mask

Abstract

Reduce costs while suppressing liquid permeation. [Solution] The mask 10 is made up of a material including a nonwoven fabric 28, and has a mask body 12 with a joint 16 at its end where the overlapping parts of the material are joined, and a liquid-impermeable material 14 that extends from the position of the joint 16 to a predetermined position other than the joint 16 between the multiple material and is joined together with the material at the joint 16, and a liquid-impermeable region 20 is provided in a part of the mask body 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask.

Background Art

[0002] There is disclosed a face mask including a filter body composed of a non-woven fabric, and a first seal strip and a second seal strip cooperating with each other to form a fluid barrier between an opening of the filter body and a wearer's face (see Patent Document 1). This filter body includes an intermediate layer made of a liquid-impermeable material.

[0003] Also, there is disclosed a mask including a third layer including a barrier substantially impermeable to a substance that is a powder or a liquid (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above conventional examples, a high-functional layer having both gas permeability and liquid impermeability is provided over the entire surface of the mask body, and it is considered difficult to reduce costs.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce costs while suppressing liquid permeation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A mask according to the first embodiment comprises a mask body made of a member including a nonwoven fabric, with a joint at the end formed by joining the overlapping portions of the member, and a liquid-impermeable member that extends between a plurality of the member from the position of the joint to a predetermined position other than the joint, and is joined together with the member at the joint, wherein a liquid-impermeable region is provided in a part of the mask body.

[0008] This mask ensures breathability through its body, which is constructed using materials including nonwoven fabric. Therefore, it allows the wearer to breathe while suppressing the inhalation of airborne droplets and the spread of droplets from the wearer. Furthermore, a portion of the mask body is provided with a liquid-impermeable material, thus suppressing the permeation of liquids. For example, it can suppress the permeation of bodily fluids scattered during surgery.

[0009] The second embodiment is a mask according to the first embodiment, wherein the members include an inner cover located closest to the wearer, an outer cover located furthest away from the wearer, two layers of filters positioned adjacent to the inner cover on the side opposite to the wearer, and two layers of nonwoven fabric positioned adjacent to the outer cover on the wearer side, and the liquid impermeable member is positioned between the nonwoven fabric and the filters.

[0010] In this mask, in areas that are not liquid-impermeable, the wearer can inhale air from which droplets and other particles have been removed to some extent through the outer cover, filter, nonwoven fabric, and inner cover, and can exhale air through the inner cover, nonwoven fabric, filter, and outer cover. In areas that are liquid-impermeable, the liquid-impermeable member placed between the nonwoven fabric and the filter can suppress the permeation of liquids. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress liquid permeation while reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the mask being worn according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the mask in an unused state according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the mask according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, descriptions and reference numerals that are repeated may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element do not necessarily correspond between multiple drawings.

[0014] In Figures 1 to 7, the mask 10 according to this embodiment has a mask body 12 and a liquid-impermeable member 14, and a liquid-impermeable region (hereinafter referred to as the "liquid-impermeable region 20") is provided on a part of the mask body 12.

[0015] The mask body 12 is composed of a member including a non-woven fabric 28, and a joint portion 16 where overlapping portions of the members are joined is provided at an end. As shown in FIG. 7, as members used for the mask body 12, for example, an inner cover 22, an outer cover 24, a two-layer filter 26, and a two-layer non-woven fabric 28 are used. All of these are breathable members. In the worn state, the inner cover 22 is located on the side closest to the wearer 18. The outer cover 24 is located on the side opposite to the wearer 18, i.e., the non-wearer side. The two-layer filter 26 is disposed adjacent to the non-wearer side of the inner cover 22. The two-layer non-woven fabric 28 is disposed adjacent to the wearer side of the outer cover 24.

[0016] The liquid-impermeable member 14 extends from the position of the joint portion 16 to a predetermined position other than the joint portion 16 among the above-described plurality of members, and is joined together with the members at the joint portion 16. As shown in FIG. 7, since the liquid-impermeable member 14 is disposed, for example, between the non-woven fabric 28 and the filter 26, its presence is not consciously noticed in terms of appearance. This liquid-impermeable member 14 is, for example, a film. The material of the film can be, for example, a single layer such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or a multi-layer structure such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polypropylene and polypropylene.

[0017] In the non-use state of the mask 10 shown in FIG. 2, the liquid-impermeable region 20 (the region where the liquid-impermeable member 14 is disposed) is, for example, substantially triangular portions at both left and right ends of the mask body 12. The mask body 12 has this pair of liquid-impermeable regions 20 and a substantially rectangular breathable region 40 located therebetween. That is, the "predetermined position" in "the liquid-impermeable member 14 extends from the position of the joint portion 16 to a predetermined position other than the joint portion 16" is the position that forms the boundary between the liquid-impermeable region 20 and the breathable region 40. This predetermined position can be changed as appropriate. For example, the predetermined position may be located within the substantially triangular shapes at both left and right ends of the mask body 12, or may be located within the rectangular shape at the central portion of the mask body 12.

[0018] The mask 10 is generally composed of an upper portion a, a lower portion b having substantially the same shape as the upper portion a, and a connecting portion c connecting the upper portion a and the lower portion b described above.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper portion a is composed of, for example, an upper edge portion a1, a lower edge portion a2, a left edge portion a3, and a right edge portion a4. The upper edge portion a1 and the lower edge portion a2 of the upper portion a are substantially parallel (more preferably, parallel). The left edge portion a3 and the right edge portion a4 of the upper portion a are of a substantially trapezoidal shape that slopes so as to taper toward the lower edge portion a2 of the upper portion a. Inside the upper portion a, a nose clamp 36 is provided. The nose clamp 36 is formed of a member that can be deformed easily to fit the shape of the wearer's nose.

[0020] Also, the lower portion b has substantially the same shape as the upper portion a and is composed of, for example, an upper edge portion b1, a lower edge portion b2, a left edge portion b3, and a right edge portion b4. The upper edge portion b1 and the lower edge portion b2 of the lower portion b are substantially parallel (more preferably, parallel). The left edge portion b3 and the right edge portion b4 of the lower portion b are of a substantially trapezoidal shape that slopes so as to taper toward the upper edge portion b1 of the lower portion b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower edge portion b2 of the lower portion b protrudes outside the upper edge portion a1 of the upper portion a. This is because, as shown in FIG. 1, when the mask 10 is worn, the lower edge portion b2 of the lower portion b protrudes outside the upper edge portion a1 of the upper portion a, so that the lower portion b can be deeply locked to the chin, and even when the mouth is opened, the lower portion b is locked to the chin, preventing the lower portion b from detaching from the chin.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the connecting portion c connects the lower edge a2 of the upper portion a and the upper edge b1 of the lower portion b. The lower edge a2 of the upper portion a and the upper edge b1 of the lower portion b are bent so that the connecting portion c does not protrude outward from the lower edge a2 of the upper portion a and the upper edge b1 of the lower portion b. The connecting portion C is also provided with a folded portion (crease) c0 that is folded inward from the lower edge a2 of the upper portion a and the upper edge b1 of the lower portion b. This folded portion (crease) c0 is approximately parallel to the lower edge a2 of the upper portion a and the upper edge b1 of the lower portion b. Note that the upper edge a1 of the upper portion a and the lower edge b2 of the lower portion b, and the lower edge a2 of the upper portion a and the upper edge b1 of the lower portion b are not joined together. However, the left edge a3 of the upper portion a and the left edge b3 of the lower portion b, and the right edge a4 of the upper portion a and the right edge b4 of the lower portion b are joined together (for example, by ultrasonic welding). This portion is the joint 16.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the mask 10 is provided with a first stretchable string 31 and a second stretchable string 32. As shown in Figure 1, the mask 10 can be fixed in a desired position by placing the first string 31 and the second string 32 over the wearer's head 18. The first string 31 is positioned along the back side (lower part b side) of the upper edge a1 of the upper part a. Both ends of the first string 31 are joined together with other members at the joint 16 of the upper part a.

[0023] As described above, the lower edge b2 of the lower portion b of the mask 10 protrudes outward from the upper edge a1 of the upper portion a. A longitudinally shaped reinforcing member 34 is provided along the longitudinal direction of this protruding portion. The second string 32 is positioned between the protruding portion of the lower portion b and the reinforcing member 34. Both ends of the second string 32 are joined together with other members at the joint 16 of the lower portion b. The presence of the reinforcing member 34 improves the strength of the attachment portion of the second string 32. In addition, a reinforcing member (not shown) similar to the reinforcing member 34 may also be provided for the first string 31 to increase the strength of the attachment portion of the first string 31.

[0024] (action) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be explained below. In Figures 1 to 7, the mask 10 according to this embodiment ensures breathability with a mask body 12 made of a material including a nonwoven fabric 28, so that the wearer 18 can breathe while suppressing the inhalation of airborne droplets and the diffusion of droplets from the wearer 18. In addition, a liquid-impermeable region 20 is provided in a part of the mask body 12 by a liquid-impermeable material 14, so that the permeation of liquids can be suppressed. For this reason, for example, the permeation of bodily fluids scattered during surgery can be suppressed.

[0025] Specifically, in areas that are not impermeable to liquid, the wearer 18 can inhale air from which droplets and other particles have been removed to some extent through the outer cover 24, filter 26, nonwoven fabric 28, and inner cover 22. The wearer 18 can also expel air through the inner cover 22, nonwoven fabric 28, filter 26, and outer cover 24. In the liquid-impermeable area 20, the liquid-impermeable member 14 placed between the nonwoven fabric 28 and the filter 26 can suppress the permeation of liquid. If the liquid-impermeable area 20 is the roughly triangular portion at both ends of the mask body 12, the permeation of liquid from the left and right sides of the wearer 18's nose and mouth can be suppressed. Therefore, even if liquid splashes and the wearer turns their face away to avoid it, and liquid adheres to the sides of the mask body 12, the permeation of that liquid can be suppressed.

[0026] Thus, according to this embodiment, compared to the case where a high-performance layer that combines gas permeability and liquid impermeability is used, liquid permeation can be suppressed while reducing costs.

[0027] Furthermore, when the mask 10 is not in use, the folded portion (fold) c0 is folded back as shown in Figure 3, and when in use, the connecting portion c having the folded portion (fold) c0 can be spread out as shown in Figure 1, thereby increasing the intake and exhaust area. As a result, the wearer 18 does not feel suffocated. Moreover, the connecting portion 16 does not need to protrude so much from the upper edge a1 of the upper portion a and the lower edge b2 of the lower portion b. Because the connecting portion 16 does not protrude, the field of vision when wearing the mask 10 can be ensured, and the ease of use can be improved.

[0028] [Other embodiments] Although an example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 10 masks 12 Mask body 14 Liquid-impermeable material 16 Joint 20 Regions that are impermeable to liquids 22 Inner Cover 24 Outer Cover 26 filters 28 Nonwoven fabric

Claims

1. A mask body is constructed using a component including nonwoven fabric, and a joint is provided at the end where the overlapping portions of the component are joined, The plurality of members include a liquid-impermeable member that extends from the position of the joint to a predetermined position other than the joint, and is joined together with the members at the joint, A mask having a region in a part of the mask body that is impermeable to liquid.

2. As the aforementioned member, The inner cover is located closest to the wearer, The outer cover is located on the opposite side from the wearer, the anti-wearer side, The two layers of filters are positioned adjacent to the wearer's side of the inner cover, The outer cover has two layers of nonwoven fabric positioned adjacent to the wearer's side, The mask according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-impermeable member is disposed between the nonwoven fabric and the filter.

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