mask

The mask design addresses fit and breathing issues by incorporating inverted R-shaped portions and a core material layer to enhance sealing and comfort, ensuring a neat appearance and easy breathing.

JP2026104086APending Publication Date: 2026-06-25ROKI CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
ROKI CO LTD
Filing Date
2024-12-13
Publication Date
2026-06-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional two-fold three-dimensional masks suffer from insufficient sealing, facial distortion, discomfort, and breathing difficulties due to poor fit and movement during wear, leading to makeup stains and reduced aesthetics.

Method used

A mask design featuring a sheet-like body with inverted R-shaped portions, fold lines, and a core material layer, along with ear loops, to enhance fit, breathability, and sealing performance, particularly around the chin area, and maintain a neat appearance.

Benefits of technology

The design improves adhesion to facial contours, enhances comfort and breathing ease, and maintains a sharp profile, reducing mask slippage and gaps, thus improving overall wearability and aesthetics.

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Abstract

The present invention provides a mask that improves the fit and conformability to the wearer's face by preventing gaps between the face and the side edges of the mask body 10, even if there are differences in the shape and size of the wearer's face. [Solution] A mask 1 comprising a sheet-like mask body 10 that covers a target area of ​​the wearer's face, which is folded in half when not in use and opened when in use, and a pair of left and right ear loops 20 for fastening the mask body 10 to the wearer's ears, wherein the mask body 10 has a fold line L formed from the upper end to the lower end of the mask body 10 when folded in half, and an R-shaped portion 14 formed by cutting the mask body 10 in an inverted R shape between the upper end of the ear loop 20 and the lower end of the fold line L of the mask body 10.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a two-fold three-dimensional mask made of non-woven fabric has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). This mask is made of a single layer of polyurethane elastic non-woven fabric, and includes a mask body and ear loops. With the center line as a fold line, the entire mask is folded in two so that the left and right sides of the mask overlap each other. Among the fold line portions, the upper part is in an arc shape that bulges outward, and the lower part is in a straight line shape. A welding part is provided along at least the arc-shaped fold line portion of the fold line. By this welding part, when the mask is opened left and right, a three-dimensional shape is formed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Such two-fold three-dimensional masks have had the following problems. First, there was a problem that the sealing property of the mask was insufficient, and it was likely to shift due to movement of facial muscles during conversation or the like while wearing. This shift caused makeup stains when wearing the mask, had an adverse effect on the appearance of the wearer, increased the trouble of frequently restoring the shift of the mask, and caused discomfort and dissatisfaction with the appearance during use.

[0005] Furthermore, regarding the appearance of the wearer's face, conventional masks did not fit the contours of the face well, sometimes detracting from the aesthetics when viewed from the front and side. In particular, masks often distorted the natural lines of the face, negatively impacting the wearer's appearance.

[0006] Furthermore, if sufficient space is not maintained between the mask and the center of the wearer's face, breathing becomes difficult, and the mask may stick tightly to the face, especially during inhalation. This can compromise the wearer's comfort, posing challenges for prolonged wear.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a mask that improves the fit to various parts of the face, including the chin area, and also improves breathability and comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A mask according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a sheet-like mask body that covers a target area of ​​the wearer's face, which is folded in half when not in use and opened when in use, and a pair of left and right ear loops for fastening the mask body to the wearer's ears, wherein the mask body has a fold line formed from the upper end to the lower end of the center of the mask body, and at least one R-shaped portion formed by cutting the mask body in an inverted R shape between the upper end of the ear loops and the lower end of the fold line of the mask body.

[0009] According to this embodiment, by providing an R-shaped portion in an inverted R shape, it is possible to suppress the shape change of the nonwoven fabric in the chin area of ​​the mask, especially in the chin area of ​​the wearer, prevent the nonwoven fabric from becoming loose and creating gaps when the mask is worn, and improve the sealing performance. In this invention, the chin area refers to the mandibular area including the submandibular region, and the region refers to the mandibular bone region + chin region + submental triangle + submandibular triangle. In this respect, medically, the submandibular triangle and submental triangle belong to the neck, but this is different from the definition in this invention. The greatly curved chin area refers to the lower mandibular region = the vicinity of the boundary region from the lower chin to the submental triangle, and the vicinity of the boundary region from the cheek / parotid gland / masseter muscle to the submandibular triangle. That is, the lower mandibular region is about 10 mm, and the subcutaneous tissue thickness of the temporal region is about 11 mm, for a total of about 21 mm.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the mask body has fold lines comprising an upper line covering the user's eyes and nose tip, a mouth line covering the user's nose tip to the mouth and chin, and a lower line covering the user's chin to the chin. The upper line, mouth line, and lower line are in an inverted basin shape, and the mouth line may be formed to be considerably longer than the upper and lower lines.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the upper line, mouth line, and lower line are in an inverted basin shape, and the mouth line is formed to be considerably longer than the upper and lower lines, thereby ensuring sufficient space around the mouth and providing a mask that is easy to breathe in. In addition, the long, straight section of the mouth line makes the profile of the mask wearer appear sharper.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the mask body is distinguished from the back surface that contacts the face and the opposite surface, and at least the mouth line may have a welding allowance formed on its back side by welding the left and right sheet portions together.

[0013] According to this embodiment, by providing a welding allowance on the back side, the straight section around the mouth forms a neat, straight shape when viewed from the front side of the mask, and the welding allowance also serves a shape-retaining function, thus maintaining the straight shape of the mouth line and preserving the aesthetic appearance of the mask when worn.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the mask body is made up of a plurality of sheet-like members laminated together, and at least one of them may include a core material layer for supporting the shape of the mask body.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the inclusion of a core material layer in the mask body ensures that the straight shape of the mouth area is more firmly maintained, and sufficient space is secured for the wearer to breathe easily. In addition, the inclusion of a core material layer suppresses deformation of the mask when outside air is drawn in, improving its ability to adapt to breathing.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the line connecting the upper end of the fold line and the upper end of the ear loop portion in the mask body may be wavy.

[0017] In this embodiment, the line connecting the end of the upper line of the fold and the upper part of the ear loop is wavy, which visually creates a lifting effect around the eyes and increases the contact area with the skin, thereby reducing the mask from slipping. As a result, the wearer can use the mask comfortably for a long period of time.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the lower line may be configured such that when the folded mask body is opened, the angle between the mouth line and the lower line, as viewed from the back side, decreases so that it wraps around the wearer's chin area, starting from the lowest point of the straight line of the mouth line.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the sealing performance of the mask, particularly around the wearer's chin, can be improved when the mask is worn.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the lower line has a welding allowance formed on its back side by welding the left and right sheet portions together, and on the back side, the boundary between the mouth line and the lower line of the welding allowance may have a notch so that when the mask body, which has been folded in half, is opened, a bend is formed when the angle between the mouth line and the lower line as viewed from the back side decreases, starting from the lowest point of the mouth line, so as to wrap around the wearer's chin.

[0021] According to this aspect, when the two-fold mask body is opened and used, the lower line can smoothly wrap around under the wearer's chin, improving the conformity and wearability of the mask body to the face.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mask that improves the adhesion to each part of the face including the jaw part and improves the comfort and ease of breathing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of the mask of this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the mask of this embodiment in a closed state. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the shape change of the mask of this embodiment between the closed state and the open state.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (In each figure, those denoted by the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.)

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the mask 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the mask 1 of this embodiment in a closed state. As shown in FIG. 1, the mask 1 according to this embodiment includes a sheet-like mask body 10 that covers the target part of the wearer's face, and an ear-hanging part 20 composed of a pair of left and right ear-hanging strings for locking the mask body 10 to the wearer's ears.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mask body 10 is folded in half when not in use and opened when in use. When closed, the side shape of the mask body 10 is roughly triangular, with the upper end, which is the connection part between the ear loops 20 and the upper part of the mask body 10, as the apex, and the front side of the mask body 10 (left side in Figure 2) as the base. A fold line L is formed at the base of this triangle, indicating that the mask body 10 has been folded in half. This fold line L consists of three parts: an upper line 11 that covers the user's eyes to the tip of the nose, a mouth line 12 that covers the user's nose to the mouth and above the chin, and a lower line 13 that covers the user's chin to below the chin. In this embodiment, the chin area refers to the mandibular area including the submandibular region, and the region refers to the mandibular bone region + chin area + submental triangle + submandibular triangle. In medical terms, the submandibular triangle and submental triangle belong to the neck, but this is different from their meaning in this invention. The significantly curved jaw region refers to the lower mandibular region, specifically the area near the boundary between the lower chin and the submental triangle, and the area near the boundary between the cheek, parotid gland, masseter muscle, and the submandibular triangle. In other words, it is approximately 10 mm in the lower mandibular region and approximately 11 mm in the subcutaneous tissue thickness of the temporal region, totaling approximately 21 mm.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the upper line 11, the mouth line 12, and the lower line 13 form an inverted basin shape, and the mouth line 12 is considerably longer than the upper line 11 and the lower line 13. More specifically, the upper line 11 and the lower line 13 form the hypotenuses at both ends of the mouth line 12, and the mouth line 12 forms the upper base of a trapezoid. In the optimal embodiment, the upper line 11 is 41 mm, the lower line 13 is 55.2 mm, and the mouth line 13 is 70 mm. The interior angle between the upper line 11 and the mouth line 12 is approximately 150°.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the mask body 10 is distinguished into a back side B that contacts the wearer's face and a front side F opposite to it, and at least the mouth line 12 has a welding allowance O formed by welding the left and right sheet portions S together. In this embodiment, welding allowances O are also formed on the back surfaces of the upper line 11 and lower line 13, but these are not necessarily essential components, and it is sufficient that the welding allowance O is formed at least on the back surface of the mouth line 12.

[0029] Although not shown in the diagram, the mask body 10 is made up of multiple sheet-like members laminated together, and at least one of them contains a core material layer for supporting and maintaining the shape of the mask body 10.

[0030] In the mask body 10, the line connecting the upper end of the upper line 11 of the fold line L and the upper end 21 of the ear loop portion 20 forms a wavy shape W. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the wavy shape W is formed by drawing a curve that is convex downwards from the upper end of the upper line 11, then drawing a curve that is convex upwards in the central part, and then drawing another curve that is convex downwards towards the upper end 21.

[0031] The mask body 10 preferably has an angle of 145-150° between the upper line 11 and the mouth line 12 on the back side B. As shown in Figure 3, which illustrates the change in shape between the closed and open states of the mask 1, when the folded mask body 10 is opened, the upper line 11 and the lower line 13 tilt toward the back side of the mask body 10 relative to the mouth line 12, and the angles between the upper line 11 and the mouth line 12, and between the mouth line 12 and the lower line 13 on the back side become smaller. In other words, when the folded mask 1 is opened and put into use, the mouth line 12 is positioned away from the wearer, ensuring space around the mouth, and the lower line 13 in particular wraps around the wearer's chin, enveloping the wearer's jaw.

[0032] Furthermore, in the mask body 10, an R-shaped portion 14 is formed by cutting the mask body 10 in an inverted R shape directly below the lower end 22 of the ear loop portion 20. The radius (R) of this R-shaped portion is preferably set to R40 to R80, and the optimal embodiment is R60.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1(B), a welding allowance O is formed on the back side of the mask body 10 by welding the left and right sheet portions S together. However, a notch C may be provided at the boundary between the mouth line 12 and the bottom line 13 in the welding allowance O so that when the folded mask body 10 is opened and viewed from the back side, the angle between the mouth line 12 and the bottom line 13 decreases, making it easier to bend at this boundary.

[0034] [Effects and Effects] As described above, with the mask 1 of this embodiment, the upper line 11, mouth line 12, and lower line 13 of the mask body 10 are in an inverted basin shape, and the mouth line 12 is formed to be considerably longer than the upper line 11 and lower line 13, thereby ensuring sufficient space around the mouth and providing a mask that is easy to breathe in. In addition, the long straight section of the mouth line 12 makes the profile of the mask wearer appear sharper.

[0035] Furthermore, the mask body 10 is distinguished into a back side B that contacts the face and a front side F opposite to it. At least the mouth line 12 has a welding allowance O formed on its back side B by welding the left and right sheet parts S together. As a result, the straight line of the mouth line 12 forms a clean straight shape when viewed from the front side F of the mask body 10, and the welding allowance O performs a shape-retaining function, so the straight shape of the mouth line 12 is maintained, and the aesthetic appearance of the mask 1 is preserved when worn.

[0036] Furthermore, the mask body 10 is made by laminating multiple sheet-like members, and at least one of them contains a core material layer to support the shape of the mask body 10. This ensures that the straight shape of the mouth area 12 is maintained more firmly, and sufficient space is secured for the wearer to breathe easily. In addition, the inclusion of the core material layer suppresses deformation of the mask when outside air is inhaled, improving its ability to adapt to breathing.

[0037] Furthermore, in the mask body, the line connecting the end of the upper line 11 of the fold line L and the upper end 21 of the ear loop portion 20 forms a wavy shape W. This visually creates a lifting effect around the eyes and increases the contact area with the skin, thereby reducing the mask from slipping. As a result, the wearer can use the mask comfortably for extended periods.

[0038] Furthermore, the lower line 13 is configured such that when the folded mask body 10 is opened, it wraps around the wearer's chin, starting from the lowest point of the straight line of the mouth line 12, and the angle between the mouth line 12 and the lower line 13, as viewed from the back side, decreases. In addition, the line connecting the lower end of the lower line 13 to the lower end 22 of the ear loop portion 20 is cut in an inverted R shape to form an R-shaped portion, which suppresses changes in the shape of the nonwoven fabric in the chin area of ​​the mask body 10, especially around the wearer's chin, preventing the nonwoven fabric from bunching up and creating gaps when the mask 1 is worn, and improving the sealing performance.

[0039] The lower line 13 has a welded allowance O formed on its back side B by welding the left and right sheet portions S together. On the back side B, a notch C is formed at the boundary between the mouth line 12 and the lower line 13 of the welded allowance O. When the folded mask body 10 is opened, a notch C is formed so that it bends at that point when the angle between the mouth line 12 and the lower line 13, as viewed from the back side, decreases, starting from the lowest point of the mouth line 12, so as to wrap around the wearer's chin. This allows the lower line 13 to wrap around the wearer's chin without difficulty when the folded mask body 10 is opened and used, improving the conformability and wearability of the mask body 10 to the face.

[0040] According to the mask 1 of this embodiment, even if there are differences in the shape and size of the wearer's face, it is possible to provide a mask that does not create gaps between the face and the side edges of the mask body 10, thereby improving the fit, conformability, and conformability to the wearer's face.

[0041] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The elements, arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes of the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to partially substitute or combine the configurations shown in different embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1…Mask, 10…Mask body, 11…Top line, 12…Mouth line, 13…Bottom line, 14…R-shaped part, 20…Ear loop part, 21…Top edge, 22…Bottom edge, B…Back side, C…Cut, F…Front side, L…Fold line, O…Welding allowance, W…Wavy

Claims

1. A mask comprising a sheet-like mask body that covers a target area of ​​the wearer's face, which is folded in half when not in use and opened when in use, and a pair of ear loops for securing the mask body to the wearer's ears, The aforementioned mask body has a fold line formed from the top to the bottom of the center of the mask body, A mask having at least one R-shaped portion formed by cutting the mask body in an inverted R-shape between the upper end of the ear loop portion and the lower end of the fold line of the mask body.

2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the R of the inverted R-shaped portion is R40 to R80.

3. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the mask body has a fold line comprising an upper line covering the user's eyes and nose tip, a mouth line covering the user's nose tip to the mouth and chin, and a lower line covering the user's chin to the chin, the upper line, mouth line and lower line being in the shape of an inverted basin, and the mouth line being formed to be considerably longer than the upper line and the lower line.

4. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the mask body is distinguished from the back surface that contacts the face and the opposite surface, and at least the mouth line has a welding allowance formed on the back side where the left and right sheet portions are welded together.

5. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the mask body is made by laminating a plurality of sheet-like members, and at least one of them includes a core material layer for supporting the shape of the mask body.

6. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the line connecting the upper end of the fold line and the upper end of the ear loop portion is wavy in the mask body.

7. The mask according to claim 3, wherein when the folded mask body is opened, the lower line is configured such that the angle between the mouth line and the lower line, as viewed from the back side, decreases, so as to wrap around the wearer's chin, starting from the lowest point of the straight line of the mouth line.

8. The aforementioned lower line has a welding allowance formed on its back side by welding the left and right sheet portions together. The mask according to claim 4, wherein on the reverse side, the boundary between the mouth line and the lower line of the welded allowance is provided with a notch such that when the mask body, which has been folded in half, is opened, a bend is formed when the angle between the mouth line and the lower line, as viewed from the reverse side, decreases, starting from the lowest point of the straight line of the mouth line, so as to wrap around the wearer's chin.

9. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the angle between the upper line and the mouth line on the back side of the mask body is 145 to 150°, and when the folded mask body is opened, the angle decreases.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Mask

    JP2022056346A