MASK AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE MASK

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to the field of face protection masks and mask manufacturing.

[0002] Such a protective mask aims to protect its wearer against the inhalation of pathogenic agents, such as viruses or bacteria, dust or harmful gases and / or to protect third parties from pathogens likely to be exhaled by its wearer. Arrière-plan technologique

[0003] In the prior art, methods for manufacturing masks are known. Document US2008035153 discloses, for example, a method for manufacturing a roll of masks in which one or more pieces of fabric are superimposed and then fixed in order to preform a part of the mask. The mask is then pre-cut and then rolled up in order to form a roll. However, this type of method results in a significant loss of material, mainly in the spaces separating two adjacent masks. In addition, such a method for manufacturing masks does not allow the materials used to be adapted according to the areas of the mask.

[0004] There is therefore a real need to produce protective masks simply, in very large quantities and at low cost, particularly in the context of a large-scale health crisis.

[0005] Document KR20200137795A discloses a mask. Document CN112075687A discloses a method of manufacturing a mask. Résumé

[0006] One idea behind the invention is to propose a mask manufacturing process that is simple to implement, inexpensive and allows for high production speeds.

[0007] Certain aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing masks that is reliable and repeatable.

[0008] Certain aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing masks allowing to reduce the residual waste of materials used during the manufacture of masks.

[0009] Another idea behind the invention is to provide a mask that is optimized for the user, meaning that when in the use position on the face, the mask stays in position and covers the nose and mouth. In addition, the mask is comfortable for the user, meaning that it does not pull too much on the user's ears and does not irritate the back of the ears.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a method of manufacturing masks comprising: providing first and second strip assemblies superimposed on each other, the first strip assembly comprising a first strip of filter material, a second strip of filter material and a first elastic band interposed between the first strip of filter material and the second strip of filter material; the second strip assembly comprising a third strip of filter material, a fourth strip of filter material and a second elastic band interposed between the third strip of filter material and the fourth strip of filter material, the first strip of filter material, the second strip of filter material and the first elastic band being respectively superimposed on the fourth strip of filter material, the third strip of filter material and the second elastic band; then fixing the first strip of filter material to the fourth strip of filter material along a first weld line;fixing the second strip of filter material to the third strip of filter material along a second weld line; then a step of cutting the first and second strip assemblies in order to form, in a head-to-tail position, a first mask and a second mask respectively having a center line corresponding to the first weld line and to the second weld line and orifices intended to receive the user's ears.;

[0011] Thanks to these features, the masks are made in one piece, eliminating the need for a subsequent step of adding elastic threads to accommodate the user's ears. In addition, the head-to-tail cutting reduces material waste, thus limiting the waste generated by the mask manufacturing process.

[0012] According to embodiments, the first and second assembly of strips superimposed on each other are formed from an assembly of five strips comprising the first strip of filter material, a central strip of filter material intended to form the second strip of filter material and the third strip of filter material, the fourth strip of filter material, the first elastic band interposed between the first strip of filter material and the central strip of filter material and the second elastic band interposed between the fourth strip of filter material and the central strip of filter material, wherein the assembly of five strips is folded along the center of the central strip of filter material in order to form said second strip of filter material and said third strip of filter material as well as the first assembly of strips and the second assembly of strips superimposed on each other.

[0013] Thanks to these characteristics, the mask manufacturing process is easily industrializable. Indeed, the folding at the level of the central strip allows a superposition of the first and second strip assemblies on top of each other in a more precise, reliable and reproducible way.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the central band of filter material has a width at least twice as large as the first band of filter material.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first and second assembly of strips superimposed on each other are formed from two separate assemblies of strips, the first assembly of strips being respectively formed from the first strip of filter material, the second strip of filter material, and the first elastic band interposed between the first strip of filter material and the second strip of filter material, in which the first strip of filter material and the second strip of filter material are fixed on either side of the first elastic band in order to form said first assembly of strips, and the second assembly of strips being respectively formed from the third strip of filter material, the fourth strip of filter material, and the second elastic band interposed between the third strip of filter material and the fourth strip of filter material,wherein the third strip of filter material and the fourth strip of filter material are secured on either side of the second elastic strip to form said second strip assembly.,

[0016] According to one embodiment, at least one strip chosen from the first strip of filter material, the second strip of filter material, the third strip of filter material, the fourth strip of filter material, comprises at least two superimposed layers, preferably three superimposed layers. That is to say that said at least one strip comprises for example two, three, four or five superimposed layers.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first strip of filter material, the second strip of filter material, the third strip of filter material, the fourth strip of filter material comprises at least one layer made of a non-woven material, which is preferably chosen from polyester, polypropylene, viscose, polyethylene and polyamide. The non-woven material is for example produced by dry process, melt process or wet process.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the at least two superimposed layers are made of identical or different materials.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the at least two superimposed layers have an identical or different thickness.

[0020] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to obtain a wide range of masks meeting several technical criteria or different standards, including alternative masks of category 1 and category 2, respiratory protection masks of type FFP1 filtering at least 80% of aerosols of average size 0.6 µm, FFP2 filtering at least 94% of aerosols of average size 0.6 µm, FFP3 filtering at least 99% of aerosols of average size 0.6 µm, according to standard NF EN 149, surgical masks of type I bacterial filtration efficiency > 95% of an aerosol of average size 3 µm, type II bacterial filtration efficiency > 98% of an aerosol of average size 3 µm, type IIR bacterial filtration efficiency > 98% of an aerosol of average size 3 µm and resistant to splashes, according to the NF EN 14683 and NF EN 14683+AC standards. It is also possible to obtain masks according to the standards of different countries, for example the standards of « National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health » (NIOSH) N95 / R95 / P95, N99 / R99 / P99, N100 / R100 / P100.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one of the at least two superimposed layers contains an antibacterial and / or an antiviral.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a bonding step is carried out upstream of the cutting of the first and second assemblies of strips in order to fix together the at least two superimposed layers and to preform via bonding zones, on the one hand a first lateral part and a second lateral part of the first mask and on the other hand a part of the orifices intended to receive the ears of the user of the second mask.

[0023] Thanks to these characteristics, the overlapping layers are held together.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the bonding step is carried out by welding or by embossing. Preferably, the bonding step is carried out by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding allows for rapid, precise and economical assembly, without the addition of material and without the use of additional adhesives. In addition, the bonding areas obtained are solid.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the bonding step is carried out upstream of the folding step.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the bonding step is carried out upstream of the superposition of the first and second strip assemblies.

[0027] Thanks to these characteristics, the at least two superimposed layers are bonded together without the risk of also bonding the strips superimposed on each other.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first elastic band and the second elastic band have an identical width.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the first elastic band and the second elastic band comprise an elastomeric material.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the first elastic band and the second elastic band each comprise two plies of non-woven material sandwiching the elastomeric material. The two plies of non-woven material exhibit elastic behavior only in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second elastic bands. According to one embodiment, the two plies of non-woven material comprise undulations parallel to the longitudinal direction so that the two plies of non-woven material allow elastic deformation of the first elastic band and the second elastic band only in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. According to one embodiment, the two plies of non-woven materials are either non-woven materials that have no stretch capacity, or non-woven materials that can be stretched in one direction.In the case of non-stretchable nonwovens, it is necessary, in order for the first and second elastic bands to have elastic capacities, to "activate" them by partially breaking the fibers or at least by reducing the cohesion according to the direction to be made stretchable. For example, elastic bands, such as described in document FR2893036, may be used.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the first elastic band, the second elastic band comprises a material which is different from the first band of filter material, the second band of filter material, the third band of filter material and the fourth band of filter material.

[0032] According to one embodiment, a filter material roll provides a main filter material strip having a longitudinal direction, and wherein the first filter material strip, the middle filter material strip, and the fourth filter material strip are cut from the main filter material strip via a cutting step along the longitudinal direction of the filter material roll.

[0033] According to one embodiment, a roll of elastic material provides a main strip of elastic material having a longitudinal direction and wherein the first elastic strip and the second elastic strip are cut from the main strip of elastic material via a cutting step along the longitudinal direction of said main strip of elastic material.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the first strip of filter material and the second strip of filter material are fixed on either side of the first elastic strip by welding, for example by ultrasonic welding.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the third strip of filter material and the fourth strip of filter material are fixed on either side of the second elastic strip by welding, for example by ultrasonic welding.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the attachment of the first strip of filter material to the fourth strip of filter material along the first weld line, and / or the attachment of the second strip of filter material to the third strip of filter material along the second weld line, is carried out by ultrasonic welding. That is to say, the first weld line and / or the second weld line is formed by welding, preferably by ultrasound. According to an alternative embodiment, the first weld line and / or the second weld line is formed by gluing or fusion.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the cutting of the first and second strip assemblies is partial, thus forming uncut areas allowing the first mask and the second mask to be linked. The uncut areas can be cut by the user in order to detach the first mask from the second mask without it being necessary to use a dedicated tool for cutting.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the uncut areas have dimensions of the order of a micrometer, preferably between 10 µm and 500 µm, for example 100 µm.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the uncut areas are regularly spaced apart.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the uncut areas are located on the first weld line and the second weld line.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the uncut areas are located at the junctions between the first weld line or the second weld line and the connection areas.

[0042] According to another embodiment, each of the first and second masks is fully cut out during the cutting step, that is to say that the first and second masks are not linked together.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of winding the first mask and the second mask around an axis in order to form a roll of detachable masks.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the step of cutting the first mask and the second mask comprises cutting the outline of the first weld line, cutting the outline of the second weld line, cutting the outline of the connection zones, as well as cutting the orifices intended to receive the user's ears.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the step of cutting the first mask and the second mask is carried out in such a way that the cutting of the first mask makes it possible to cut a part of the adjacent second mask.

[0046] Since the first mask and the second mask are formed in a head-to-tail position and are joined together, there is no material waste between the first mask and the second mask.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the cutting of the first weld line, the cutting of the second weld line and the cutting of the holes intended to receive the user's ears are carried out at the same time. This embodiment is particularly suitable for forming a roll of detachable masks because the winding of the first and second masks around an axis makes it possible to maintain tension in the first and second superimposed strip assemblies and thus to repeat the steps quickly and reliably without creasing or damaging the first and second superimposed strip assemblies.

[0048] A certain aspect of the invention relates to the manufacture of a plurality of masks in a continuous manner.

[0049] The term "continuous" must be interpreted in this document as allowing a process to be carried out in which the steps follow one another and are repeated without interruption and without the need for systematic intervention by an agent between the manufacturing steps.

[0050] According to another aspect, the invention provides a mask comprising: a first side portion comprising a first orifice for receiving a first ear of a user, a second side portion, comprising a second orifice for receiving a second ear of the user, and a central portion interposed between the first side portion and the second side portion, the central portion being intended to cover the nose and mouth of the user, the central portion having a center line, the central portion being made from filter material, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion each consist of a first zone composed of an elastic material and a second zone composed of a filter material, wherein the first zone is located between the central portion and the second zone, the second zone respectively defining a lateral end of the mask, wherein,the first orifice and the second orifice are each located between the first zone and the second zone.

[0051] Thanks to these features, the first zone and the second zone act in synergy and allow on the one hand to keep the mask on the user's face, and on the other hand to limit the risk of irritation at the back of the user's ears caused by the friction of an elastic material at the back of the user's ears. Thanks to these features, part of the tensile forces that would have to be exerted on the back of the user's ears are transferred to the first zone. Thus, the mask is comfortable to wear by the user.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the central portion has a lower line intended to be positioned under the user's mouth, and an upper line intended to be positioned on the user's nose.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the mask further comprises a semi-rigid nose clip located near the upper line of the central portion of the mask. The nose clip is intended to pinch the user's nose in order to hold the mask in the position of use. The nose clip is fixed for example by sewing or gluing.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the nose clip has the shape of a flexible rod or tab.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the nose clip is made from a material chosen from: aluminum, plastic or another material whose curvature angle can be adjusted by the user's hand.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the first zone extends over the entire height of the first lateral part and / or the second lateral part of the mask.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the first zone has a height of between 6 cm and 12 cm, preferably 9 cm.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the first zone has a width of between 4 cm and 10 cm, preferably 7 cm.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the first zone has a generally rectangular shape in which a portion of the first orifice and / or a portion of the second orifice is cut out.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the part of the first orifice and / or the part of the second orifice is cut out in the first zone over a width of at least 3 cm and preferably over a width of 5 cm.

[0061] According to one embodiment, at least 50% of the first orifice and / or the second orifice is cut in the first zone, preferably at least 70%, for example 80%. The remainder of the orifice is cut in the second zone.

[0062] According to one embodiment, less than 50% of the first orifice and / or the second orifice is cut out in the second zone, preferably less than 30%, for example 20%.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first orifice and / or the second orifice is cut out and contained only in the first zone and in the second zone.

[0064] According to another aspect of the invention, the invention provides a method of using a mask obtained above, wherein the mask is positioned on the user's face so as to cover the user's nose and mouth, the mask being held in position by engaging the user's ears in the ear-receiving holes.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the mask is positioned on the face for a duration of less than 10 hours, for example between one hour and five hours, preferably for less than four hours.

[0066] Certain aspects of the invention are based on the idea of ​​proposing a process that can be industrialized on industrial machines in order to meet the needs of mask manufacturers and consumers. Brève description des figures

[0067] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [ Fig.1 ] There [ Fig.1 ] is a diagram comprising the main steps of the method according to the invention. [ Fig.2 ] There [ Fig.2 ] is a functional diagram, top view, of the method of manufacturing masks according to one embodiment. [ Fig.3 ] There [ Fig.3 ] is an unfolded view of two assemblies of superimposed strips according to one embodiment. [ Fig.4 ] There [ Fig.4 ] is a view of an assembly of three strips according to another embodiment. [ Fig.5 ] There [ Fig.5 ] is a view of masks in head-to-tail position after the cutting step according to one embodiment. [ Fig.6 ] There [ Fig.6 ] is a schematic perspective view of a mask according to one embodiment. Description des modes de réalisation

[0068] There [ Fig.1 ] presents the main steps of the mask manufacturing process according to the invention. The mask manufacturing process comprises a first step 100 which consists of providing two assemblies of strips superimposed on each other, a second step 101 which consists of fixing the two assemblies of strips superimposed on each other and a third step 102 which consists of cutting the masks in a head-to-tail position. The different steps of the mask manufacturing process will be detailed below.

[0069] There [ Fig.2 ] schematically represents the process for manufacturing masks according to one embodiment. The direction of the process is represented by arrow 19, it is carried out from right to left and comprises a succession of several stages.

[0070] The first step is to provide a main strip 20 of filter material having a longitudinal direction 19. This main strip 20 is, for example, provided via a roll of filter material. The filter material is gas permeable in order to allow the user to breathe properly.

[0071] The second step consists of forming a first and a second superimposed strip assembly. To do this, the main strip 20 is cut via knives 25 into three strips 21, 24, 23 of filter material in order to form the first strip 21 of filter material, the central strip 24 intended to form the second strip of filter material and the third strip of filter material, and the fourth strip 23 of filter material. The knives 25 are positioned so as to define the width of the strips 21, 24, 23. The first strip 21 of filter material and the fourth strip 23 of filter material have identical dimensions and the central strip 24 of filter material has a width greater than the first strip of filter material 21 or the fourth strip 23 of filter material, for example twice as wide.

[0072] A first elastic band 26 and a second elastic band 27 are then respectively positioned between the first band 21 of filter material and the central band 24 of filter material and between the central band 24 of filter material and the fourth band 23 of filter material. The first band 21 of filter material and the central band 24 of filter material are fixed on either side of the first elastic band 26. Similarly, the central band 24 of filter material and the fourth band 23 are fixed on either side of the second elastic band 27. The fixing is preferably carried out via ultrasonic welding at a welding zone 28. An assembly of five bands 30 is thus formed.

[0073] Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment, the first strip 21 of filter material, the central strip 24 of filter material and the fourth strip 23 of filter material comprise a plurality of layers superimposed and bonded together by welding at the welding zone 28. This welding preforms a first lateral part and a second lateral part of the first mask and on the other hand a part of the orifices intended to receive the ears of the user of the second mask.

[0074] The next step corresponds to a step of folding 29 the assembly of five strips 30 along the center of the central strip 24 of filter material in order to form the second strip of filter material and the third strip of filter material as well as the first and second assemblies of three superimposed strips (not shown in this figure).

[0075] The first assembly of three bands thus formed has a first band of filtering material corresponding to the band 21 of filtering material, a second band of filtering material corresponding to half of the central band 24 of filtering material and a first elastic band corresponding to the elastic band 26 interposed between the first band of filtering material 21 and the central band 24 of filtering material.

[0076] The second assembly of three bands thus formed has a third band of filtering material corresponding to the other half of the central band 24 of filtering material, a fourth band of filtering material corresponding to the fourth band 23 of filtering material and a second elastic band corresponding to the second elastic band 27 interposed between the other half of the central band 24 of filtering material and the fourth band 23 of filtering material.

[0077] The two superimposed three-strip assemblies are then fixed to each other via a fixing step 31, for example using an ultrasonic welding method. This step makes it possible to fix the first strip 21 of filter material of the first strip assembly to the fourth strip 23 of filter material of the second strip assembly along a first weld line, described in detail below, and to fix the second strip of filter material of the first strip assembly to the third strip of filter material of the second strip assembly along a second weld line, also described in detail below.

[0078] Then, a first cutting step 32 is carried out using knives in order to form the orifices intended to receive the user's ears, the scraps from cutting the orifices are removed. Finally, a second cutting step 33 of the outline of the mask is carried out in order to form the masks. The scraps consisting of the remainder of the filter material from the strips of filter material are removed. Preferably, the strips are kept under tension throughout the mask manufacturing process using strip tensioning devices.The strip tensioning devices allow a smooth progress of the mask manufacturing process, in particular in order to reduce unwanted shifts or folding of the main strip 20, the central strip 24 of filter material, the first strip 21 of filter material, the fourth strip 23 of filter material, the assembly of five strips 30 and the two superimposed assemblies of three strips during the manufacture of the masks. Furthermore, preferably, during the progress of the mask manufacturing process, the main strip 20, the central strip 24 of filter material, the first strip 21 of filter material, the fourth strip 23 of filter material, the assembly of five strips 30 and then the two superimposed assemblies of three strips are guided via a strip guiding device 67.The web guiding device allows webs to be guided and increases production speed without reducing the reliability of the mask manufacturing process.

[0079] There [ Fig.3 ] is a schematic view unfolded along the fold line 66 of a portion of two assemblies of strips 40 and 50 superimposed before the step of the second cutting 33 of the outline of the mask according to an embodiment similar to the [ Fig.2 ]. If this [ Fig.3 ] makes it easier to understand the invention, such an unfolded state does not correspond to a real state of a step in the mask manufacturing process.

[0080] The first assembly of strips 40 consists of the first strip 21 of filter material, the first elastic strip 26 and the second strip 221 of filter material originating from the folding of the central strip 24. The second assembly of strips 50 consists of the second strip 222 of filter material originating from the folding of the central strip 24, the second elastic strip 27 and the fourth strip 23 of filter material. The adjacent strips are fixed together by welding, thus forming welding zones 62. In this embodiment, the strips of filter material 21, 221, 222, 23 comprise a plurality of superimposed layers. In this embodiment, a step of bonding said plurality of superimposed layers is carried out before the cutting step in order to fix said plurality of superimposed layers together. This step makes it possible to prevent the plurality of superimposed layers from being swaying at the end of the step of cutting the mask.Indeed, if the superimposed layers are swaying, this creates openings and therefore unwanted air passage areas which could reduce the quality of the air filtration of the mask. Thus, the air could pass through the mask without passing through all of the superimposed layers constituting the strip of filter material. Furthermore, this bonding step forms bonding areas 70 which make it possible to preform the lateral parts of the masks as well as to preform a part of the orifices 65 intended to receive the user's ears. According to one embodiment, this bonding step is a welding step, preferably by ultrasound. Alternatively, this bonding step can also be carried out by cold embossing.

[0081] In addition, the [ Fig.3 ] illustrates the first weld lines 60 and the second weld lines 61 formed by the attachment of the first strip assembly 40 with the second strip assembly 50, as performed during step 31 of the [ Fig.2 ]. These welding lines 60 and 61 are respectively intended to form the center line of the mask, they are of substantially arcuate shape. The shape of the welding lines 60 and 61 and can vary in order to best adapt to the user's face.

[0082] The preformed adjacent masks are in a head-to-tail position and joined to each other. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that the cutting step allows the cutting of a lateral part of a first mask and the cutting of a lateral part of a second mask adjacent to the first mask to be carried out at the same time. Thus, the mask manufacturing process is efficient and allows masks to be produced in large quantities while reducing material losses.

[0083] According to an advantageous variant presented on the [ Fig.3 ], the cutting step 33 of the two assemblies of three strips is partial, thus forming uncut areas 34 that can be cut, allowing the adjacent masks to be connected. The uncut areas 34 are preferably located on the welding areas 62 and in particular at the junctions between the welding lines 60, 61 and the connection areas 70. The uncut areas 34 are particularly advantageous in that they allow a connection to be ensured between the adjacent masks, making it easier to package them. This makes it possible, for example, to produce a roll of detachable masks or a batch of detachable masks.

[0084] There [ Fig.3 ] illustrates the manufacture of four masks. According to one embodiment, it is also provided to manufacture a large number of masks, for example between two and a thousand masks, for example 50 or 100 masks. For this, it will be necessary to adapt the length of the first assembly of strips 40 and of the second assembly of strips 50.

[0085] There [ Fig.4 ] presents another embodiment and illustrates a strip assembly. The strip assembly is achieved by welding a first strip 21 of filter material and a second strip 22 of filter material on either side of an elastic strip 26, thus forming two welding zones 62. The first strip 21 of filter material and the second strip 22 of filter material each comprise a plurality of superimposed layers. Thus, similarly to the embodiment presented [ Fig.3 ], a bonding step is performed in order to bond the superimposed layers. The bonding step is for example performed by ultrasonic welding and makes it possible to preform a portion of the mask on the strips 21 and 22 of filter material via bonding zones 70. The mask manufacturing method according to one embodiment is performed by providing two assemblies of three strips superimposed on each other.

[0086] [ Fig.5 ] represents a plurality of adjacent masks 1 in a head-to-tail position that are linked to each other via uncut areas 34. The uncut areas are easily detachable by a user and do not diminish the effectiveness of the mask 1 for use. Similar to the [ Fig.3 ], the uncut areas 34 are located on the welding areas 62 and at the junctions between the welding lines 60, 61 and connection areas 70.

[0087] The mask 1 thus obtained has two lateral parts 80 and 81, only one of which is visible on each mask in the [ Fig.5 ]. The two lateral parts 80 and 81 each comprise an orifice 65, for example of triangular shape with rounded apexes, intended to receive the user's ears.

[0088] There [ Fig.6 ] describes a mask 1 according to one embodiment. Similarly to the [ Fig.5 ], the mask 1 has a first lateral portion 80 comprising a first orifice 165 and a second lateral portion 81 comprising a second orifice 166. The orifices 165 and 166 have a rectangular shape with rounded edges. The shape of the orifices can also be round, oval, polygonal or another shape allowing the mask to be held properly on the user's ear. The mask 1 comprises a central portion 82 located between said lateral portions 80 and 81. The central portion has a median line 183. The median line 183 is formed by the first weld line 60 or the second weld line 61 formed by the attachment described in particular in step 31 of the [ Fig.2]. In addition, the central portion has a lower line 184 intended to be positioned under the user's mouth, in particular under the chin, and an upper line 185 intended to be positioned on the user's nose and under the eyes. The first lateral portion 80 consists of a first elastic zone 126 originating from an elastic band of the mask manufacturing process and a second zone 122 composed of a filtering material originating from a band of filtering material of the process. In a similar manner to the first lateral portion 80, the second lateral portion 81 consists of a first elastic zone 127 originating from another elastic band of the process and a second zone 121 composed of a filtering material originating from another band of filtering material of the process. The first and second orifices 165 and 166 are located respectively straddling the first zone 126 and 127 and the second zone 122 and 121.

[0089] The first elastic zone 126 of the first lateral part 80 or the first elastic zone 127 of the second lateral part 81 has a height of approximately 9 cm and a width of approximately 7 cm.

[0090] The first elastic zones 126 and 127 have a generally rectangular shape before cutting in which part of the orifices 165 or 166 is formed.

[0091] In one embodiment, 60% of the orifice 165 or 166 is cut in the first elastic zone 126 or 127 and 40% of the orifice 165 or 166 is cut in the second zone 121 or 122.

[0092] The dimensions of the mask can be modified to fit the dimensions of the user's head, for example if the user is a child, a teenager or an adult.

[0093] The subject matter of the invention is described in the claims.

[0094] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprise" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0095] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. A facemask manufacturing process comprising: - providing a first and a second assembly of strips superposed one on the other, characterized in that the first assembly of strips (40) comprises a first strip (21) of filtering material, a second strip (22, 221) of filtering material and a first elastic strip (26) interposed between the first strip (21) of filtering material and the second strip (22, 221) of filtering material; the second assembly of strips (50) comprising a third strip (222) of filtering material, a fourth strip (23) of filtering material and a second elastic strip (27) interposed between the third strip (222) of filtering material and the fourth strip (23) of filtering material, the first strip (21) of filtering material, the second strip (22, 221) of filtering material and the first elastic strip (26) being superposed on the fourth strip (23) of filtering material, the third strip (222) of filtering material and the second elastic strip (27), respectively; then - fixing the first strip (21) of filtering material to the fourth strip (23) of filtering material along a first weld line (60); - fixing the second strip (22, 221) of filtering material to the third strip (222) of filtering material along a second weld line (61); and then - a step of cutting the first and second assemblies of strips in order to form, in a top-to-tail position, a first facemask and a second facemask respectively having a median line (183) corresponding to the first weld line (60) and to the second weld line (61) and orifices (65, 165, 166) intended for receiving the user's ears.

2. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second assembly of strips superposed one on the other are formed from an assembly of five strips (30) comprising the first strip (21) of filtering material, a central strip (24) of filtering material that is intended to form the second strip (22, 221) of filtering material and the third strip (222) of filtering material, the fourth strip (23) of filtering material, the first elastic strip (26) interposed between the first strip (21) of filtering material and the central strip (24) of filtering material, and the second elastic strip (27) interposed between the fourth strip (23) of filtering material and the central strip (24) of filtering material, wherein the assembly of five strips (30) is folded along the center (66) of the central strip (24) of filtering material in order to form said second strip (22, 221) of filtering material and said third strip (222) of filtering material and also the superposed first assembly (40) of strips and second assembly (50) of strips.

3. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central strip (24) of filtering material has a width at least twice that of the first strip (21) of filtering material.

4. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second assembly of strips superposed one on the other are formed from two separate assemblies of strips, the first assembly of strips being respectively formed from the first strip (21) of filtering material, the second strip (22) of filtering material, and the first elastic strip (26) interposed between the first strip (21) of filtering material and the second strip (22) of filtering material, wherein the first strip (21) of filtering material and the second strip (22) of filtering material are fixed on either side of the first elastic strip (26) in order to form said first assembly of strips, and the second assembly of strips being respectively formed from the third strip (222) of filtering material, the fourth strip (23) of filtering material, and the second elastic strip (27) interposed between the third strip (222) of filtering material and the fourth strip (23) of filtering material, wherein the third strip (222) of filtering material and the fourth strip (23) of filtering material are fixed on either side of the second elastic strip (27) in order to form said second assembly of strips.

5. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one strip selected from the first strip (21) of filtering material, the second strip (22, 221) of filtering material, the third strip (222) of filtering material and the fourth strip (23) of filtering material has at least two superposed layers, preferably three superposed layers.

6. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in claim 5, wherein a connecting step is performed upstream of the cutting of the first and second assemblies of strips in order to fix the at least two superposed layers to one another and to preform, via the connecting zones (70), both a first lateral part and a second lateral part of the first facemask and part of the orifices (65) of the second facemask that are intended to receive the user's ears.

7. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first elastic strip (26) and the second elastic strip (27) have an identical width.

8. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first elastic strip (26) and the second elastic strip (27) comprise an elastomer material.

9. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a roll of filtering material provides a main strip (20) of filtering material having a longitudinal direction, and wherein the first strip (21) of filtering material, the central strip (24) of filtering material and the fourth strip (23) of filtering material are cut out of the main strip (20) of filtering material via a step of cutting along the longitudinal direction of the main strip (20) of filtering material.

10. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a roll of elastic material provides a main strip of elastic material having a longitudinal direction, and wherein the first elastic strip (26) and the second elastic strip (27) are cut out of the main strip of elastic material via a step of cutting along the longitudinal direction of said main strip of elastic material.

11. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing of the first strip (21) of filtering material to the fourth strip (23) of filtering material along the first weld line (60), and / or the fixing of the second strip (22, 221) of filtering material to the third strip (222) of filtering material along the second weld line (61), is performed by ultrasonic welding.

12. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second assemblies of strips are partially cut, thereby forming non-cut zones (34) allowing the first facemask and the second facemask to be connected.

13. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in claim 12, wherein the non-cut zones (34) are located on the first weld line (60) and the second weld line (61).

14. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in either of claims 12 and 13, wherein the non-cut zones (34) are located at the joins between the first weld line (61) or the second weld line (61) and the connecting zones (70).

15. The facemask manufacturing process as claimed in claims 12 to 14, the process moreover comprising a step of winding up the first facemask and the second facemask about an axis in order to form a roll of detachable facemasks.

16. A facemask comprising: a first lateral part (80) having a first orifice (165) intended to receive a user's first ear, a second lateral part (81) having a second orifice (166) intended to receive the user's second ear, and a central part (82) interposed between the first lateral part (165) and the second lateral part (166), the central part (82) being intended to cover the user's nose and mouth, the central part (82) having a median line (183), the central part (82) being manufactured from filtering material, characterized in that the first lateral part (80) and the second lateral part (81) are each made up of a first zone (126, 127) provided from a strip composed of an elastic material and a second zone (121, 122) provided from a strip composed of a filtering material, wherein the first zone (126, 127) is located between the central part (82) and the second zone (121, 122), the second zones (121, 122) respectively defining one lateral end of the facemask (1), wherein the first orifice (165) and the second orifice (166) are each cut out of the first zone and the second zone and located straddling the first zone (126, 127) and the second zone (122, 121).