mask

Abstract

To provide a mask capable of suppressing a gap between the mask and the nose when the mask is worn.SOLUTION: A body area 2 is configured to include a stretchable sheet 10 having two or more sheets and a plurality of elastic members 13 arranged between the sheets. The stretchable sheet 10 has a nose side projection region HR arranged to cover the nose. The nose side projection region HR has a first edge part e on the side of a center seal part 5 and a second edge part f on the opposite side of the first edge part e. In the elastic member 13 in the nose side projection region HR, an end part on the side of the second edge part f terminates at the second edge part f in the nose side projection region HR.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask worn on the face. [Background technology]

[0002] A known mask that covers the user's mouth and nose is a three-dimensional mask that has a mask body and ear loops made of a sheet-like material such as nonwoven fabric. The mask's effectiveness includes preventing foreign substances such as dust, dirt, viruses, and pollen from entering the oral or nasal cavity from the outside.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a pocket-type mask in which the left and right sections are overlapped and joined at the center in the width direction, and the space between the left and right sections is widened and placed over the mouth and nose.

[0004] Patent Document 2 proposes a mask that is integrally formed from a single sheet, in which the lateral stretchability of the mask body is lower than that of the ear loops, providing ample space around the mouth and nostrils inside the mask. This mask solves the problem that when the ear loops become tense, the mask body is pulled left and right, making it tightly attached to the mouth and nostrils, making it difficult to breathe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-275384 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-149945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the mask is worn, a gap may occur between the mask and the nose, making the above-mentioned mask less effective.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to a mask that can reduce the gap between the mask and the nose when the mask is worn. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a mask that includes a main body region that covers the face, including the nose, mouth, and chin, and ear loop regions for fastening the main body region to the body, and that has a width direction and a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction, and a central seal portion where a left sheet portion and a right sheet portion are joined. In one embodiment, at least the main body region of the mask is preferably configured to include a stretchable sheet having two or more sheets and a plurality of elastic members arranged between the sheets. In one embodiment, the width direction is preferably a direction along the elastic member. In one embodiment, the main body region has a nose-side protruding region arranged to cover the nose, and the nose-side protruding region has a first edge portion on the central seal portion side and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, and it is preferable that the end portion of the elastic member in the nose-side protruding region on the second edge portion side terminates at the second edge portion of the nose-side protruding region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the mask of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the gap between the mask and the nose when the mask is worn. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the mask of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mask shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state in which the mask shown in FIG. 1 is worn, and is a perspective view of the mask as seen from above. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway plan view showing one embodiment of a stretch sheet according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the area between the fused portions of the stretch sheet shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the stretchable sheet shown in FIG. 5 in a relaxed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing another embodiment of the stretch sheet according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing another embodiment of the stretch sheet of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing another embodiment of the mask of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing still another embodiment of the mask of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing still another embodiment of the mask of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically showing still another embodiment of the mask of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view of a mask according to Comparative Example 1, which corresponds to FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the gap area when the masks of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments. Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a mask of the present invention. The mask 1 of this embodiment is formed symmetrically with respect to a center line 4 that extends in the up-down direction Y along the bridge of the wearer's nose. Fig. 1 shows the mask 1 folded in half along the center line 4 (hereinafter also referred to as the "folded state"). In the folded state, the mask 1 has a vertical direction Y that is aligned with the up-down direction of the wearer when worn, and a width direction X that is perpendicular to the vertical direction Y. The mask 1 has a main body region 2 that covers the face, including the nose, mouth, and chin, and ear loop regions 3 for fastening the main body region 2 to the body. The ear loop regions 3 are adjacent to the main body region 2 on the outside in the width direction X and have openings 31 for ears to pass through. In this mask 1, a virtual line that is in contact with the openings 31 of the ear loop regions 3 on the inside in the width direction X and that runs along the vertical direction Y is defined as a boundary line 6 between the main body region 2 and the ear loop regions 3. The boundary line 6 is set on each of the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L, which will be described later.

[0012] The main body region 2 has a right sheet portion 2R and a left sheet portion 2L arranged symmetrically across a central seal portion 5 that forms a centerline 4. FIG. 2 shows the surface of the left sheet portion 2L. In the mask 1 of this embodiment, the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L are made of the same material, and these sheet portions 2R, 2L are joined by a central seal portion 5 formed at one end of the sheet portions in the width direction X. The central seal portion 5 is formed at the center of the mask 1 in the width direction X (see FIG. 1) and is located at the end opposite the ear loop region 3 in the width direction X in a plan view of the mask 1 (see FIG. 2). The edges of the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L on the side of the central seal portion 5 in the width direction X (hereinafter also referred to as "inner width edges") are gently convexly curved outward in the width direction X (see FIG. 2). The edges of the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L opposite to the central seal portion 5 in the width direction X (hereinafter also referred to as "outer width edges") are substantially linear along the longitudinal direction Y. The upper edges of the right and left sheet portions 2R and 2L are gently curved downward, while the lower edges of the right and left sheet portions 2R and 2L are generally linear and slope upward from the central seal portion 5 in the width direction X toward the ear hooking region 3. The corners between the upper and widthwise outer edges of these sheet portions 2R, 2L and the angles between the lower and widthwise outer edges are arcuate R. The corners between the upper and widthwise inner edges of the sheet portions 2R, 2L and the angles between the lower and widthwise inner edges of the sheet portions 2R, 2L are corners that protrude outward in the longitudinal direction Y. The central seal 5 is formed by overlapping the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L and joining their edges opposite the ear hooking region 3 in the width direction X. Such joining can be performed by known joining means such as adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or high-frequency sealing.

[0013] A pair of ear hooking regions 3 are connected to both left and right ends of the main body region 2 (see FIG. 1). That is, the main body region 2 is located between the pair of ear hooking regions 3, 3 in the width direction X, and these regions 2, 3 are arranged in parallel along the width direction X, which is the direction in which they are connected. In this embodiment, the main body region 2 and the ear hooking regions 3 are made of the same material. 1, the ear hooking region 3 has a substantially circular ring shape and has openings 31 that penetrate the ear hooking region 3 in the thickness direction. When wearing the mask 1, the wearer's ears are passed through the openings 31 of the ear hooking region 3 and the ear hooking region 3 is hung over the ears.

[0014] To better prevent the intrusion of foreign substances such as viruses into the oral cavity or nasal cavity, a mask preferably has a multi-layer structure of two or more sheets. The mask 1 of this embodiment has a multi-layer structure in which three sheets are laminated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the mask has a first sheet 11 located closest to the skin, a second sheet 12 located closest to the skin, and a third sheet 14 located between these two sheets 11 and 12. The third sheet 14 may be located between the second sheet 12 and the elastic member 13, or between the first sheet 11 and the elastic member 13. Note that FIG. 3 shows an example in which the third sheet 14 is located between the second sheet 12 and the elastic member 13. The third sheet 14 typically has filtering properties.

[0015] The first sheet 11, the third sheet 14, and the second sheet 12 may or may not have elasticity. The first sheet 11, the third sheet 14, and the second sheet 12 may each be a flat sheet with both the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces flat, or may have an uneven structure such as pleats on both the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces, or may be a sheet with one of the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces flat and the other having an uneven structure such as pleats. From the perspective of increasing the surface area of ​​the sheet on the skin-facing or non-skin-facing surface, it is preferable that the first sheet 11, the second sheet 12, and the third sheet 14 have an uneven structure such as pleats. This can further enhance the filtering function of the mask 1 while providing high breathability.

[0016] For example, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, thermally bonded nonwoven fabric, chemically bonded nonwoven fabric, needle-punched nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, airlaid nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used for the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The same type of nonwoven fabric or different types of nonwoven fabric can be used for the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. For example, a nonwoven fabric having filtering properties produced by a meltblown method, an electrospinning method, a wet method, etc. can be used for the third sheet 14.

[0017] The mask 1 of this embodiment is configured to include a stretchable sheet 10 having a plurality of elastic members 13. The mask 1 only needs to include the stretchable sheet 10 in at least the main body region 2. The stretchable sheet 10 is fixed between the sheets that form the main body region 2 with the plurality of elastic members 13 in a stretched state or a substantially non-stretched state. As will be described later, it is preferable that the stretchable sheet 10 is fixed between the sheets that form the main body region 2 with the plurality of elastic members 13 in a substantially stretched state. When the stretchable sheet 10 has first, second, and third sheets 14, 11, and 12, the multiple elastic members 13 in the stretchable sheet 10 may be disposed between the first sheet 11 and the third sheet 14, or may be disposed between the third sheet 14 and the second sheet 12. In the stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment, the multiple elastic members 13 are disposed between the first sheet 11 and the third sheet 14. In the stretchable sheet 10, the elastic members 13 are preferably arranged so as to extend in one direction X without intersecting each other. This allows the stretchable sheet 10 to stretch in the one direction X. Another advantage is that when the stretchable sheet 10 is stretched in the direction in which the elastic members 13 extend, the stretchable sheet 10 is less likely to shrink in width in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension. 1 shows a state in which the elastic members 13 extend parallel to each other. These elastic members 13 extend in the longitudinal direction, ie, the width direction X, of the right and left sheet portions 2R and 2L. In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of elastic members 13 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Y perpendicular to the width direction X.

[0018] In this embodiment, the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L are each formed of a stretchable sheet 10. That is, the main body region 2 and the ear hook regions 3 are formed of the stretchable sheet 10. The main body region 2 has, among the elastic members 13 that extend from the central seal 5 to the ear loop region 3 in the width direction X, a main body top elastic member 24a located at the uppermost end of the mask 1 and a main body bottom elastic member 24b located at the lowermost end of the mask 1. The main body top elastic member 24a and the main body bottom elastic member 24b are elastic members 13 included in the stretchable sheet 10, and are elastic members that continue from the central seal 5 to the boundary line 6 in the width direction X. In the main body region 2 of this embodiment, the elastic member 13 between the main body top elastic member 24a and the main body bottom elastic member 24b in the longitudinal direction Y is continuous from the central seal portion 5 to the boundary line 6 in the width direction X.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the main body region 2 has a nose-side protruding region HR that is arranged to cover the wearer's nose, a lower region AR that is arranged to cover the wearer's throat to chin, and an intermediate region CR that is located between the nose-side protruding region HR and the lower region AR in the vertical direction Y. The nose-side protruding region HR is the region between the upper edge of the mask 1 and the main body top elastic member 24a in the vertical direction Y. The lower region AR is the region between the lower edge of the mask 1 and the main body bottom elastic member 24b in the vertical direction Y. The middle region CR is the region between the nose-side protruding region HR and the lower region AR in the vertical direction Y. In other words, the middle region CR is the region between the main body top elastic member 24a and the main body bottom elastic member 24b in the vertical direction Y. In this embodiment, the nose-side protruding region HR, the lower region AR, and the middle region CR are each formed from a stretchable sheet 10, and are stretchable in the width direction X. In each of the nose-side protruding region HR, the lower region AR, and the middle region CR, a plurality of elastic members 13 extending in the width direction X are intermittently arranged along the longitudinal direction Y.

[0020] In a plan view of the mask 1, the nose-side protrusion region HR has a first edge e on the central seal portion 5 side and a second edge f on the opposite side to the first edge e. The first edge e is part of the aforementioned inner width edge and is the edge on the central seal portion 5 side that forms the nose-side protrusion region HR. In this embodiment, the first edge e and the second edge f of the nose-side protrusion region HR are part of the upper edge of the mask 1 and are the upper edge that forms the nose-side protrusion region HR. In a plan view, the nose-side protrusion region HR is a mountain-shaped protrusion formed by the first edge e and the second edge f. The elastic members 13 in the nose-side protrusion region HR will hereinafter also be referred to as "nose-side elastic members 23." The ends of the nose-side elastic members 23 on the second edge portion f side terminate at the second edge portion f of the nose-side protrusion region HR. Specifically, the ends of the multiple nose-side elastic members 23 on the second edge portion f side are located at the second edge portion f. Alternatively, the nose-side elastic members 23 may not extend from the stretchable sheet 10 that forms the nose-side protrusion region HR, and the terminating position on the second edge portion f side may be located between the second edge portion f and the fused portions 15a, 15b (described later) that are closest to the second edge portion f.

[0021] When the mask 1 of this embodiment is worn, the ear looping regions 3 are pulled outward in the width direction X, causing the middle region CR to stretch in the width direction. Meanwhile, because the nose-side elastic members 23 terminate at the second edge portions f, they are less susceptible to the pulling of the ear looping regions 3 and are less likely to stretch outward in the width direction X. This allows the nose-side protruding region HR, which is stretchable in the width direction X, to maintain a contracted state and provide good adhesion along the wearer's nose. As a result, when the mask 1 is worn, the gap S between the nose-side protruding region HR and the nose can be reduced (see FIG. 4), effectively preventing the intrusion of foreign matter such as pollen. In other words, the mask 1 of this embodiment is effective as a mask, preventing the intrusion of dust, dirt, viruses, pollen, and other foreign matter from the outside.

[0022] From the viewpoint of more reliably covering the wearer's nose with the nose-side protruding region HR when wearing the mask 1, and from the viewpoint of more reliably achieving the effects of the mask, the length L1 (see Figure 2) of the nose-side protruding region HR in the vertical direction Y is preferably 3% or more, more preferably 5% or more, even more preferably 10% or more, and is preferably 35% or less, more preferably 20% or less, even more preferably 15% or less, and is preferably 3% or more and 35%, more preferably 5% or more and 20% or less, even more preferably 10% or more and 15% or less, of the length L (see Figure 2) between the upper end U and the lower end B of the main body region 2 in the vertical direction Y. The "length L between the upper end U and the lower end B of the main body region 2 in the longitudinal direction Y" is the distance measured along the longitudinal direction Y between an imaginary line M that passes through the upper end U and is parallel to the elastic member 13, and an imaginary line N that passes through the lower end B and is parallel to the elastic member (see FIG. 2). The upper end U coincides with the top of the mountain shape formed by the first edge e and the second edge f. The length L1 of the nose-side protruding region HR in the longitudinal direction Y is the distance measured along the longitudinal direction Y between the imaginary line M that passes through the upper end U and the main body top elastic member 24a (see FIG. 2).

[0023] From the viewpoint of reducing the gap S between the nose-side protruding region HR and the nose and enhancing the filtering function of the mask 1, it is preferable that the nose-side protruding region HR has a larger amount of contraction in the extension direction of the elastic member 13 than the intermediate region CR. In other words, it is preferable that the amount of contraction in the extension direction of the elastic member 13 satisfies the following magnitude relationship (1). Nasal protrusion region HR ≧ intermediate region CR (1) With this configuration, it is possible to further reduce the feeling of pressure in the middle region CR and form finer pleats while maintaining close contact with the nose. The direction in which the elastic members 13 extend (extension direction) is the direction in which the elastic members 13 expand and contract. Hereinafter, the "amount of contraction in the direction in which the elastic members 13 extend" will also be simply referred to as the "amount of contraction." <Method for determining the magnitude of shrinkage> A rectangular test piece measuring 7 mm in the width direction X and 5 mm in the length direction Y is cut out from the measurement target portion of the mask in its natural state, and this is stretched to its maximum extent to measure the length Lc in the width direction X. Next, the length Ld in the width direction X of the measurement target portion in its natural state is measured, and the difference between Lc and Ld is taken as the amount of shrinkage ΔL, with the larger the measured amount of shrinkage ΔL, the larger the amount of shrinkage is determined to be. In this specification, the maximum stretched state refers to the state in which the elastic members of each part of the object to be measured are stretched to their maximum extent and expanded to the same dimensions as the design dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when spread out flat with all influence of the elastic members eliminated. The shrinkage amount of the nose-side protrusion region HR is determined by cutting test pieces from each of the right sheet R and the left sheet L, and taking the arithmetic mean of the measured values. The shrinkage amount of the middle region CR is determined by cutting two or more test pieces from each of the right sheet R and the left sheet L at different positions, and taking the arithmetic mean of the measured values.

[0024] In order to facilitate the satisfaction of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship (nose side protrusion region HR ≧ middle region CR) regarding the amount of contraction of the nose side protrusion region HR and the middle region CR, it is preferable that the nose side protrusion region HR and the middle region CR have different elongation rates or contraction stresses of the elastic member 13, and it is more preferable that the nose side protrusion region HR has a larger elongation rate or contraction stress or both of the elastic member 13 than the middle region CR.

[0025] The contraction stress of the elastic members 23, 24 can be adjusted by the diameter of the elastic members 23, 24 or the type of material from which the elastic members 23, 24 are made. In order to make the contraction stress of the elastic members 23 in the nose-side protrusion region HR greater than that of the elastic members 24 in the intermediate region CR, it is preferable that the diameters of these elastic members 23, 24 be within the following ranges. The diameter of the elastic member 23 in the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 1.1 to 3.0 times, more preferably 1.5 to 2.5 times, the diameter of the elastic member 24 in the intermediate region CR.

[0026] In order to reduce the gap S between the nose-side protruding region HR and the nose and to enhance the filtering function of the mask 1, it is preferable that the elongation ratio of each elastic member 13 in the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR be within the following range. The extension ratio of the elastic members 23 in the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 1.1 to 5.0 times, more preferably 1.1 to 4.5 times, the extension ratio of the elastic members 24 in the intermediate region CR. The extension ratio of the elastic member 23 in the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 1.1 times or more and 5.0 times or less, and more preferably 1.1 times or more and 4.5 times or less. The extension ratio of the elastic member 24 in the intermediate region CR is preferably 1.0 to 4.0 times, more preferably 1.0 to 2.5 times. The elongation rate of the elastic member 13 is measured by the following method.

[0027] <Method for measuring elongation rate> With the mask 1 in a stretched state, two marks are made with an oil-based pen on the outer surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the right sheet portion 2R or the left sheet portion 2L at positions where the elastic members 13 are located. The two marks are made at locations where the elastic members 13 exhibit stretchability, excluding fixed locations of the elastic members 13 in the stretchable sheet 10 (for example, fused portions 15a and 15b described below), with an interval La between them in the direction in which the elastic members 13 extend. Next, the elastic member 13 with the two marks is removed from the stretchable sheet 10 of the mask 1, and the length Lb between the two marks is measured with the elastic member 13 in its natural state. This measurement is performed three times for the elastic member in each region, and the elongation rate (times) is calculated from the arithmetic mean value of the values ​​calculated using the formula "La / Lb." The interval La can be set to, for example, 2 mm, but if the stretchable range is less than 2 mm, the interval La should be made as wide as possible. When the elastic members 13 are fixed to the stretchable sheet 10 in a stretched state, the interval La is the distance between the two marks on the stretched elastic members 13, and the interval Lb is the distance between the two marks on the elastic members 13 released from the stretched state, so the interval La is longer than the interval Lb (interval La > interval Lb). When the interval La is not longer than the interval Lb, the elastic members 13 are fixed to the stretchable sheet 10 in a non-stretched state.

[0028] The stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment has a third sheet 14 between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, but for ease of explanation, the following description will omit the third sheet 14. In the following description, the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are joined by a fused portion, but it is assumed that the third sheet 14 between these sheets 11, 12 is also joined to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 by the fused portion. As shown in Figure 5, this stretchable sheet 10 has a first sheet 11, a second sheet 12, and a plurality of elastic members 13 fixed between these sheets 11, 12. In this stretchable sheet 10, the elastic members 13 are fixed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 by a plurality of fused portions. "Fusing" refers to the process in which molten portions are generated in both sheets 11, 12 by heat, and the molten portions are mixed together and then cooled to bond the portions together. In the stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment, the "direction in which the elastic members 13 extend" is also referred to as the "X1 direction," and the "direction perpendicular to the direction in which the elastic members 13 extend" is also referred to as the "Y1 direction." In this embodiment, the X1 direction coincides with the width direction X, and the Y1 direction coincides with the length direction Y.

[0029] The stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment has a plurality of pairs of fused portions 15a, 15b located on either side of the elastic member 13, sandwiching the elastic member 13. The fused portions 15a, 15b are formed at intervals along the X1 direction. The pairs of fused portions 15a, 15b are also spaced apart in the Y1 direction, and are arranged in this order to form rows along the Y1 direction. That is, the stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment has a plurality of rows in the X1 direction, each row consisting of a plurality of pairs of fused portions 15a, 15b aligned in the Y1 direction, and the positions of the fused portions 15a, 15b constituting each row in the X1 direction are the same. The stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment also has a fused portion group R made up of a plurality of fused portions 15a, 15b that fix the same elastic member 13. The fused portion group R is made up of, for example, one or more pairs of fused portions 15a, 15b. In such a stretchable sheet 10, contraction of the elastic members 13 can form an uneven shape, which will be described later, on the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces of the sheet 10.

[0030] The elastic member 13 is fixed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 only by friction between the two sheets 11 and 12 at fused portions 15a and 15b located on both sides of the elastic member 13. Between the fused portions 15a and 15b, a space is formed in the cross section along the Y1 direction, defined by the fused portions 15a and 15b, the first sheet 11, and the second sheet 12. In this space, the elastic member 13 is fixed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 only by friction between the surface of the elastic member 13 and the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. That is, in the stretchable sheet 10, the elastic member 13 is not fixed to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 by a joining means such as adhesive or fusion. In the stretchable sheet 10, the elastic member 13 and the first sheet 11, and the elastic member 13 and the second sheet 12 are not fused to each other. As a result, the stretchable sheet 10 is formed while maintaining the good texture and breathability inherent to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. Furthermore, the stretchable sheet 10 has excellent stretchability. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the filtering function, which is a basic performance of the mask 1, it is preferable that the middle region CR has fine pleats, i.e., an uneven shape described below. From the viewpoint of reliably obtaining the uneven shape, it is preferable that the elastic members 13 are fixed to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 only by friction at the fused portions. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of inhibiting breathability, it is not preferable that the elastic members 13 are fixed to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 by adhesive over their entire length. However, it is also possible to fix the elastic members 13 by friction at the fused portions and then partially melt the elastic members 13 to fuse them to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, or to partially apply adhesive to the elastic members 13 and adhere them to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12.

[0031] As described above, the elastic member 13 is fixed to the first and second sheets 11 and 12 in the space along the Y1 direction between the pair of fused portions 15a and 15b by friction between the surface of the elastic member 13 and both sheets 11 and 12. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, which is an enlarged view of a main portion of Fig. 5, the fused portion spacing D, which is the distance between the side edge 151a of one fused portion 15a facing the elastic member 13 and the side edge 151b of the other fused portion 15b facing the elastic member 13, is made narrower than the diameter d1 of the elastic member 13 when the stretchable sheet 10 is in the maximum stretched state, and the elastic member 13 is fixed between the first and second sheets 11 and 12 only by friction generated on the surface of the elastic member 13 in the space by the pressure between the pair of fused portions 15a and 15b. In FIG. 6, elastic member 13 appears to be joined to a pair of fused portions 15a and 15b, but in reality, elastic member 13 is not joined to a pair of fused portions 15a and 15b.

[0032] From the viewpoint of reliably fixing the elastic member 13 in the space between the pair of fused portions 15a, 15b solely by friction between the surface of the elastic member 13 and the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, the fused portion spacing D is such that the value of d2 / D is preferably 1.1 or greater, more preferably 1.2 or greater, and even more preferably 1.3 or greater, where d2 (see FIG. 6 ) is the diameter of the elastic member 13 in the relaxed state of the stretchable sheet 10. A higher value of d2 / D is preferable because it increases the frictional force between the surface of the elastic member 13 and the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The diameter d2 of the elastic member 13 in the relaxed state of the stretchable sheet 10 refers to the diameter of the elastic member 13 at a portion where the elastic member 13 is not compressed when the stretchable sheet 10 is in the relaxed state.

[0033] In the stretchable sheet 10 of this embodiment, contraction of the elastic members 13 causes the first and second sheets 11, 12 to protrude away from each other in the thickness direction of the stretchable sheet 10, as shown in Fig. 7. That is, in the stretchable sheet 10, protrusions 17 that protrude away from each other in the thickness direction Z are formed on the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The protrusions 17 and the fused portions 15a, 15b are the parts that form the uneven shape of the stretchable sheet 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the protrusions 17 extend continuously in the Y1 direction. A plurality of uneven shapes are formed on each surface of the stretch sheet 10 by the protrusions 17. When the elastic member contracts, the stretch sheet 10 in the state shown in Fig. 7 exhibits a soft feel and an excellent appearance due to the uneven shapes. When the elastic sheet 10 has a first sheet 11, a second sheet 12, and a third sheet 14, the convex portion 17 may be formed in a laminate of the first sheet 11 and the third sheet 14, or in a laminate of the second sheet 12 and the third sheet 14.

[0034] The mask 1 of this embodiment uses the above-described stretchable sheet 10, so that an uneven shape is formed on both the outer and inner surfaces of the mask 1. Alternatively, the mask 1 may have an uneven shape formed on either the outer or inner surface of the mask 1. The stretchable sheet 10 having an uneven shape has a surface area larger than its area in a planar projection in its natural state (when no external force is applied), and can adequately capture dust, dirt, viruses, pollen, etc. in the uneven shape. The uneven shape also reduces stuffiness during use and facilitates breathing. Furthermore, when the stretchable sheet 10 has an uneven shape, only the protrusions 17 come into contact with the skin, significantly reducing chafing against the skin. Thus, the mask 1 of this embodiment includes the stretchable sheet 10 having an uneven shape, which can further improve the comfort of using the mask.

[0035] To ensure that the above-described uneven shape is obtained, the distance Lf (see FIG. 5) between a pair of fused portions 15a, 15b adjacent to each other in the X1 direction in a stretched state of the stretch sheet 10 is preferably 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The distance Lf is the distance in the X1 direction between a pair of fused portions 15a, 15b that secure the same elastic member 13 and another pair of fused portions 15a, 15b adjacent to each other in the X1 direction. From the same viewpoint as above, the distance Lg (see FIG. 5) between a pair of fused portions 15a, 15b adjacent in the Y1 direction in the stretch sheet 10 is preferably 2 mm to 45 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 15 mm. The distance Lg is the distance in the Y1 direction between a pair of fused portions 15a, 15b adjacent in the Y1 direction between different elastic members 13 adjacent in the Y1 direction.

[0036] In order to more reliably fix the elastic member 13, the area of ​​each fused portion 15a, 15b is set to 0.01 mm 2 It is preferable that the thickness is 0.10 mm or more. 2 It is more preferable that the value is 3.50 mm or more. 2 Preferably, it is 0.50 mm or less. 2The area of ​​the fused portions 15a and 15b is preferably 0.01 mm or less. 2 Over 3.50mm 2 Preferably, it is 0.10 mm or less. 2 More than 0.50mm 2 It is even more preferred that: To more reliably obtain the above-described uneven shape, the fineness of the elastic member 13 is preferably 155 dtex or more, more preferably 310 dtex or more. It is also preferably 1240 dtex or less, more preferably 940 dtex or less. The fineness of the elastic member 13 is preferably 155 dtex or more and 1240 dtex or less, more preferably 310 dtex or more and 940 dtex or less.

[0037] The stretchable sheet 10 shown in Fig. 5 has the same distance Lf between the fused portions 15a, 15b in the X1 direction. Alternatively, the distance Lf may be different, as shown in Fig. 8. The stretchable sheet 10a shown in Fig. 8 has the same configuration as the stretchable sheet 10 shown in Fig. 5, except that the distance Lf between a pair of fused portions in the X1 direction is different for each elastic member 13. Hereinafter, the "distance Lf between fused portions in the X1 direction" will also be referred to as the "width distance Lf."

[0038] Stretch sheet 10a shown in Fig. 8 has fused portions 15c and 15d extending in the X1 direction (hereinafter also referred to as "long fused portions 15c and 15d") and substantially square fused portions 15e and 15f (hereinafter also referred to as "small fused portions 15e and 15f"). Small fused portions 15e and 15f correspond to fused portions 15a and 15b of stretch sheet 10 shown in Fig. 5. The stretchable sheet 10a of this embodiment has fused portion groups R with different width intervals Lf for each elastic member 13. Specifically, the stretchable sheet 10a has fused portion group R1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first fused portion group R1") made up of long fused portions 15c and 15d, and fused portion groups R2, R3, and R4 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second to fourth fused portion groups") made up of small fused portions 15e and 15f, and each of these fused portions R1, R2, R3, and R4 has a different elastic member 13 fixed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The first fused portion group R1 fixes the elastic member 13 between a pair of long fused portions 15c, 15d. The second to fourth fused portion groups R2, R3, and R4 each have a plurality of pairs of small fused portions 15e, 15f spaced apart in the X1 direction, and the width distance Lf between pairs of small fused portions 15e, 15f adjacent to each other in the X1 direction between these fused portion groups R2, R3, and R4 varies. The narrower the width distance Lf, the more fixing points there are for the elastic member 13, limiting the stretchability of the elastic member 13. In other words, the narrower the width distance Lf, the smaller the contraction stress of the elastic member 13. In this way, the contraction stress of the elastic member 13 in the X1 direction can be adjusted by adjusting the width distance Lf.

[0039] 8, the contraction stress of the elastic members 13 in the X1 direction varies depending on the widthwise spacing Lf. Specifically, the widthwise spacing Lf satisfies the following magnitude relationship (2). R1 <R2<R3<R4···(2) That is, of the first to fourth fused portion groups, the fourth fused portion group R4 has the largest width interval Lf. Furthermore, in the first fused portion group R1, the fused portions 15c and 15d extend in the X1 direction, so the width interval Lf is 0 mm in the range where the fused portions 15c and 15d are provided as shown in Figure 8. In this way, the stretchable sheet 10a may have fused portion groups R with a width interval Lf of 0 mm.

[0040] From the viewpoint of more easily satisfying the magnitude relationship (1), it is preferable that the shrinkage amounts in the X1 direction of the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR differ depending on the width distance Lf. For example, it is more preferable that the shrinkage amounts in the direction in which the elastic member 13 extends (X1 direction) of the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR satisfy the magnitude relationship (1) depending on the width distance Lf. In other words, it is preferable that the width distance Lf of the nose-side protruding region HR is larger than the width distance Lf of the intermediate region CR. In order to more reliably provide such a configuration, it is preferable that the width distance Lf between the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR be within the following range. The width distance Lf of the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 1.1 to 4.0 times, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0 times, the width distance Lf of the intermediate region CR. The width distance Lf of the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 1.6 mm or more and 18.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 9.0 mm or less. The width Lf of the intermediate region CR is preferably 1.5 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 5.5 mm or less. When the width interval Lf differs for each fused portion group R in each of the regions HR and CR, the average value of the width interval Lf in each region is set as the width interval Lf of that region.

[0041] 8, the width spacing Lf of the fused portion group R increases from top to bottom in the Y1 direction. In a configuration in which the width spacing Lf of the nose-side protrusion region HR is larger than the width spacing Lf of the intermediate region CR, the width spacing Lf of the fused portion group R of either or both of the nose-side protrusion region HR and the intermediate region CR may increase or decrease from one side to the other in the Y1 direction (for example, from top to bottom), or the width spacing Lf of the fused portion group R may be constant.

[0042] The stretchable sheet 10 shown in Fig. 5 has the same distance Lg between the fused portions 15a, 15b in the Y1 direction. Alternatively, the distance Lg may be different, as shown in Fig. 9. The stretchable sheet 10b shown in Fig. 9 has the same configuration as the stretchable sheet 10 shown in Fig. 5, except that the distance Lg between the fused portion groups R in the Y1 direction and the distance between the elastic members 13 in the Y1 direction are different. Hereinafter, the "distance Lg between the fused portion groups R in the Y1 direction" will also be referred to as the "vertical distance Lg."

[0043] Stretch sheet 10b shown in Fig. 9 has small fused portions 15e, 15f, 15h, 15i, and 15j as fused portions. These small fused portions 15e, 15f, 15h, 15i, and 15j correspond to fused portions 15a and 15b of stretch sheet 10 shown in Fig. 5. The stretchable sheet 10b also has a plurality of fused portion groups R, each consisting of a plurality of pairs of fused portions 15e, 15f, and a composite fused portion group R5, consisting of a plurality of pairs of fused portions 15h, 15i, and 15j arranged in the Y1 direction. The composite fused portion group R5 is a fused portion group that secures two or more elastic members 13, and has a central fused portion 15i that secures two elastic members 13 arranged on both sides in the Y1 direction. In other words, the central fused portion 15i is sandwiched between the two elastic members 13 in the Y direction and secures the elastic members 13 to the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. In this embodiment, the fused portion group R and the composite fused portion group R5 each have the same width interval Lf.

[0044] In the stretchable sheet 10b of this embodiment, the spacing Lh between the elastic members 13 in the Y1 direction (hereinafter also referred to as "elastic member spacing Lh") varies. For example, in the stretchable sheet 10b shown in Fig. 9, the elastic member spacing Lh increases from top to bottom in the Y1 direction. More specifically, when the elastic member spacings Lh shown in Fig. 9 are defined as a first spacing Lh1, a second spacing Lh2, and a third spacing Lh3, the elastic member spacings Lh satisfy the following magnitude relationship (3): Lh1 <Lh2<Lh3···(3) That is, of the first to third intervals, the first interval Lh1 is the smallest, and the third interval Lh3 is the largest.

[0045] In the stretchable sheet 10b of this embodiment, the longitudinal spacing Lg also increases from top to bottom in the Y1 direction in accordance with the relationship (3). More specifically, when the longitudinal spacings Lg shown in Fig. 9 are defined as a first longitudinal spacing Lg1, a second longitudinal spacing Lg2, and a third longitudinal spacing Lg3, the longitudinal spacings Lg satisfy the following relationship (3a): Lg1 <Lg2<Lg3···(3a) In this embodiment, the central fused portion 15i located at the first distance Lh has a length in the Y1 direction longer than the first distance Lh. The first vertical distance Lg1 is set to 0 mm. Therefore, the first vertical distance Lg1 is not shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, of the vertical distances Lg that are greater than 0 mm, the second distance Lg2 is the smallest and the third distance Lg3 is the largest. As in this embodiment, the stretchable sheet 10b may have an elastic member spacing Lh in which the longitudinal spacing Lg is 0 mm.

[0046] The stretchable sheet 10b of this embodiment has different longitudinal spacing Lg in the Y1 direction. The narrower the longitudinal spacing Lg, the more elastic members 13 can be arranged, thereby improving the stretchability of the region where the elastic members 13 are arranged. In other words, the narrower the longitudinal spacing Lg, the greater the amount of contraction of the region where the elastic members 13 are arranged. In this way, the amount of contraction in the X1 direction of the region where the elastic members 13 are arranged can be adjusted by the longitudinal spacing Lg.

[0047] To more easily satisfy the magnitude relationship (1), it is preferable that the shrinkage amounts in the X1 direction of the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR differ depending on the vertical distance Lg. For example, it is more preferable that the shrinkage amounts in the direction in which the elastic member 13 extends (X1 direction) of the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR satisfy the magnitude relationship (1) depending on the vertical distance Lg. In other words, it is preferable that the vertical distance Lg of the nose-side protruding region HR is smaller than the vertical distance Lg of the intermediate region CR. In order to more reliably provide such a configuration, it is preferable that the vertical distance Lg between the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR be within the following range. The vertical distance Lg of the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 50% to 99%, more preferably 60% to 80%, of the vertical distance Lg of the intermediate region CR. The vertical distance Lg of the nose-side protruding region HR is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 44.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.2 mm or more and 12.0 mm or less. The vertical distance Lg of the intermediate region CR is preferably 2.0 mm or more and 45.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or more and 15.0 mm or less. If the vertical interval Lg differs between the regions HR and CR, the average value of the vertical intervals Lg in each region is set as the vertical interval Lg of that region.

[0048] 9, the longitudinal spacing Lg of the fused portion group R increases from top to bottom in the Y1 direction. In a configuration in which the longitudinal spacing Lg of the nose-side protruding region HR is larger than the longitudinal spacing Lg of the intermediate region CR, the longitudinal spacing Lg of either or both of the nose-side protruding region HR and the intermediate region CR may increase or decrease from one side to the other in the Y1 direction (for example, from top to bottom), or the longitudinal spacing Lg may be constant.

[0049] The stretchable sheets 10, 10a, and 10b of the above-described embodiments can be suitably used as sheets forming the outer surface of a mask. As described above, the stretchable sheet 10 has good stretchability, so a mask equipped with the stretchable sheet 10 can easily stretch the stretchable sheet 10 with little force. In other words, the mask fits well to the wearer's body.

[0050] The stretch sheets 10, 10a, and 10b of the above-described embodiments can be manufactured by a manufacturing method including a laminate-forming step of arranging multiple elastic members 13 extending in one direction between a raw roll of a first sheet 11, which is a fibrous sheet, and a raw roll of a second sheet 12 to obtain a laminate, and a fusion step of fusing the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 in the laminate at positions on both sides of the elastic member 13 and at multiple positions spaced apart along the Y1 direction to form a pair of fused portions 15a and 15b. An example of such a manufacturing method is the method described in JP 2020-199246 A.

[0051] The mask 1 of the above-described embodiment can be manufactured by a manufacturing method including a sheet-forming step of cutting strip-shaped stretchable sheets 10, 10a, and 10b to form right and left sheet portions 2R and 2L, each having an ear loop region 3 and a main body region 2, and a joining step of overlapping these sheet portions 2R and 2L and joining their widthwise inner edges opposite the ear loop region 3 using a known joining means to form a central seal portion 5. In the sheet-forming step, the strip-shaped stretchable sheets 10, 10a, and 10b are cut using a cutting means that applies heat, so that the elastic member 13 in the stretchable sheet can be cut along the periphery (outline) of the right or left sheet portion 2R or 2L. This allows the end of the nose-side elastic member 23 on the side of the second edge f to terminate between the fused portion closest to the second edge f and the second edge f, or at the second edge f.

[0052] Any of various known elastic materials used in sanitary products such as masks can be used without particular limitation as the material for forming the elastic member 13. For example, synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene, and neoprene, natural rubber, EVA, elastic polyolefin, and polyurethane can be used, and the shape can be a thread or string (such as flat rubber) with a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross section, or a multifilament thread.

[0053] The mask 1 of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9. Another embodiment of the mask 1 according to the present invention will be described below. In the following, the other embodiment will be described mainly focusing on components that differ from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, and similar components will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. For components that are not particularly described, the description of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9 will be applied as appropriate.

[0054] 10, the main body region 2 is made of the stretchable sheet 10, while the ear loop region 3 is made of only the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. In this way, only the main body region 2 may be made of the stretchable sheet 10. In the mask 1a shown in FIG. 10, the elastic member 13 of the stretchable sheet 10 terminates at the boundary line 6, and the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 extend from the boundary line 6 to the outer width edge of the ear loop area 3.

[0055] In the mask 1 of the embodiment described above, both the main body region 2 and the ear loop regions 3 are made of the same stretchable sheet, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, mask 1b may have only the main body region 2 formed from stretchable sheet 10, and the ear loop regions 3 formed from a separate stretchable sheet 10c. In mask 1b shown in Fig. 11, the stretchable sheet 10 forming the main body region 2 has more elastic members 13 than the stretchable sheet 10c forming the ear loop regions 3. In other words, the main body region 2 of this embodiment shrinks more than the ear loop regions 3. In the form shown in Figure 11, the stretchable sheet 10 forming the main body region 2 and the stretchable sheet 10c forming the ear hook region 3 are overlapped near the boundary line 6, and the overlapped portions are joined to form a joint 60. The joint 60 has a width in the width direction X and extends along the length direction Y. The method for forming the joint 60 is not particularly limited, and for example, the joint 60 may be formed by applying an adhesive or the like to the main body region 2 or the ear hook region 3, or by fusing the main body region and the ear hook region 3 using ultrasonic sealing or the like. The joint 60 is formed on each of the right sheet portion 2R and the left sheet portion 2L.

[0056] 12, only the main body region 2 may be made of the stretchable sheet 10, and the ear loop regions 3 may be made of a separate sheet member 10d without elastic members 13. In this configuration, the stretchable sheet 10 forming the main body region 2 and the separate sheet member 10d forming the ear loop regions 3 are joined via joints 60.

[0057] Furthermore, the central seal portion 5 does not have to be a continuous seal portion from the upper end U to the lower end B in the vertical direction Y. For example, as in a mask 1d shown in Fig. 13, the central seal portion 5a may have a nose-side seal portion 41 and a chin-side seal portion 42 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction Y. The mask 1d shown in Fig. 13 comprises a pair of ear loop regions 3, 3 and a main body region 2 located between the ear loop regions 3, 3, which are made of a stretchable sheet 10 that is continuous in the width direction X.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. In addition, the above embodiments may be combined. For example, in the mask 1 of the above-described embodiment, the stretchable sheet 10 has three sheets 11, 12, and 9, but it may have two sheets, or four or more sheets. [Example]

[0059] The present invention will be described in more detail below using examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0060] Example 1 A mask 1 having a configuration similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured. First, a stretchable sheet was prepared, including a first sheet 11, a second sheet 12, and an elastic member 13 disposed between the sheets 11 and 12. In the stretchable sheet 10 of this example, multiple elastic members 13 extending in one direction (X1 direction) were intermittently arranged in the Y1 direction between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, and a pair of fused portions 15a, 15b was formed on both sides of the stretched elastic member 13. In this way, in the space defined by the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, the elastic member 13 was fixed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 solely by friction between the surface of the elastic member 13 and the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The fused portions 15a, 15b were formed in the pattern shown in FIG. 5. The first and second sheets were made of spunbonded fabric. Rubber thread was used as the elastic member 13.

[0061] Next, the stretchable sheet 10 was cut to form the left sheet portion 2L and the symmetrical right sheet portion 2R shown in Figure 2. The left sheet portion 2L and the right sheet portion 2R had ends of the stretchable sheet 10 on the edge side corresponding to the second edge portion f of the nose-side protrusion region HR. Next, the widthwise inner edges of the left sheet portion 2L and the right sheet portion 2R were joined to form the central seal portion 5. In this manner, the mask 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 was manufactured. In the mask 1 of Example 1, the length of the nose-side protruding region HR in the longitudinal direction Y was 16 mm, which was 8.4% of the length L between the upper end U and the lower end B of the main body region 2 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0062] Comparative Example 1 A mask 1z was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the elastic sheet 10 was cut to form a left sheet portion 2L and a right sheet portion 2R that was symmetrical to the left sheet portion 2L shown in Figure 14.

[0063] [Measurement of the gap area between the mask and nose] The gap area between the mask and the nose was measured when the masks of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were worn. First, the ears of the human head model were passed through the openings 31 of the ear hooking region 3, and the mask was worn on the human head model. At this time, the mask was worn so that the upper end U of the mask was positioned 25 to 30 mm below the base of the nose of the human head model. Next, an image of the human head model wearing the mask was taken from above (see FIG. 4). The camera used for taking the image was set to the same shooting mode for Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Using the obtained image data, the area of ​​the gap between the nose of the head model and the mask was measured using image processing software (ImageJ). The measurement results are shown in Figure 15.

[0064] The mask 1 of Example 1 has a gap area of ​​228.2 mm between the nose of the human head model. 2 In contrast, the mask of Comparative Example 1 had a gap area of ​​337.6 mm 2 (See FIG. 15.) From these comparisons, the mask 1 of Example 1 was able to reduce the gap area by 32.4% compared to the mask of Comparative Example 1. These results demonstrate that the termination of the elastic member 13 at the second edge portion f in the nose-side protruding region HR is effective in reducing the gap between the mask 1 and the nose when worn. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Mask 2 Main body area 3. Ear hook area 4 Center line 5 Central seal 10 Elastic Sheet 11 Sheet 1 12 Second Sheet 13 Elastic member 14 Third Sheet 15a,15b,15c,15d,15e,15f,15h,15i,15j Welded part 17 Convex part 24 Intermediate elastic member 24a Main body top elastic member 24b Main body bottom elastic member 41 Nose side seal 42 Jaw side seal HR nasal prominence area AR lower area CR intermediate area e First edge f 2nd edge

Claims

1. A mask comprising a main body region that covers the face including the nose, mouth, and chin, and ear loop regions for fastening the main body region to the body, the mask having a width direction and a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction, and a central seal portion where a left sheet portion and a right sheet portion are joined, At least the main body region is configured to include a stretchable sheet having two or more sheets and a plurality of elastic members disposed between the sheets, the width direction is a direction along the elastic member, the main body region has a nose-side protruding region arranged to cover the nose, the nose-side protruding region having a first edge portion on the central seal portion side and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, and the end portion of the elastic member in the nose-side protruding region on the second edge portion side terminates at the second edge portion of the nose-side protruding region, the stretchable sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet are joined by a plurality of fused portions located on both sides of the elastic member with the elastic member sandwiched therebetween and formed at intervals along the direction in which the elastic member extends; the elastic member is fixed between the first sheet and the second sheet only by friction between the surface of the elastic member and the first sheet and the second sheet in a space defined by the fused portion, the first sheet, and the second sheet located on both sides of the elastic member, with the elastic member sandwiched therebetween; A mask in which an uneven shape is formed on either or both of the outer surface and the inner surface of the mask due to contraction of the elastic member.

2. 2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the length of the nose-side protruding region in the vertical direction is 5% to 35% of the length between the upper and lower ends of the main body region in the vertical direction.

3. The main body region includes, among the elastic members extending from the central seal portion to the ear hook regions in the width direction, a main body top elastic member located at the uppermost end side of the mask and a main body bottom elastic member located at the lowermost end side of the mask, the main body region has an intermediate region located between the main body top elastic member and the main body bottom elastic member; The mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nose-side protruding region contracts more in an amount in the direction in which the elastic member extends than the intermediate region.

4. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the elastic member has a different elongation rate or contraction stress between the nose-side protruding region and the intermediate region.

5. The main body region includes, among the elastic members extending from the central seal portion to the ear hook regions in the width direction, a main body top elastic member located at the uppermost end side of the mask and a main body bottom elastic member located at the lowermost end side of the mask, the main body region has an intermediate region located between the main body top elastic member and the main body bottom elastic member; 2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the nose-side protruding region and the intermediate region have different amounts of contraction in the direction in which the elastic member extends, depending on the spacing of the fused portions in the direction in which the elastic member extends.

6. The mask according to claim 5 , wherein the distance between the fused portions in the extending direction of the elastic member is greater in the nose-side protruding region than in the intermediate region.

7. The main body region includes, among the elastic members extending from the central seal portion to the ear hook regions in the width direction, a main body top elastic member located at the uppermost end side of the mask and a main body bottom elastic member located at the lowermost end side of the mask, the main body region has an intermediate region located between the main body top elastic member and the main body bottom elastic member; 6. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the nose-side protruding region and the intermediate region have different amounts of contraction in the direction in which the elastic member extends, depending on the spacing of the fused portions in the direction perpendicular to the elastic member.

8. The mask according to claim 7 , wherein the distance between the fused portions in the direction perpendicular to the elastic member is smaller in the nose-side protruding region than in the intermediate region.

Images