JP7425571B2 - Mask manufacturing method and ear hook manufacturing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mask manufacturing method and an ear hook manufacturing apparatus.

Conventionally, as a manufacturing method for a mask consisting of a mask main body part for covering the nose and mouth, and an ear hook part that is hung over the ears to hold the mask main body part in front of the nose and mouth, the ear hook part is used. There is a known technique that includes the steps of creating a crease between both ends of a band-shaped elastic body, folding it into a flat shape so that both ends protrude, and then joining the ends to a mask main body made of nonwoven fabric. (For example, see Patent Document 1.).

Patent No. 5474509

However, in the case of the mask manufacturing method of Patent Document 1, there is a step of joining the mask main body and the ear hook after manufacturing the mask main body and the ear hook on their respective production lines, so the nonwoven fabric or band-shaped elastic It was not possible to manufacture masks through a series of processes while moving the body in a fixed direction, making it difficult to improve manufacturing efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mask manufacturing method and an ear hook manufacturing apparatus that can improve manufacturing efficiency.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1,
an ear hook forming step of forming ear hooks at both ends in the transverse direction of a sheet material having a length equal to the length of a plurality of mask main body sections in the longitudinal direction;
a cutting step of cutting the sheet material to length in the vertical direction of the mask main body ,
In the ear hook forming step, a part of one end side of the string-like member along both ends of the sheet material in the transverse direction is joined to the end of the sheet material, and the joining step is performed. The other end of the string-like member is supported at a position a predetermined distance from the part, and the string-like member is supported on the sheet material between the joining part and the position where the other end of the string-like member is supported. A method for manufacturing a mask, in which a part of the other end of the string-like member that is pulled in toward the center and supported is joined to an end of the sheet material to form the ear hook part,
The sheet material and the string-like member are conveyed in a predetermined feeding direction,
As the sheet material and the string-like member are conveyed by the predetermined interval in a predetermined feeding direction, a portion of the other end of the string-like member is joined to the end of the sheet material. It is characterized in that the ear hook part forming step is repeatedly performed .
According to the present invention, mask manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 2
an ear hook forming step of forming ear hooks at both ends in the transverse direction of a sheet material having a length equal to the length of a plurality of mask main body sections in the longitudinal direction;
A method for manufacturing a mask, comprising a cutting step of cutting the sheet material to length in the vertical direction of the mask main body,
In the ear hook forming step, with a part of one end side of the string-like member extending along both ends of the sheet material being joined to the end of the sheet material, a predetermined interval from the joining part is formed. supporting the other end side of the string-like member at a position where the string-like member is opened, and pulling the string-like member toward the center side of the sheet material between the joint portion and the position where the other end side of the string-like member is supported. , a part of the other end of the supported string-like member is joined to an end of the sheet material to form the ear hook part;
The predetermined interval corresponds to the length of the mask main body in the vertical direction,
The bonded portion is characterized in that it is formed across the portion that is cut off in the cutting step .
According to the present invention, mask manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

The invention according to claim 3 is the method for manufacturing a mask according to claim 1 , comprising:
The predetermined interval corresponds to the length of the mask main body in the vertical direction,
The bonded portion is characterized in that it is formed across the portion that is cut off in the cutting step.

The invention according to claim 4 is the method for manufacturing a mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:
The retractor for pulling the string-like member into the center of the sheet material is characterized in that the ear hook portion is formed in a predetermined shape by tracing the string-like member on the surface of the retractor.

The invention according to claim 5 includes:
An ear hook manufacturing device that forms an ear hook by joining long string-like members to both ends of a sheet material having a length equal to the length of a plurality of mask body sections in the longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. There it is,
Approximately the length of the mask main body in the vertical direction from the joint part with a part of one end side of the string-like member along both ends of the sheet material being joined to the end of the sheet material. a support that supports the other end of the string-like member at a position spaced apart from one piece ;
The string-like member is pulled in between the joining part and the position where the other end side of the string-like member is supported by the supporting tool to a position where it does not intersect at the center of the sheet material, and one of the string-like members is a retractor that causes the part to have a substantially U-shape when viewed from above;
a splicer that joins a part of the other end of the string member supported by the support to an end of the sheet material;
It is characterized by having the following.
According to the present invention, mask manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

The invention according to claim 6 is the ear hook manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5,
The present invention is characterized in that it includes a guide tool that holds the other end of the string-like member so that it can be fed out along both ends of the sheet material.

According to the present invention, mask manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

It is a perspective view showing a mask of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the mask of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2; 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. It is a figure showing the 1st process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is a figure showing the 1st process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is a figure showing the 2nd process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is a figure showing the 3rd process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 4th process and the 5th process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 6th process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is an explanatory view regarding the 6th process of a manufacturing method of a mask. It is a figure which shows the 6th process in the manufacturing method of the mask of this embodiment. It is an explanatory view regarding the 6th process of a manufacturing method of a mask. It is a figure which shows the modification of the 6th process in a manufacturing method of a mask. It is a figure which shows the modification of the manufacturing method of a mask.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a method for manufacturing a mask according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, although various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention are attached to the embodiments described below, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

{Mask composition}
First, the configuration of the mask 100 of this embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 4.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, below, in the state where a wearer wears a mask, the front and back, left and right, and upper and lower sides are defined and demonstrated based on the direction seen from the wearer.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mask 100 includes a mask main body part 1 that covers the nose, mouth, chin, etc. of the wearer's face, and a right side part for hanging the mask main body part 1 on the wearer's right ear. The mask includes an ear hook part 2 and a left ear hook part 3 for hooking the mask main body part 1 to the wearer's left ear. Note that the mask 100 is worn with the rear side of the mask main body 1 facing the wearer's face.

{Mask body}
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mask main body portion 1 is formed of a plurality of sheet materials into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front.
The mask main body 1 is preferably formed to have a width of 120 mm to 210 mm, more preferably 145 mm to 175 mm in the left-right direction, and preferably 70 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 80 mm to 90 mm in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mask main body 1 includes outer nonwoven fabrics 1a located at the frontmost surface of the mask main body 1 (the surface farthest from the wearer's skin) in order from the surface farthest from the wearer's skin. , the filter 1b, and the wearer-side nonwoven fabric 1c located at the rearmost surface (the surface closest to the wearer's skin) of the mask body 1.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, both left and right ends of the mask main body 1 are folded back to the rear side so that the outer nonwoven fabric 1a wraps around the left and right sides of the mask, and the right end folded part 13 and the left end A folded portion 14 is formed.
It is preferable that the right end folded portion 13 and the left end folded portion 14 have a width of 5 mm to 20 mm in the left-right direction.

As specific sheet materials, for example, polypropylene spunbond, polyethylene spunbond, nylon spunbond, etc. are used for the outer surface side nonwoven fabric 1a and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, and polypropylene melt blow, rayon spunbond, etc. are used for the filter 1b. It will be done. Moreover, it is also possible to apply a humectant, a softener, an antibacterial agent, etc. to the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c.
Most preferably, polypropylene spunbond is used as the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, nylon spunbond coated with a humectant is used as the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, and polypropylene melt blow is used as the filter 1b sandwiched between these.

Note that the configuration of the mask main body 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned one, and may be formed by laminating a larger number of sheet materials, or may be formed from fewer than three sheet materials.

(pleats)
The outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c are stacked and folded as shown in FIG. Four pleats (first pleats 111, second pleats 112, third pleats 113, and fourth pleats 114 from the top) are formed to extend along and project forward. When wearing the mask 100, by expanding these pleats in the vertical direction, the mask main body 1 can be expanded in the vertical direction. Note that the specific number and arrangement of the pleats are not limited to this, and a larger number or arrangement may be used. A small number of pleats may also be formed. Further, the arrangement interval can also be changed as appropriate.

(joint part)
The outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c forming the mask body 1 are welded back and forth near the upper, lower, left, and right ends by, for example, heat, ultrasound, etc., and are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, an upper end joint 121 is formed near the upper end, a lower end joint 122 is formed near the lower end, and a right end joint 123 is formed near the right end as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. , a left end joint 124 is formed near the left end.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper end joint 121 is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction along the upper end of the mask main body 1, and the lower end joint 122 is formed at the lower end of the mask main body 1. It is formed in a straight line extending in the right and left directions along the section.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the right end joint 123 is formed in a straight line extending vertically along the end of the right end folded part 13 from the center of the mask main body 1, and the left end joint 124 is formed in a straight line extending in the vertical direction along the end of the left end folded portion 14 closer to the center of the mask main body 1 .

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, by welding the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c back and forth using heat, ultrasonic waves, etc. so as to surround the nose reinforcing member 171, which will be described later, A nose reinforcing member peripheral joint 125 is formed, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c are heated and heated so as to surround the mouth reinforcing member 172, which will be described later. The mouth reinforcing member peripheral joint portion 126 is formed by welding them back and forth using sound waves or the like.

The specific joining method for any of the joints is not particularly limited; for example, the sheet materials may be joined together along the entire joint in a solid line, or the sheet materials may be joined intermittently on the broken line. They may be joined together.

(elastic member)
The mask main body 1 includes a right end elastic member 15 made of an elastic material near the right end so as to extend vertically along the right end of the mask main body 1, and an elastic member 15 near the left end. The left end elastic member 16 is made of a material having the following properties and extends in the vertical direction along the left end of the mask main body 1.

As the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16, materials such as polyurethane, polyester, and latex (natural rubber) can be used, and most preferably, a rubber thread made of spandex (polyurethane elastic fiber) is used. Use by bundling multiple pieces.
Specifically, it is preferable to use three to ten pieces of spandex with a thickness of 470 dtex to 1200 dtex for each of the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the right end elastic member 15 is sandwiched between the right end folded portion 13 and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, and is connected to a plurality of connection portions (from the top to the right first connection). 151, the second right connection part 152, the third right connection part 153, the fourth right connection part 154, and the fifth right connection part 155).
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the left end elastic member 16 is sandwiched between the left end folded part 14 and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, and is connected to a plurality of connection parts (the left end from the top). 1 connection part 161, second left connection part 162, third left connection part 163, fourth left connection part 164, and fifth left connection part 165), which are connected to the left end folded part 14 and the wearer's side nonwoven fabric 1c. There is.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, each connection part is located at a position between these in the vertical direction, avoiding pleats (for the right first connection part 151 and the left first connection part 161, the upper end of the mask main body 1 between the first pleat 111 and the first pleat 111, the second right connection 152 and the second left connection 162, the third right connection 153 and the third left connection between the first pleat 111 and the second pleat 112. The section 163 is between the second pleat 112 and the third pleat 113, and the right fourth connection section 154 and the left fourth connection section 164 are between the third pleat 113 and the fourth pleat 114, and the right fifth The connecting portion 155 and the fifth left connecting portion 165 are formed between the fourth pleat 114 and the lower end of the mask main body 1).

(Nose reinforcement member)
The nose reinforcing member 171 is used to prevent the upper part of the mask body 1 from forming a gap along the shape of the wearer's nose area, and as shown in FIGS. It is provided along the upper edge of part 1.
The nose reinforcing member 171 is a flexible member that is long in the left-right direction, and is shorter than the width of the mask main body 1 and has a length in the left-right direction of preferably 80 to 135 mm, more preferably 90 mm to 120 mm. , preferably has a width of 3 mm to 5 mm in the vertical direction, and a thickness of preferably 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm in the front-back direction.

As the material of the nose reinforcing member 171, any material having plasticity can be used, but for example, polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin, etc. are used, and polypropylene resin is most preferably used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the nose reinforcing member 171 is arranged between the filter 1b and the wearer's side nonwoven fabric 1c, and as shown in FIGS. By welding the nonwoven fabric 1c back and forth using heat, ultrasonic waves, etc. on the top, bottom, left and right sides of the nose reinforcing member 171, the nose reinforcing member peripheral joint 125 formed to surround the nose reinforcing member 171 , is attached to the mask main body part 1.
Note that the arrangement and attachment method of the nose reinforcing member 171 are not limited to this, and may be arranged, for example, between the outer nonwoven fabric 1a and the filter 1b.

(Mouth reinforcement member)
The mouth reinforcing member 172 is a member for maintaining the shape of the mask body 1 near the wearer's mouth, and as shown in FIGS. 3 pleats 113, near the vertical center of the mask body 1.

The mouth reinforcing member 172 is a flexible member that is long in the left-right direction, and is slightly shorter than the width of the mask main body 1, and has a length in the left-right direction of preferably 100 to 150 mm, more preferably 115 mm to 145 mm. It is preferably formed to have a width of 3 mm to 5 mm in the vertical direction, and a thickness of preferably 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm in the front-back direction.

As the material of the mouth reinforcing member 172, any material having plasticity can be used, but for example, like the nose reinforcing member 171, polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin, etc. are used, and most preferably , polypropylene resin is used.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mouth reinforcing member 172 is arranged between the filter 1b and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, and as shown in FIGS. By welding the wearer-side nonwoven fabric 1c back and forth on the top, bottom, right and left sides of the mouth reinforcing member 172 using heat, ultrasonic waves, etc., the periphery of the mouth reinforcing member formed to surround the mouth reinforcing member 172 is formed. It is attached to the mask main body part 1 by a joint part 126.
Note that the arrangement and attachment method of the mouth reinforcing member 172 are not limited to this, and may be arranged, for example, between the outer nonwoven fabric 1a and the filter 1b.

(ear hook part)
The right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 are both formed by attaching string-like members made of a stretchable material such as polyurethane to the mask main body part 1.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the right ear hook 2 is located on the right side of the mask body 1, with one end of the string-like member near the upper right end on the rear side of the mask body 1. (the upper part of the right end folded part 13) by heat, ultrasound, etc., and the other end is welded to the rear side lower right end of the mask body 1 (lower part of the right end folded part 13) by heat, ultrasound, etc. It is formed by being welded by. In addition, the left ear hook part 3 is located on the left side of the mask main body part 1, and one end of the string-like member is connected to the vicinity of the upper left end on the rear side of the mask main body part 1 (above the left end folded part 14). etc., and the other end is welded near the lower left end on the rear side of the mask main body 1 (lower part of the left end folded part 14) by heat, ultrasonic waves, etc.
Both the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 are formed so that the length from one end to the other end is preferably 140 mm to 200 mm, more preferably 160 mm to 180 mm.

{Mask manufacturing method}
Next, a method for manufacturing the mask 100 of this embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 5 to 10. The method for manufacturing the mask 100 includes seven steps from the first step to the seventh step.

(1st step)
The first step is a step of laminating sheet materials constituting the mask main body portion 1.

Specifically, for the sheet materials forming each of the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, a sheet roll in which a long sheet material is wound into a roll shape (a sheet roll in which the outer nonwoven fabric 1a is wound) is used. The sheet roll R1 is wound with the filter 1b, the sheet roll R2 is wound with the filter 1b, and the sheet roll R3 is wound with the wearer-side nonwoven fabric 1c.) As shown in FIG. While paying out each sheet material, these are laminated in the order of outer surface side nonwoven fabric 1a, filter 1b, and wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c from the bottom.

At this time, for the rolled sheets R2 and R3, the width (length in the transverse direction) of the rolled filter 1b and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c matches the width in the left and right direction of the mask body 1 to be manufactured. For the rolled sheet R1, the width of the rolled outer nonwoven fabric 1a is the width of the mask body 1 to be manufactured in the left-right direction plus the widths of the right end folded portion 13 and the left end folded portion 14. As shown in FIG. 6, when viewed from above, the filter 1b and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c almost entirely overlap, and both ends of the outer side nonwoven fabric 1a are spaced at equal intervals. Stack them so that they stick out.

In addition, at this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the nose reinforcing member 171 and the mouth reinforcing member 172 are placed at predetermined positions between the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c and the filter 1b so that their longitudinal directions are aligned with each other. It is arranged so as to coincide with the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet material (the lateral direction of the sheet material in FIG. 6).

(Second process)
The second step is a step of forming the upper end joint 121, the lower end joint 122, the nose reinforcing member peripheral joint 125, and the mouth reinforcing member peripheral joint 126.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, for the outer surface side nonwoven fabric 1a, filter 1b, and wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c laminated as described above, the upper end portion of the mask body 1 after cutting in the subsequent seventh step. The upper end joint portion 121 is formed by joining each sheet material in a straight line perpendicular to the feeding direction.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c laminated as described above are cut along the lower end of the mask main body 1 after cutting in the seventh step. , the lower end joint portion 122 is formed by joining each sheet material in a straight line perpendicular to the feeding direction.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c laminated as described above are joined so as to surround the nose reinforcing member 171 and the mouth reinforcing member 172. , a nose reinforcing member peripheral joint 125 and a mouth reinforcing member peripheral joint 126 are formed.
As a specific method for joining the sheet materials, for example, the sheet materials may be welded using heat, ultrasonic waves, or the like.

(Third step)
The third step is a step of attaching the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the right end elastic member 15 has a length corresponding to a plurality of lengths of the mask main body 1 in the vertical direction, and is in a stretched state. At the positions of the first right connection part 151, the second right connection part 152, the third right connection part 153, the fourth right connection part 154, and the fifth right connection part 155 of the mask main body part 1 to be manufactured, the right end It is connected to the protruding portion of the outer nonwoven fabric 1a which becomes the folded portion 13.
In addition, the left end elastic member 16 has a length corresponding to a plurality of pieces of the length of the mask main body 1 in the vertical direction. At the positions where the first left connection part 161, the second left connection part 162, the third left connection part 163, the fourth left connection part 164, and the fifth left connection part 165 become, the outer surface side becomes the left end folded part 14. Connect to the protruding portion of the nonwoven fabric 1a.
As a specific connection method, for example, a predetermined glue, hot melt adhesive, or the like may be used for adhesion.

Note that the specific number and formation positions of the connecting portions are not limited to those shown in FIG. 8, and can be changed as appropriate. As will be described later, the pleats are formed at positions between the connection parts in the vertical direction, so that the number and position of pleats formed in the seventh step, which will be described later, can be adjusted thereby.

As described above, for the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16, for example, 3 to 10 pieces of spandex with a thickness of 470 dtex to 1200 dtex are used for each of the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16. It is preferable to do so. Further, it is desirable that both the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 be attached in a state where they are stretched from 150% to 250% of their original lengths.

Note that up to the sixth step described below, each sheet material is pulled in the sheet material feeding direction (the longitudinal direction of the sheet material in FIG. 8) and is performed under tension. Therefore, even if the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 are attached in a stretched state, the sheet material forming the mask main body 1 will not contract at this stage.

(4th step)
The fourth step is a step of forming the right end folded portion 13 and the left end folded portion 14.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the protruding portions of both ends of the outer nonwoven fabric 1a are folded back toward the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c so as to cover the ends of the filter 1b and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c. Thus, a right end folded portion 13 and a left end folded portion 14 are formed.

At this time, as shown in FIG. For example, a predetermined glue is also applied to the connecting portion 155 and the positions corresponding to the first left connecting portion 161, the second left connecting portion 162, the third left connecting portion 163, the fourth left connecting portion 164, and the fifth left connecting portion 165. - It is preferable to apply a hot melt adhesive or the like so that the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 are also bonded to the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c at each connection portion. As a result, the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 can be firmly attached.
However, this is not essential, and the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 may be bonded only to the right end folded portion 13 or the left end folded portion 14.

(5th step)
The fifth step is a step of forming the right end joint portion 123 and the left end joint portion 124.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, in the vicinity of the left end (the end from the center of the mask main body 1) of the folded right end folded part 13, from below, the outer nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, and the wearer side The right end joint part 123 is formed by joining four layers of sheet materials of the nonwoven fabric 1c and the outer nonwoven fabric 1a forming the right end folded part 13 in a straight line parallel to the feeding direction of each sheet material. .
Further, in the vicinity of the right end (the end from the center of the mask main body 1) of the folded left end folded part 14, the outer surface side nonwoven fabric 1a, the filter 1b, the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c, and the outer surface forming the left end folded part 14 The left end joint portion 124 is formed by joining the four layers of sheet materials of the side nonwoven fabric 1a in a straight line parallel to the feeding direction of each sheet material.
As a specific method for joining the sheet materials, here too, for example, heat, ultrasonic waves, etc. may be used for welding.

(6th step)
The sixth step is a step of forming the ear hook portion.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, continuous string members 2a and 3a made of a stretchable material such as polyurethane are attached to both ends of each sheet material in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. By this, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 are formed.
In this case, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the right ear hook part 2 connects the continuous string member 2a to the upper part of the right end folded part 13 and the right end folded part 13 in each mask main body part 1. It is formed by welding, for example, using heat, ultrasonic waves, etc., at a position that will become the lower part of.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the left ear hook part 3 connects a continuous string member 3a to the upper part of the left end folded part 14 and the lower part of the left end folded part 14 in each mask main body part 1. For example, it is formed by welding at a position using heat, ultrasonic waves, etc.

In the ear hook forming step of this embodiment, a part of one end of the string members 2a, 3a along both ends of each sheet material is joined to the end of the sheet material. The other end side of the string-like members 2a, 3a is supported at a position spaced apart from the joint parts 20, 30 by a predetermined distance, and between the joint parts 20, 30 and the position where the other end side of the string-like members 2a, 3a is supported. The string-like members 2a, 3a are pulled into the center of the sheet material, and a part of the other end of the supported string-like members 2a, 3a is joined to the end of the sheet material, and the right ear hook part 2 and A left ear hook part 3 is formed.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, on the downstream side (upper side in FIG. 10) of each sheet material in the feeding direction, string-like members 2a, 3a are placed along both ends of each sheet material. Joining parts 20 and 30 are formed by joining a part of the sheet material to the end of the sheet material.
In this state, the other ends of the string members 2a and 3a are supported by the support P at a position spaced apart from the joint parts 20 and 30 by a predetermined interval on the upstream side (lower side in FIG. 10) of each sheet material in the feeding direction. has been done.
Furthermore, on the further upstream side in the direction in which each sheet material is fed out, string-like members 2a and 3a along both ends of each sheet material are held by a guide G so as to be able to be fed out.
Furthermore, a welder S is installed near the support P to operate when joining the string members 2a, 3a to both ends of the sheet material.
In addition, string-like members 2a and 3a are drawn into the center of the sheet material between the joint parts 20 and 30 and the support P (welding device S) along the feeding direction of each sheet material, and on both sides of the sheet material. A retractor M is installed that operates during the event.

Note that the support tool P and the guide tool G are arranged above the sheet material by a frame of a manufacturing device (not shown).
The welder S is installed so as to be able to move toward and away from the sheet material by an actuator of a manufacturing device (not shown).
The retractor M is movably installed from both sides of the sheet material to the center of the sheet material by an actuator of a manufacturing device (not shown).

Then, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the retractor M moves toward the center of the sheet material between the joint parts 20 and 30 and the position where the string members 2a and 3a are supported by the support P. At the same time, the retractor M draws the string-like members 2a and 3a toward the center of the sheet material.
In addition, while the retractor M pulls the string members 2a and 3a toward the center of the sheet material, the welder S descends and welds some of the string members 2a and 3a to the ends of the sheet material. By joining, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 are formed.

In this way, in the ear hook forming process in the mask manufacturing line, part of one end of the string members 2a and 3a along both ends of the sheet material is joined to the end of the sheet material. a support P that supports the other end of the string members 2a, 3a at a predetermined distance from the joint parts 20, 30, and the other end of the string members 2a, 3a between the joint parts 20, 30 and the other end of the string member 2a, 3a. A puller M that pulls the string-like members 2a, 3a to the center side of the sheet material between the position where the side is supported, and a part of the other end side of the string-like members 2a, 3a supported by the support P. A welder S (splicer) that joins the ends of the sheet material, a guide G that holds the other ends of the string-like members 2a, 3a along both ends of the sheet material so that they can be fed out, etc. An ear hook manufacturing device E is installed.

After forming the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 in this way, the retractor M moves to both sides of the sheet material, and the welder S rises.
Then, the sheet material and the string members 2a, 3a are conveyed by a predetermined interval in a predetermined feeding direction, and return to the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
In other words, the sheet material and the string-like members 2a, 3a are conveyed by a predetermined interval in a predetermined feeding direction, so that a part of the string-like members 2a, 3a is joined to the end of the s-sheet material by the welder S. The parts are designed to be joint parts 20 and 30, and by repeating this series of operations, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 are continuously formed.
The predetermined interval here corresponds to the length of the mask main body portion 1 in the vertical direction, and the bonding portions 20 and 30 are formed straddling the portion that will be separated in the next cutting step.
Note that the continuously formed right ear hook part 2 and left ear hook part 3 are separated together with the mask main body part 1 in the seventh step.

(7th step)
The seventh step is a step of cutting the sheet material forming the mask main body portion 1. Through this step, the mask main body portions 1 that have been formed in series are separated one by one.

Specifically, at a predetermined cutting position located between the lower end joint part 122 of one mask main body part 1 and the upper end joint part 121 of another mask main body part 1 formed subsequently, Each of the mask body parts 1 is separated by cutting in a straight line perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet material is fed out. At this time, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3, which were formed by continuously attaching string-like members in the sixth step, are also cut out and separated for each mask main body part 1. The Rukoto.

As mentioned above, up to the sixth step, each sheet material is pulled in the unwinding direction (the longitudinal direction of the sheet material in FIGS. 6 to 10 and 12) and is performed under tension. Therefore, even if the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 are attached in a stretched state, the sheet material forming the mask body 1 will not shrink.
However, in the seventh step, when the sheet material is cut and the mask body 1 is separated one by one, the above tension is no longer applied.
Then, the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16, which were attached in the stretched state in the third step, contract, and as a result, the mask main body 1 moves in the direction of feeding out each sheet material (in use of the mask 100). This results in contraction in the vertical direction (up and down direction).

In this case, as described above, the right end elastic member 15 includes the first right connection part 151, the second right connection part 152, the third right connection part 153, the fourth right connection part 154, and the fifth right connection part 155. The left end elastic member 16 is connected to the sheet material (the right end folded part 13 and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c) forming the mask body part 1 at five locations, and the left end elastic member 16 is connected to the left first connection part 161, the left second connection part 161, and the left end part elastic member 16. The sheet material forming the mask main body 1 (the left end folded part 14 and the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c) ), the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 contract by pulling on these connecting portions and shortening the distance between them.

In this case, since the right end elastic member 15 and the left end elastic member 16 are provided on the rear side of the mask main body 1 (on the wearer side nonwoven fabric 1c side), each sheet forming the mask main body 1 As shown in FIG. 3, the material contracts so as to protrude toward the front side (toward the outer nonwoven fabric 1a side) at the position between the respective connecting portions.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the first Pleats 111 are formed, and second pleats 112 are formed so as to pass between the second right connection part 152 and the third right connection part 153 and between the second left connection part 162 and the third left connection part 163. The third pleat 113 is formed so as to pass between the right third connection part 153 and the right fourth connection part 154 and between the left third connection part 163 and the left fourth connection part 164. The fourth pleat 114 is formed so as to pass between the fourth connecting part 154 and the fifth right connecting part 155 and between the fourth left connecting part 164 and the fifth left connecting part 165.

{Explanation of effect}
According to the method for manufacturing a mask of the present embodiment, as described above, in the ear hook forming step (sixth step), each sheet material and the string members 2a, 3a are conveyed in a predetermined feeding direction, and a series of In the seventh step, the right ear hook 2 and the left ear hook 3 are cut together with the continuous mask body 1 to form the mask. 100 can be manufactured.
Therefore, it becomes possible to improve mask manufacturing efficiency.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in the ear hook forming step (sixth step), a retractor M that pulls the string-like members 2a, 3a toward the center of the sheet material is attached to the surface of the retractor M. The right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 may be formed into a predetermined shape by tracing 2a and 3a.
As in this embodiment, if the retractor M has a substantially U-shape when viewed from above, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the retractor M. .

In the ear hook forming step (sixth step) of the above embodiment, the right ear The hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 were formed, and in the next seventh step, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 were cut together with the mask main body part 1 that was continuously formed. The present invention is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, for a sheet material in which both sides of a plurality of mask body parts 1 are connected using a long side cover 50, the right ear hook part 2 and the left ear hook part 3 are connected continuously. It may also be formed by
In this case, in the next seventh step, the side cover 50 portions on both sides are separated and the joint portions 20 and 30 are cut.

In addition, it goes without saying that the specific detailed structure and the like can also be changed as appropriate.

100 Mask 1 Mask body part 1a Outer side nonwoven fabric (sheet material)
1b Filter (sheet material)
1c Wearer side nonwoven fabric (sheet material)
111 First pleat 112 Second pleat 113 Third pleat 114 Fourth pleat 121 Upper end joint 122 Lower end joint 123 Right end joint 124 Left end joint 125 Nose reinforcement member periphery joint 126 Mouth reinforcement member periphery Joint portion 13 Right end folded portion 14 Left end folded portion 15 Right end elastic member 151 Right first connection portion 152 Right second connection portion 153 Right third connection portion 154 Right fourth connection portion 155 Right fifth connection portion 16 Left end portion Elastic member 161 Left first connection part 162 Left second connection part 163 Left third connection part 164 Left fourth connection part 165 Left fifth connection part 171 Nose reinforcement member 172 Mouth reinforcement member 18 Right gather sheet 181 First surface part 182 Second surface section 183 Third surface section 19 Left gathered sheet 191 First surface section 192 Second surface section 193 Third surface section 2 Right ear hook section (ear hook section)
2a String member 20 Joint part 3 Left ear hook part (ear hook part)
3a String-like member 30 Joint part 50 Side cover P Support M Retractor S Welder (splicer)
G Guide tool E Ear hook manufacturing device

Claims (6)

an ear hook forming step of forming ear hooks at both ends in the transverse direction of a sheet material having a length equal to the length of a plurality of mask main body sections in the longitudinal direction;
a cutting step of cutting the sheet material to length in the vertical direction of the mask main body,
In the ear hook forming step, with a part of one end side of the string-like member extending along both ends of the sheet material being joined to the end of the sheet material, a predetermined interval from the joining part is formed. supporting the other end side of the string-like member at a position where the string-like member is opened, and pulling the string-like member toward the center side of the sheet material between the joint portion and the position where the other end side of the string-like member is supported. A method for manufacturing a mask, comprising: joining a part of the other end of the supported string-like member to an end of the sheet material to form the ear hook part,
The sheet material and the string-like member are conveyed in a predetermined feeding direction,
As the sheet material and the string-like member are conveyed by the predetermined interval in a predetermined feeding direction, a portion of the other end of the string-like member is joined to the end of the sheet material. A method for manufacturing a mask, characterized in that the step of forming an ear hook portion is repeatedly performed. an ear hook forming step of forming ear hooks at both ends in the transverse direction of a sheet material having a length equal to the length of a plurality of mask main body sections in the longitudinal direction;
A method for manufacturing a mask, comprising a cutting step of cutting the sheet material to length in the vertical direction of the mask main body,
In the ear hook forming step, with a part of one end side of the string-like member extending along both ends of the sheet material being joined to the end of the sheet material, a predetermined interval from the joining part is formed. supporting the other end side of the string-like member at a position where the string-like member is opened, and pulling the string-like member toward the center side of the sheet material between the joint portion and the position where the other end side of the string-like member is supported. , a part of the other end of the supported string-like member is joined to an end of the sheet material to form the ear hook part;
The predetermined interval corresponds to the length of the mask main body in the vertical direction,
The method for manufacturing a mask, wherein the bonding portion is formed over a portion to be separated in the cutting step. The predetermined interval corresponds to the length of the mask main body in the vertical direction,
2. The method of manufacturing a mask according to claim 1, wherein the bonding portion is formed across a portion that is cut off in the cutting step. A retractor for pulling the cord-like member into the center of the sheet material is characterized in that the cord-like member follows the surface of the retractor to form the ear hook part into a predetermined shape. 4. A method for manufacturing a mask according to any one of 1 to 3. An ear hook manufacturing device that forms an ear hook by joining long string-like members to both ends of a sheet material having a length equal to the length of a plurality of mask body sections in the longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. There it is,
Approximately the length of the mask main body in the vertical direction from the joint part with a part of one end side of the string-like member along both ends of the sheet material being joined to the end of the sheet material. a support that supports the other end of the string-like member at a position spaced apart from one piece ;
The string-like member is pulled in between the joining part and the position where the other end side of the string-like member is supported by the supporting tool to a position where it does not intersect at the center of the sheet material, and one of the string-like members is a retractor that causes the part to have a substantially U-shape when viewed from above;
a splicer that joins a part of the other end of the string member supported by the support to an end of the sheet material;
An ear hook manufacturing device characterized by comprising: 6. The ear hook manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a guide tool that holds the other end of the string-like member so as to extend along both ends of the sheet material.

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