METHOD FOR FOLDING A THIN OR ULTRA-THIN FACE MASK

Abstract

METHOD FOR FOLDING A THIN OR ULTRA-THIN FACE MASK The present invention relates to a method for folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask (1) having a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric (3) and a piece of lining (2), wherein the fabric (3) and the lining (2) overlap and are in contact with each other, wherein the face mask (1) has at least two longitudinal lines (110, 120) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask (1) and at least one transverse line (160) extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask (1), wherein the face mask (1) is divided into at least three longitudinal zones (111, 112, 113) having substantially the same width by the at least two longitudinal lines (110, 120), and the face mask is divided into at least two transverse zones (161, 162) having substantially the same length by at least one transverse line (160),The process includes the following steps: - the first step, laying the face mask (1) flat; - the second step, folding the mask (1) along each longitudinal line (110, 120) in order; - the third step, folding the mask (1) along each transverse line (160) in order. Figure for the abbreviation: 2,

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR FOLDING A THIN OR ULTRA-THIN FACE MASK FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask, a thin or ultra-thin face mask product, and a method for producing the thin or ultra-thin face mask product. CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Thin or ultra-thin face masks refer to face masks made of thin or ultra-thin fibers. The fineness of a single filament of a thin fiber is generally 1.0 to 0.5 D, while the fineness of a single filament of an ultra-thin fiber is generally 0.5 to 0.1 D. The definition of fineness D is the number of grams by weight per 9000 meters of length of the yarn or fiber. Face masks made of thin or ultra-thin fibers offer the advantages of great softness, better skin adaptation, and a long-lasting moisture-retaining effect.

[0003] Regarding the fabric of thin or ultra-thin masks, since its material is extremely thin and flexible, it wrinkles easily and its sections stick together during the folding and / or unfolding process. Two linings are generally used in the folding process of the face mask to sandwich a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric between the two linings, creating a sandwich-like structure. This structure provides sufficient support and protection for thin or ultra-thin fabrics. Regardless of how the mask is folded during the folding process, there will be no wrinkling or adhesion problems for the fabric.

[0004] However, a drawback of using two liners is that the user must remove one liner before applying the face mask to their face, and the other liner after applying the face mask. These tedious operations are very unpleasant for users. Furthermore, the two liners also create additional manufacturing costs. On the one hand, using two liners increases the amount of plastic used in the product; on the other hand, using two liners is not conducive to soaking the mask in the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution, and a larger quantity of liquid cosmetic nutrient solution must be poured into the mask packaging pouch.

[0005] The proposal of eco-responsible and environmentally friendly solutions, which are designed and developed taking environmental issues into consideration, becomes a major objective in an effort to meet the challenges global. It is therefore essential to design more sustainable products that reduce the amount of materials used, replace existing materials with more environmentally friendly ones, and use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of products.

[0006] In this context, it is important to develop packaging that generates less waste, more specifically by rethinking the packaging to reduce the amount of plastic used in the product.

[0007] For this reason, the inventor of the present invention sought the possibility of using a single lining in a thin or ultra-thin face mask during product development. However, the problem with using a single piece of lining is that it is difficult to avoid adhesion caused by contact between portions of the same fabric when folding the face mask. This technical problem makes it difficult to use a single lining in the manufacture of face mask products. Summary of the invention

[0008] To solve the above technical problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a suitable method for folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask having a single piece of lining is proposed. The method according to the first aspect of the present invention can reduce the area of ​​mutual contact between portions of the same fabric, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of the fabric portions adhering to one another.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a method for folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask is proposed, the thin or ultra-thin face mask having a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric and a piece of lining, wherein the fabric and the lining overlap and are in contact with each other, wherein the face mask has at least two longitudinal lines extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask and at least one transverse line extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask, wherein the face mask is divided into at least three longitudinal zones having substantially the same width by the at least two longitudinal lines, and the face mask is divided into at least two transverse zones having substantially the same length by the at least one transverse line (160), the method including the following steps:

[0010] - the first step, laying the face mask flat;

[0011] - the second step, folding the mask along each longitudinal line in the order;

[0012] - the third step, folding the mask (1) along each transverse line in the order.

[0013] In this context, "folding inwards" means folding towards the axis of symmetry of the mask.

[0014] Preferably, the face mask has at most five longitudinal lines extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask, and the face mask is divided into at most six longitudinal zones having substantially the same width by the at most five longitudinal lines.

[0015] Preferably, the face mask has at most three transverse lines extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask, and the face mask is divided into at most four longitudinal zones substantially of the same width by the at most three transverse lines.

[0016] Preferably, in the first step, laying the mask flat with the perfectly fitted lining.

[0017] Preferably, the face mask has exactly two longitudinal lines extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask, and the face mask is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, and a third longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line and the second longitudinal line, wherein in the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone is located above the second longitudinal zone; and the third longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the second longitudinal line so that the third longitudinal zone is located above the folded first longitudinal zone.

[0018] Preferably, the face mask has exactly three longitudinal lines extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask, and the face mask is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone and a fourth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line, a second longitudinal line and a third longitudinal line, wherein, in the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone is above the second longitudinal zone; the fourth longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the third longitudinal line so that the fourth longitudinal zone is above the third longitudinal zone;the first folded longitudinal zone or the fourth folded longitudinal zone is folded along the second longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fourth longitudinal zone. ;

[0019] Preferably, the face mask has exactly four longitudinal lines extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask, and the mask facial is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone, a fourth longitudinal zone and a fifth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line, the second longitudinal line, the third longitudinal line and the fourth longitudinal line, in which, in the second stage, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone is situated above the second longitudinal zone; the folded first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the second longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone comes into contact with the third longitudinal zone;the fifth longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the fourth longitudinal line so that the fifth longitudinal zone is located above the fourth longitudinal zone; the second folded longitudinal zone or the fifth folded longitudinal zone is folded along the third longitudinal line so that the second longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fifth longitudinal zone.

[0020] Preferably, the face mask has exactly five longitudinal lines extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask, and the face mask is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone, a fourth longitudinal zone, a fifth longitudinal zone and a sixth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line, the second longitudinal line, the third longitudinal line, the fourth longitudinal line and the fifth longitudinal line, wherein, in the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone is situated above the second longitudinal zone;The first folded longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the second longitudinal line so that the first longitudinal zone comes into contact with the third longitudinal zone; the sixth longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the fifth longitudinal line so that the sixth longitudinal zone is located above the fifth longitudinal zone; the sixth folded longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the fourth longitudinal line so that the sixth longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fourth longitudinal zone; the second folded longitudinal zone or the fifth folded longitudinal zone is folded along the third longitudinal line so that the second longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fifth longitudinal zone.

[0021] Preferably, the face mask has three to five longitudinal lines, in which, in the second step, the face mask is folded in the same direction along of each longitudinal line in order so that the width of the folded face mask corresponds to the width of a longitudinal area.

[0022] Preferably, the face mask has exactly a transverse line extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask, and the face mask is divided into a first transverse zone and a second transverse zone having substantially the same width by the first transverse line, in which, in the third step, the first transverse zone or the second transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line so that the first transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone.

[0023] Preferably, before starting the folding, the fabric is positioned above the lining or the lining is positioned above the fabric. The positioning of the fabric and the lining does not affect the implementation of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0024] Preferably, before folding, the lining is positioned above the fabric, so that the lining is on the inside for the final folded mask. This allows the fabric exposed on the outside after folding to be better soaked in the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution, thus reducing the amount of liquid cosmetic nutrient solution poured into the mask packaging bag.

[0025] Preferably, the mask has a generally circular shape. However, other conceivable shapes of face masks are also suitable for the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0026] Preferably, there is at least one protruding gripping portion at the edge of the mask. When the face mask is put on the face, the gripping portion can prevent the base portion of the face mask from being soiled by the user's hands.

[0027] Preferably, the lining may have a different outline than the fabric. For example, the outline of the lining may be slightly larger than the outline of the fabric, thus providing better protection for the fabric.

[0028] Preferably, the lining is constructed with mesh or perforations. The mesh or perforations in the lining facilitate the complete humidification of the fabric by the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution and promote the uniform distribution of the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution over the fabric.

[0029] Preferably, the lining is made of plastic. The plastic lining does not easily adhere to the fabric and can provide sufficient support for the fabric when folding to prevent creasing. The plastic used for the lining is preferably polyester, polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP). The lining is also preferably made of biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP).

[0030] Preferably, the fabric is made of ultrafine fiber with a fineness of less than 0.5 D, more preferably less than 0.3 D. Since this type of fabric is very fine and soft, it is generally thought that two pieces of lining must be used to effectively prevent it from wrinkling and sticking. The use of the folding method according to the first aspect of the present invention makes it possible to effectively prevent wrinkling and sticking of the fabric even with a single piece of lining.

[0031] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a thin or ultra-thin face mask product is proposed, comprising a face mask packaging pouch and a face mask. The face mask comprises a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric and a piece of lining. The face mask is folded according to the method of the first aspect of the present invention and contained within the face mask packaging pouch.

[0032] Preferably, the facial mask packaging sachet also contains a liquid cosmetic nutrient solution, and the facial mask is soaked in the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution.

[0033] Preferably, in the facial mask packaging sachet, the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution and the facial mask are kept separate from each other. They only come into contact with each other before applying the mask to the face by squeezing the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution into the area of ​​the mask.

[0034] According to the third aspect of the present invention, a method for producing a thin or ultra-thin face mask product is proposed, the thin or ultra-thin face mask product comprising a face mask packaging bag and a face mask with a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric and a piece of lining, the method including:

[0035] - the first step, folding the face mask according to the method according to the first aspect of the present invention;

[0036] - the second step, placing the folded face mask in the bag of face mask packaging;

[0037] - the third step, pouring the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution into the facial mask packaging bag.

[0038] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the illustrative embodiment, taken together with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0039] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a top view of a face mask according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a top view of a face mask according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In Figures 1 to 7, each longitudinal line is referred to as the first longitudinal line, second longitudinal line, third longitudinal line, fourth longitudinal line, and fifth longitudinal line, from left to right. Each longitudinal zone is referred to as the first longitudinal zone, second longitudinal zone, third longitudinal zone, fourth longitudinal zone, fifth longitudinal zone, and sixth longitudinal zone, from left to right. Each transverse zone is referred to as the first transverse zone and second transverse zone, from top to bottom.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a top view of a thin or ultra-thin face mask 1 according to the present invention. Before folding begins, the mask 1 is placed flat on a horizontal or slightly inclined work surface. The folding of the mask 1 can be done manually by workers or by specialized automated equipment in a factory.

[0049] The face mask 1 of [Fig. 1] comprises a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric 3 and a piece of lining 2, and the fabric 3 and lining 2 overlap at the top and bottom and come into contact with each other. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is located on top of the fabric 3. For clarity, the lining 2 in Figures 1 to 7 is shown in hatching, while the fabric 3 is shown in white. In [Fig. 1], the fabric 3 is concealed by the lining 2 and is not visible because the fabric 3 is located beneath the lining 2. The colors and textures of the fabric 3 and the lining 2 in the accompanying drawings do not constitute restrictions with respect to them. In fact, the fabric 3 is usually white or milky white, and the lining 2 is usually white or transparent. In addition, the color of fabric 3 and lining 2 may depend on the color of the liquid cosmetic nutrient solution adsorbed by mask 1.

[0050] As shown in [Fig.1], the face mask 1 is divided into a first longitudinal zone 111, a second longitudinal zone 112 and a third longitudinal zone 113 having substantially the same width by a first longitudinal line 110 and a second longitudinal line 120 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mask 1, and the face mask 1 is divided into a first transverse zone 161 and a second transverse zone 162 having substantially the same length by a first transverse line 160 extending parallel to the transverse direction of the mask 1.

[0051] The first longitudinal line 110, the second longitudinal line 120 and the first transverse line 160 are represented by dashed lines in [Fig. 1]. These are imaginary lines for the purpose of clearly explaining the folding process, and they are not lines that actually exist on the mask 1.

[0052] As shown in [Fig. 1], the face mask 1 usually has openings 4 at positions corresponding to the eyes, nose, and mouth, through which the mask 1 can be precisely positioned on the human face. The longitudinal and transverse directions of the mask 1 can be determined with reference to the human face. In this context, the longitudinal direction of the mask 1 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the human face, i.e., the direction extending vertically from the center of the forehead to the center of the chin; the transverse direction of the face mask 1 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction extending horizontally from one side of the human face to the other.

[0053] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask 1 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In the first step, the mask 1 is placed flat on a work surface, and the fabric 3 and the lining 2 overlap and are in contact with each other. Just as the face mask 1 is shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is also located on top of the fabric 3 in [Fig. 2]. This means that the fabric 3 rests against the work surface while the lining 2 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0055] In the second step, the first longitudinal zone 111 is folded along the first longitudinal line 110 so that the first longitudinal zone 111 is located above the second longitudinal zone 112. After being folded, the lining 2 at the level of the first folded longitudinal zone 111 comes into contact with the lining 2 at the level of the second longitudinal zone 112, and the fabric 3 at the level of the first folded longitudinal zone 111 is oriented opposite the working plane.

[0056] In the third step, the third longitudinal zone 113 is folded along the second longitudinal line 120 so that the folded third longitudinal zone 113 is located above the folded first longitudinal zone 111. After being folded, the lining 2 at the level of the folded third longitudinal zone 113 comes into contact with the fabric 3 at the level of the folded first longitudinal zone 111, and the fabric 3 at the level of the folded third longitudinal zone 113 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0057] In the fourth step, the first transverse zone 161 is folded along the first transverse line 160 so that the first folded transverse zone 161 comes into contact with the second transverse zone 162. After folding, the fabric 3 in the first folded transverse zone 161 comes into contact with the fabric 3 in the second transverse zone.

[0058] The advantage of the folding method according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the contact area between the fabric portions of the same fabric 3 is reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of the fabric portions adhering to one another. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], no contact between the fabric portions occurs from the first step to the third step. It is only in the fourth step, that is, after the first transverse zone 161 has been folded relative to the second transverse zone 162, that contact between the fabric portions occurs. It can be seen from the fourth step in [Fig. 2] that the surface area of ​​the contact zone of the fabric portions represents only about half the surface area of ​​the median zone.If we consider that after the third step, there are still parts of the lining 2 on the top and bottom of the second longitudinal zone 112 oriented away from the work surface and which are not covered by the first and second folded zones 4 and 6, the actual contact area of ​​the fabric portions is smaller. Since the contact area of ​​the fabric portions is smaller due to this folding method, the possibility of fabric adhesion is significantly reduced.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a flowchart for folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask 1 according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The only difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the fabric 3 is placed on top of the lining 2 before folding. The remaining steps are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0060] In the first step, the mask 1 is placed flat on a work surface, and the fabric 3 and the lining 2 overlap and are in contact with each other. Unlike the face mask 1 shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is located below the fabric 3 in [Fig. 3]. This means that the lining 2 rests against the work surface while the fabric 3 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0061] In the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded along the first longitudinal line 210 so that the first folded longitudinal zone is located above the second longitudinal zone. After being folded, the fabric 3 at the first folded longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fabric 3 at the second longitudinal zone, and the lining 2 at the first folded longitudinal zone is oriented outwards from the work surface.

[0062] In the third step, the third longitudinal zone is folded along the second longitudinal line 220 so that the folded third longitudinal zone is located above the folded first longitudinal zone. After being folded, the fabric 3 at the level of the folded third longitudinal zone comes into contact with the lining 2 at the level of the folded first longitudinal zone, and the lining 2 at the level of the folded third longitudinal zone is oriented away from the work surface.

[0063] In the fourth step, the first transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line 260 so that the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone. After being folded, the lining 2 in the first folded transverse zone 161 comes into contact with the lining 2 in the second transverse zone.

[0064] The folding method according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention also reduces the contact area between the fabric portions, thereby reducing the possibility of the fabric portions adhering to one another. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], in the first, third, and fourth steps, no contact occurs between the fabric portions. It is only in the second step, that is, after the first longitudinal zone has been folded along the first longitudinal line 210, that contact between the fabric portions occurs. It can be seen from the second step in [Fig. 3] that, without considering the surface area of ​​the openings 4 on the mask 1, the surface area of ​​the contact zone of the fabric portions corresponds approximately to the surface area of ​​the first longitudinal zone.If we consider the surface area of ​​the four openings on the mask, the actual contact area of ​​the fabric is smaller. Since the contact area of ​​the fabric is smaller due to this folding method, the fabric's ability to adhere is significantly reduced.

[0065] In the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, whether the first longitudinal zone on the left side or the third longitudinal zone on the right side of the figure is first folded in the second step does not affect the achievement of the technical effect of the present invention. In the fourth step, whether the first transverse zone 161 is folded downwards or the second transverse zone 162 is folded upwards does not affect the achievement of the technical effect of the present invention.

[0066] In Figures 4 to 7, for clarity, except for the first step, the openings for the eyes, nose and mouth on the mask are omitted.

[0067] Figure 4 shows a folding flowchart of a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the face mask 1 has exactly three longitudinal lines 310, 320, 330 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask 1, and the face mask 1 is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone and a fourth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line 310, the second longitudinal line 320 and the third longitudinal line 330.

[0068] In the first step, the mask 1 is placed flat on a work surface, and the fabric 3 and the lining 2 overlap and are in contact with each other. Just as the face mask 1 is shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is also located on top of the fabric 3 in [Fig. 4]. This means that the fabric 3 rests against the work surface while the lining 2 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0069] In the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line 310 so that the first longitudinal zone is located above the second longitudinal zone.

[0070] In the third step, the fourth longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the third longitudinal line 330 so that the fourth longitudinal zone is located above the third longitudinal zone.

[0071] In the fourth step, the fourth folded longitudinal zone is folded along the second longitudinal line 320 so that the first longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fourth longitudinal zone.

[0072] In the fifth step, the first transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line 360 ​​so that the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone. After being folded, the lining 2 in the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the lining 2 in the second transverse zone.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a folding flowchart of a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the face mask 1 has exactly four longitudinal lines 410, 420, 430, 440 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask 1, and the face mask 1 is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone, a fourth longitudinal zone and a fifth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line 410, the second longitudinal line 420, the third longitudinal line 430 and the fourth longitudinal line 440.

[0074] In the first step, the mask 1 is placed flat on a work surface, and the fabric 3 and the lining 2 overlap and are in contact with each other. Just as the face mask 1 is shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is also located on top of the fabric 3 in [Fig. 5]. This means that the fabric 3 rests against the work surface while the lining 2 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0075] In the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line 410 so that the first longitudinal zone is located above the second longitudinal zone.

[0076] In the third step, the first folded longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the second longitudinal line 420 so that the first longitudinal zone comes into contact with the third longitudinal zone.

[0077] In the fourth step, the fifth longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the fourth longitudinal line 440 so that the fifth longitudinal zone is located above the fourth longitudinal zone.

[0078] In the fifth step, the second folded longitudinal zone is folded along the third longitudinal line 430 so that the second longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fifth longitudinal zone.

[0079] In the sixth step, the first transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line 460 so that the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone. After being folded, the lining 2 in the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the lining 2 in the second transverse zone.

[0080] Figure 6 shows a folding flowchart of a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the face mask 1 has exactly five longitudinal lines 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask 1, and the face mask 1 is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone, a fourth longitudinal zone, a fifth longitudinal zone and a sixth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line 510, the second longitudinal line 520, the third longitudinal line 530, the fourth longitudinal line 540 and the fifth longitudinal line 550.

[0081] In the first step, the mask 1 is placed flat on a work surface, and the fabric 3 and the lining 2 overlap and are in contact with each other. Just as the face mask 1 is shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is also located on top of the fabric 3 in [Fig. 6]. This means that the fabric 3 rests against the work surface while the lining 2 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0082] In the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line 510 so that the first longitudinal zone is located above the second longitudinal zone.

[0083] In the third step, the first folded longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the second longitudinal line 520 so that the first longitudinal zone comes into contact with the third longitudinal zone.

[0084] In the fourth step, the sixth longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the fifth longitudinal line 550 so that the sixth longitudinal zone is located above the fifth longitudinal zone.

[0085] In the fifth step, the sixth folded longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the fourth longitudinal line 540 so that the sixth longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fourth longitudinal zone.

[0086] In the sixth step, the second folded longitudinal zone is folded along the third longitudinal line 530 so that the second longitudinal zone comes into contact with the fifth longitudinal zone.

[0087] In the seventh step, the first transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line 560 so that the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone. After being folded, the lining 2 in the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the lining 2 in the second transverse zone.

[0088] Figure 7 shows a folding flowchart of a thin or ultra-thin face mask according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the face mask 1 has exactly three longitudinal lines 610, 620, 630 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask 1, and the face mask 1 is divided into a first longitudinal zone, a second longitudinal zone, a third longitudinal zone and a fourth longitudinal zone having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line 610, the second longitudinal line 620 and the third longitudinal line 630.

[0089] In the first step, the mask 1 is placed flat on a work surface, and the fabric 3 and the lining 2 overlap and are in contact with each other. Just as the face mask 1 is shown in [Fig. 1], the lining 2 is also located on top of the fabric 3 in [Fig. 7]. This means that the fabric 3 rests against the work surface while the lining 2 is oriented away from the work surface.

[0090] In the second step, the first longitudinal zone is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line 610 so that the first longitudinal zone is located above the second longitudinal zone.

[0091] In the third step, which differs from the third embodiment of [Fig. 4], the first folded longitudinal region is further folded inwards along the second longitudinal line 620 in the same direction as in the second stage, so that the first folded longitudinal region is located above the third longitudinal region.

[0092] In the fourth step, the second folded longitudinal zone is further folded along the third longitudinal line 630 in the same direction as the previous steps 2 and 3, so that the second longitudinal zone is in contact with the fourth longitudinal zone.

[0093] In the fifth step, the first transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line 660 so that the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone. After being folded, the lining 2 in the first folded transverse zone comes into contact with the lining 2 in the second transverse zone.

[0094] The folding method shown in the sixth embodiment of [Fig. 7] also applies to a mask having four to five longitudinal lines. In this method, the face mask 1 is always folded in the same direction along each longitudinal line in the order so that the width of the folded face mask 1 corresponds to the width of a longitudinal area.

[0095] In the folding method embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7, each method begins by folding the left portion of the face mask. However, it is also possible to fold the right portion of the face mask first. This means that the mask can be folded from left to right or from right to left.

[0096] Figure 8 shows a top view of a face mask according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the mask shown in Figure 8 and the mask shown in Figure 1 is that the mask in Figure 8 includes two dividing lines 5 on the two faceted portions of the mask respectively to better adapt to different facial features. The two dividing lines 5 extend from the edge of the mask towards its axis of symmetry. In particular, the direction of extension of the dividing lines 5 is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the mask.

[0097] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and that equivalents can replace elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be used with numerous modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components, and otherwise employed in the practice of the invention, which are particularly suited to various environments and operational requirements. specific without departing from the principles of the present invention. The embodiments currently disclosed should therefore be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the previous description or embodiments.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for folding a thin or ultra-thin face mask (1) having a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric (3) and a piece of lining (2), wherein the fabric (3) and the lining (2) overlap and are in contact with each other, wherein the face mask (1) has at least two longitudinal lines (110, 120) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask (1) and at least one transverse line (160) extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask (1), wherein the face mask (1) is divided into at least three longitudinal zones (111, 112, 113) having substantially the same width by the at least two longitudinal lines (110, 120), and the face mask is divided into at least two transverse zones (161, 162) having substantially the same length by the at least one transverse line (160), the method including the following steps: - the first step, laying the face mask flat (1);- the second step, folding the mask (1) along each longitudinal line (110, 120) in order; - the third step, folding the mask (1) along each transverse line (160) in order.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the face mask (1) has at most five longitudinal lines (510, 520, 530, 540, 550) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask (1), and the face mask (1) is divided into at most six longitudinal zones having substantially the same width by the at most five longitudinal lines (510, 520, 530, 540, 550).

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the face mask (1) has at most three transverse lines (160) extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask (1), and the face mask (1) is divided into at most four transverse zones (161, 162) substantially of the same width by the at most three transverse lines (160).

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the face mask (1) has exactly two longitudinal lines (110, 120) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the face mask (1), and the face mask (1) is divided into a first longitudinal zone (111), a second longitudinal zone (112), and a third longitudinal zone (113) having substantially the same width by the first longitudinal line (110) and the second longitudinal line (120), wherein in the second step, the first longitudinal zone (111) is folded inwards along the first longitudinal line (110) so that the first longitudinal zone (111) is situated above the second longitudinal zone (112); and the third longitudinal zone (113) is folded inwards along the second longitudinal line (120) so that the third longitudinal zone (113) is situated above the folded first longitudinal zone (111).

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the face mask (1) has exactly a transverse line (160) extending parallel to the transverse direction of the face mask (1), and the face mask (1) is divided into a first transverse zone and a second transverse zone having substantially the same width by the first transverse line (160), wherein in the third step, the first transverse zone or the second transverse zone is folded along the first transverse line (160) so that the first transverse zone comes into contact with the second transverse zone.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the fabric (3) is positioned above the lining (2) before starting the folding.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the lining (2) is positioned above the fabric (3) before starting the folding.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the lining (2) is made of plastic material and configured with mesh, preferably is constructed with perforations.

9. Thin or ultra-thin face mask product, comprising a face mask packaging bag and a face mask (1) with a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric (3) and a piece of lining (2), characterized in that the face mask (1) is folded according to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and contained in the face mask packaging bag.

10. A method for producing a thin or ultra-thin face mask product having a face mask packaging bag and a face mask (1) with a piece of thin or ultra-thin fabric (3) and a piece of lining (2), the method comprising: - the first step, folding the face mask (1) according to the method according to one of claims 1 to 8; - the second step, the placement of the folded face mask (1) in the face mask packaging bag; - the third step, pouring a liquid cosmetic nutrient solution into the facial mask packaging sachet.

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