WO2022196142A1

WO2022196142A1 - Mask

Info

Publication number: WO2022196142A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/003802
Authority: WO
Inventors: 広大氏家
Original assignee: 大王製紙株式会社
Priority date: 2021-03-16
Filing date: 2022-02-01
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Also published as: KR20230155418A; CN116583201A; JP2022142086A; EP4309531A1; TW202241553A

Abstract

A mask provided with a mask body and a pair of annular sheet-shaped ear loops, wherein: each ear loop is joined to each end of the mask body in the transverse direction on a surface of the mask body on the opposite side of a surface opposed to the face to thereby form each junction in the vertical direction; and the outline of each inner end edges of the junctions in the transverse direction has a shape that is recessed outward in the transverse direction.

Description

mask

The present invention relates to masks.

A face-mounted mask consists of a mask body that at least partially covers the wearer's face, and a pair of ear hooks that are respectively coupled to the mask body to hold the mask body in its wearing position. It is known to have a pair of members that can be hung on each ear of the ear.

In recent years, in order to reduce the burden on the ears while wearing a mask, the use of sheet-like ear hooks instead of string-like parts has been considered. For example, in Patent Document 1, a first ear hook portion and a second ear hook portion formed from one or more sheet pieces are respectively a first joint portion and a second ear hook portion along the second direction (longitudinal direction). A mask is described that is joined to one side of the mask body by two joints. In the mask, at least when the mask is worn, the first ear hook portion is folded back along the first direction (lateral direction) at the first joint portion, and the second ear hook portion is folded back at the second joint portion. It is adapted to be folded back along the first direction at the part.

Japanese Patent No. 5436262

When wearing a mask, the user usually deforms the mask body to match the three-dimensional shape of the face. Along with this deformation, the lateral ends of the mask body are also three-dimensionally curved, and the joints between the ear hooks and the mask body are also curved. More specifically, both joints may each be curved such that at least the central longitudinal region thereof is laterally centrally convex. Due to this curvature, the portion of the ear hook that is folded back at the junction is also three-dimensionally distorted. Here, when the ear hooks are joined to the outer surface of the mask body (the surface opposite to the face facing the face), the ear hooks may be locally lifted from the mask body due to the above distortion. . Such a floating portion of the ear hook may interfere with the movement of the wearer while wearing the mask, and may spoil the appearance.

An object of one aspect of the present invention in view of the above is to provide a mask in which the sheet-like ear hooks are less likely to be lifted from the mask body when worn.

One aspect of the present invention includes a mask main body and a pair of annular sheet-shaped ear hooks, and the ear hooks are provided on the face opposite to the face facing surface of the mask main body. Joined at each end of the direction to form a longitudinally extending joint, the profile of the inner lateral edge of said joint having a laterally outwardly concave shape.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a mask in which the sheet-like ear hooks are less likely to be lifted from the mask body when worn.

1 is a plan view of a mask according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outer surface side; FIG. It is the top view seen from the inner surface side (face side) of the mask shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing a state after the ear hook is opened sideways; 1 shows the form of a conventional mask. FIG. 11 is a partial view showing a state in which a conventional mask is attached; FIG. 4 is a partial view showing a state in which the mask according to the present embodiment is worn; 2 is an enlarged view of the joint of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows a modification of the joint. 4 shows another modification of the joint. 4 shows another modification of the joint. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a mask according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outer surface side; FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 11;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, unless there is a particular description, the same reference numerals may be attached to the same or corresponding configurations, and the description thereof may be omitted.

(Basic configuration of mask)
A mask according to this aspect may be a mask capable of covering the wearer's face, more specifically at least the nose and mouth of the wearer. The mask according to this embodiment can have the function of preventing foreign substances from reaching the face and preventing droplets emitted by the wearer from scattering, and is also called a sanitary mask or a surgical mask. The mask may be disposable or washable and reusable.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a mask 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a view of the mask 1 viewed from the outside (or the outer surface side), that is, the surface side exposed to the outside without facing the face when worn. Also, FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the mask as seen from the inside (the side facing the face).

As shown in FIG. 1, a mask 1 according to the present embodiment includes a mask body 10 that is placed in front of the wearer's face when worn and that can mainly cover the wearer's nose and mouth, and a mask body 10 that is connected to the mask body 10. A pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a is provided. The mask 1 (mask body 10) has an up-down direction (vertical direction) D1 corresponding to the up-down direction of the wearer's face when worn, and a left-right direction (horizontal direction) D2 corresponding to the left-right direction of the wearer's face when worn. have The vertical direction D1 and the horizontal direction D2 are orthogonal. The pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are joined to both ends of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 by

joints

50, 50 formed along the vertical direction D1.

The mask body 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a rectangular plan view shape with long sides in the horizontal direction D2, but the plan view shape of the mask body 10 is not limited to that shown in the drawings. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mask body 10 has a pleat structure 15 formed by a plurality of folds (pleats) arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction D1. The folds of the pleated structure 15 are formed by folding the sheet forming the mask body 10 along the folding lines along the lateral direction D2. Then, both ends of the mask main body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 are fixed by heat sealing or the like in a state in which a plurality of folds are formed. Therefore, when the mask 1 is used, the folds of the pleat structure 15 are widened in the vertical direction D1, so that the center of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 is curved so as to protrude toward the outer surface of the mask 1, resulting in a three-dimensional shape of the face. can be transformed into a shape that fits The specific configuration of the pleat structure 15 is not particularly limited, and may be a known configuration formed on the mask body, but as shown in FIGS. This is preferable because the center of the mask main body 10 in the longitudinal direction D1 can easily protrude away from the face when worn.

The mask body 10 may have a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated. For example, it may have a structure including at least three layers in which an intermediate layer having an enhanced function to trap foreign matter (dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, etc.) is sandwiched between an outer layer and an inner layer. Each layer constituting the mask body 10 preferably includes a fiber-containing layer such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, or a knitted fabric, and more preferably includes a nonwoven fabric. Examples of nonwoven fabrics include spunbond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, point-bond nonwoven fabrics, and the like. In addition, it is preferable to use a meltblown nonwoven fabric that can contain fine fibers for the intermediate layer. Further, the fibers constituting the fiber-containing layer are preferably resin fibers, and examples of resin types for the resin fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon and the like. The basis weight of the outer and inner layers may be 10-50 g/m ² , preferably 15-50 g/m ² . The weight per unit area of the intermediate layer having high foreign matter trapping properties is preferably 10 to 100 g/m ² , more preferably 15 to 50 g/m ² .

Each of the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a may be annular (or closed belt-like) in plan view. When worn, the ear hook 20a can be hung on the ear such that the wearer's ear enters the inner side of the ring of the ear hook 20a, that is, the opening 29 in the center of the ear hook 20a. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are formed in a sheet-like shape, unlike string-like or thread-like. Since the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are sheet-like, when the ear hooks 20a are hooked on the ears when wearing the mask, they can come into surface contact with the back of the ear or the back surface of the earlobe, reducing the burden on the ears. can do. Therefore, even if it uses for a long time, discomfort can be reduced.

The ring shape of the ear hooking portion 20a may be circular, elliptical, or the like, but may be a shape close to a square (or rectangle) as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the ear hook portion 20a includes a base portion 22 that extends along the longitudinal direction D1 and is fixed to the mask body 10 along the longitudinal direction D1, and a base portion 22 that extends behind the wearer's ear when worn. an upper extending portion 23 extending between the base portion 22 and the behind-the-ear portion 24 on the upper side; and an extending portion 23 extending between the base portion 22 and the behind-the-ear portion 24 on the lower side. It may have a lower extension 26 that

In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are formed in a single sheet shape separably connected to each other at the center in the lateral direction D2, that is, as the ear hook sheet 20. . Here, the term "single sheet" refers to a form consisting of one continuous sheet. This one sheet may be a single layer, or may be a laminate formed by laminating a plurality of layers. Since the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are in the form of a single sheet, the ear hooks 20a, 20a can be positioned at the same time during manufacturing, and the mask can be manufactured more easily. However, the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a may not necessarily be connected.

When the pair of

ear hooking parts

20a, 20a is formed as the ear hooking part sheet 20, the ear hooking part sheet 20 is broken at a predetermined position so that the pair of

ear hooking parts

20a, 20a separated from each other can be formed. may be configured. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are connected at a connecting portion 28. As shown in FIG. Although the connection form of the connection part 28 is not particularly limited, it is preferably a connection that can be separated by pulling with a normal force of the user. For example, it may be formed as a perforation as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the connecting portion 28 may be formed by reducing the thickness of the sheet or by making the boundary between the pair of

ear hook portions

20a, 20a weaker or more susceptible to stress. . Also, the connecting portion 28 may be configured so that the user can cut it with a tool such as scissors.

The

ear hooking portions

20a, 20a (or the ear hooking portion sheet 20) may be made of a stretchable material, at least a horizontally stretchable material. Since the ear hooks 20a, 20a have stretchability, the user can easily perform the operation of pulling the ear hooks 20a, 20a behind the ears and then putting them on the ears when putting on the mask. Also, during wearing (wearing), the mask main body 10 can be fitted to the face due to the tensile stress generated in the

ear hook portions

20a, 20a.

The ear hook portion 20a may be a single-layer sheet made of a stretchable material, or a multi-layer sheet formed by laminating a plurality of layers including a layer made of a stretchable material. The stretchable material may be a stretchable nonwoven fabric, a stretchable film, or a thread-like or cord-like stretchable member such as rubber thread. When a stretchable nonwoven fabric is included, the stretchability of the nonwoven fabric is expressed by the nonwoven fabric containing stretchable fibers, for example, the fiber material itself has stretchability or the fibers are crimped fibers. good. Alternatively, stretchability may be expressed by a predetermined physical structure, for example, by having unevenness on the surface. Specific examples of stretchable nonwoven fabrics include shrinkable air-through nonwoven fabrics, stretchable spunbond nonwoven fabrics, stretchable spunlaced nonwoven fabrics, stretchable needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, stretchable chemical bond nonwoven fabrics, and the like. The nonwoven fabric used may preferably have a basis weight of 5 to 50 g/m ² , more preferably 8 to 35 g/m ² .

When the ear hook portion 20a is composed of a multi-layer sheet in which a plurality of nonwoven fabric layers are laminated, for example, it may be configured as a spunbond nonwoven fabric/meltblown nonwoven fabric/spunbond nonwoven fabric, and at least one of these may be used. A stretchable non-woven fabric can be used for the layer. In addition, when the ear hook portion 20a is composed of a multi-layer sheet containing an elastic film, nonwoven fabric/elastic film, nonwoven fabric/elastic film/nonwoven fabric (for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric/elastic film/spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric/elastic film/air-through nonwoven fabric, etc.). In the case of a sheet in which two layers are laminated, one of the layers is made elastic, and while the elastic layer is stretched, the other layer is laminated and fixed intermittently, and then loosened. The sheet for the ear hooking portion 20a can be obtained by returning to the natural state. In the case of a sheet in which three layers are laminated, each layer is laminated on both sides with the central layer stretched and fixed intermittently, and then loosened and returned to its natural state. A sheet for 20a can be obtained.

Of the above, the configuration using elastic films, particularly the configuration in which non-woven fabric is arranged on both sides of the elastic film, is preferable because it is easy to manufacture and high elasticity can be obtained. Materials for the elastic film include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyurethane. The stretchability of the stretchable film is preferably 3.5 to 4.0 in maximum elongation (elongation at breakage) as measured by a tensile tester. The elastic film may also have the function of allowing moisture to pass through. When an elastic film is used, the nonwoven fabric is intermittently joined to the elastic film by ultrasonic welding or the like while the elastic film is stretched at a predetermined ratio with respect to its natural length, and then relaxed to return to its natural state. Thus, a sheet for the ear hook portion 20a can be obtained. Since the non-bonded portion of the nonwoven fabric rises due to the relaxation of the stretchable film, the obtained sheet has a large number of wrinkles extending along the direction substantially perpendicular to the stretching direction.

It should be noted that the sheet for the ear hooking portion 20a may be formed by sandwiching the thread-like rubber in a stretched state with non-woven fabrics having low or no stretchability. Alternatively, the above materials may be bonded together with a stretchable or non-stretchable hot-melt nonwoven fabric (a nonwoven fabric whose fibers are softened or melted by heating and can be bonded to other members).

The basis weight of the ear hooking portion 20a (ear hooking portion sheet 20) may be 20 to 150 g/m ² . Also, the thickness of the ear hooking portion 20a may be 100 to 3,000 μm.

(use of mask)
When starting to use the mask 1 according to this embodiment, the user opens the

ear hook portions

20a, 20a in the lateral direction D2 before wearing the mask 1. As shown in FIG. When the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are detachably coupled to each other as described above, the coupling is released to separate the ear hooks 20a, 20a from each other before deployment.

FIG. 3 shows the right side portion of the mask 1 after the ear hooks 20a, 20a have been unfolded. After the ear hooking portion 20a is expanded outward in the lateral direction D2, the ear hooking portion 20a is turned over, and the surface of the ear hooking portion 20a facing the mask body 10 is exposed. Almost the entire outer surface of the mask body 10 is also exposed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are arranged on the outer surface of the mask body 10 in this embodiment. Therefore, in the operation of separating the pair of ear hooks 20a and 20a and opening them outward in the lateral direction D2, the possibility of touching the inner surface of the mask body 10 can be reduced or eliminated, which is hygienic. preferable from this point of view.

The mask 1 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as follows. With the mask 1 placed with the outer surface of the mask main body 10 facing up, the user holds the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a with their hands and opens them outward in the lateral direction D2. The mask 1 is moved to another person's (wearer's) face while holding the hanging

portions

20a, 20a. After arranging the mask body 10 at a desired position on the other person's face, the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a can be hung on the other person's ears without changing the way of holding the mask. Therefore, the mask 1 according to this embodiment can be suitably used when a mask is worn by a person who has difficulty in wearing a mask by himself, such as a child or a sick person.

The pair of

ear hooking portions

20a, 20a are formed with

gripping portions

25, 25 that can be gripped by the user when the pair of

ear hooking portions

20a, 20a are separated from each other and opened outward in the lateral direction D2. (Fig. 1). The

knobs

25, 25 may be formed on the lower extending portion 26, and protrude from the edge of the mask body 10 in plan view, preferably from the lower end of the mask 1 (or the lower end of the mask body 10). preferable. In that case, the user can pick up the

knobs

25, 25 with both hands without touching or hardly touching the mask body 10 itself, that is, neither the outer surface nor the inner surface of the mask body 10. Therefore, the user can separate and deploy the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a without touching the mask body 10 or almost without touching it. Therefore, even in a situation where the user cannot give sufficient consideration to hand hygiene, the user can wear the mask 1 in good hygiene on himself or others.

In addition, since the ear hook portion 20a has the

knob portions

25, 25, the user can hold the

knob portions

25, 25 and hold the ear hook portion when or after putting the ear hook portion 20a on the wearer's ear. Adjustments can also be made easily. That is, by holding the

knobs

25, 25, the position of the ear hook 20a can be adjusted by shifting the ear hook 20a relative to the ear in the circumferential direction of the ear hook 20a, or by moving the ear hook 20a toward the rear side. It is possible to adjust the tension of the ear hook portion 20a by pulling or loosening it.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are respectively joined to both sides of the outer surface of the mask body (FIGS. 1 to 3), when the mask 1 is worn, that is, the ear hooks 20a, 20a When the mask body 10 is opened sideways and hung on the ear, both side portions of the mask body 10 are pressed toward the face from the outer surface side by the ear hooking portions 20a. As a result, the gap between the mask body 10 and the face can be reduced on both sides of the mask body 10, and the functions of the mask, such as the function of blocking foreign matter and the function of preventing droplets emitted by the wearer from scattering, can be improved. . In addition, since the ear hooks 20a are not arranged on the inner surface side (face side) of both sides of the main body, the ear hooks 20a on both sides of the mask body 10 do not directly contact the wearer's face during wearing. Therefore, discomfort is also reduced.

In addition, the mask body 10 may be formed with a mark 18 that enables the distinction between the outer surface and the inner surface of the mask body 10 visually or by touch, by embossing, printing, sewing, or the like. The form of the mark 18 is not limited as long as it can be visually recognized by the user. The marks 18 may be letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, logos, etc., as shown in FIG.

(joint)
As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the sheet-like

ear hooking portions

20a, 20a (or the ear hooking portion sheet 20) are overlapped on the outer surface of the mask main body 10, and joint portions 50 are formed at both ends in the lateral direction D2. , 50 (area shown in gray). The

joints

50, 50 are formed by means for joining the opposing surfaces of the ear hook 20a and the mask body 10 by applying pressure and/or heat, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, non-heated embossing. etc. When the material of the ear hooking part 20a and the mask main body 10 is a synthetic resin, it is preferable to use heat sealing because both can be fused and joined more reliably.

As shown in FIG. 1, the joint portion 50 may be formed along the longitudinal direction D1, preferably continuously from the upper end to the lower end of the ear hooking portion 20a in the longitudinal direction D1. The joint portion 50 may be linearly formed along the longitudinal direction D1, but preferably has a certain width from the viewpoint of improving the bonding strength.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the

joint portions

50, 50 have a contour of the inner edge 51 in the lateral direction D2 that is recessed outward in the lateral direction D2. In the example of FIG. 1, the recess formed in the contour of the inner edge 51 in the lateral direction D2 of the joint portion 50 is trapezoidal with the short upper side outside in the lateral direction D2.

Advantages of having the inner edge 51 in the lateral direction D2 of the

joints

50, 50 have a shape recessed outward in the lateral direction D2 will be described below. To this end, first, the change in shape of a conventional mask when worn will be described. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a conventional mask 1' viewed from the outer surface side of the mask body 10. As shown in FIG. The conventional mask 1' has the same basic structure as the mask 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. different from 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the conventional mask 1' shown in FIG. 4 is worn. As shown in FIG. 5, when worn, the pleat structure 15 of the mask body 10 of the mask 1' is expanded in the longitudinal direction D1 at the center in the width direction D2 so as to correspond to the three-dimensional shape of the face. is deformed so that the center in the lateral direction D2 of is protruded to the outer surface side. Along with the deformation of the center of the mask body 10, the end portions of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2 are also deformed, so the joints formed at the end portions in the lateral direction D2 are also deformed. More specifically, the joint portion 50 formed at the end portion of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 is arranged such that the center of the joint portion 50 in the vertical direction D1 approaches at least the center in the horizontal direction D2 (the horizontal direction D2 is deformed so that it becomes convex toward the center). Due to such deformation of the joint portion 50', the portion where the ear hook portion 20a is folded back at the joint portion 50', particularly the base portion 22 of the ear hook portion 20a, may also be curved and deformed. For example, in the vicinity of the center of the base 22 in the longitudinal direction D1, a portion (floating r) where the base 22 is separated from the mask body 10 may occur (FIG. 5). The float r of the base 22 may be folded or wrinkled.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of a state in which the mask 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) according to this embodiment is worn. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, in which the mask main body 10 is deformed so as to correspond to the three-dimensional shape of the face, as in the case of the mask 1' (FIG. 5). Along with this deformation of the mask body 10, the end portion itself in the horizontal direction D2 of the mask body 10 is deformed such that the center of the end portion in the vertical direction D1 approaches at least the center in the horizontal direction D2. However, in the present embodiment, the contour of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 of the joint portion 50 is recessed outward in the width direction D2 before wearing (FIG. 1). In this state, the center of the contour of the inner edge 51 in the longitudinal direction D1 does not protrude, and can be linear or nearly linear along the longitudinal direction D1. Therefore, the portion of the ear hook portion 20a folded back at the joint portion 50, particularly the base portion 22 near the joint portion 50, is less curved and deformed. As a result, the phenomenon that the ear hook portion 20a, particularly the base portion 22, is lifted from the mask body 10 (the phenomenon that the ear hook portion 20a rises away from the outer surface of the mask body 10) is suppressed. Although the floating of the ear hook portion 20a to the outer surface side may hinder the movement of the wearer, such a problem can be avoided. For example, when additional protective means such as a face shield is worn over a mask, it is possible to prevent the floating portion of the ear hook portion 20a from being caught by parts of the protective means. Furthermore, since the ear hooks 20a are in closer contact with the mask body 10 when worn, the appearance of the mask 1 is improved.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the portion near the joint 50 on the right side of FIG. As described above, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint portion 50 in the width direction D2 is recessed outward in the width direction D2. In the illustrated example, the recessed portion (recess) has a trapezoidal shape having a short upper side on the outside in the horizontal direction D2, but it may be rectangular (rectangular or square) or the like. However, as in the case where the shape of the concave portion is trapezoidal, if the contour line of the edge 51 gradually or stepwise faces outward in the width direction D2 as it approaches the central region in the vertical direction D1, Also, since a contour line whose direction is gently changed in the horizontal direction D2 can be obtained, it is possible to prevent stress from concentrating on the position where the direction of the contour is changed, and damage to the joint 50 can be prevented.

FIG. 7 also shows an upper region UR, a central region MR, and a lower region LR of the mask body 10. FIG. The lengths of these regions in the vertical direction D1 can each be equal to the total length of the mask 1 at the end in the horizontal direction D2 (the total length in the vertical direction D1) divided into three equal parts. It is preferable that the bottom 51a of the concave portion of the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint portion 50 in the lateral direction D2 is included in the central region MR. When the mask is worn, at the end of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2, the central region MR is most likely to bend, and the portion of the base 22 of the ear hook 20a that is joined at the central region MR is most likely to be distorted. In the central region MR, the inner edge 51 of the joint portion 50 in the width direction D2 is located further outside in the width direction D2, so that the base portion 22 can be prevented from floating (FIGS. 5 and 6).

_The distance d1 between the innermost position in the width direction D2 and the outermost position in the width direction D2 of the inner edge 51 in the lateral direction D2 of the joint portion 50 may be 2 to 18 mm. By setting the distance d1 within the above range, it is possible to improve the above _- mentioned effect that the joint portion 50 is less likely to be bent at the time of attachment, and at the same time, the distribution of the tensile force applied to the joint portion 50 in the longitudinal direction D1 is not excessively uneven. It prevents uniformity and prevents unnecessary stress from being generated in the mask 1. - 特許庁

Furthermore, the maximum width w _max of the joint 50 may be between 3 and 20 mm. By setting the maximum width w _max within the above range, the bonding strength between the mask body 10 and the ear hooking portion 20a is increased, and the lateral direction D2 end portion of the mask 1 where the bonding portion 50 is formed becomes excessively hard. It is possible to prevent deterioration of comfortable wearing feeling. On the other hand, the minimum width w _min of the joint 50 may be 1-18 mm. By setting the minimum width w _min within the above range, it becomes easier to form a concave shape outward in the width direction D2 of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2, and an increase in the hardness of the joint portion 50 can be suppressed. The maximum width w _max can be in the upper region UR and/or the lower region LR of the mask body 10 and the minimum width w _min can be in the central region MR of the mask body 10 .

, Figs. 8 to 10 show modifications of the joint 50. Figs. The shape of the joint portion 50 is not particularly limited as long as the contour of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 is recessed outward in the width direction D2. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the concave portion may have a shape in which the bottom portion 51a of the concave portion serves as the bottom point instead of the trapezoidal shape or other rectangular shape. That is, the contour of the inner edge 51 in the width direction D2 of the joint portion 50 may have a triangular shape with the base inward in the width direction D2.

As shown in FIG. 9, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint portion 50 in the width direction D2 may be curved. More specifically, as shown in , the contour of the inner edge 51 may consist of a part of a circle with the center of the radius of curvature located inside in the width direction D2. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint portion 50 in the width direction D2 may be partially curved. More specifically, the contour of the inner edge 51 of the joint portion 50 includes a recess having a bottom (bottom point) 51a in the central region MR of the mask body 10, and the vertical direction D1 may be linear along the

It should be noted that the ear hooking portion 20a and the mask main body 10 may be joined continuously over the entire area in the joint portion 50 . Alternatively, the joint portion 50 may be a small joint portion where the ear hook portion 20a and the mask body 10 are joined microscopically, or a non-joined portion where the ear hook portion 20a and the mask body 10 are not joined microscopically. a small portion. Like the latter, the joint portion 50 including small joint portions and small non-joined portions can ensure a balance between flexibility and adhesive strength, which is preferable. Said joint subportions may be formed as interspersed dots in the area of the joint 50, as a plurality of lines extending in the longitudinal direction D1 or in the transverse direction D2, grids, cross hatches, or the like.

(Mask with auxiliary material)
FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a mask 101 according to another embodiment of the invention as seen from the outer surface side. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. The basic structure of the mask 101 and the effects obtained are the same as those of the mask 1 (FIG. 1). However, the mask 101 differs from the mask 1 (FIG. 1) in that the ear hooks 20a are not directly joined to the mask main body 10, but are joined through a sheet-like auxiliary member 130. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the

auxiliary members

130, 130 are provided at the ends of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2, respectively. The

auxiliary materials

130, 130 are arranged on the side of the mask body 10 on which the pair of

ear hooks

20a, 20a are overlapped. That is, at the end of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2, the mask body 10, the ear hooking portion 20a, and the auxiliary material 130 are arranged in an overlapping manner.

The auxiliary material 130 is joined to the mask body 10 on the outside in the width direction D2, and joined to the ear hook portion 20a on the inside in the width direction D2. As a result, the ear hooking portion 20a is indirectly joined to the end portion of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 via the auxiliary material 130, thereby forming a joining portion 150 extending in the vertical direction D1. The joint portion 150 is a joint portion formed by directly joining the auxiliary material 130 and the mask body 10 . On the other hand, the auxiliary member 130 and the ear hooking portion 20a are directly joined by the second joining portion 160. As shown in FIG.

Various advantages can be obtained by connecting the ear hooking portion 20a not directly to the mask body 10 but indirectly via the auxiliary material 130 in this way. For example, the mask body 10 and the ear hooks 20a are usually made of different materials (for example, materials with different elasticity) that are suitable for different purposes. By interposing the auxiliary material 130 in this manner, the difference in stretchability between the ear hooks 20a and the mask main body 10 is buffered, and the ear hooks 20a, 20a and the mask main body 10 can be strongly bonded. In addition, by using the auxiliary member 130, the ear hooks 20a, 20a can be deformed and moved more freely with respect to the mask body 10, so that they can be fitted to the faces of various users. .

When using the mask 101 as well, the connection between the ear hooks 20a, 20a at the connecting portion 28 is released, the ear hooks 20a, 20a are opened outward in the width direction D2, and the ear hooks 20a, 20a are attached to the wearer. on each ear. At this time, the ear hooking portion 20a and the auxiliary member 130, which are joined at the second joint portion 160, are unfolded integrally. When the ear hooking portion 20 a is unfolded, the auxiliary material 130 is folded back at the joint portion 150 . Therefore, the auxiliary material 130 can also be said to be a part or extension of the ear hook portion 20a.

Also in the mask 101, the contour of the inner edge 151 in the lateral direction D2 of the joint 150 has a shape recessed outward in the lateral direction D2. The shape of the joint portion 150 shown in FIG. 11 is a trapezoidal shape having a short upper side on the outside in the width direction D2, like the joint portion 50 of the mask 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the mask 101 as well, the deformation or distortion of the ear hooks 20a due to the deformation of the mask body 10 during wearing can be reduced, and the ear hooks 20a can be prevented from floating from the mask body 10. FIG. More specifically, it is possible to prevent the folded back portion of the auxiliary material 130 directly joined to the mask body 10 from rising (lifting), and thus prevent the ear hooking portion 20a from lifting.

As shown in FIG. 11, the auxiliary material 130 may extend across the longitudinal direction D1 of the mask 1. As shown in FIG. In addition, the length (width) of the auxiliary material 130 in the horizontal direction D2 depends on the overall size and configuration of the mask 1, and the size, shape, and material of the mask body 10 and the ear hooks 20a, but is 15 to 35 mm. preferable. The basis weight of the auxiliary material 130 may be 5-100 g/m ² . Also, the thickness of the auxiliary material 30 may be 100 to 1,000 μm.

The auxiliary material 130 may be made of a material with no or little elasticity, or may be made of a material with some degree of elasticity. The auxiliary material 30 may contain, for example, a stretchable nonwoven fabric. In that case, the auxiliary material 130 preferably has elasticity at least in the lateral direction D2, but the elasticity of the auxiliary material 130 is preferably smaller than the elasticity of the ear hook portion 20a. The auxiliary material 130 may be made of a material that can irreversibly deform when force is applied.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are described below.

(Appendix 1)
The aspect according to Supplementary Note 1 includes a mask main body and a pair of annular sheet-shaped ear hooks, and the ear hooks are provided on the face opposite to the face facing surface of the mask main body. Joined at each end of the direction to form a longitudinally extending joint, the profile of the inner lateral edge of said joint having a laterally outwardly concave shape.

In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 1, the sheet-shaped ear hooks are joined to the respective lateral ends of the mask body, forming joints in the vertical direction. Such a mask is worn by opening the sheet-like ear hooks in the lateral direction and folding them back at the joints. Here, when the mask body is three-dimensionally deformed so as to conform to the shape of the face, joints between the mask body and the ear hooks formed at both lateral ends of the mask body are also curved. For example, the joint may have a curved shape such that the longitudinal center of the joint approaches the lateral center. As the joint portion bends, the portion of the ear hook that is folded back at the joint portion also bends and deforms, which can cause distortion. Since the ear hooks are joined to the outer surface of the mask body (the surface opposite to the face facing the face), the folded back portion of the ear hooks and the portion in the vicinity thereof are separated from the mask body and easily float. .

On the other hand, according to this aspect, the contour of the laterally inner edge of the joint portion between the ear hook portion and the mask body is recessed laterally outward. Therefore, even if the lateral end of the mask body is deformed so as to protrude inward in the lateral direction when the mask is worn, the deformation of the contour of the inner edge of the joint is the concave shape that the contour originally had. , the degree of curvature of the contour is reduced when the mask is worn. This can reduce or prevent the distortion of the folded back portion at the joint of the ear hooking portion, and suppress the floating of the folded back portion of the ear hooking portion from the mask body. Therefore, according to the mask of this aspect, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the floating of the ear hook portion from the mask main body will interfere with the movement of the wearer. For example, when additional protective means such as a face shield is worn over the mask, it is possible to prevent the ear hooks from being caught in the parts of the protective means. In addition, since the ear hooks do not float, the mask looks good while worn.

(Appendix 2)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 2, the bottom portion of the recessed shape is located in the longitudinal central region of the mask body.

According to the aspect according to Supplementary Note 2 above, it is possible to more reliably prevent distortion of the central portion in the vertical direction, which is most likely to be distorted, of the folded back portion of the ear hook.

(Appendix 3)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 3, the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint extends outward in the width direction gradually or stepwise as it approaches the longitudinal central region.

According to the aspect according to Supplementary Note 3 above, the position of the inner edge in the lateral direction of the joint gradually and gently changes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stress from concentrating on a predetermined portion of the contour of the edge, and as a result, even when a strong force is applied to the ear hook portion, the joint portion is less likely to break.

(Appendix 4)
In the aspect according to Supplementary Note 4, the maximum lateral width of the joint is 3 to 20 mm.

According to the aspect of appendix 4, the joint strength between the mask main body and the ear hook portion is increased, and the width direction end portion of the mask where the joint portion is formed becomes excessively hard, which reduces the comfortable wearing feeling. can prevent

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-042093 filed on March 16, 2021 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

1 mask 1' conventional mask 10 mask main body 15 pleat 18 mark 20 ear hook sheet 20a ear hook 22 base 23 upper extension 24 ear rear arrangement 25 knob 26 lower extension 28 separable joint 29 opening 30

auxiliary material

50 , 150 joint 50 ′ conventional joint 51 , 151 widthwise inner edge of joint 51 ′ widthwise inner edge of conventional joint 51 a bottom of concave portion of inner edge 130 Auxiliary material 160 Second joint D1 Vertical direction (vertical direction)
D2 Lateral direction (horizontal direction)
LR lower region MR central region UR upper region

Claims

Equipped with a mask body and a pair of annular sheet-shaped ear hooks,
Each of the ear hook portions is joined to each lateral end of the mask body on the face opposite to the face facing surface of the mask body to form a joint extending in the vertical direction,
The mask, wherein the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint has a laterally outward concave shape.
The mask of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the concave shape is located in the longitudinal central region of the mask body.
3. The mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contour of the lateral inner edge of the joint extends outward in the width direction gradually or stepwise as it approaches the central region in the longitudinal direction.
The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the joint has a maximum lateral width of 3 to 20 mm.