Sanitary mask

Abstract

To provide a sanitary mask which has excellent breathability and a high filtering effect while preventing dust from adhering to the surface on the nose and mouth side.SOLUTION: The sanitary mask comprises an electrically charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and a cooling sensation nonwoven fabric layer 20. The electrically charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 is fabric facing the outside air and is subjected to an electrically charged treatment to enhance the filtering effect against fine particles. The cooling sensation nonwoven fabric layer 20 is an inner fabric laminated on the electrically charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and is subjected to a cooling contact treatment so that a cooling effect can be felt when it comes into contact with the skin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary mask, and particularly to a sanitary mask having a shape that covers the nose and mouth and has a high filtering effect.

Background Art

[0002] As a sanitary mask having a shape that covers the nose and mouth, a mask using a non-woven fabric is generally known. A general sanitary mask using a non-woven fabric is known to have a three-layer structure in which both sides of a filter material are sandwiched between non-woven fabrics. As the filter material, for example, a meltblown non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene, etc., which has an excellent filtering effect against fine particles, is used.

[0003] Also, a sanitary mask using a composite non-woven fabric in which a spunbond non-woven fabric layer is integrally laminated as a protective layer on one or both sides of a meltblown non-woven fabric layer is known. Such a multi-layer composite non-woven fabric has a structure in which both sides of a meltblown non-woven fabric layer (M) are sandwiched between spunbond non-woven fabric layers (S), and is thus called a so-called SMS non-woven fabric. A three-layer sanitary mask using SMS non-woven fabric as a filter material and sandwiching both sides with a non-woven fabric that serves as a core material for maintaining the shape and a non-woven fabric with a good touch is also known.

[0004] In addition, in order to give the meltblown non-woven fabric an even higher filtering effect, a meltblown non-woven fabric subjected to a charging treatment is also known (for example, Patent Documents 1-3). In this example, the meltblown non-woven fabric layer of the SMS non-woven fabric is subjected to a charging treatment. Since fine dust can be adsorbed by the static electricity of the meltblown non-woven fabric layer subjected to the charging treatment, it is not necessary to make the non-woven fabric extremely fine-fibered, and a high filtering effect can be obtained while preventing deterioration of breathability.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] In the manufacturing process of a sanitary mask, when cutting a sheet-shaped nonwoven fabric used as a raw material to fit the shape of the sanitary mask, dust such as cuttings and dust is generated. Here, when using a meltblown nonwoven fabric and an SMS nonwoven fabric of spunbond nonwoven fabric subjected to a charging treatment, the dust generated during cutting adheres to the SMS nonwoven fabric due to static electricity. Since the product cannot be shipped with the dust attached, it was necessary to separately perform a dust removal process.

[0007] Here, in the dust removal process, for example, it is possible to use an air blow or a static eliminator. However, with an air blow, the blown dust simply floats and adheres to the SMS nonwoven fabric again. Also, it is possible to remove the dust by removing the static electricity with a static eliminator. However, if the static electricity is removed by a static eliminator, the static electricity of the meltblown nonwoven fabric subjected to the charging treatment can also be removed, so the filter effect is weakened.

[0008] Also, even when using a sanitary mask, for example, when the sanitary mask is reused, such as when it is temporarily removed and placed on a table and then reused, there is a risk that dust will adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side due to the static electricity of the SMS nonwoven fabric subjected to the charging treatment.

[0009] Therefore, there has been a demand for the development of a sanitary mask that has excellent breathability, a high filter effect, and is difficult for dust to adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side.

[0010] In view of such circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a sanitary mask that has excellent breathability, a high filter effect, and is difficult for dust to adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0011] In order to achieve the object of the present invention described above, the sanitary mask according to the present invention includes an outer air-side fabric, a charged nonwoven fabric layer that is subjected to a charging treatment to enhance the filter effect against fine particles, and an inner fabric laminated on the charged nonwoven fabric layer, and a cooling nonwoven fabric layer that is subjected to a contact cooling treatment so as to feel a cooling effect when touching the skin.

[0012] Here, the charged nonwoven fabric layer may be composed of a meltblown nonwoven fabric layer subjected to a charging treatment and a spunbond nonwoven fabric layer laminated on one or both sides thereof.

[0013] Further, the cooling nonwoven fabric layer may have a function of making it difficult for dust and debris to adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] The sanitary mask of the present invention has the advantages of excellent breathability, high filter effect, and difficulty in dust and debris adhering to the surface on the nose and mouth side.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described together with illustrated examples. The sanitary mask of the present invention has a shape that covers the nose and mouth. FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view for explaining the nonwoven fabric used in the sanitary mask of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the nonwoven fabric used in the sanitary mask of the present invention is composed of a charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and a cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20. The charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 is the outer air-side fabric, and the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 is the inner fabric, and it is configured as a two-layer sanitary mask. That is, the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 is the outermost layer on the side opposite to the nose and mouth side of the sanitary mask, and the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 is the side that touches the skin.

[0017] The charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 is subjected to a charging treatment to enhance the filter effect against fine particles. Any known or to-be-developed treatment can be applied as long as the charging treatment is a treatment in which static electricity with a high charge density stably adheres to the nonwoven fabric. Specifically, for example, the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 may be composed of a meltblown nonwoven fabric layer subjected to a charging treatment and a spunbond nonwoven fabric layer laminated on one or both sides thereof. That is, as the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10, an SMS nonwoven fabric having a meltblown nonwoven fabric layer subjected to a charging treatment may be used. More specifically, for example, the SMS nonwoven fabrics of Patent Documents 1-3 can be applied. For example, a high voltage may be applied to the meltblown nonwoven fabric layer, and the charging treatment may be performed by electret processing by corona discharge. Note that the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 of the sanitary mask of the present invention does not necessarily have to be an SMS nonwoven fabric. For example, if a charging treatment is performed on a meltblown nonwoven fabric layer with high strength, only the meltblown nonwoven fabric layer may be used as the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10. As long as the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 subjected to such a charging treatment is configured as a sanitary mask so as to be disposed on the outer air side, that is, the outermost layer on the side opposite to the nose and mouth side.

[0018] The cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 is subjected to a contact cool-sensation treatment so that a cool-sensation effect can be felt when it touches the skin. Any existing or future-developed treatment can be applied as long as it is a treatment that can feel a cool-sensation effect when it touches the skin. Specifically, for example, the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 may be a polyethylene non-woven fabric with fibers such as polyethylene having a special cross-sectional shape with an increased surface area to enhance the contact cool-sensitivity. Also, the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 may be one in which a cool-sensation agent such as xylitol is coated on the surface of a non-woven fabric made of fibrous structures such as nylon, acrylic, and polyester. Note that the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 may have a q-max value, which is an index indicating cool-sensation in JIS standard (JIS L 1927), of 0.1 or more, preferably 0.12 or more. The cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 may have excellent hygroscopicity and water absorbency. The cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 thus subjected to the contact cool-sensation treatment may be laminated on the charged non-woven fabric layer 10. That is, the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 becomes the inner fabric and directly touches the skin.

[0019] Here, the charged non-woven fabric layer 10 and the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 may be adhered by heat pressing or the like, for example, in the process of manufacturing a sanitary mask, before cutting according to the shape of the mask. Note that it is not always necessary for the entire surface of the charged non-woven fabric layer 10 and the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 to be adhered, and only the peripheral portion may be appropriately adhered according to the shape of the sanitary mask.

[0020] The sanitary mask of the present invention is composed of such two layers, namely, the charged non-woven fabric layer 10 and the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20. Therefore, it has excellent breathability compared to a three-layer sanitary mask. Also, the electrostatic charge of the charged non-woven fabric layer 10 provides a high filtering effect. Furthermore, the cool-sensation non-woven fabric layer 20 makes it difficult to feel stuffiness.

[0021] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the state at the time of cutting in the manufacturing process of the sanitary mask of the present invention. In the figure, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Figure 1 represent the same objects. As shown in the figure, the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 of the sanitary mask of the present invention are in the form of a large sheet before cutting. With the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 being overlapped, the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 are joined together by an adhesive, heat, ultrasonic waves, etc. along the cutting line 31 conforming to the shape of the sanitary mask. More specifically, since it is cut along the cutting line 31 in a later process, in order to prevent the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 from shifting after cutting, the inner line of the cutting line 31 may be joined by appropriate heat welding or the like. Thereafter, it is cut along the cutting line 31 conforming to the shape of the sanitary mask by a cutting machine, a punching machine, etc., and becomes parts of the sanitary mask.

[0022] Here, as in the prior art, also in the manufacturing process of the sanitary mask of the present invention, dust such as chips and dust is generated when cutting. As described as the problem with the above-described prior art, in the composite nonwoven fabric subjected to the charging treatment, the dust at the time of cutting adhered to the composite nonwoven fabric due to static electricity. However, in the sanitary mask of the present invention, the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 serving as the inner fabric is laminated on the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10. Due to the presence of this cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20, it has been found that it is difficult for the dust at the time of cutting to adhere to the surface that touches the skin. That is, since the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 is disposed on the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10, although static electricity exists in the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10, it is difficult for the dust at the time of cutting to adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side of the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20. Therefore, the sanitary mask of the present invention has a high filter effect due to the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and it is difficult for the dust at the time of cutting to adhere to the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20.

[0023] Also, even when using the sanitary mask, for example, when reusing the sanitary mask such as when temporarily removing the sanitary mask and placing it on a table or the like and then using it again, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the surface on the nose and mouth side of the cold-sensing nonwoven fabric layer 20 which is the inner fabric. That is, the sanitary mask of the present invention has a high adsorption effect for fine particles due to static electricity on the outer air side surface, and while having a cold-sensing effect, it is difficult for dust to adhere to the inner surface.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the completed state of the sanitary mask of the present invention. In the figure, the parts marked with the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 represent the same objects. As shown in the figure, after the parts of the sanitary mask made by cutting the laminated charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensation nonwoven fabric layer 20 are joined by heat welding or the like and assembled, the ear loops 32 are appropriately attached by heat welding or the like, and the sanitary mask is completed. The sanitary mask of the present invention configured in this way is easy to manufacture because it is possible to avoid the adhesion of dust and debris during cutting, so there is no need to provide a separate dust and debris removal process, and it is also hygienic during reuse. Furthermore, it has a high filtering effect and there is no need to provide a separate filter layer. Since it is a sanitary mask with only two layers, namely the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensation nonwoven fabric layer 20, it has excellent breathability, and due to the contact cold-sensation treatment, it is also difficult to feel stuffiness.

[0025] Here, the results of comparing the difficulty of dust and debris adhesion of the two-layer sanitary mask of the present invention, namely the charged nonwoven fabric layer 10 and the cold-sensation nonwoven fabric layer 20, are shown. As a comparative example, a two-layer sanitary mask in which a nonwoven fabric layer that is the inner fabric without cold-sensation treatment is laminated on an SMS nonwoven fabric layer subjected to charging treatment was used. For the sanitary mask of the present invention and the sanitary mask of the comparative example, cone cushion particles imitating dust and debris were sprinkled on the inner fabric, and after folding it once and then spreading it out and raising the sanitary mask, the remaining condition of the cone cushion particles was compared. The cone cushion particles are mainly made of corn starch or polypropylene and are finely ground. The experimental results of such comparison are shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a photograph comparing the adhesion condition of dust and debris between the present invention and the comparative example. As shown in Figure 4, it can be confirmed that the cone cushion particles adhered to the inner fabric of the sanitary mask of the comparative example, but in the sanitary mask of the present invention, the cone cushion particles substantially fell and hardly remained on the inner fabric of the sanitary mask. Therefore, it was found that the cold-sensation nonwoven fabric layer 20 of the sanitary mask of the present invention subjected to contact cold-sensation treatment not only has a function of feeling the cold-sensation effect when touching the skin, but also has a function of making it difficult for dust and debris to adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side.

[0026] Note that the sanitary mask of the present invention is not limited to the above-described illustrated examples, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0027] 10 Charged nonwoven fabric layer 20 Cooling nonwoven fabric layer 31 Cutting line 32 Ear loop

Claims

1. A sanitary mask having a shape that covers the nose and mouth, the sanitary mask comprising: An outer air-side fabric, a charged non-woven fabric layer subjected to a charging treatment to enhance the filter effect against fine particles; An inner fabric laminated on the charged non-woven fabric layer, a cooling non-woven fabric layer subjected to a contact cooling treatment to feel a cooling effect when touching the skin; A sanitary mask characterized by comprising the above.

2. The sanitary mask according to claim 1, wherein the charged non-woven fabric layer comprises a meltblown non-woven fabric layer subjected to a charging treatment and a spunbond non-woven fabric layer laminated on one or both sides thereof.

3. The sanitary mask according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cooling non-woven fabric layer also has a function of making it difficult for dust and debris to adhere to the surface on the nose and mouth side.

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