Face mask

Abstract

This invention relates to a face mask. The face mask M includes: a face mask body 1; ear loops 2 and 2 respectively disposed at the left and right ends of the face mask body 1; one or more left connecting portions 3 and one or more right connecting portions 4 formed by combining the ear loops 2 with the face mask body 1; and a nose bridge strip 5 disposed in the face mask body 1 extending in a left-right direction. In the face mask M, the positions of the uppermost first left connecting portion 3a and the first right connecting portion 4a are offset vertically relative to the position of the nose bridge strip 5, and when worn, the face mask body 1 can be folded into multiple layers, in which the nose bridge strip 5 does not belong to the same layer as either the first left connecting portion 3a or the first right connecting portion 4a.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a face mask. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pleated face mask that covers the area around the wearer's nostrils and mouth. The face mask of Patent Document 1 includes: a mask body having a breathable sheet material, a nose bridge strip embedded in the mask body, and ear loops for wearing the mask body on the face. In the face mask of Patent Document 1, the pleats conform the shape of the mask to the wearer's face, and the nose bridge strip deforms to conform to the shape of the wearer's nose, thereby stabilizing the wearing position of the mask body. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] Invention Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-110054 [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] —Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention—When a gap is formed between the face and the mask body, air or exhaled gas can enter or exit through the gap, resulting in problems such as the mask body's filtering function not being fully utilized and glasses fogging up due to exhaled gas. Therefore, when wearing a mask, the wearer needs to ensure that the nose strip fits snugly against the wearer's nose and both sides of the nose, thereby minimizing gaps between the mask and the face.

[0005] However, even when there are almost no gaps at the beginning of wearing, there is a problem that gaps can form between the face and the mask body at the nose or its sides as the wearer moves their face, especially with mouth movements for breathing and speaking. Specifically, when the wearer moves their mouth, the ear loops on the left and right sides of the mask body are subjected to tension (pulling force), which causes the nose bridge strip, which is located in the same straight line as the ear loops, to be pulled left and right. As a result, the nose bridge strip, which fits against the nose and the sides of the nose, becomes a straight line that extends almost in the direction of the pulling force on the ear loops, resulting in a gap between the nose bridge strip and the face.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to make it less likely for gaps to form between the mask body and the face.

[0007] -Technical means for solving technical problems- The first aspect of the present invention relates to a mask M, comprising: a mask body 1, ear loops 2, which are strip-shaped and respectively disposed at the left and right ends of the mask body 1, a left connecting part 3, which is one or more and disposed at one or more locations at the left end of the mask body 1, and is formed by combining the ear loops 2 with the mask body 1, a right connecting part 4, which is one or more and disposed at one or more locations at the right end of the mask body 1, and is formed by combining the ear loops 2 with the mask body 1, and a nose bridge strip 5, which is disposed in the mask body 1 in a manner extending in the left-right direction. When the aforementioned mask M uses the aforementioned left joint 3 located at the top as the first left joint 3a and the aforementioned right joint 4 located at the top as the first right joint 4a, the positions of the aforementioned first left joint 3a and the aforementioned first right joint 4a in the aforementioned mask body 1 are offset in the vertical direction relative to the position of the aforementioned nose bridge strip 5. The aforementioned mask M can fold the aforementioned mask body 1 into multiple layers along at least one fold line F1 to F3 extending in the left and right direction. In the aforementioned multiple layers, the aforementioned nose bridge strip 5 does not belong to the same layer as either the aforementioned first left joint 3a or the aforementioned first right joint 4a.

[0008] In this first embodiment, both the first left connecting portion 3a and the first right connecting portion 4a are significantly offset vertically relative to the position where the nose bridge strip 5 is located within the mask body 1. The inventors of this invention discovered that, in this manner, the tension on the ear loop portion 2 is less likely to affect the nose bridge strip 5, thus preventing deformation of the nose bridge strip 5 from fitting snugly against the nose. Therefore, even if the wearer moves their mouth, for example, while speaking, and the ear loop portion 2 experiences tension as the mask body 1 moves, deformation of the nose bridge strip 5 caused by this tension can be suppressed. That is, according to the first embodiment, it is easy to maintain a snug fit between the nose bridge strip 5 and the wearer's nose and both sides of the nose. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0009] In the second form, based on the first form, the aforementioned first left connecting portion 3a and the aforementioned first right connecting portion 4a are both located below the position of the aforementioned nose bridge strip 5 in the aforementioned mask body 1. The aforementioned mask body 1 has: a first region R1, which extends in the entire left-right direction and includes the portion where the aforementioned first left connecting portion 3a and the aforementioned first right connecting portion 4a are provided, and at least covers the wearer's mouth when worn; a second region R2, which extends in the entire left-right direction and is located above the aforementioned first region R1 and below the portion where the aforementioned nose bridge strip 5 is provided; and a third region R3. It extends in the entire left and right direction, and is located above the second region R2 and includes the part where the aforementioned nose bridge strip 5 is provided. When worn, it is located above the wearer's mouth. When the dividing line between the aforementioned first region R1 and the aforementioned second region R2 is taken as the first dividing line, and the dividing line between the aforementioned second region R2 and the aforementioned third region R3 is taken as the second dividing line, when worn, the aforementioned first dividing line and the aforementioned second dividing line are taken as the aforementioned fold lines F1 and F2, and the aforementioned third region R3 is the layer closest to the face, so that the aforementioned mask body is folded into three layers that are Z-shaped when viewed from the left and right direction.

[0010] In this second embodiment, when wearing the mask, since the mask body 1 is folded into three layers with the third region R3, including the nose bridge strip 5, being the layer closest to the face, the nose bridge strip 5 easily fits snugly against the wearer's nose and surrounding area. Furthermore, even if the mask body 1 moves forward, up, down, left, or right with the wearer's mouth movements, the first region R1, which covers the wearer's mouth, is directly affected by the mouth movements; therefore, the nose bridge strip 5 located in the third region R3 is less affected by mouth movements. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0011] The third form, based on the second form, the aforementioned mask body 1 also has a fourth region R4, which extends in the entire left and right direction and is higher than the aforementioned third region R3. When the dividing line between the aforementioned third region R3 and the aforementioned fourth region R4 is taken as the third dividing line, when wearing it, the aforementioned first dividing line, the aforementioned second dividing line and the aforementioned third dividing line are taken as the aforementioned fold lines F1 to F3, and the aforementioned fourth region R4 is folded into four layers that are M-shaped when viewed from the left and right direction, so that the aforementioned fourth region R4 becomes the layer closest to the face.

[0012] In this third configuration, when wearing the mask, the mask body 1 is folded into an M-shape, and the layer of the fourth region R4 is located between the layer of the third region R3 and the wearer's face. Since the layer of the fourth region R4 fills the space between the nose bridge strip 5 and the face, gaps are less likely to occur between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0013] The fourth type is based on the second or third type. On the aforementioned mask body 1, a plurality of welding parts B are arranged at intervals along the aforementioned fold line that serves as the aforementioned first dividing line. The aforementioned welding parts B are formed by welding the upper end of the aforementioned first region R1 and the lower end of the aforementioned second region R2 together.

[0014] In this fourth embodiment, the welded portion B on the mask body makes it easier to maintain the folded state along the fold line F1. For example, even when the internal pressure between the layer belonging to the first region R1 and the layer belonging to the second region R2 increases due to the wearer sneezing, the layers belonging to the second region R2 and the third region R3 are less likely to bulge upwards towards the mask body 1. That is, according to the fourth embodiment, it is easier to maintain the mask body 1 in a zigzag or M-shaped fold. As a result, the nose bridge strip 5 is less affected by the tension applied to the ear loops 2 as the wearer moves their mouth, and it is also less affected by drastic changes in internal pressure between the mask body 1 and the face. That is, according to the fourth embodiment, it is easier to suppress the deformation of the nose bridge strip 5, resulting in less likely gaps to form between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0015] The fifth form is based on the second form. When worn, the first area of ​​the mask body covers at least the wearer's mouth, the third area is located on the wearer's nose and both sides of the nose, and the position of the nose bridge strip in the vertical direction coincides with the position of the first left joint and the first right joint of the ear loop in the vertical direction.

[0016] In this fifth configuration, by aligning the nose bridge strip with the first left and first right connecting parts of the ear loops in the vertical direction, the nose bridge strip can more easily maintain a secure fit with the wearer's nose and its sides under the tension of the ear loops. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0017] Effects of the invention According to the present invention, gaps are less likely to form between the mask body and the face.

Implementation Method

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following preferred embodiments are merely illustrative examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0020] (First Embodiment) —Structure of a Mask— Figures 1 to 5 show a mask M related to the first embodiment. The mask M includes a mask body 1 and a pair of stretchable and deformable strap-shaped ear loops 2, 2. The ear loops 2, 2 are respectively provided at the left and right ends of the mask body 1. Furthermore, there is no limitation on the material; the mask body 1 is, for example, made of non-woven fabric.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mask M includes a left ear loop 2 and two left connecting parts 3 (3a, 3b) formed by combining the left ear loop 2 and the right ear loop 2 with the mask body 1, as well as a right connecting part 4 (4a, 4b). The ear loops 2 are fused to the mask body 1 at the left connecting parts 3 and the right connecting parts 4. Hereinafter, the upper left connecting part 3 of the two left connecting parts 3 (3a, 3b) will be referred to as the first left connecting part 3a, and the lower left connecting part 3 will be referred to as the second left connecting part 3b. Similarly, the upper right connecting part 4 of the two right connecting parts 4 (4a, 4b) will be referred to as the first right connecting part 4a, and the lower right connecting part 4 will be referred to as the second right connecting part 4b.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first left joint 3a and the first right joint 4a are disposed on the upper end side of the mask body 1 (the part closer to the upper end than the central part in the vertical direction). The second left joint 3b and the second right joint 4b are disposed on the lower end side of the mask body 1 (the part closer to the lower end than the central part in the vertical direction).

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the mask body 1 is constructed by overlapping a front side panel 1a and a back side panel 1b, which are integrally formed at the periphery. When wearing the mask M, the back side panel 1b faces the wearer's face. Pleats P are provided on the front side panel 1a and the back side panel 1b, which are formed by folding out creases extending in the left-right direction. Furthermore, in this specification, "front side" refers to the side opposite to the side where the wearer's face is when wearing the mask M, and "back side" refers to the side where the wearer's face is when wearing the mask M. Figures 1, 2, and 4 show the mask M as viewed from the back side panel 1b side.

[0024] The mask M includes a nose bridge strip 5 disposed between the front side panel 1a and the back side panel 1b. The nose bridge strip 5 is disposed near the upper end of the mask body 1 and extends in a left-right direction. Furthermore, the front side panel 1a and the back side panel 1b are integrally formed along a dotted line L, which is disposed above and below the portion where the nose bridge strip 5 is disposed and extends in a left-right direction. In addition, to make the front side panel 1a and the back side panel 1b integrally formed along the dotted line L, ultrasonic welding may be performed, for example.

[0025] In the mask body 1, the positions of the first left connecting portion 3a and the first right connecting portion 4a are both offset downward relative to the position of the nose bridge strip 5. Specifically, the distance between the extension lines of the upper ends of the first left connecting portion 3a and the first right connecting portion 4a and the lower ends of the nose bridge strip 5 is preferably at least a gap greater than the vertical width of the nose bridge strip 5. By offsetting the positions of the first left connecting portion 3a and the first right connecting portion 4a downward relative to the position of the nose bridge strip 5, when wearing the mask M, the mask body 1 can be folded along the two fold lines F1 and F2 extending in the left and right directions as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0026] In the folded state, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper part of the mask body 1 has three layers. Among these three layers, the nose bridge strip 5 and either the first left joint 3 or the first right joint 4a do not belong to the same layer. Furthermore, the counting method of "three layers" mentioned here does not count the front side piece 1a and the back side piece 1b as one layer, but rather counts the thickness of the entire mask body 1 as one layer.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, fold lines F1 and F2 extend along the boundary lines between the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 of the mask body 1. The first region R1 is a region that extends in the entire left-right direction and includes the portions where the first left joint 3a and the first right joint 4a are provided, and at least covers the wearer's mouth when worn. The second region R2 is a region that extends in the entire left-right direction and is located above the first region R1 and below the portion where the nose bridge strip 5 is provided. The third region R3 is a region that extends in the entire left-right direction and is located above the second region R2 and includes the portion where the nose bridge strip 5 is provided, and is located above the wearer's mouth when worn.

[0028] The fold line F1 is the dividing line between the first region R1 and the second region R2 (first dividing line), and the fold line F2 is the dividing line between the second region R2 and the third region R3 (second dividing line). As shown in Figure 5, along these fold lines F1 and F2, with the third region R3 being the layer closest to the face, the mask body 1 is folded into three layers that appear in a Z-shape when viewed from the left and right.

[0029] The mask body 1 has four welded portions B formed by fusing the upper end of the first region R1 and the lower end of the second region R2 together. The four welded portions B are spaced apart in the left-right direction along the fold line F1. As shown in FIG6, in each welded portion B, the front side plate 1a and the back side plate 1b are integrated in a state where the fold line on the front side protrudes outward and the fold line on the back side (the side where the wearer's face is located) is recessed inward. Therefore, the mask body 1 is folded along the fold line F1 where the welded portions B are provided.

[0030] When wearing a mask (refer to Figure 4), it is preferable that the first area R1 of the mask body 1 at least covers the wearer's mouth, and the third area R3 is located on the wearer's nose and both sides of the nose. Also, as shown in Figure 4, when wearing a mask, it is preferable that the nose bridge strip 5 is aligned vertically with the first left connecting part 3a and the first right connecting part 4a of the ear loop 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the mask M does not necessarily have to be folded during manufacturing. It is sufficient that the position of the nose bridge strip 5 is offset vertically relative to the first left joint 3a and the first right joint 4a when worn, to the extent that it can be folded into the three layers shown in Figures 4 and 5. For example, the mask M may not be folded when it is freshly manufactured, but it will be folded when the wearer wears the mask M. Also, the baseline lines of the fold lines F1 and F2 may be marked on the mask body 1.

[0032] ―Method for Manufacturing a Mask― The method for manufacturing mask M can directly apply, for example, the general mask manufacturing method described below. A roll of non-woven fabric, which will become the mask body 1, is fed out while folding it to form a crease P. Next, the fed non-woven fabric is cut to a specified length and the nose bridge strip 5 is assembled, thereby creating the mask body 1. Then, ear loops 2, 2 are installed on the mask body 1, and the mask body 1 is folded along the fold line F1, forming a welded part B as shown in Figure 6 on the fold line F1, thus completing mask M. At this time, the positions of the left joint 3 and the right joint 4 of the mask body 1 and the ear loops 2, 2 are offset vertically relative to the position of the nose bridge strip 5.

[0033] ―Function and Effect― In this embodiment, both the first left connecting portion 3a and the first right connecting portion 4a are significantly offset vertically relative to the position where the nose bridge strip 5 is provided within the mask body 1. The inventors of this invention have discovered that, in this manner, the tension on the ear loop portion 2 is less likely to affect the nose bridge strip 5, thus preventing deformation of the nose bridge strip 5 from fitting snugly against the nose. In particular, when wearing the mask M, by folding the mask body 1 into multiple layers along at least one fold line F1, F2 extending in the left-right direction, and in these multiple layers, the nose bridge strip 5 does not belong to the same layer as either the first left connecting portion 3a or the first right connecting portion 4a, the effect of the tension on the nose bridge strip 5 on the ear loop portion 2 can be significantly reduced. Therefore, even if the wearer moves their mouth, for example, by speaking, and the ear loop portion 2 is subjected to tension as the mask body 1 moves, deformation of the nose bridge strip 5 caused by this tension can be suppressed. That is, according to the first embodiment, it is easy to maintain a state in which the nose bridge strip 5 fits snugly against the wearer's nose and its two sides. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0034] However, in the prior art, the gap between the mask body and the nose is filled by installing cushioning pads, liner, or other components between the mask body and the nose. However, such prior art has the following problems: the aforementioned components cannot fit the shape of each person's nose, resulting in the inability to fill the gap; the mask body is bulky and inconvenient to carry; logistics and manufacturing costs are high; and manufacturing is time-consuming. In this respect, the mask M of this embodiment can easily fit the shape of each person's nose by deforming the nose bridge strip 5, and because of its small size, it is easy to carry, and logistics costs are also suppressed. Furthermore, according to the above description, the mask M of this embodiment can be manufactured almost directly using general mask manufacturing methods, so it is easy to manufacture and manufacturing costs are also suppressed. As described above, the mask M of this embodiment has various advantages compared to the prior art.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when wearing a mask, since the mask body 1 is folded into three layers with the third region R3, including the nose bridge strip 5, being the layer closest to the face, the nose bridge strip 5 easily fits snugly against the wearer's nose and surrounding area. Also, even if the mask body 1 moves forward, up, down, left, or right with the wearer's mouth movements, the first region R1, which covers the wearer's mouth, is directly affected by the mouth movements; therefore, the nose bridge strip 5 located in the third region R3 is less affected by mouth movements. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG5, since the mask M is used in a folded state with the third region R3 where the nose bridge strip 5 is located as the outermost layer, the second region R2 as the middle layer, and the first region R1 as the outermost layer, the wearer's exhaled air is trapped between the middle layer (second region R2) and the outermost layer (first region R1). Therefore, even if the exhaled air that has passed through the filter layer of the mask body 1 is blown upward from the upper end of the mask body 1, its intensity is weakened. As a result, fogging of the wearer's glasses can be suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mask body 1 is folded along the fold line F1 where the weld portion B is provided. This has at least four advantages. First, the first advantage is that, by folding the mask body 1, the mask M becomes more compact compared to its unfolded state. Therefore, when multiple masks M are displayed as merchandise, they do not take up much space and are not bulky, making them easy to handle and facilitating mass distribution. The second advantage is that the wearer does not need to fold the mask body 1 along the fold line F1 when wearing the mask M, thus saving time in the wearing process. The third advantage is that, for example, when removing the mask M from the package, the mask M can be removed without touching the back side of the mask body 1, thus reducing the chance of the wearer's hands touching the back side of the mask body 1, making it more hygienic. The fourth advantage is that even when the internal pressure between the layer belonging to the first region R1 and the layer belonging to the second region R2 increases due to the wearer sneezing, it is easy to maintain the folded state along the fold line F1, and the layers belonging to the second region R2 and the third region R3 are less likely to bulge upwards towards the mask body 1.

[0038] However, when the welded part B is provided, care should be taken to avoid the relationship between the layer to which the first region R1 belongs and the layer to which the second region R2 belongs being overly fixed, so that the layer to which the third region R3 belongs is easily affected by the tension of the ear hook part 2.

[0039] In this embodiment, since a plurality of welded portions B are arranged at intervals along the fold line F1, it is possible to avoid the relationship between the layer belonging to the first region R1 and the layer belonging to the second region R2 being excessively fixed. That is, by providing the welded portions B, the restriction on the degree of freedom of movement (deformation) of the mask body 1 can be maintained at the minimum necessary level of maintaining the folded state along the fold line F1, and the aforementioned effect of making the layer belonging to the third region R3 less susceptible to the tension of the ear loop portion 2 can be maintained.

[0040] Furthermore, the number of welded parts B does not necessarily have to be four as in this embodiment, but from the viewpoint that it is easy to maintain the mask body 1 in the aforementioned folded state, it is preferable to have two or more, and more preferably four.

[0041] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, the structure of the second embodiment that differs from that of the first embodiment will be described using Figures 7 and 8. Furthermore, in Figures 7 and 8, the same symbols as in the first embodiment are used for structures common to the first embodiment.

[0042] In the mask M related to this embodiment, as shown in FIG7, the mask body 1 also has a fourth region R4, which extends in the entire left-right direction and is located above the third region R3. When the dividing line between the third region R3 and the fourth region R4 is taken as the third dividing line, when the mask M is worn, as shown in FIG8, the first dividing line, the second dividing line, and the third dividing line are used as fold lines F1 to F3, and the fourth region R4 is folded into four layers that form an M shape when viewed from the left-right direction, with the fourth region R4 being the layer closest to the face.

[0043] In this embodiment, when wearing the mask M, the mask body 1 is folded into an M shape, and the layer of the fourth region R4 is located between the layer of the third region R3 and the wearer's face. Since the layer of the fourth region R4 fills the space between the nose bridge strip 5 and the face, gaps are less likely to occur between the mask body 1 and the face.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG8, when viewed from the direction of the wearer's mouth (right side in FIG8), the layer located on the most reverse side (the side closest to the wearer's face) and the layer located on the adjacent front side with the nose bridge strip 5 are folded inwards. As a result, exhaled air from the wearer's mouth due to breathing, sneezing, etc., is easily trapped between the layer on the most reverse side and the layer with the nose bridge strip 5. Therefore, the layer on the most reverse side is easily pressed against the wearer's face due to the pressure of the trapped exhaled air. Consequently, exhaled air is less likely to leak upwards from the upper part of the mask body 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG8, the nose bridge strip 5 is not provided on the layer closest to the wearer's face (the side closest to the wearer's face). That is, the mask fabric of the layer closest to the wearer's face acts as a cushioning pad, and the nose and its surrounding area that are in contact with the upper part of the mask body 1 are less likely to feel the hardness of the nose bridge strip 5, thus improving the wearing comfort of the mask M.

[0046] (Other Embodiments) The mask M related to this invention only requires that the position of the nose bridge strip 5 is offset vertically relative to the positions of the first left joint 3a and the first right joint 4a to the extent that it can be folded into multiple layers along at least one fold line extending horizontally. In these layers, the nose bridge strip 5 does not belong to the same layer as either the first left joint 3a or the first right joint 4a. Furthermore, in the mask body 1, the positions of the first left joint 3a and the first right joint 4a can also be offset upwards relative to the position of the nose bridge strip 5.

[0047] Furthermore, the folded state of the mask M when it is folded for use does not necessarily have to be the three layers shown in Figures 4 to 5. It can also be two layers: the layer of the nose bridge strip 5 and the layers of the first left joint 3a and the first right joint 4a.

[0048] In the aforementioned embodiments, the mask body 1 is composed of a front side piece 1a and a back side piece 1b. However, as long as a nose bridge strip 5 can be provided, the mask body 1 can be composed of a single sheet or three or more sheets.

[0049] The number of the connecting parts 3 and 4 formed by the left and right ear loops 2 and 2 respectively combined with the mask body 1 does not necessarily have to be two on the left and right sides. For example, they can be one on each side or three on each side.

[0050] In the aforementioned embodiments, a welding part B is provided on the mask body 1, but the welding part B may not be provided.

[0051] -Industrial applicability- This invention is effective as a face mask. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0018] Figure 1 is a front view showing a mask according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the first to third regions and fold lines of the mask shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the section along lines III to III in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a front view showing the mask shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a folded state (use state). Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the section along line V-V in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the section along line VI-VI in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 7 is a diagram of a mask according to the second embodiment corresponding to Figure 2. Figure 8 is a diagram of a mask according to the second embodiment corresponding to Figure 5.

Claims

1. A face mask, comprising: The mask body comprises: ear loops, which are strip-shaped and respectively located at the left and right ends of the mask body; a left connecting portion, which is one or more located at one location on the left end of the mask body and is formed by combining the ear loops with the mask body; a right connecting portion, which is one or more located at one location on the right end of the mask body and is formed by combining the ear loops with the mask body; and a nose bridge strip, which extends in the left-right direction within the mask body. When the uppermost left connecting portion is designated as the first left connecting portion and the uppermost right connecting portion as the first right connecting portion, the positions of the first left connecting portion and the first right connecting portion are offset vertically relative to the position of the nose bridge strip within the mask body. This allows the mask body to be folded into multiple layers along at least one fold line extending in the left-right direction. In these multiple layers, the nose bridge strip does not belong to any of the first left or first right connecting portions. The aforementioned first left joint and the aforementioned first right joint are both located below the position of the aforementioned nose bridge strip in the aforementioned mask body. The aforementioned mask body has: a first region that extends in the entire left-right direction and includes the portion where the aforementioned first left joint and the aforementioned first right joint are provided, and at least covers the wearer's mouth when worn; a second region that extends in the entire left-right direction and is located above the aforementioned first region and below the portion where the aforementioned nose bridge strip is provided; and a third region that extends in the entire left-right direction and is located above the second region and includes the portion where the aforementioned nose bridge strip is provided, and is located above the wearer's mouth when worn. When the dividing line between the aforementioned first region and the aforementioned second region is taken as the first dividing line, and the dividing line between the aforementioned second region and the aforementioned third region is taken as the second dividing line, when worn, the aforementioned first dividing line and the aforementioned second dividing line are used as the aforementioned fold lines, and the aforementioned mask body is folded into three layers in a Z-shape when viewed from the left-right direction, with the aforementioned third region being the layer closest to the face. When wearing the aforementioned mask, the aforementioned first area of ​​the mask body at least covers the wearer's mouth, the aforementioned third area is located on the wearer's nose and both sides of the nose, and the aforementioned nose bridge strip is aligned vertically with the aforementioned first left joint and the aforementioned first right joint of the ear loop in the vertical direction. When the aforementioned left joint located below the aforementioned first left joint is designated as the second left joint, and the aforementioned right joint located below the aforementioned first right joint is designated as the second right joint, the distance from the upper end of the aforementioned first left joint to the aforementioned mask body is longer than the distance from the lower end of the aforementioned second left joint to the aforementioned mask body, and the distance from the upper end of the aforementioned first right joint to the aforementioned mask body is longer than the distance from the lower end of the aforementioned second right joint to the aforementioned mask body.

2. The mask as described in claim 1, wherein the main body of the mask also has a fourth region that extends in the entire left-right direction and is higher than the third region. When the dividing line between the third region and the fourth region is taken as the third dividing line, when wearing the mask, the first dividing line, the second dividing line and the third dividing line are taken as the fold lines, and the fourth region is folded into four layers that are M-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction, with the fourth region being the layer closest to the face.

3. The mask as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein on the mask body, a plurality of welded portions are arranged at intervals along the aforementioned fold line which serves as the aforementioned first dividing line, the aforementioned welded portions being formed by welding the upper end of the aforementioned first region and the lower end of the aforementioned second region together, the aforementioned welded portions forming a fold inward on the side of the mask body where the wearer's face is located.

Images