiment. The latch 170 is provided in the vicinity of a lower edge of the body 110A, and is a substantially T shaped mechanical element. The latch 170 is provided with a holding part 171 extending out from a side surface of the body 110A, an operating part 172 extending upward along the side surface from a front edge of the holding part 171, and a knob 173 extending downward along the side surface from the front edge of the holding part 171. A tab 172a is formed on an inside of the front edge of the operating part 172. An engaging hole 127, corresponding to the tab 172a is formed on an inside of the cover 120 A.

When the cover 120A is closed, the tab 172a fits in the engaging hole 127, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Implementation of the latch 170 allows the cover 120A to be closed more securely. To open the cover 120A, an operator disengages the tab 172a from the engaging hole 127 by pressing the knob 173 toward the body 110A (direction illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 11), and then rotates the cover 120A with the first hinge 141 A as an axis.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the mask 1A is provided with a liquid receiver 180 to prevent moisture contained in the exhaled breath of a wearer from dripping down. The purpose of the liquid receiver 180 is to prevent moisture from dripping down onto an article being worked on (an article to be painted or polished) in the wearer's hands. The liquid receiver 180 is provided with a cradle 181 for blocking a lower edge of the venting pathway 114. A mat 182 for absorbing moisture is provided on an upper surface of the cradle 181. A stop 181a for keeping the placed mat 182 from coming off the cradle 181 is provided on a back edge part of the cradle 181. The stop is not limited to a protruding shape, and thus may be a structure that sandwiches the mat 182 to prevent the mat from coming off. While the liquid receiver 180 is detachably attached to a slot 119A (see FIG. 13) of the body 11 OA in the present embodiment, the liquid receiver 180 may be detachably attached to another location on the body 110A, or may be formed integrally with the body 110A.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the mask 1 A is provided with the slot 119A, which is a modification of the slot 119. The slot 119A has a substantially C shape the inside of which is open. This use of such a C shaped slot 119A, makes it easy to fit a buckle 190 for attaching a tip of a strap into the slot 119A along the direction illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 13. That is, a strap can easily be attached to the mask 1 A through the use of the slot 119 A. Note that the strap has been omitted in FIG. 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the mask 1A is provided with a sealing member 150A, which is a modification of the sealing member 150. The sealing member 150A is longer than the sealing member 150, and both ends thereof are formed in step shapes that match the shape of the body 11 OA on the side that comes in contact with the body 110A. Sides opposite those that come into contact with the body 11 OA on both ends of the member are formed into curved surfaces so as to conform to a folded part of a folded filter. Using the sealing member 150, which covers a larger extent of the peripheral edge of the body 110A and follows the shape of said peripheral edge and a folded part of a filter, more reliably prevents air outside the filtering unit 10A from flowing into the unit. The sealing member 150A is not an essential constituent element, and thus may be omitted.

A modified exemplary embodiment of the linking of a cover and an alignment member to a body is described with reference to FIG. 15 through FIG. 18. Descriptions of any

configurations that are the same as in the initially disclosed embodiments with respect to FIGS. 1 through 14 described above are omitted from the description of the embodiments disclosed in this modified exemplary embodiment. The modified exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 through FIG. 18 can also be applied to the embodiments disclosed with respect to FIGS. 6 to 14.

FIG. 15 illustrates a mask IB according to the modified exemplary embodiment. The mask IB differs from the mask 1 in that only a cover is linked to a body so as to be moveable, and thus that an alignment member is not so linked. A filtering unit 10B of the mask IB is provided with a body HOB, the cover 120, and an alignment member 130B. The cover 120 is rotatably linked to an upper edge (first edge part) of the body 110B by the first hinge 141, which point is the same as in the mask 1. Meanwhile, the alignment member 130B is not linked to the body HOB, and is thus separated from the body HOB and the cover 120. The mask IB is not provided with the second hinge 142. The alignment member 130B and a filter housed in the filtering unit 10B are securely sandwiched by the body HOB and the cover 120 when the cover 120 is closed, and thus do not fall when the mask IB is used.

FIG. 16 illustrates a mask 1C according to another modified example. The mask 1C differs from the mask 1 in that only an alignment member is linked to a body so as to be moveable, and thus that a cover is not so linked. A filtering unit IOC of the mask 1C is provided with a body 1 IOC, a cover 120C, and the alignment member 130. The alignment member 130 is rotatably linked to a lower edge (second edge part) of the body 1 IOC by the second hinge 142, which point is the same as in the mask 1. On the other hand, the cover 120C is not linked to the body 1 IOC, and is thus separated from the body 1 IOC and the alignment member 130. The mask 1C is not provided with the first hinge 141. Because the engaging hook 125a hooks in the engaging groove 118a and the protrusion 118b fits into the hole 125b, the cover 120C is secured to the body HOC.

FIG. 17 illustrates a mask ID according to yet another modified example. The mask ID differs from the mask 1 in that both a cover and an alignment member are linked to one edge on the same side of a body. A filtering unit 10D of the mask ID is provided with a body HOD, a cover 120D, and the alignment member 130. Both the cover 120D and the alignment member 130 are rotatably linked to a lower edge (second edge part) of the body 110D by the second hinge 142. The mask ID is not provided with the first hinge 141. When using the mask ID, the user first opens the cover 120D and rotates the alignment member 130 in a direction away from the body HOD. Then, the wearer places a filter on the body HOD, and places the alignment member 130 on the filter by rotating the member toward the body HOD. Then, the wearer folds the filter in the vicinity of an upper edge of the alignment member 130 to thus sandwich the alignment member 130 using the filter, and finally closes the cover 120D. This series of operations readies the mask ID for use.

FIG. 18 illustrates a mask IE according to yet another modified example. As illustrated in the figure, neither a cover nor an alignment member need be linked to a body. A filtering unit 10E of the mask IE is provided with a body 110E, a cover 120E, and an alignment member 130E. The mask IE is provided with neither the first hinge 141 nor the second hinge 142.

Because the engaging hook 125a hooks in the engaging groove 118a and the protrusion 118b fits into the hole 125b, the cover 120E is secured to the body 1 10E. The alignment member 130E and a filter housed in the filtering unit 10E are securely sandwiched by the body 110E and the cover 120E when the cover 120E is closed, and thus do not fall when the mask IE is used.

As described above, the presently disclosed mask is provided with a body in which an inner space for housing a folded filter has been formed, a cover that can open and close the inner space, and an alignment member arranged in the inner space to support the folded filter.

In some embodiments, a filtering unit can be obtained by producing the body, cover, and alignment member using simple molds, and then assembling these parts. Therefore, there is no need to give a filtering unit for housing a filter a complex shape, like that of a cup, and thus a mask can be made more easily. Additionally, the size of the filtering unit itself can be reduced by housing a filter in a folded state. For the reasons described above, a mask capable of ensuring a good field of vision can be manufactured more easily.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of either a cover or an alignment member may be linked to a body so as to be moveable with respect to said body. Because both the cover and the alignment member are constituent elements that make contact with a filter, it is easy to position said filter with respect to the mask by linking at least one of these members to the body.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, both a cover and an alignment member may be linked to a body so as to be moveable with respect to said body. Because both the cover and the alignment member are constituent elements that make contact with a filter, it is easy to position said filter with respect to the mask without any concern that these two members will fall.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a cover may be linked to a body using a first hinge, and an alignment member may be linked to said body using a second hinge. The use of hinges with simple mechanisms allows the cover and the alignment member to be rotatably linked to the body. The cover and the alignment member being rotatable with respect to the body, improves the operability of the mask and helps keep the mask

(especially the filtering unit) from becoming too big.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover may be linked to the body using a first hinge, and the alignment member may be linked to the body using a second hinge. The use of a hinge with a simple mechanism allows the cover to be rotatably linked to the body. The cover being rotatable with respect to the body improves the operability of the mask and helps keep the mask (especially the filtering unit) from becoming too big.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a shaft of a first hinge is provided with an extension extending outward in a radial direction, while a hook of a cover that engages with the shaft sandwiches the shaft, and may have an asymmetrical shape. By forming the shaft of the hinge and the hook of the cover in this way, the cover can be removed from the body without damage to the cover (especially the hook), even if an operator rotates the cover too much.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an intake hole for passing air that has passed through a folded filter to a wearer, and a venting hole for exhausting exhaled breath of the wearer may be formed in a body. By forming the intake hole and the venting hole in the body itself directly, a filtering unit can be produced more easily.

With a mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an alignment member has an upper flow path for guiding unfiltered air to a filter, and an inner space may have; a first flow path for guiding air that has passed through a first part of a folded filter to an intake hole by causing said air to pass through an edge part vicinity of the alignment member; and a second flow path for guiding air that has passed through a second part of the folded filter to the intake hole without causing said air to pass through the edge part vicinity of the alignment member. By forming such flow paths, a filter can be effectively used to provide an amount of air sufficient to support breathing to a wearer while keeping a filtering unit itself from becoming too big. A mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, may also be provided with a sealing member that comes into contact with both a body interior and a cover interior when an inner space is closed using a cover. Because the body interior and the cover interior are both blocked by this sealing member, outside air can more reliably be prevented from entering the inner space directly without passing through a filter.

A mask according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, is provided with; a body in which an inner space for housing a folded filter has been formed; a cover that can open and close the inner space rotatably linked to a first edge part of the body; and an alignment member, arranged in the inner space to support the folded filter, rotatably linked to a second edge part of the body.

In such embodiments, a filtering unit can be obtained by producing the body, cover, and alignment member using simple molds, and then assembling these parts. Therefore, there is no need to give a filtering unit for housing a filter a complex shape, like that of a cup, and thus a mask can be made more easily. Additionally, the size of the filtering unit itself can be reduced by housing a filter in a folded state. For the reasons described above, a mask capable of ensuring a good field of vision can be manufactured more easily. Furthermore, using a hinge that is a simple mechanism to link the cover and the alignment member rotatably to the body improves the operability of the mask and helps keep the mask (especially the filtering unit) from becoming too big. Moreover, there is no need for the filter to be secured and prepared in a folded state (i.e., there is no need to fold and then secure the filter at a factory using an adhesive, tape, or a stapler), and thus all that need be done is for an operator to fold the filter along the alignment member when attaching the filter between the body and the cover. Accordingly, the production cost and price of the filter can be reduced.

While in some of the examples described above a cover or an alignment member was linked to an upper edge or lower edge of a body, said cover or alignment member may be linked to a left edge or right edge of said body.

While a hinge was used in several of the examples described above, the cover or alignment member may be rotatably linked to the body using a mechanism other than a hinge. For example, the body and the cover or the alignment member may be linked using a flexible sheet (for example, a sheet made of rubber). This example can be said to be a structure that resembles an integral hinge.

While at least one of either the cover or the alignment member was rotatably linked to the body in several of the examples described above, at least one of either the cover or the alignment may be made moveable with respect to the body by a method other than rotation. For example, at least one of either the cover or alignment member may be linked to the body so as to be slidable with respect to the body.

While an intake hole and a venting hole were formed directly in the body in the examples described above, intake holes and venting holes may be produced using parts that are separate from the body, and thus flow paths may be produced by attaching said intake holes and venting holes to the body.

While embodiments that attached a filter to a mask after folding the filter in thirds were illustrated in the examples described above, the method for the folding filter when attaching the filter to the mask is not limited in any way. Therefore, flow paths for air within the mask are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 8.

Detailed descriptions of embodiments, and several modified exemplary embodiments thereof, according to the present disclosure have been provided above. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to these embodiments. For example, the features from some of the aforementioned embodiments can be combined with other features disclosed in other embodiments described herein. To the degree that the gist thereof is not departed from by doing so, the present disclosure may be modified in a variety of ways.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A mask, comprising:

a body in which an inner space for housing a folded filter has been formed;

a cover that can open and close the inner space; and

an alignment member arranged in the inner space to support the folded filter.

2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one of either the cover or the alignment member is linked to the body so as to be moveable with respect to the body.

3. The mask according to claim 2, wherein both the cover and the alignment member are linked to the body so as to be moveable with respect to the body.

4. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the cover is linked to the body using a first hinge, and the alignment member is linked to the body using a second hinge.

5. The mask according to claim 2, wherein the cover is linked to the body using the first hinge.

6. The mask according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a shaft of the first hinge is provided with an extension extending outward in a radial direction, while a hook of the cover that engages with the shaft sandwiches the shaft, and has an asymmetrical shape.

7. The mask according to any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein an intake hole for passing air that has passed through the folded filter to a wearer, and a venting hole for exhausting exhaled breath of the wearer are formed in the body.

8. The mask according to claim 7, wherein the alignment member has an upper flow path for guiding unfiltered air to the filter, and the inner space has: a first flow path for guiding the air that has passed through a first part of the folded filter to the intake hole by causing the air to pass through an edge part vicinity of the alignment member; and a second flow path for guiding the air that has passed through a second part of the folded filter to the intake hole without causing the air to pass through the edge part vicinity of the alignment member.

9. The mask according to any one of claims 1 through 8, further providing: a sealing member that comes into contact with both the body interior and the cover interior when the inner space is closed using the cover.

10. A mask providing:

a body in which an inner space for housing a folded filter has been formed;

a cover that can open and close the inner space rotatably linked to a first edge part of the body; and

an alignment member, arranged in the inner space to support the folded filter, rotatably linked to a second edge part of the body.

11. The mask according to claim 10, wherein the cover is linked to the body using a first hinge, and the alignment member is linked to the body using a second hinge.

12. The mask according to claim 11, wherein a shaft of the first hinge is provided with an extension extending outward in a radial direction, while a hook of the cover that engages with the shaft sandwiches the shaft, and has an asymmetrical shape.

13. The mask according to any one of claims 10 through 12, wherein an intake hole for passing air that has passed through a folded filter to a wearer, and a venting hole for exhausting exhaled breath of the wearer are formed in the body.

14. The mask according to claim 13, wherein the alignment member has an upper flow path for guiding unfiltered air to the filter, and the inner space has: a first flow path for guiding the air that has passed through a first part of the folded filter to the intake hole by causing the air to pass through an edge part vicinity of the alignment member; and a second flow path for guiding the air that has passed through a second part of the folded filter to the intake hole without causing the air to pass through the edge part vicinity of the alignment member.

15. The mask according to any one of claims 10 through 14, further providing:

a sealing member that comes into contact with both the body interior and the cover interior when the inner space is closed using the cover.