Ear hook for mask, mask, method for manufacturing ear hook for mask, and method for manufacturing mask

Abstract

An ear hook for a mask is formed of a material having a stretchable member, and a first surface sheet and a second surface sheet joined to both surfaces of the stretchable member through a plurality of joining portions, respectively, in a state in which the stretchable member is stretched. The ear hook for the mask has a base portion fixed to a main body of the mask, an ear back arrangement portion located at an ear back of a wearer, an upper side transition portion extending from the base portion to the ear back arrangement portion on an upper side, and a lower side transition portion transitioning from the base portion to the ear back arrangement portion on a lower side. A number of the plurality of joining portions per unit area in the ear back arrangement portion is more than a number of the plurality of joining portions per unit area in at least one of the upper side transition portion and the lower side transition portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an ear-hanging portion for a face mask, a face mask, a method for manufacturing an ear-hanging portion for a face mask, and a method for manufacturing a face mask. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a configuration of a face mask to be worn on a face, a face mask including a mask body covering at least a part of a face of a wearer, and a pair of ear-hanging portions, i.e., members to be hung on each ear of the wearer in order to hold the mask body in a wearing position thereof, are known.

[0003] As an ear-hanging portion for a face mask, a sheet-shaped face mask is known. For example, a face mask disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a single sheet-shaped ear-hanging sheet in which two ear-hanging portions extend on the same plane in a state of being connected to each other by a connecting portion. In Patent Literature 1, it is described that the ear-hanging portion is configured of a stretchable spun-bonded nonwoven fabric or the like.

[0004] (Prior Art Documents)

[0005] (Patent Literature)

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5762803 SUMMARY

[0007] (Problems to be Solved by the Invention)

[0008] It is preferable that a portion of the sheet-shaped ear-hanging portion extending in the left-right direction of the face in the face mask disclosed in Patent Literature 1 be easily elongated at the time of a wearing action. On the other hand, it is preferable that a portion of the ear-hanging portion located at the rear of the ear at the time of wearing (during wearing) not be greatly elongated and deformed so as to be stably maintained in a state of being in contact with the skin at the rear of the ear. Therefore, it is preferable that the ear-hanging portion have different elongation properties or deformation properties of the sheet-shaped ear-hanging portion depending on the place. However, such a study has not been made in the past.

[0009] An object of one embodiment of the present application described above is to provide an ear-hanging portion for a face mask in which wearing easiness and wearing feeling are improved.

[0010] (Method for Solving the Problem)

[0011] One embodiment of the present application is an ear loop for a mask formed from a material having a stretchable member, and a first surface sheet and a second surface sheet joined to both surfaces of the stretchable member by a plurality of joining portions, respectively, in a state in which the stretchable member is stretched, the ear loop for a mask having: a base portion fixed to a main body of the mask; an ear back arrangement portion located at an ear back of a wearer; an upper side transition portion extending from the base portion to the ear back arrangement portion on an upper side; and a lower side transition portion transitioning from the base portion to the ear back arrangement portion on a lower side, the number of the plurality of joining portions per unit area in the ear back arrangement portion being greater than the number of the plurality of joining portions per unit area in at least one of the upper side transition portion and the lower side transition portion.

[0012] (EFFECTS OF INVENTION)

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present application, an ear loop for a mask that improves ease of wearing and wearing feeling can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a plan view of the outer side of a mask of one embodiment of the present application, viewed from the outer side.

[0015] Figure 2 is a plan view of the mask of Figure 1 , viewed from the inner side (face side).

[0016] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of Figure 1 .

[0017] Figure 4 is a plan view of a pair of ear loops after being opened to the side, in use.

[0018] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 4 .

[0019] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an ear loop of one embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 7 is a plan view of an ear loop of one embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a joining portion.

[0022] Figure 9 is a schematic view of a manufacturing apparatus for a mask.

[0023] Figure 10 is a view for explaining manufacturing of a mask. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following describes embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings. Note that, in each drawing, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate, unless particularly stated otherwise. Also, the drawings are schematic views for facilitating understanding of the application.

[0025] (Basic configuration of mask)

[0026] First, the basic configuration of the mask of the present embodiment is described. The mask of the present embodiment can be a mask capable of covering the face of the wearer, more specifically, at least the nose and mouth of the wearer. The mask of the present embodiment can have a function of preventing foreign matter from reaching the face, or preventing droplets generated from the wearer from flying, and is also called a sanitary mask or a surgical mask.

[0027] Figure 1 A plan view of the mask 1 is shown. Figure 1 is a view of the mask 1 as viewed from the outside, i.e., the side not opposite the face when worn. Also, Figure 2 A plan view of the mask 1 as viewed from the inside (face side) is shown. Also, Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the mask 1 taken along the line I-I of Figure 1 is shown.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 , the mask 1 of the present embodiment is disposed on the front of the face of the wearer when worn, and includes a mask body 10 capable of mainly covering the nose and mouth of the wearer, and a pair of ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a combined with the mask body 10. The mask body 10 has an up-down direction (vertical direction) D1 corresponding to the up-down direction of the face of the wearer when worn, and a left-right direction (horizontal direction) D2 orthogonal to the up-down direction D1. In Figure 1 , the mask body 10 has a rectangular planar shape having a long side in the left-right direction D2, but the planar shape of the mask body 10 is not limited to the illustrated shape.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the mask body 10 has a pleat structure 15 formed of a plurality of pleats (folds) arranged in the up-down direction D1. The pleats of the pleat structure 15 are formed by folding the sheet constituting the mask body 10 at a fold line in the left-right direction D2. Also, in a state where a plurality of pleats are formed, the side portions (left-right direction D2 end portions) of the mask body 10 are joined and fixed by pressure bonding or the like. Thus, in use of the mask 1, by unfolding the pleats of the pleat structure 15 in the up-down direction D1, the left-right direction D2 center is bent in a manner projecting toward the outer surface side of the mask 1, and can be deformed into a shape suitable for the three-dimensional shape of the face. The specific configuration of the pleat structure 15 is not particularly limited, and can be a publicly known configuration formed in a mask body.

[0030] The mask body 10 can have a multi-layered structure composed of multiple stacked layers. For example, it can be a three-layered structure that includes at least an outer layer and an inner layer sandwiching an intermediate layer to enhance the function of capturing foreign objects (dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, etc.). Preferably, each layer constituting the mask body 10 can include a fiber-containing layer such as nonwoven fabric, textile, or woven fabric, and more preferably, a nonwoven fabric. Examples of nonwoven fabrics include spunbond nonwoven fabric, water-entangled nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, hot-air nonwoven fabric, and dot-bonded nonwoven fabric. In addition, it is preferable to use meltblown nonwoven fabric, which can include finer fibers, in the intermediate layer. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fibers constituting the fiber-containing layer are resin fibers, and examples of resins for resin fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon. The unit area weight of the outer and inner layers is 10 to 50 g / m². 2 Preferably 15-50 g / m 2 The preferred intermediate layer, with a high foreign object trapping capacity, has a unit area weight of 10–100 g / m². 2 More preferably, it is 15–50 g / m 2 .

[0031] The pair of ear loops 20a, 20a can be loop-shaped (or closed band-shaped) when viewed from above, or have a shape including loops. In order to wear them, the wearer's ear enters the inside of the loop of the ear loop 20a, that is, enters the central opening 29 of the ear loop 20a, so that the ear loop 20a can be hung on the ear.

[0032] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a can be formed as a single piece or a continuous ear loop piece 20 that is separably joined together at the center of the left-right direction D2. Here, "single piece" means that it is composed of a single continuous piece, and "piece" can also include the concept of multiple layers stacked together. By making the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a into a piece, when the ear loops 20a are hung on the ears, they can make face contact with the back of the ear (or the back of the ear), that is, the skin and / or the back of the earlobe, which is further back than the ear, thereby reducing the burden on the ears. Therefore, even when wearing a mask for a long time, pain and discomfort can be reduced. In addition, since the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a are a single piece (composed of ear loop piece 20), the positioning of the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a can be performed simultaneously during manufacturing, thus making the mask manufacturing easier.

[0033] When the ear loop piece 20 is first used, it is configured to form a pair of ear loops 20a, 20a that can separate by breaking at a predetermined position. More specifically, in Figure 1In the manner, a pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a are joined by a joining portion 28. The joining form of the joining portion 28 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a joining that is separable by stretching with the usual force of the user. For example, it can be formed as a needle eye as shown in Figure 1 In addition, the joining portion 28 can be formed by making the thickness of the piece small, or by other means to make the boundary of the pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a weak or susceptible to stress.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1-3 A single piece of a pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a, or an ear hook piece 20 is arranged overlapping the mask body 10. The ear hook piece 20 can have a shape and size that does not protrude from the mask body 10 in the left-right direction D2 in plan view. In this case, the length of the ear hook piece 20 in the left-right direction D2 can be set to 70 to 95% of the length of the mask 1 in the left-right direction D2. With this configuration, at the time of manufacture, a complicated process such as bending of the ear hook piece 20 is not required, and continuous manufacture of the mask can be performed by overlapping and joining the mask body 10 and the ear hook piece 20. Note that the length of one ear hook portion 20a in the left-right direction D2 can be 60 to 90 mm, and preferably 65 to 85 mm.

[0035] A pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a can be directly or indirectly joined to the side portions (left-right direction D2 end portions) of the body 10, respectively. That is, the portions of the pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a on the outside in the left-right direction D2 are joined to the body 10, and the portions other than these are not joined to the body 10. At the start of use of the mask 1 of the present manner, the user releases the joining of the pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a to each other at the joining portion 28 before wearing the mask 1, separates the ear hook portions 20a, 20a from each other (also referred to as a separation action), and opens the portions of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a that are not joined to the body 10 to the left-right direction D2 side (also referred to as an unfolding action).

[0036] (Auxiliary materials)

[0037] Note that, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a can be joined to the both side portions of the mask main body 10 through the sheet-like auxiliary material 30, 30, respectively. By joining the ear hook portions 20a and the mask main body 10 using the auxiliary material 30, the mask 1 can be formed without directly joining the ear hook portions 20a and the mask main body 10. Therefore, the joining of the ear hook portions 20a and the auxiliary material 30, and the joining of the mask main body 10 and the auxiliary material 30 can be formed in appropriate manners, respectively. In addition, it is possible to avoid using a part of the area of the ear hook portions 20a for the fixation to the mask main body 10. Therefore, by using the auxiliary material 30, the ear hook portions 20a can be made to move more freely with respect to the mask main body 10 compared to the case where the ear hook portions 20a are directly joined to the mask main body 10, and thus it is possible to more freely set the position of the ear hook portions 20a with respect to the ears when the ear hook portions 20a are worn on the ears. In Figures 1-3 In the illustrated manner, the mask main body 10 overlaps the sheet-like auxiliary material 30, and is joined by the first side portion joining portion 50. In addition, the sheet-like ear hook portions 20a overlap the sheet-like auxiliary material 30, and are joined by the second side portion joining portion 60.

[0038] The auxiliary material 30 can be a sheet-like member that extends throughout the entire up-and-down direction Dl of the mask 1. The length (width) of the auxiliary material 30 in the left-and-right direction D2 differs depending on the size of the entire mask 1 and the constitution, the size, shape, and material of the main body 10 and the ear hook portions 20a, and is preferably 15 to 35 mm. The weight per unit area of the auxiliary material 30 can be 5 to 100 g / m 2 In addition, the thickness of the auxiliary material 30 can be 100 to 1,000 μm.

[0039] The auxiliary material 30 can be formed of a material that has no stretchability or small stretchability, or can be formed of a material that has a certain degree of stretchability. The auxiliary material 30 can include, for example, a stretchable nonwoven fabric. In this case, it is preferable that the auxiliary material 30 have stretchability at least in the left-and-right direction D2, but it is preferable that the stretchability of the auxiliary material 30 be smaller than that of the ear hook portions 20a. Note that the auxiliary material 30 can be formed of a material that irreversibly deforms in shape when a force is applied.

[0040] The first side portion joining portion 50 and the second side portion joining portion 60 can be formed by, for example, a device that joins the opposing faces of members to each other by applying pressure and / or heat, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, non-heated embossing, or the like. Among these, it is preferable to use heat sealing from the viewpoint of being able to achieve reliable joining.

[0041] With the auxiliary material 30 provided, the length of the left-right direction D2 of the ear loop pieces 20 constituting the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a is shorter than the length of the left-right direction D2 of the mask 1. As a result, the outer end 21 of the left-right direction D2 of the ear loop 20a can be misaligned with the outer end 11 of the left-right direction D2 of the main body 10, thereby allowing the auxiliary material 30 to be attached near the left-right direction D2 ends of the mask body 10 that are not covered by the ear loops 20a.

[0042] (The action of separating / unlocking the ear loops)

[0043] When using the mask 1, the user can pinch or hold the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a respectively and pull them in opposite directions. This firstly releases the detachable connection 28. If the connection 28 is formed by a needle eye along the boundary line between the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a, the needle eye can be broken, allowing the two ear loops 20a, 20a to separate along the boundary line. Afterwards, the user can, while holding the pair of ear loops 20a, 20a respectively, ... Figure 3 As shown, open a pair of ear loops 20a, 20a to the left and right (as indicated by the arrows) outwards from D2.

[0044] Figure 4 It shows self Figure 1 The state is such that the pair of ear loops 20a and 20a are opened to the left and right outwards in the direction D2, respectively. Additionally, Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Sectional view along line II-II. (See also...) Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, if the pair of ear loops 20a and 20a are opened, the ear loops 20a and 20a will flip over, that is, the side of the ear loops 20a and 20a that is opposite to the main body 10 in the state before use will be exposed.

[0045] After the user holds the pair of ear loops 20a and 20a respectively and opens them outward in the left and right directions (D2), the mask body 10 is placed on the wearer's face with the face side of the mask body 10 facing the wearer's face, and the ear loops 20a and 20a are hooked onto the wearer's ears respectively.

[0046] The state before use ( Figures 1-3 In this configuration, a pair of single-piece ear loops 20a, 20a (ear loop pieces 20) are overlapped on the mask body 10. The ear loops 20a, 20a can overlap on any side of the mask body 10, but as shown in the diagram, they are preferably overlapped on the outer surface of the mask body 10. Therefore, when wearing the mask 1, contact with the inner surface (face side) of the mask body 10 can be reduced or essentially eliminated.

[0047] For example, in the case where the user himself wears the mask 1, the mask 1 is arranged on his own face with the inner surface of the mask main body 10 facing his own face, while pressing the outer surface of the mask main body 10 with one hand, and while releasing the coupling of the ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a at the coupling portion 28 with the other hand, and hanging one of the ear-hanging portions 20a to the ear. Then, after replacing the hand that is pressing the mask main body 10 with the other hand, the other of the ear-hanging portions 20a can be hung to the ear with one hand.

[0048] In addition, in a state where the mask 1 is placed with the outer side facing vertically upward (with the outer surface of the main body 10 facing upward), the user holds the pair of ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a with his hands and opens them outward in the leftward and rightward directions D2. Thereafter, in a state where the pair of ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a are held, the mask 1 is moved toward the face of another wearer, and after the mask main body 10 is arranged at a desired position on the face of the wearer, the pair of ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a can be hung to the ears of the wearer without changing the holding manner. Thus, the mask 1 of the present mode can be applied to a case where a person who is difficult to wear a mask by himself or herself, such as a child or a patient, wears a mask.

[0049] Note that, in the case of holding the ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a, the user can hold the pinch hands 25, 25 that protrude outward from the respective rings of the ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a when viewed from above. By holding the pinch hands 25, 25 to use the ear-hanging portions 20a, 20a, the separating action and the unfolding action of the mask can be performed more hygienically. It is preferable that the pinch hands 25, 25 protrude across the outer edge of the mask main body 10, particularly across the lower end of the mask main body 10, as shown in FIG. 1 (b). Figure 1

[0050] Furthermore, in the main body 10, a mark 18 that can distinguish the front and back (the outer surface and the inner surface) of the mask main body 10 can be formed by embossing, printing, sewing, or the like. The mark 18 is visually recognizable by the user, and the manner thereof is not limited. As shown in FIG. 1 (a) and FIG. 1 (b), the mark 18 can be a letter, a number, a symbol, a figure, a logo, or the like. If the mark 18 is a letter, the user can recognize the side on which the letter can be read correctly as the outer surface. Figure 1 Figure 2

[0051] (Ear-hanging portion and ear-hanging portion sheet)

[0052] Figure 6 (a) of FIG. 2 shows a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of cutting a material that constitutes the ear-hanging portion 20a or the ear-hanging portion sheet 20 in the leftward and rightward directions D2. As shown in (a) of FIG. 2, the material that constitutes the ear-hanging portion 20a or the ear-hanging portion sheet 20 can be a sheet in which a plurality of layers are stacked. In this case, the material that constitutes the ear-hanging portion 20a or the ear-hanging portion sheet 20 can be a sheet in which a plurality of layers are stacked, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2. Figure 6 Figure 6 ​​​​In example (a), the material includes a stretchable material (stretchable film) 5, on which a first surface sheet 2 is disposed, and on the opposite side of the first surface, a second surface sheet 3 is disposed. Furthermore, the stretchable component is a component that has the property of being able to elongate in at least one direction by applying a tensile force, and returning to its original length (natural length) by releasing the applied tensile force (in a state where no external force is applied).

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown in (a), in this example, a stretchable film 5 is used as a stretchable component. Examples of materials for the stretchable film 5 include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyurethane. Preferably, the stretchable film 5 has a maximum elongation of 3.5 to 4.0 times its natural length, as measured by a tensile testing machine. It should be noted that the stretchable film 5 may also have the function of allowing moisture to pass through.

[0054] Instead of a stretchable film, a linear stretchable body (or an assembly of linear stretchable bodies arranged side by side) can be provided, consisting of multiple linear elastic bodies. However, if the stretchable component is in the form of a film, that is, a film of a generally uniform thickness and flat molded body, it is preferable that higher stretchability or elongation can be obtained and that the processing during manufacturing is also easier.

[0055] More specifically, Figure 6 The material shown in (a), in the stretched state of the elastic film 5, has a first surface sheet and a second surface sheet bonded to both sides (the first and second sides) of the elastic film via multiple joints 40, 40, ... . In order to obtain Figure 6 The material shown in (a) is first as follows Figure 6 As shown in (b), a tensile force T is applied to the elastic film 5 beforehand to stretch it from its natural length. In this state, the unshortened, naturally formed first surface sheet 2 and second surface sheet 3 are intermittently joined by multiple joints 40, 40, ... (described in detail later). Afterwards, the tensile force T is released, allowing the elastic film 5 to relax, thereby obtaining... Figure 6 The material in its natural state is shown in (a).

[0056] Figure 6 The material shown in (a) is in its natural state, that is, in a state where no external force has been applied (a state with its natural length). In this state, under the application of... Figure 6 As shown in (b), under the tensile force T, the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3, which are flat, form folds (pleats), which appear wavy when viewed in section. Figure 6This is because, when the length of the stretchable film 5 returns to the natural length, the portion other than the portion joined by the plurality of joints 40, 40,... protrudes away from the stretchable film 5.

[0057] Thus, in the ear hook portion 20a (ear hook sheet 20), a plurality of folds are formed on the surface. Therefore, when the surface of the ear hook portion 20a contacts the skin, the material of the ear hook portion 20a does not contact the entire skin, a space is formed between the ear hook portion 20a and the skin, and thus it is possible to reduce the feeling of sticking to the skin and to improve the wearing feeling. Note that, when the ear hook portion 20a (ear hook sheet 20) is formed of this material, the stretching direction (elongation direction) of the stretchable film 5 is set to the left-right direction D2 of the mask. Thus, a plurality of folds extending substantially in the up-down direction Dl of the mask 1 are formed on the surface of the ear hook portion 20a (ear hook sheet 20).

[0058] The first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 can be the same or different. In addition, it is preferable that both the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 are fiber structures. As the fiber structure, nonwoven fabric, textile, knitted fabric, and the like can be given, and among these, nonwoven fabric is preferable in terms of the skin touch feeling, the air permeability, and the contribution to the improvement of the wearing feeling. As the nonwoven fabric, hot air nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, needle punch nonwoven fabric, chemical bonded nonwoven fabric, and the like can be given. Among these, spunbond nonwoven fabric, hot air nonwoven fabric, and the like having a high strength and a softness can be appropriately selected. In addition, it is preferable that the fiber included in the nonwoven fabric is a resin fiber, and as the type of the resin of the resin fiber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and the like can be given. In the case where the first surface sheet 2 or the second surface sheet 3 is a nonwoven fabric, the weight per unit area of the nonwoven fabric can be 5 to 50 g / m 2 , and particularly preferably 8 to 25 g / m 2 .

[0059] If the ear hook portion 20a of the present mode is formed of a material in which the stretchable film 5 is covered with the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 on both surfaces, it is possible to avoid the direct contact of the stretchable film 5 with the skin when the mask is worn, and thus it is possible to improve the wearing feeling.

[0060] The aforementioned joints 40, 40, ... can be formed using welding devices such as ultrasonic sealing or heat sealing, or adhesives, but for the purpose of achieving a more reliable joint, it is preferable to form them using welding devices, especially ultrasonic sealing. In this method, the first surface sheet 2, the stretchable film 5, and the second surface sheet 3 all include or are made of thermoplastic resin, so at the joints (welded portions) 40, 40, ..., the three layers are fused together layer by layer, thereby becoming integrated. In addition, depending on the formation conditions of the welded portion, there may be cases where a through hole is formed in the joint. In this case, the air permeability of the lug portion 20a (lug piece 20) can be improved.

[0061] Figure 7 A top view of the ear loops 20a, 20a (ear loop piece 20) of this embodiment is shown. Figure 7 As shown, the ear loop 20a is loop-shaped (or a closed band-shaped) when viewed from above, or may have a shape including a loop. Furthermore, the ear loop 20a may have a feature that allows it to be fixed to the mask body 10 (in... Figure 1 The mask body 10 is constructed using an auxiliary material. The mask comprises a base 22, an ear-back configuration 24 located behind the wearer's ears, an upper transition portion 23 extending from the base 22 to the ear-back configuration 24 on the upper side of the ear loop 20a, and a lower transition portion 26 extending from the base 22 to the ear-back configuration 24 on the lower side of the ear loop 20a. The base 22 and ear-back configuration 24 extend substantially along the vertical direction D1 and are opposite to each other. Similarly, the upper transition portion 23 and lower transition portion 26 extend substantially along the horizontal direction D2 and are opposite to each other.

[0062] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, the ring contained in the loop portion 20a is roughly rectangular, but it can also be roughly circular or elliptical. The loop portion 20a can have three shapes (i.e., triangular rings) where the direction changes significantly along the circumference of the ring, or it can have five or more shapes (i.e., polygonal rings other than rectangular rings).

[0063] The ear loops 20a, 20a (ear loop pieces 20) are formed of a material having the aforementioned material, namely the telescopic member 5, and a first surface sheet 2 and a second surface sheet 3 respectively joined to both sides by multiple joints 40, 40, ... in the extended state of the telescopic member 5. However, as Figure 7 As shown, the distribution of the multiple joints 40, 40, ... is uneven. More specifically, the lugs 20a, 20a have a sparsely distributed region R1 that causes the joints 41, 41, ... to be coarsely distributed. A R1 B (Sometimes referred to together as R1), and a densely distributed region R2 that makes the joints 42, 42, ... more closely distributed. It should be noted that a sparsely distributed region R1 is preferred.A R1 B are the same constitution.

[0064] Figure 8 (a) of FIG. 1 shows a sparse distribution region R1 A R1 B of FIG. 1. In addition, Figure 8 (b) of FIG. 1 shows a partial enlarged plan view of a dense distribution region R2. As Figure 8 (a) and (b) of FIG. 1, in the dense distribution region R2, the density of the joints 42, 42,... formed, that is, the number per unit area N2 is larger than the density of the joints 41, 41,... formed in the sparse distribution region R1 A R1 B of FIG. 1, that is, the number per unit area N1. Note that the number per unit area described above is a number determined in a state in which the ear part 20a or the ear part sheet 20 is maximally stretched. The maximally stretched state refers to a state in which the ear part 20a or the ear part sheet 20 is stretched and the surface sheet is at a natural length, that is, a state in which a fold of the surface sheet is substantially not confirmed.

[0065] As Figure 7 shown in FIG. 1, the ear-back arrangement part 24 can have the dense distribution region R2, the upper-side transition part 23 can have the upper-side sparse distribution region R1 A , and the lower-side transition part 26 can have the lower-side sparse distribution region R1 B . Also, the ear-back arrangement part 24 can be constituted of the dense distribution region R2, the upper-side transition part 23 can be constituted of the upper-side sparse distribution region R1 A , and the lower-side transition part 26 can be constituted of the lower-side sparse distribution region R1 B . Thereby, the number per unit area of the joints in the ear-back arrangement part 24 is larger than the number per unit area of the joints in the upper-side transition part 23, and is larger than the number per unit area of the joints in the lower-side transition part 26.

[0066] Note that in the example shown in Figure 7 FIG. 1, although the base part 22 also has the dense distribution region R2, the base part 22 does not necessarily have the dense distribution region R2. However, in a case in which both the base part 22 and the ear-back arrangement part 24 have the dense distribution region R2, the manufacture of the ear part sheet 20 becomes easy, and thus is preferable. More specifically, the dense distribution region R2 in a band shape can be continuously formed along a conveyance direction of the ear part sheet band 20A which becomes the ear part sheet 20 (refer to Figure 9 , 10 described later). In addition, the sparse distribution region R1 A R1 B can also be formed in a band shape which is continuous along the conveyance direction on both sides of the dense distribution region R2 in a band shape.

[0067] The more densely formed joint portions in the behind-the-ear arrangement portion 24 mean that the portions where the first surface sheet 2, the stretchable member 5, and the second surface sheet 3 are fixed together become more in each unit area in the behind-the-ear arrangement portion 24. Therefore, the behind-the-ear arrangement portion 24 relatively becomes larger in resistance to stretching, and thus it is difficult to be elongated. Since the behind-the-ear arrangement portion 24 is normally worn in a state of surface contact with the skin on the behind-the-ear, that is, the skin on the back side of the ear and / or the back of the earlobe, if the behind-the-ear arrangement portion 24 itself is greatly elongated and deformed, there is a possibility that an uncomfortable feeling is caused by friction with the skin. However, according to the above-described configuration of the present embodiment, such an uncomfortable feeling can be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, by the more densely formed joint portions, the first surface sheet 2, the stretchable member 5, and the second surface sheet 3 become difficult to peel off, and the strength of the behind-the-ear arrangement portion 24 is also improved. Therefore, in the separating operation of the above-described pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a, even if a large force is applied in the vicinity of the joint portion 28, the structure of the material is difficult to be damaged.

[0069] On the other hand, in the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 which are arranged in the left-right direction D2 of the face when worn, the joint points are more sparsely formed, which means that the portions where the first surface sheet 2, the stretchable member 5, and the second surface sheet 3 are fixed together become less in each unit area. Therefore, the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 are small in resistance to stretching, and become easy to be elongated. Therefore, in the wearing operation, the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 can be elongated in the left-right direction D2 with a small force, and thus the operation of hooking the ear hook portions 20a, 20a to the ears can be smoothly performed.

[0070] Thus, by changing the density of the joint portions 40, 40,... according to the site of the ear hook portion 20a, and thus changing the elongation characteristics, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling when worn, improve the wearing feeling, and make the wearing operation easy.

[0071] It should be noted that when the ear loop piece 20 is cut from a material with a stretchable film 5 sandwiched between the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 in a predetermined shape, as in this embodiment, due to the compressive stress applied in the planar direction at the cut position, the edge of the stretchable film 5 is more easily pulled inward compared to the edges of the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3. In this case, since the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 protrude from their ends, they may become easier to peel off from their ends. In particular, the center of the ear loop piece 20 in the left-right direction D2, i.e., the middle end edge of the ear back mounting portion 24, is more likely to come into contact with the skin, so the possibility of peeling may become higher than other parts of the ear loop portion 20a. Therefore, the ear back mounting portion 24, through the densely distributed area R2 with a large number of joints 40, 40, ... per unit area, is less likely to be pulled in as described above, and the ear back mounting portion 24 becomes less prone to damage. In addition, the protrusion of the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 from their ends may impair the aesthetics. If the stretchable film 5 can be suppressed in the ear-back configuration part 24 which is easily noticed, the aesthetics of the ear loops 20a, 20a and even the mask 1 as a whole can be improved.

[0072] It should be noted that the number of elements per unit area N2 in the preferred densely distributed region R2, specifically in the joints 42, 42, ..., can be 2 to 50 per cm. 2 More preferably, it can be 8 to 34 per cm. 2 Furthermore, the number of junctions 41, 41, ... per unit area N1 in the preferred sparsely distributed region R1 can be 1 to 20 per cm. 2 More preferably, it can be 5 to 15 per cm. 2 Furthermore, the ratio (N2 / N1) of the number of joints 42, 42, ... per unit area in the densely distributed region R2 to the number of joints 41, 41, ... per unit area in the sparsely distributed region R1 can be 1.5 to 2.5, more preferably 1.75 to 2.25.

[0073] Moreover, such as Figure 8 As shown in (a) and (b), the area S2 of each joint 42 in the densely distributed region R2 is smaller than the area S1 of each joint 41 in the sparsely distributed region R1. Furthermore, since the ear-back configuration portion 24 has the densely distributed region R2, the upper transition portion 23 has the upper sparsely distributed region R1. A The lower transition portion 26 has a sparsely distributed region R1 on the lower side. B Therefore, the area of ​​each joint in the ear-back configuration portion 24 can be smaller than the area of ​​each joint in the upper transition portion 23, and can be smaller than the area of ​​each joint in the lower transition portion 26.

[0074] Thus, since the area S2 of each joint 42 in the densely distributed area R2 is small, it is possible to more freely deform the densely distributed area R2 as a whole. Furthermore, since the ear-back configuration portion 24 has a densely distributed area R2, it is easier to deform the ear-back configuration portion 24 to fit the shape of the part of the user's ear that is further back and / or the shape of the ear itself. Additionally, if the area of ​​each joint is too large, the user may sometimes feel a hardness when in contact with the skin, causing discomfort. By setting the area S2 of each joint 42 in the ear-back configuration portion 24, which is pressed against the back of the ear and / or the back of the ear, to be smaller, discomfort and unpleasantness can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, a smaller joint area means a longer perimeter per unit area of ​​the joint. When the first surface sheet 2, the elastic member 5, and the second surface sheet 3 are subjected to forces that cause them to peel apart, peeling begins at the periphery of the joint, especially the stronger joint. Because the perimeter per unit area of ​​the joint is longer, the resistance to initial peeling of the first surface sheet 2, the elastic member 5, and the second surface sheet 3 also increases. As a result, the ear-back arrangement 24, including the densely distributed area R2, can be configured to be more difficult to peel and more robust.

[0076] The area S2 of each joint 42 in the preferred densely distributed region R2 can be 0.02 to 0.72 mm. 2 More preferably, it can be 0.08–0.45 mm. 2 Furthermore, the area S1 of each joint 41 in the sparsely distributed region R1 is preferably 0.2 to 0.8 mm. 2 More preferably, it can be 0.3–0.6 mm. 2 Furthermore, the ratio (S2 / S1) of the area S2 of each joint 42 in the densely distributed region R2 to the area S1 of each joint 41 in the sparsely distributed region R1 can be 0.1 to 0.9, more preferably 0.25 to 0.75.

[0077] Moreover, such as Figure 8 As shown in (a) and (b), the distance p between the joints 42, 42, ... in the densely distributed region R2 in the left-right direction D2 is... x2 The spacing p in the left-right direction D2 of the joints 41, 41, ... in the sparsely distributed region R1 can be compared to that of the joints 41, 41, ... x1 Small. Furthermore, since the ear-back configuration portion 24 has a densely distributed region R2, the upper transition portion 23 has a sparsely distributed region R1 on the upper side. A The lower transition portion 26 has a sparsely distributed region R1 on the lower side. BTherefore, the distance between the left and right directions of the joint in the ear-back configuration portion 24 can be smaller than the distance between the left and right directions of the joint in the upper transition portion 23, and smaller than the distance between the left and right directions of the joint in the lower transition portion 26.

[0078] If the distance between the joints in the left-right direction D2 is small, it means that the interval between the first surface sheet 2, the elastic member 5, and the second surface sheet 3 being fixed is small in the left-right direction D2. Since the ear hooks 20a, 20a (ear hook pieces 20) mainly extend in the left-right direction D2, the stretchability of the ear back mounting portion 24 can be further differentiated from the stretchability of the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 according to the different distances in the left-right direction D2. This can improve the wearing comfort and make the wearing action easier.

[0079] It should be noted that the spacing p in the left and right directions of the joints 42, 42, ... in the densely distributed region R2 is... x2 The spacing p in the left-right direction D2 of the joints 41, 41, ... in the sparsely distributed region R1 can be compared to that of the joints 41, 41, ... x1 Small. Furthermore, the distance between the left and right directions of the joint in the ear-back configuration portion 24 can be smaller than the distance between the left and right directions of the joint in the upper transition portion 23, and smaller than the distance between the left and right directions of the joint in the lower transition portion 26.

[0080] The spacing p of the joint 42 in the left-right direction D2 of the preferred densely distributed region R2 x2 The distance can be 0.3–13.5 mm, more preferably 1.25–7.5 mm. Furthermore, the lateral spacing p of the joints 41 in the sparsely distributed region R1 is preferably [missing information]. x1 The spacing can be 3–15 mm, more preferably 5–10 mm. Furthermore, the lateral spacing p of the joints 42 in the densely distributed region R2 is preferably [missing information]. x2 The distance p in the left and right directions of the junction 41 in the sparsely distributed region R1 x1 The value of the ratio (p) x2 / p x1 The spacing is 0.1 to 0.9, more preferably 0.25 to 0.75. It should be noted that the above spacing is measured in the maximum elongation state of the ear loop 20a or the ear loop piece 20.

[0081] It should be noted that the spacing p of the joints 42, 42, ... of the vertical direction D1 in the densely distributed region R2 y2 The vertical spacing p of the joints 41, 41, ... in the sparsely distributed region R1 in the vertical direction D1 can be compared with that of the joints 41, 41, ... y1It can be smaller, larger, or of the same degree. However, the spacing p of the joints 42, 42, ... of the vertical direction D1 in the densely distributed region R2... y2 The vertical spacing p of the joints 41, 41, ... in the sparse distribution region R1 in the vertical direction D1 y1 From the perspective that smaller sizes allow for denser formation of the junctions 42, 42, ... in the densely distributed region R2, smaller sizes are preferred.

[0082] like Figure 8 As shown in (a) and (b), the arrangement of the joints 40, 40, ... in top view is preferably staggered, but it can also be lattice-like. Alternatively, it can be an arrangement that is neither staggered nor lattice-like. For example, as... Figure 8 As shown in (c), the columns of the joints arranged along the left-right direction D2 are arranged in the up-down direction D1, and adjacent columns can be gradually offset in the left-right direction D2 by a distance p. x2 Half the distance.

[0083] Furthermore, the shape of the joint 40 can be circular regardless of whether it is a sparsely distributed region R1 or a densely distributed region R2. Figure 8 (a) can be elliptical ( Figure 8 (b) and (c) can also be other shapes, such as polygons. Additionally, as... Figure 8 As shown in (a) and (b), the sparsely distributed region R1(R1) can be made A R1 B The shape of the joint 41 in the densely distributed region R2 is different from the shape of the joint 42 in the densely distributed region R2. If the shape of the joint 42 in the densely distributed region R2 is set to an ellipse with a major axis in the vertical direction D1, the length of the joint 42 in the horizontal direction D2 can be set to be shorter, the interval of the folds formed in the material can be set to be narrower, the height of the folds can be smaller, and thus the aesthetics can be improved.

[0084] It should be noted that the total area of ​​the multiple joints 40, 40, ... can be set to 1 to 20% of the area of ​​the ear parts 20a, 20a (ear piece 20). It should also be noted that the ratio of the areas of the multiple joints 40, 40, ... is set to a value measured under the maximum elongation state of the ear part 20a or the ear piece 20.

[0085] (Mask manufacturing)

[0086] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a mask manufacturing apparatus 300 is shown. The mask manufacturing apparatus 300 has an ear loop manufacturing apparatus 100 upstream of it, and next, a mask component assembly apparatus 200 for assembling the manufactured mask with the ear loops and other parts of the mask.

[0087] The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the ear part includes: an elastic film tape supply device 123 that supplies an elastic film tape (elastic member tape) 5A used for forming the elastic film 5; a first surface sheet tape supply device 121 that is used for supplying a first surface sheet tape 2A that forms the first surface sheet 2; and a second surface sheet tape supply device 122 that is used for supplying a second surface sheet tape 3A that forms the second surface sheet 3. The long strip-like raw materials, i.e., the elastic film tape 5A, the first surface sheet tape 2A, and the second surface sheet tape 3A are supplied from each of the supply devices, and then, the elastic film tape 5A is overlapped with the first surface sheet tape 2A on one face (first face) and overlapped with the second surface sheet tape 3A on the other face (second face), thereby forming a multi-layered structure 6A. The multi-layered structure 6A is transported in the transport direction Dt.

[0088] Here, the elastic film tape 5A is transported in a state where the elastic film tape 5A is elongated in the transport direction Dt, i.e., in a state where a tensile force (tension) is applied in the transport direction Dt. The degree of elongation of the elastic film tape 5A is controlled by the discharge speed of the elastic film tape supply device 123 and the transport device (not shown). The elastic film tape 5A is elongated, for example, to 1.5 to 4 times the natural length, and preferably to about 2 to 3 times the natural length. On the other hand, the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A are transported in a state where the tapes have the natural length (in a state where the tapes are not stretched). Therefore, the surfaces of the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A that are laminated to each face of the elastic film tape 5A have a state where there are no wrinkles.

[0089] Next, the above-described multi-layered structure 6A is fed to the joining device 140, and discontinuous joining portions, i.e., fusion portions, are formed between the elastic film tape 5A and the first surface sheet tape 2A and between the elastic film tape 5A and the second surface sheet tape 3A throughout the multi-layered structure 6A. The joining device 140 is preferably an ultrasonic sealing device, but can be another device using fusion or the like. In the joining device 140, the layers of the multi-layered structure 6A are joined by the discontinuous plurality of joining portions 40, and thus the laminated body 8A can be obtained.

[0090] Figure 9 An enlarged sectional view of a portion III is also shown. A plurality of joining portions 40, 40,... are intermittently formed between the elastic film tape 5A and the first surface sheet tape 2A and between the elastic film tape 5A and the second surface sheet tape 3A, respectively. At this time, as described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 described, for the joining portions 40, 40,..., the density of the joining portions 40, 40,... is different in the regions in the obtainable ear part 20a, 20a (ear part sheet 20) (refer toFigure 10 The details will be described later.

[0091] Further, the laminate 8A is sent to the relaxation device 160. In the relaxation device 160, the tension applied to the stretchable film tape 5A in the conveyance direction Dt is relaxed. The degree to which the tension is relaxed in the relaxation device 160 is not limited, but it is preferable to set it so that the stretchable film tape 5A returns to the natural length. By relaxing the stretchable film tape 5A, the stretchable film tape 5A contracts. Here, the first surface sheet tape 2A, the stretchable film tape 5A, and the second surface sheet tape 3A are joined by the joints 40, 40,... and are fixed at that position. Therefore, if the stretchable film tape 5A contracts and the length shortens, the portions of the first surface sheet 2 and the second surface sheet 3 that are not joined by the joints 40, 40,... do not relax following the stretchable film tape 5A, and bulge from the surface (see also FIG. 6). Figure 6 ) Therefore, on the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A, a plurality of small folds extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction Dt are formed. Note that in the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A, in the state in which the folds are formed, no or substantially no force that returns to the original length is generated.

[0092] Figure 9 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion IV is shown. As shown in the figure, in the ear portion tape 20A, the stretchable film tape 5A is flat, but the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A are relaxed and folds are formed. In addition, for the ear portion tape 20A, if the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A are observed in cross section cut along the conveyance direction Dt, a continuous concavo-convex is formed in the conveyance direction Dt.

[0093] Next, the ear portion tape 20A is sent to the punching device 180. In the punching device 180, the ear portion tape 20A is punched by a punch die in a manner that enables the shape of each ear portion sheet 20 to be obtained. Regardless, a plurality of ear portion sheets 20, 20,... can be obtained by the punching device 180.

[0094] Thus, the manufacturing method of the ear portion sheet 20 includes: in a state in which the stretchable film tape 5A having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface is elongated in a prescribed direction (the conveyance direction Dt), respectively arranging the first surface sheet tape 2A and the second surface sheet tape 3A on both surfaces of the stretchable film tape 5A, thereby obtaining a laminate 8A in which the first surface sheet tape 2A, the stretchable film tape 5A, and the second surface sheet tape 3A are joined by a plurality of joints, contracting the laminate 8A in the prescribed direction (the conveyance direction Dt), and cutting it, thereby forming a plurality of ear portion sheets 20 that constitute a pair of ears that are combined in a manner that can be separated from each other.

[0095] Ear loops 20, 20, ... are fed to the mask component assembly 200. In the mask component assembly 200, an auxiliary material strip 30A is disposed on one side of the ear loop 20. The mask component assembly 200 includes a mask body strap supply device 221 for supplying the mask body strap 10A that forms the mask body. The mask body strap supply device 221 supplies the mask body strap 10A to the side of the ear loop 20 opposite to the side where the auxiliary material strip 30A is disposed. It should be noted that... Figure 10 In the example, although the auxiliary material strip 30A is positioned on the outermost side, it can also be positioned between the ear loop piece 20 and the main mask strip 10A.

[0096] After the ear loop piece 20, the auxiliary material strip 30A, and the mask body strip 10A are assembled, they are joined at a predetermined position by heat sealing or the like through the joining / cutting part 240 to form the aforementioned first side joining part 50 and second side joining part 60. Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 (etc.). Additionally, it is cut off after or simultaneously with the joining. Thus, individual masks 1 can be obtained.

[0097] Figure 10 The process in the mask ear loop manufacturing apparatus 100 and the mask component assembly apparatus 200 is shown in a top-down schematic view. (Example) Figure 10 As shown, the looper strip 20A obtained via the joining device 140 and the relaxation device 160 forms areas with varying densities of joining portions 40, 40, ... along the conveying direction Dt, i.e., sparsely distributed areas R1. A R1 B And the densely distributed region R2. The sparsely distributed region R1. A R1 B The densely distributed region R2 is formed into a strip in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction Dt (the width direction of the lug strip 20A). The punching device 180 then pairs the strips with sparsely distributed regions R1. A R1 B The ear-shaped strip 20A of the densely distributed region R2 is punched to obtain the ear-shaped strip 20. Thus, on the ear-shaped strip 20A, a sparsely distributed region R1 is formed that is continuous along the conveying direction Dt in a direction orthogonal to Dt. A R1 B And the densely distributed area R2 is formed adjacently, so that without a large change in the setting of the engagement device 140, the density of the engagement portion 40 can be changed by the ear back configuration portion 24, the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 of the desired ear hook portion 20a.

[0098] The ear part piece 20 is separated to be further conveyed, and an auxiliary material band 30A is joined to the side of the ear part. Further, after being joined to the mask body band 10A, the auxiliary material band 30A and the mask body band 10A are cut, and the individual mask 1 is formed.

[0099] Hereinafter, the specific modes of the present application are described.

[0100] (ADDITION 1)

[0101] The ear part for a mask according to the addition 1 is formed of a material having an elastic member, and first and second surface sheets joined to both surfaces of the elastic member through a plurality of joints in an elongated state of the elastic member. The ear part for a mask has a base portion fixed to a mask body, a behind-ear portion located at a behind-ear of a wearer, an upper transition portion extending from the base portion to the behind-ear portion in an upper side, and a lower transition portion transitioning from the base portion to the behind-ear portion in a lower side. The number of the joints per unit area in the behind-ear portion is larger than that in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0102] According to the addition 1, the ear part for a mask is formed of a material having an elastic member, and first and second surface sheets joined to both surfaces of the elastic member through a plurality of joints in an elongated state of the elastic member. In such a material, the desired elasticity can be achieved by adjusting the elongation of the elastic member at the time of manufacturing the material, so that an ear part having high elasticity can be obtained. In addition, the material becomes a state in which a plurality of small folds are formed in the first and second surface sheets in a natural state, so that the skin can be discontinuously contacted in a microscopic view, so that the skin touch is good.

[0103] Further, in the present embodiment, the junctions in the ear-back arrangement portion are formed more densely. That is, the portions where the first surface sheet, the stretchable member, and the second surface sheet are fixed together become more in each unit area, so the resistance to stretching is greater, and it is difficult to stretch. Since the ear-back arrangement portion is normally worn on the ear-back, that is, the skin on the back side of the ear, and / or the back of the earlobe, in a state of surface contact, if the ear-back arrangement portion itself is greatly stretched and deformed, discomfort can sometimes occur due to friction with the skin, but according to the present embodiment, such discomfort can be reduced. On the other hand, in the upper transition portion and / or the lower transition portion arranged in the left-right direction of the face when worn, the junctions are formed more sparsely. That is, the portions where the first surface sheet, the stretchable member, and the second surface sheet are fixed together become less in each unit area, so the resistance to stretching is less, and it becomes easier to stretch. Therefore, the act of wearing can be performed smoothly. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the discomfort when worn can be reduced and the feeling of wearing can be improved, and the act of wearing is also easy.

[0104] (Addendum 2)

[0105] In the embodiment of Addendum 2, the area of each of the plurality of junctions in the ear-back arrangement portion is smaller than the area of each of the plurality of junctions in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0106] According to the embodiment of Addendum 2 described above, the area of each of the plurality of junctions (the area of each junction) in the ear-back arrangement portion is smaller, so the circumference per unit area of the junctions becomes longer. In the case where a force such as peeling of the first surface sheet, the stretchable member, and the second surface sheet is applied, since the peeling starts from the periphery of the junction, the resistance to initial peeling of each of the first surface sheet, the stretchable member, and the second surface sheet from each other is also greater, by the longer circumference per unit area of the junction. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the ear-back arrangement portion can be made more difficult to peel and more robust. Further, since the area of each of the junctions in the ear-back arrangement portion is smaller, deformation by bending and flexing of the entire ear-back arrangement portion becomes easier, so the ear-back arrangement portion can be deformed to naturally fit the shape of the portion on the back side of the ear and / or the shape of the ear of the user.

[0107] (Addendum 3)

[0108] In the embodiment of Addendum 3, the left-right direction spacing of the plurality of junctions in the ear-back arrangement portion is smaller than the left-right direction spacing of the plurality of junctions in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0109] According to the above-described mode of the note 3, the interval in the left-right direction of the plurality of joint portions in the behind-the-ear arrangement portion becomes smaller, and the interval in the left-right direction of the plurality of joint portions in the upper transition portion and / or the lower transition portion becomes larger. Thereby, the upper transition portion and / or the lower transition portion are particularly elongated more easily in the left-right direction than the behind-the-ear arrangement portion, and thus the action of elongating the ear-hanging portion in the left-right direction at the time of the wearing action becomes smoother.

[0110] (Note 4)

[0111] In the mode of the note 4, the above-described joint portion is a fusion portion in which the above-described stretchable member, the above-described first surface sheet, and the above-described second surface sheet are fused together.

[0112] According to the above-described mode of the note 4, since the joint portion is the fusion portion, the first surface sheet, the stretchable member, and the second surface sheet can be integrally joined more reliably.

[0113] (Note 5)

[0114] In the mode of the note 5, the above-described stretchable member is a stretchable film.

[0115] According to the above-described mode of the note 5, by setting the stretchable member as the film, higher stretchability can be obtained. In addition, the manufacturing of the ear-hanging portion also becomes easy.

[0116] (Note 6)

[0117] In the mode of the note 6, the above-described first surface sheet and the above-described second surface sheet include nonwoven fabric.

[0118] According to the above-described mode of the note 6, by setting the first surface sheet and the second surface sheet that can be directly contacted with the skin as the nonwoven fabric, the surface softness of the ear-hanging portion can be imparted, and thus the wearing feeling of the ear-hanging portion can be improved.

[0119] (Note 7)

[0120] The mode of the note 7 is a mask including a mask body, and a pair of the ear-hanging portion for a mask according to any one of the above-described first to sixth modes, and the behind-the-ear arrangement portions of the ear-hanging portions for a mask are combined with each other in a detachable manner to form an ear-hanging portion piece.

[0121] According to the above-described mode of the note 7, a mask that has the same effects as those of the mode described with respect to the above-described note 1 can be provided.

[0122] (Note 8)

[0123] In the mode of the note 8, auxiliary materials are respectively arranged in both side portions of the above-described mask body, and the base portions of the above-described ear-hanging portions are respectively combined with the above-described mask body through the above-described auxiliary materials.

[0124] According to the above-described mode of the supplementary note 8, the ear part and the mask body can not be directly combined to form the mask, and thus the combination of the ear part and the auxiliary material and the combination of the mask body and the auxiliary material can be formed in appropriate combinations, respectively. In addition, a part of the ear part can be prevented from being used for the adhesion to the mask body, and thus the ear part can be more freely moved with respect to the mask body compared to the case where the ear part and the mask body are directly combined, and thus the degree of freedom of the wearing position of the ear part is increased.

[0125] (Supplementary note 9)

[0126] The mode of the supplementary note 9 is a manufacturing method of an ear part for a mask, including: (al) disposing a first surface sheet tape and a second surface sheet tape on both surfaces of an elastic member tape in a state where the elastic member tape is elongated in a predetermined direction, respectively; (a2) joining the first surface sheet tape, the elastic member tape, and the second surface sheet tape to obtain a layered body through a plurality of joining portions; (a3) relaxing the layered body in the predetermined direction; and (a4) cutting in a predetermined shape to form an ear part sheet in which a pair of ear parts are combined in a separable manner, the ear part for a mask having a base portion fixed to a mask body, an ear back disposition portion located at an ear back of a wearer, an upper side transition portion extending from the base portion to the ear back disposition portion on an upper side, and a lower side transition portion transitioning from the base portion to the ear back disposition portion on a lower side, and the number of the plurality of joining portions per unit area in the ear back disposition portion is larger than the number of the plurality of joining portions per unit area in at least one of the upper side transition portion and the lower side transition portion at the time of the joining in (a2).

[0127] According to the above-described mode of the supplementary note 9, a manufacturing method of an ear part for a mask that has the same effects as those described with respect to the mode of the supplementary note 1 can be provided.

[0128] (Supplementary note 10)

[0129] The mode of the supplementary note 10 is a manufacturing method of a mask, including: (a) manufacturing an ear part sheet for a mask by the manufacturing method of the mode of the supplementary note 9; (b) joining an auxiliary material tape to side portions of two separated ear part sheets; (c) joining the auxiliary material tape to a mask body tape; and (d) cutting the auxiliary material tape and the mask body tape to form individual masks.

[0130] According to the above-described mode of the supplementary note 10, a manufacturing method of a mask that has the same effects as those described with respect to the mode of the supplementary note 1 can be provided.

[0131] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-144843, filed August 28, 2020, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0132] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0133] 1 mask

[0134] 2 first surface sheet

[0135] 2A first surface sheet strip

[0136] 3 second surface sheet

[0137] 3A second surface sheet strip

[0138] 5 stretchable film (stretchable member)

[0139] 5A stretchable film strip (stretchable member strip)

[0140] 6A multi-layer structure

[0141] 8A laminate

[0142] 10 mask body

[0143] 10A mask body strip

[0144] 15 pleat

[0145] 20 ear-hanging piece

[0146] 20a ear-hanging portion

[0147] 20A ear-hanging piece strip

[0148] 22 base

[0149] 23 upper transition portion

[0150] 24 behind-the-ear arrangement portion

[0151] 25 pinched hand

[0152] 26 lower transition portion

[0153] 28 separable coupling portion

[0154] 29 opening

[0155] 30 auxiliary material

[0156] 30A auxiliary material strip

[0157] 40, 41, 42 joint

[0158] 50 first side joint

[0159] 60 second side joint

[0160] 100 ear loop for a face mask manufacturing device

[0161] 121 first surface sheet tape supply device

[0162] 122 second surface sheet tape supply device

[0163] 123 stretchable film tape supply device

[0164] 140 joining device

[0165] 160 slackening device

[0166] 180 blanking device

[0167] 200 face mask component assembling device

[0168] 221 face mask body tape supply device

[0169] 240 joining / cutting section

[0170] 300 face mask manufacturing device

[0171] R1, R1 A , R1 B sparse distribution area

[0172] R2 dense distribution area

[0173] D1 up-and-down direction of face mask

[0174] D2 left-and-right direction of face mask

[0175] Dt conveying direction

Claims

1. An ear loop for a face mask, comprising a material having a stretchable component and a first surface sheet and a second surface sheet respectively joined to both sides of the stretchable component by a plurality of joints in an extended state. The mask has the following features for the ear loops: a base fixed to the mask body; an ear-back placement portion located behind the wearer's ear; an upper transition portion extending from the base to the ear-back placement portion on an upper side; and a lower transition portion transitioning from the base to the ear-back placement portion on a lower side. The number of units per unit area of ​​the plurality of joints in the base and the ear-back configuration portion is greater than the number of units per unit area of ​​the plurality of joints in the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

2. The ear loop for a face mask according to claim 1, wherein, The area of ​​each of the plurality of joints in the aforementioned ear-back configuration portion is smaller than the area of ​​each of the plurality of joints in at least one of the aforementioned upper transition portion and the aforementioned lower transition portion.

3. The ear loop for a face mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distance between the plurality of joints in the ear-back configuration portion in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between the plurality of joints in the left-right direction in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

4. The ear loop for a face mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The aforementioned joint is a welded joint where the aforementioned elastic component, the aforementioned first surface sheet, and the aforementioned second surface sheet are welded together.

5. The ear loop for a face mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The aforementioned stretchable component is a stretchable film.

6. The ear loop for a face mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The aforementioned first surface sheet and the aforementioned second surface sheet include nonwoven fabric.

7. A face mask, comprising: The main body of the mask; and The ear loop piece for a mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ear loops are arranged in pairs and the ear back configuration portions of the ear loops are detachably combined with each other.

8. The mask according to claim 7, wherein, This includes auxiliary materials disposed on both sides of the main body of the mask. The aforementioned base portion of the ear loops is respectively bonded to the main body of the mask using the aforementioned auxiliary materials.

9. A method for manufacturing ear loops for a face mask, comprising: (a1) In a state in which the elastic component belt is stretched in a specified direction, a first surface sheet and a second surface sheet are respectively disposed on both sides of the elastic component belt; (a2) A laminate is obtained by joining the first surface sheet, the elastic component strip, and the second surface sheet through multiple joints; (a3) Relax the above-mentioned laminate in the specified direction; as well as (a4) Cut into a specified shape to form a pair of ear loops that can be separably joined together. The aforementioned mask ear loop portion has: a base fixed to the mask body; an ear-back placement portion located behind the wearer's ear; an upper transition portion extending from the base to the ear-back placement portion on an upper side; and a lower transition portion transitioning from the base to the ear-back placement portion on a lower side. When the above (a2) is joined, the number of units per unit area of ​​the plurality of joints in the base and the ear-back configuration portion is greater than the number of units per unit area of ​​the plurality of joints in the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

10. A method for manufacturing a face mask, comprising: (a) Manufacturing an ear loop piece for a face mask by the manufacturing method described in claim 9; (b) Join an auxiliary material strip to the sides of the two separated ear tabs described above; (c) Joining the aforementioned auxiliary material strips to the main body straps of the mask; and (d) Cut off the above-mentioned auxiliary material strips and the above-mentioned mask body strips to form individual masks.

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