JP7565775B2 - mask - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mask.

A mask is known that includes a mask body and a pair of ear hooks joined to both ends of the mask body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mask that includes a mask body and left and right ear hooks (hereinafter simply referred to as "ear hooks"). The ear hooks are composed of a base and an edge that extends from the base and forms an opening. The ear hooks are arranged on the wearing surface of the mask body so that the edge is on the inside of the base. The bases of the left and right ear hooks are joined to the mask body by the left and right joints (hereinafter simply referred to as "joints"). When the mask is worn, the ear hooks are folded back at the joints. As a result, the joints are covered by parts of the ear hooks (parts of the folded back parts). This prevents the relatively hard joints from coming into contact with the wearer's skin.

Patent No. 5436262

The mask in Patent Document 1 may have multiple pleats that extend horizontally (left-right) and are spaced apart vertically (pleated structure). When the mask is worn, the multiple pleats are deployed vertically in the horizontal center of the mask body. This creates a certain amount of space between the mask body and the wearer's mouth, improving comfort by making breathing easier, and increasing the mask's shielding effect by widening the area that covers the face.

When the mask is worn, when the multiple pleats are expanded in the vertical direction in the horizontal center of the mask body, the vertical lower part of the central part reaches the underside of the chin. Therefore, the vertical lower parts of both ends of the mask body reach close to the ears, while the upper parts are slightly away from the ears. Here, usually, before wearing, the lower part of the ear hook that is located below the ears and the upper part that is located above the ears have the same length and width. Therefore, when worn, the ear hooks are pulled, but the length of the upper part of the ear hooks is pulled longer than the length of the lower part. Therefore, the upper part is stretched more, and the lower part is stretched less. In that case, the force with which the upper part pulls the ears becomes relatively strong, so the ears are pulled more strongly by the upper part, which may make the wearer more likely to feel pain in the ears. However, if the ear loops are made longer overall so that the upper sections are not stretched too much, the ear loops may become loose overall, making it difficult to properly fit the mask to the wearer's face in the desired locations.

In Patent Document 1, the mask is configured so that the ear loops are placed on the wearing surface of the mask body, but other configurations of the mask may be considered in which the ear loops are placed on the opposite side of the wearing surface of the mask body, i.e., on the non-wearing surface. In this case, when the ear loops are folded back at the joints when wearing the mask, the joints are pressed against the wearer's face by a part of the ear loops (a part of the folded back part). In other words, both left and right ends of the mask body are pressed against the wearer's face by a part of each of the left and right ear loops (a part of the folded back part). This makes it possible to prevent air from entering or exiting from both left and right ends of the mask body. However, in this case, the same problem as above may occur.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mask that, when worn with multiple pleats deployed vertically in the horizontal center of the mask body, can accurately fit the mask to a specific location on the wearer's face while minimizing pain felt by the wearer in the ears.

The mask of the present invention has a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, and comprises a mask body and a pair of ear hooks joined to end regions located at both ends of the horizontal direction of the mask body, the mask body extending along the horizontal direction and having a plurality of pleats arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, each of the pair of ear hooks being formed of a sheet-like nonwoven fabric and joined to the end regions, and having a base extending in the vertical direction and one end attached to both ends of the base in the vertical direction. A mask including an upper extension and a lower extension that are connected to each other, and an outer tip portion whose upper end and lower end in the vertical direction are joined to the other end of the upper extension and the lower extension, respectively, and each of the pair of ear hooks is configured so that when the mask is hooked over the ear of a wearer, the lateral contraction force of the upper extension caused by the upper extension being stretched is smaller than the lateral contraction force of the lower extension caused by the lower extension being stretched.

The present invention provides a mask that, when worn with multiple pleats deployed vertically in the horizontal center of the mask body, can accurately fit the mask to a specific location on the wearer's face while minimizing pain felt by the wearer in the ears.

1A and 1B are a rear view and a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a mask according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a mask according to another embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view showing a configuration example of a mask according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the mask according to the embodiment is worn. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged front view showing an example of the configuration of a mask according to another embodiment.

The present embodiment relates to the following aspects.
[Aspect 1]
A mask having a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, comprising a mask body and a pair of ear hooks joined to end regions located at both ends in the horizontal direction of the mask body, wherein the mask body has a plurality of pleats extending along the horizontal direction and arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and each of the pair of ear hooks is formed of a sheet-like nonwoven fabric and joined to the end regions, and has a base extending in the vertical direction and one end connected to each of both ends of the base in the vertical direction. a pair of ear hooks configured such that when the mask is hung over the ears of a wearer, the lateral contraction force of the upper extension portion generated when the upper extension portion is stretched is smaller than the lateral contraction force of the lower extension portion generated when the lower extension portion is stretched.

In the mask of this embodiment, by having the above-mentioned configuration, when the multiple pleats are expanded in the vertical direction in the horizontal central part of the mask body when worn, the vertical lower part of the central part reaches the lower side of the chin. Therefore, the vertical lower part of both end regions of the mask body reaches close to the ears, while the upper part is slightly away from the ears. Therefore, in this mask, when worn, the horizontal contraction force of the stretched upper extension part is smaller than the horizontal contraction force of the stretched lower extension part. Therefore, when the ear hook part is hung on the wearer's ear, the upper extension part has a relatively small contraction force, so that the upper extension part can be prevented from pulling the ear strongly, and ear pain can be reduced. In addition, the lower extension part has a relatively large contraction force, so that the ear hook part can be prevented from becoming loose overall, and stable wearing can be ensured. This allows the mask to fit precisely to specific areas of the wearer's face while preventing the wearer from feeling pain in the ears, thereby achieving both pain relief and improved comfort.

[Aspect 2]
The mask of aspect 1, wherein the upper extension portion has a length in the up-down direction that is longer than the length in the up-down direction of the lower extension portion.
In the mask of this embodiment, the vertical length of the upper extension portion is longer than the vertical length of the lower extension portion. That is, the width of the upper extension portion is thick and difficult to be pulled laterally, and the width of the lower extension portion is thin and easy to be pulled laterally. Therefore, when the wearer tries to pull each of the pair of ear hooks laterally to hang them on his/her ears while wearing the mask, the lower extension portion is pulled more (longer) and the upper extension portion is not pulled much. As a result, the lower extension portion is stretched greatly and the upper extension portion is not stretched much. As a result, the force that the upper extension portion tries to contract laterally, that is, the force that pulls the ears laterally, becomes relatively weak, so that the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the ears. On the other hand, the force that the lower extension portion tries to contract laterally, that is, the force that pulls the ears laterally, becomes relatively strong, so that the ear hooks do not become loose as a whole, and the mask can be easily fitted to a predetermined part of the wearer's face. This makes it possible to both reduce pain and improve comfort.

[Aspect 3]
3. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the upper extension portion has a lateral length greater than the lateral length of the lower extension portion.
In the mask of this embodiment, the lateral length of the upper extension is longer than the lateral length of the lower extension. That is, the end of the upper extension on the ear side is close to the ear, and the end of the lower extension on the ear side is slightly away from the ear. Therefore, when the wearer tries to pull each of the pair of ear hooks laterally to hang them on the ears when wearing the mask, the lower extension is pulled laterally more (longer) than the upper extension. As a result, the lower extension is stretched to a large extent, and the upper extension is stretched to a small extent. As a result, the force that the upper extension tries to contract laterally, that is, the force that pulls the ears laterally, becomes relatively weak, so that the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the ears. On the other hand, the force that the lower extension tries to contract laterally, that is, the force that pulls the ears laterally, becomes relatively strong, so that the ear hooks do not become loose as a whole, and the mask can be easily fitted to a predetermined part of the wearer's face.

[Aspect 4]
Aspect 4. The mask according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein an area of the upper extension portion is larger than an area of the lower extension portion in a plan view.
In the mask of this embodiment, the area of the upper extension portion is larger than the area of the lower extension portion in a plan view. Therefore, since the upper extension portion resists the force pulling in the lateral direction with a large area, it is difficult to be pulled in the lateral direction, and since the lower extension portion resists the force pulling in the lateral direction with a small area, it is easy to be pulled in the lateral direction. Therefore, when the wearer tries to pull each of the pair of ear hooks in the lateral direction to hang them on the ears while wearing the mask, the lower extension portion is pulled more in the lateral direction and the upper extension portion is pulled less in the lateral direction. As a result, the lower extension portion is stretched greatly and the upper extension portion is not stretched much. As a result, the force that the upper extension portion tries to contract in the lateral direction, i.e., the force pulling the ears in the lateral direction, becomes relatively weak, so that the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the ears. On the other hand, the force that causes the lower extension to contract laterally, i.e., the force pulling the ears laterally, becomes relatively strong, so the ear hooks do not become loose as a whole, and the mask can be easily fitted accurately to a predetermined part of the wearer's face. This makes it possible to both reduce pain and improve wearing comfort.

[Aspect 5]
A mask as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of ear loops are joined to the non-wearing surface in the end region.
In the mask of this embodiment, the pair of ear loops are joined to the non-worn surface in the end region, so that when worn, the left and right ends of the mask body are pressed against the wearer's face by the left and right ear loops, making it easy to fit the mask precisely to predetermined locations on the wearer's face.

[Aspect 6]
Aspect 6. The mask according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the sheet-shaped nonwoven fabric has elasticity.
In the mask of this embodiment, the ear loops are made of a stretchable sheet-like nonwoven fabric. By adjusting the stretchability of the sheet-like nonwoven fabric to a desired value, the contractile force of the upper and lower extensions of the ear loops can be controlled within an appropriate range when worn. This allows both pain relief and improved comfort.

[Aspect 7]
The mask according to claim 6, wherein the sheet-shaped nonwoven fabric includes a stretchable sheet member, and a first nonwoven fabric and a second nonwoven fabric that sandwich the stretchable sheet member.
In the mask of this embodiment, the elastic sheet-like nonwoven fabric constituting the ear loops includes an elastic sheet member, and a first nonwoven fabric and a second nonwoven fabric sandwiching the elastic sheet member. By adjusting the elasticity of the elastic sheet to a desired value, the contractile force of the upper extension and the lower extension of the ear loops can be easily controlled within an appropriate range when worn. This makes it possible to simultaneously suppress pain and improve the wearing comfort.

The mask according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mask 1 according to an embodiment. However, FIG. 1(a) is a rear view, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1(a). The mask 1 has a vertical direction V, a horizontal direction H, and a thickness direction T that are mutually perpendicular. In addition, although not shown, the mask 1 has a vertical center axis that passes through the center of the horizontal direction H and extends in the vertical direction V, and a horizontal center axis that passes through the center of the vertical direction V and extends in the horizontal direction H. The directions and sides approaching the vertical center line are respectively defined as the inward and inner sides of the horizontal direction H, and the directions and sides moving away from the vertical center line are respectively defined as the outward and outer sides of the horizontal direction H. The directions and sides approaching the horizontal center line are respectively defined as the inward and inner sides of the vertical direction V, and the directions and sides moving away from the horizontal center line are respectively defined as the outward and outer sides of the vertical direction V. The "wearing surface" and the "non-wearing surface" refer to the surface of the mask 1 that contacts the face when worn, i.e., the inner surface, and the surface that does not contact the face, i.e., the outer surface, in the thickness direction T, respectively. The "wearing surface side" and the "non-wearing surface side" refer to the side that is relatively close to the wearer's face and the side that is relatively far from the face, in the thickness direction T, respectively, when the mask 1 is worn. Viewing the mask 1 from above in the thickness direction T is called a "planar view", the shape grasped in a planar view is called a "planar shape", and any direction in a plane including the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H is called a "planar direction". "Along" the vertical direction V or the horizontal direction H includes a direction within a range of ±30° with respect to the vertical direction V or the horizontal direction H. Note that the end of a certain member, etc. in a certain direction (for example: vertical direction V, horizontal direction H) refers to a dimensional range of 1/4 (preferably 1/8, more preferably 1/10) of the overall length in that direction from the edge of the member, etc. in that direction. These definitions are used not only for the mask 1, but also for each component and part arranged on the mask 1.

The mask 1 comprises a mask body 2 and a pair of ear loops 3 joined to end regions 23 located on both lateral sides of the mask body 2.

The mask body 2 is formed of a nonwoven fabric laminate in which multiple sheets of nonwoven fabric are laminated. The mask body 2 has a non-wearing surface 2a and a wearing surface 2b, and includes end regions 23 located at both ends in the horizontal direction H, and a central region 22 (central part) which is the region excluding the end regions 23 at both ends. In this embodiment, the shape of the mask body 2 is symmetrical about the vertical central axis in a plan view, and has a substantially rectangular shape that is short in the vertical direction V and long in the horizontal direction H. However, the shape of the mask body 2 is not limited to this example as long as it can cover the nose and mouth, and examples of the shape include a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners, a substantially elliptical shape, a substantially polygonal shape, and combinations thereof.

The mask body 2 has a plurality of pleats 25 extending along the horizontal direction H and arranged at intervals in the vertical direction V. Therefore, the mask body 2 has a pleated structure in which a plurality of pleats 25 are arranged. In this embodiment, the plurality of pleats 25 includes at least one upper pleat located on the upper side of the vertical direction V and facing the upper side of the vertical direction V, and at least one lower pleat located on the lower side of the vertical direction V and facing the lower side of the vertical direction V. Therefore, the mask body 2 has an Ω-shaped structure that is roughly shaped like an Ω when viewed from the horizontal direction H. Therefore, the mask body 2 has an Ω-shaped pleat structure. As a result, when the mask 1 is worn, the upper pleats and the lower pleats deform in an accordion-like manner in the vertical direction V to form a predetermined mouth space between the mask body 2 and the wearer. However, "located above the vertical direction V" and "located below the vertical direction V" refer to "located above the vertical direction V" and "located below the vertical direction V" with respect to the lateral central axis. In another embodiment, not shown, the multiple pleats 25 may have at least one upper pleat facing the upper side of the vertical direction V, or at least one lower pleat facing the lower side of the vertical direction V. Even with the pleat structure (one-sided pleat structure) of this other embodiment, the upper pleat or lower pleat can deform in an accordion-like manner in the vertical direction V when the mask 1 is worn, although not to the same extent as the Ω-shaped pleat structure, to form a predetermined mouth space between the mask body 2 and the wearer.

In this embodiment, the mask body 2 further includes a nose fit member 26 that can be deformed to fit the shape of the upper part of the wearer's nose. The nose fit member 26 is sandwiched between the nonwoven fabric on the non-wearing side and the nonwoven fabric on the wearing side at the upper end of the mask body 2 in the up-down direction V, and is held by being surrounded by a fused portion. In another embodiment, the nose fit member may not be included.

Each of the pair of ear loops 3 is made of nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, the ear loops 3 are fused to the wearing surface 2b of each of the end regions 23 in the lateral direction H of the mask body 2, i.e., the inner surface in the thickness direction T, by fusion parts 50. The fusion parts 50 are formed, for example, by fusing the ear loops 3 and the mask body 2 together with heat or ultrasound.

In another embodiment, each of the pair of ear hooks 3 may be fused to the non-wearing surface 2a of the mask body 2. For example, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a mask according to another embodiment. In this example, each of the pair of ear hooks 3 is fused to the non-wearing surface 2a of each of the end regions 23 in the lateral direction H of the mask body 2, i.e., the outer surface in the thickness direction T, by a fusion portion 50.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the pair of ear hooks 3 includes a base 43 that is joined to the wearing surface 2b in the end region 23 and extends in the vertical direction V, and an extension that is connected to the base 43 in a ring shape and extends toward the inside in the horizontal direction H. In this embodiment, the extension includes an upper extension 42U and a lower extension 42L that are connected at one end to the upper and lower ends of the base 43 in the vertical direction V, respectively, and an outer tip 41 that is connected at the upper end and lower end in the vertical direction V to the other end of the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L, respectively. The outer tips 41 of the pair of ear hooks 3 are connected to each other by a connection part 45 so that they can be easily separated when wearing the mask. In this embodiment, the ear hook portion 3 is made of a stretchable nonwoven fabric that can stretch in the lateral direction H, and therefore the upper extension portion 42U and the lower extension portion 42L can stretch in the lateral direction H.

3 is a partially enlarged front view showing an example of the configuration of the mask according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, the base 43 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending from the upper end to the lower end in the vertical direction V. The base 43 is joined by the fusion part 50 from the upper end to the lower end in the vertical direction V in the end region 23. The fusion part 50 is formed in a substantially dashed line shape at the outer end of the base 43 in the horizontal direction H. That is, in the fusion part 50, the fusion parts of the substantially linear shape are intermittently arranged along the vertical direction V. However, in the present invention, the shape and arrangement of the fusion part 50 are not limited to this example as long as the base 43 and the end region 23 can be joined. For example, the fusion part 50 may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape or a checkerboard pattern.

In this embodiment, the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L are formed in a generally rectangular shape extending along the horizontal direction H. The outer tip 41 extends along the vertical direction V and is formed in a generally arch-like shape. Specifically, the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L are the rectangular range with the largest area extending along the horizontal direction H from the upper and lower sides of the base 43, respectively. The outer tip 41 is the remaining part between the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L in the ear hook 3. Note that the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L do not need to extend at a right angle to the base 43, and may extend in a band shape within a range of 90 degrees ± 30 degrees, for example.

In this embodiment, the upper extension portion 42U and the lower extension portion 42L have the same length of the long side in the horizontal direction H, but different lengths of the short side in the vertical direction V. That is, the length in the vertical direction V of the upper extension portion 42U is longer than the length in the vertical direction V of the lower extension portion 42L. In other words, the width of the upper extension portion 42U is wide and the width of the lower extension portion 42L is narrow. For example, the width of the upper extension portion 42U can be 1.2 to 3.0 times the width of the lower extension portion 42L, and 1.5 to 2.5 times is preferable.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the wearing state of the mask according to the embodiment. When wearing this mask 1, the wearer unfolds the multiple pleats 25 in the vertical direction V at the central part of the horizontal direction H of the mask body 2 (Ω-shaped pleat structure; one-sided pleat structure in another embodiment). Then, the wearer turns the non-wearing surface 2a of the mask body 2 outward, folds each of the pair of ear hooks 3 at the fused part 50, spreads the extension parts (42U, 42L, 41) of each ear hook 3 outward in the horizontal direction H, and hooks the ear hook holes formed in a ring shape by the extension parts and the base part 43 over the ears. At that time, the lower part of the central part of the mask body 2 in the vertical direction V reaches the underside of the chin. Therefore, the lower parts of the vertical direction V at both end regions 23 of the mask body 2 in the horizontal direction H reach close to the ears, while the upper parts are slightly away from the ears.

Here, in this mask 1, the length of the upper extension 42U in the vertical direction V is longer than the length of the lower extension 42L in the vertical direction V. That is, the width of the upper extension 42U is thick and difficult to be pulled in the horizontal direction H, while the width of the lower extension 42L is thin and easy to be pulled in the horizontal direction H. Therefore, when the wearer tries to pull each of the pair of ear hooks 3 in the horizontal direction H to hang them on their ears while wearing the mask 1, the lower extension 42L is pulled more (longer) and the upper extension 42U is not pulled much. As a result, even though the lower part of the end region 23 of the mask body 2 in the vertical direction V is close to the ear and the upper part is far from the ear, the lower extension 42L is stretched greatly and the upper extension 42U is not stretched much. As a result, the force of the upper extension 42U tending to contract in the lateral direction H, i.e., the force pulling the ear in the lateral direction H, becomes relatively weak, making it possible for the wearer to feel less pain in the ear. On the other hand, the force of the lower extension 42L tending to contract in the lateral direction H, i.e., the force pulling the ear in the lateral direction H, becomes relatively strong, so the ear hooks 3 do not become loose as a whole, making it easier to ensure that the mask 1 fits accurately to a predetermined location on the wearer's face. This makes it possible to achieve both pain suppression and improved wearing comfort.

In this way, each of the pair of ear hooks 3 of the mask 1 is configured so that when the mask is hung on the ears of the wearer, the contraction force in the lateral direction H of the upper extension 42U generated by the upper extension 42U being stretched is smaller than the contraction force in the lateral direction H of the lower extension 42L generated by the lower extension 42L being stretched. In other words, when the ear hooks 3 are hung on the ears and the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L are stretched, the force (contraction force) of the upper extension 42U to contract in the lateral direction H is smaller than the force (contraction force) of the lower extension 42L to contract in the lateral direction H. Therefore, when the ear hooks 3 are hung on the ears of the wearer, even though the lower part of the end region 23 of the mask body 2 in the vertical direction V is close to the ear and the upper part is far from the ear, the upper extension 42U can be prevented from strongly pulling the ear in the lateral direction H, thereby reducing ear pain. In addition, the lower extension 42L has a relatively large contractile force in the lateral direction H, which prevents the ear hooks 3 from becoming loose overall, ensuring stable wearing. This allows the mask 1 to fit accurately to a specific part of the wearer's face while preventing the wearer from feeling pain in the ears, thereby achieving both pain reduction and improved wearing comfort.

In addition, as another embodiment of the ear hook 3, the base 43, the upper extension 42U, and the lower extension 42L may not have a substantially rectangular shape, for example, they may be curved. In that case, each part can be determined as follows. The base 43 is a rectangular area extending parallel to the vertical direction V, with the edge of the ear hook 3 on the side joined to the mask body 2 in the horizontal direction H as one long side. Therefore, the length of the long side of the base 43 (rectangle) is approximately the same as the length of the mask body 2 in the vertical direction V. The length of the short side of the base 43 (rectangle) is the maximum length that the rectangle can have parallel to the horizontal direction H. The upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L are the parts of the part of the ear hook 3 that extends in the horizontal direction H from the base 43 of the ear hook 3, which is closer to the base 43 than the tangent in the vertical direction V that is in contact with the outermost tip 41 side in the horizontal direction H. The outer tip 41 is the part on the opposite side of the base 43 from the tangent line on the ear hook 3.

Here, the contraction force of the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L are measured by using the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L as test pieces to be measured, and the test pieces are stretched to the length to which the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L extend when the ear hook 3 is hung on the ear, that is, the force (N) when stretched by the stretched length when worn. However, the stretched length when worn of the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L is measured in advance by attaching the mask 1 to a test mannequin head as specified in JIS T8151. Taking into account the variability of the measured values, the average value of a preset number (e.g., 10) of masks 1 may be used as the final stretched length when worn. If the original length of the upper extension portion 42U and the lower extension portion 42L is 100%, the length after stretching (original length + stretched length when worn) will be approximately 115 to 150%. The specific measurement method is as follows.

<Method of measuring contractile force>
(1) In an environment with a room temperature of 20° C. and a humidity of 60%, rectangular test pieces (maximum area) of the upper extension portion 42U and the lower extension portion 42L are cut out from the ear hook portion 3 to be measured. Therefore, the width and length of each test piece may differ.
(2) The cut test piece is attached to a tensile testing machine (Shimadzu Corporation Autograph AG-50-NXplus H). At this time, both ends of the test piece corresponding to both ends of the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L in the lateral direction H are gripped by chucks. The length of the gripping margin in the chuck direction is all the same (e.g. 5 mm). Therefore, the chuck distance may differ for each test piece.
(3) The test piece attached to the tensile tester is stretched to the elongation length when worn at a predetermined tensile speed of 100 mm/min, and the force (unit: N) that attempts to return to the original length when stretched is measured as the contractile force. However, taking into consideration the variability of the measured values, the average value of a preset number of test pieces (e.g., 10 pieces) may be used as the final contractile force.

In another embodiment, the length of the horizontal direction H may be changed between the upper extension portion 42U and the lower extension portion 42L as a means for making the contraction force of the upper extension portion 42U in the horizontal direction H smaller than the contraction force of the lower extension portion 42L in the horizontal direction H. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged front view showing an example of the configuration of a mask according to another embodiment. The length of the horizontal direction H of the upper extension portion 42U is longer than the length of the horizontal direction H of the lower extension portion 42L. For example, the length of the upper extension portion 42U may be 1.1 to 2.0 times the length of the lower extension portion 42L, and preferably 1.2 to 1.8 times. The length (width) of the upper extension portion 42U in the vertical direction V is the same as the length (width) of the lower extension portion 42L in the vertical direction V.

In this mask 1, the end of the upper extension 42U on the ear side is close to the ear, and the end of the lower extension 42L on the ear side is slightly away from the ear. Therefore, when the wearer tries to pull each of the pair of ear hooks 3 in the lateral direction H while wearing the mask 1 to hang it on the ear, the lower extension 42L is pulled in the lateral direction more (longer) than the upper extension 42U (because the outer tip 41 is difficult to stretch). As a result, the lower extension 42L is stretched more, and the upper extension 42U is stretched less. As a result, the force that the upper extension 42U tries to contract in the lateral direction H, i.e., the force that pulls the ear in the lateral direction H, becomes relatively weak, so that the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the ear. On the other hand, the force that causes the lower extension 42L to contract in the lateral direction H, i.e., the force pulling the ears in the lateral direction H, becomes relatively strong, so the ear hooks 3 as a whole do not become loose, making it easier to ensure that the mask 1 fits accurately to a specific part of the wearer's face.

In another embodiment, as a means for making the contraction force of the upper extension portion 42U in the lateral direction H smaller than the contraction force of the lower extension portion 42L in the lateral direction H, the area of the upper extension portion 42U may be made larger than the area of the lower extension portion 42L in a plan view. For example, the area of the upper extension portion 42U may be 1.2 to 3.0 times the area of the lower extension portion 42L, and preferably 1.5 to 2.5 times.

In this mask 1, the upper extension 42U resists the force pulling in the lateral direction H with a wide area, so it is not easily pulled in the lateral direction H, and the lower extension 42L resists the force pulling in the lateral direction H with a narrow area, so it is easily pulled in the lateral direction H. Therefore, when the wearer tries to pull each of the pair of ear hooks 3 in the lateral direction H while wearing the mask 1, the lower extension 42L is pulled more in the lateral direction H, and the upper extension 42U is not pulled much in the lateral direction H. As a result, the lower extension 42L is stretched greatly, and the upper extension 42U is not stretched much. As a result, the force that the upper extension 42U tries to contract in the lateral direction H, i.e., the force pulling the ear in the lateral direction H, becomes relatively weak, so that the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the ear. On the other hand, the force that causes the lower extension 42L to contract in the lateral direction H, i.e., the force that pulls the ear in the lateral direction H, becomes relatively strong, so the ear hooks 3 do not become loose as a whole, and the mask 1 can be easily fitted accurately to a predetermined part of the wearer's face. This makes it possible to simultaneously reduce pain and improve wearing comfort. Each of the above embodiments (Figs. 3 and 5) can also be considered an example of this embodiment.

In one aspect of this embodiment, a pair of ear loops 3 are joined to the non-wearing surface 2a in the end region 23. This makes it easier to press the left and right ends of the mask body 2 against the wearer's face by the left and right ear loops 3 when wearing the mask, making it easier to accurately fit the mask 1 to a predetermined location on the wearer's face.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the sheet-like nonwoven fabric that constitutes the ear hook 3 has elasticity. By adjusting the elasticity of the sheet-like nonwoven fabric to a desired value, the contractile force of the upper extension 42U and the lower extension 42L of the ear hook 3 can be controlled within an appropriate range when worn. This makes it possible to both reduce pain and improve wearing comfort.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the sheet-like nonwoven fabric includes a stretchable sheet member, and a first nonwoven fabric and a second nonwoven fabric that sandwich the stretchable sheet member. By adjusting the stretchability of the stretchable sheet to a desired value, the contractile force of the upper extension portion 42U and the lower extension portion 42L of the ear hook portion 3 can be easily controlled within an appropriate range when worn. This makes it possible to simultaneously reduce pain and improve wearing comfort.

In each embodiment, the nonwoven fabric laminate constituting the mask body 2 includes, for example, an inner (wearing side) sheet, an outer (non-wearing side) sheet, and a filter sheet sandwiched between the inner and outer sheets. The material of the inner sheet, the outer sheet, and the filter sheet is a nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include spunlace nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, airlaid nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, flash spun nonwoven fabric, thermal bond nonwoven fabric, carded nonwoven fabric, or a combination of these. Examples of the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric include synthetic resin fibers (e.g., polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, and ionomer resin; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polylactic acid; polyamides such as nylon, etc.). In addition, natural fibers (e.g., wool, cotton) and regenerated fibers (e.g., rayon, acetate) may be partially contained. The fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric may be composed of a single component, or may be composed of composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers, side-by-side type fibers, and island-sea type fibers. Each sheet may be a single layer of nonwoven fabric, or a laminate in which single layers of nonwoven fabric are stacked.

The nonwoven fabric constituting the ear hook portion 3 is not particularly limited, but is preferably an elastic nonwoven fabric having elasticity in the horizontal direction H, including elastic fibers such as elastomer fibers. In this case, the elastic nonwoven fabric is given elasticity in the horizontal direction H, for example, by performing gear stretching processing in the horizontal direction H (processing is performed so that the gear stretch grooves are aligned in the vertical direction V). By such gear stretching processing, multiple grooves extending along the vertical direction V are formed on both sides of the elastic nonwoven fabric. However, the method of giving elasticity in the horizontal direction H is not limited to the above method, and known methods can be used. The nonwoven fabric constituting the ear hook portion 3 may include extensible fibers such as polyolefin fibers. However, the elastic fibers are fibers that can stretch elastically, and the extensible fibers are fibers that can stretch inelastically.

The elastic fibers are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include elastomeric fibers such as polyurethane-based elastomer fibers, polystyrene-based elastomer fibers, polyolefin-based elastomer fibers, polyamide-based elastomer fibers, polyester-based elastomer fibers, and rubber-based elastomer fibers. These elastomeric fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more types of fibers. The extensible fibers are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyolefin fibers made of polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, and core-sheath type composite fibers made by combining multiple types of these polyolefin-based resins. These fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more types of fibers.

The elastic sheet material that can form the ear hook portion 3 is not particularly limited, but examples include elastomer sheets such as polyurethane films, polystyrene films, sheet-shaped styrene rubber, sheet-shaped olefin rubber, and sheet-shaped urethane rubber, as well as composite elastomer sheets that combine these with nonwoven fabric, paper, etc.

The mask of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be combined or substituted using the techniques of the embodiments or known techniques in the relevant technical field within the scope of the purpose and intent of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 mask 2 mask body 3 ear hooks 23 end region 25 pleats 41 outer tip 42U upper extension 42L lower extension 43 base

Claims (7)

A mask having a top-bottom direction and a lateral direction, comprising a mask body and a pair of ear loops joined to end regions located at both ends of the mask body in the lateral direction,
The mask body includes a plurality of pleats extending along the lateral direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction, the plurality of pleats including upper pleats facing upward in the vertical direction and lower pleats facing downward,
Each of the pair of ear hooks is formed of a sheet-like nonwoven fabric,
a base portion joined to the end region and extending in the vertical direction;
an upper extension portion and a lower extension portion each connected at one end to both ends of the base portion in the up-down direction,
an outer tip portion having an upper end portion and a lower end portion in the vertical direction joined to the other end portion of the upper extension portion and the lower extension portion, respectively;
Including,
The base portion is formed in a rectangular shape extending from an upper end to a lower end in the vertical direction of the end portion region,
The upper extension portion and the lower extension portion are formed in a rectangular shape extending from an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the base portion in the vertical direction along the horizontal direction at a right angle to the base portion, and are portions of a rectangular range having a maximum area,
The outer tip portion is a remaining portion between the upper extension portion and the lower extension portion of each of the pair of ear hook portions,
Each of the pair of ear hooks is configured such that, when the mask is hung on the ears of a wearer, the lateral contraction force of the upper extension portion generated by stretching the upper extension portion is smaller than the lateral contraction force of the lower extension portion generated by stretching the lower extension portion.
mask. The length of the upper extension portion in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the lower extension portion in the vertical direction.
The mask of claim 1 . The length of the upper extension portion in the lateral direction is longer than the length of the lower extension portion in the lateral direction.
3. A mask according to claim 1 or 2. In a plan view, an area of the upper extension portion is larger than an area of the lower extension portion.
A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The pair of ear hooks are joined to the non-wearing surface in the end region.
A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The sheet-like nonwoven fabric has elasticity.
A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The sheet-like nonwoven fabric includes a stretchable sheet member, and a first nonwoven fabric and a second nonwoven fabric sandwiching the stretchable sheet member.
The mask of claim 6.

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