mask

Abstract

We provide technology that can improve the comfort of wearing masks. [Solution] The mask 1 is a mask body 2 that covers the mouth of the wearer, and comprises an outer sheet 20 that forms the outer surface, a skin-side sheet 23 that is placed on the skin-side of the wearer, and a space-maintaining sheet 22 that is placed between the outer sheet and the skin-side sheet and is made of long-fiber nonwoven fabric.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, nonwoven fabric masks are known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In general, a mask is fixed to a wearer in a state of covering the wearer's mouth area. If the mask is in too close contact with the wearer's mouth area, it becomes difficult for the wearer to breathe, and the wearing comfort of the mask deteriorates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving the wearing comfort of a mask.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A mask according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a mask main body that covers a wearer's mouth area, the mask main body having an exterior sheet forming an exterior surface, a skin-side sheet disposed on the wearer's skin surface side, and a space maintaining sheet disposed between the exterior sheet and the skin-side sheet and formed of a long-fiber nonwoven fabric .

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the wearing comfort of a mask can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the mask according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the mask according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the layered structure of the mask according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a magnified view of the area near the right edge tape of the mask according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a magnified view of a long-fiber nonwoven fabric. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fiber when the long-fiber nonwoven fabric is cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of a single fiber. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates the experimental method for evaluating the maintenance of oral space. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the relationship between the bending stiffness value of the mask body and its performance. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Aspect 1) A mask body that covers the mouth of the wearer, comprising: an outer sheet forming the outer surface; a skin-side sheet positioned on the skin-side of the wearer; and a space-maintaining sheet made of long-fiber nonwoven fabric, positioned between the outer sheet and the skin-side sheet. A mask equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

[0010] According to the mask of embodiment 1, by using a long-fiber nonwoven fabric for the space maintenance sheet, the long fibers The nonwoven fabric acts as a beam, allowing the mask body to maintain a dome-shaped three-dimensional form that bulges towards the non-skin side. As a result, the mask according to Embodiment 1 can form a gap between the mask body and the wearer's mouth, preventing the mask body from sticking too tightly to the wearer's mouth. The mask according to Embodiment 1 makes it easier for the wearer to breathe and improves wearing comfort.

[0011] (Aspect 2) The long-fiber nonwoven fabric has a plurality of fibers extending to intersect with each other, The mask according to Aspect 1.

[0012] According to the mask related to Aspect 2, the gaps between the fibers of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric can be enlarged, and the ventilation resistance of the mask main body can be reduced.

[0013] (Aspect 3) In the long-fiber nonwoven fabric, a plurality of fibers intersect with each other and the fibers are laminated in the thickness direction, The mask according to Aspect 1 or 2.

[0014] According to the mask related to Aspect 3, the long-fiber nonwoven fabric can be made bulky, and the long-fiber nonwoven fabric can easily exert the role of a beam.

[0015] (Aspect 4) The cross section of each fiber of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric has a shape including a cross-shaped portion, wide portions provided at respective distal ends of the cross-shaped portion and spreading left and right from the extending direction of the cross-shaped portion, and recessed portions provided at distal end portions facing a virtual circle surrounding the cross section, The mask according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3.

[0016] According to the mask related to Aspect 4, the gaps between the fibers of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric can be enlarged, and the ventilation resistance of the mask main body can be reduced.

[0017] (Aspect 5) The mask main body has a sheet formed of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric in addition to the space maintaining sheet, The mask according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4.

[0018] According to the mask related to Aspect 5, by providing a plurality of long-fiber nonwoven fabrics functioning as beams, the gap between the wearer's mouth and the mask main body 2 can be more easily maintained.

[0019] (Aspect 6) An end sheet positioned at the widthwise end of the mask body and covering the widthwise edge of the mask body, having a welded portion formed on the central side in the widthwise side for welding to the mask body, and an end sheet that is not adhered to the mask body outside the welded portion in the widthwise direction, The ear loops, which are connected to the mask body and are worn over the wearer's ears, A mask according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, comprising:

[0020] According to the mask of embodiment 6, the edge sheet can be brought into contact with the wearer's skin, while the edge sheet can function as the base for the dome-shaped three-dimensional form of the mask body that bulges out towards the non-skin side. As a result, the mask of embodiment 6 can maintain its dome-shaped three-dimensional form while ensuring a good feel of the mask body 2 against the skin with the edge sheet.

[0021] The following describes a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0022] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the mask according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the mask according to the embodiment as seen from the skin side. When the mask 1 is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "wearing state"), the direction that coincides with the wearer's left-right direction is defined as the left-right direction of the mask 1, and the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction is defined as the up-down direction of the mask 1. This up-down direction is the width direction of the mask 1. The mask 1 has a length along the left-right direction and a width along the up-down direction. Furthermore, when the mask 1 is worn, the side facing the wearer's skin (inside when worn) is defined as the skin side, and the opposite side of the skin side (outside when worn) is defined as the non-skin side. In addition, the direction connecting the skin side and the non-skin side is defined as the thickness direction. Viewing from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mask 1 comprises a mask body 2, ear loops 3, 4 (an example of the "ear loops" in this disclosure), edge tapes 5, 6 (an example of the "end sheets" in this disclosure), and a nose fitter 7. More specifically, the mask body 2 is formed by laminating multiple layers of sheet-like breathable material and is large enough to cover the wearer's mouth and nose. The mask body 2 covers the wearer's mouth when the mask 1 is worn. The mask 1 is used to prevent the scattering of droplets from coughs and sneezes, and to prevent particles such as dust and droplets from entering the body through the mouth and nose.

[0024] The ear loops 3 and 4 are made of a string-like, stretchable material. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, edge tapes 5 and 6 are attached to both ends of the mask body 2 in the width direction, on the skin-facing and non-skin-facing sides. The edge tapes 5 and 6 are nonwoven fabric sheets in the shape of a strip (tape) that cover the edges of the mask body 2 in the width direction and are positioned at the ends of the mask body 2 in the width direction. The edge tapes 5 and 6 cover both ends of the mask body 2 in the width direction from the top to the bottom. The edge tapes 5 and 6 have welded portions 9 and 10 that are welded to the mask body 2 at the center of the mask body 2 in the width direction. The welded portions 9 and 10 are formed by embossing the mask body 2 with the edge tapes 5 and 6 positioned on the edges in the width direction. The welded portions 9 and 10 are formed in the shape of dotted lines, and these dotted lines extend along the vertical direction of the mask body 2. The welded portions 9 and 10 are also formed on the non-skin side of the mask body 2 in the same way as on the skin side (see Figure 1). The edge tapes 5 and 6 are fixed to each of the widthwise ends of the mask body 2 by the welded portions 9 and 10. The welded portions 9 and 10 extend in a dotted line along the vertical direction, preventing the edge tapes 5 and 6 from peeling off.

[0025] Furthermore, the ends of the edge tapes 5 and 6 attached to the mask body 2 on the skin side and the ear loops 3 and 4 are heat-welded to form welded sections 15 and 16 (an example of "ear loop welding sections"). The ear loops 3 and 4 are fixed to the skin side of the edge tapes 5 and 6 by the welded sections 15 and 16, forming annular loops on both the left and right sides of the mask body 2. The welded sections 15 and 16 are wider than the ear loops 3 and 4 and slightly narrower than the width of the edge tapes 5 and 6. The string-like elastic material that makes up the ear loops 3 and 4 is formed from, for example, a woven band of rubber thread and cotton, a woven net of resin filaments, or an elastic nonwoven fabric. As shown in Figure 2, both ends of this string-like material are heat-welded to the ear material welding portions 15 and 16 of the edge tapes 5 and 6 on the left and right sides of the skin-facing side of the mask body 2, respectively. This connects the ear straps 3 and 4 to the mask body 2 in a loop shape, with one end of the material (for example, the upper welding portion 15) as the starting point and the other end of the material (for example, the lower welding portion 16) as the ending point.

[0026] Furthermore, the welded parts 15 and 16 are positioned so that the welded portions of the ear loops 3 and 4 are on the skin-facing side of the edge tapes 5 and 6, and the mask body 2 is sandwiched between the edge tapes 5 and 6 from the non-skin-facing side to the skin-facing side. The mask is formed by embossing while it is still in a matted state. This integrally fixes the ear loops 3 and 4, the edge tapes 5 and 6, and the mask body 2, thereby connecting the ear loops 3 and 4 to the mask body 2.

[0027] The mask body 2 is made up of various sheets such as breathable nonwoven fabric, and is a laminate of multiple sheets. The multiple sheets are fixed to each other by welded parts 13 and 14 formed near the top, bottom, left, and right edges in Figure 2. The welded parts 13 and 14 are formed by embossing the mask body 2. The welded parts 13 are formed in the shape of two dotted lines and extend in the left-right direction of the mask body 2. The welded parts 14 are formed in the shape of one dotted line and extend in the left-right direction of the mask body 2.

[0028] The mask body 2 has multiple pleats 8 extending in the left-right direction. The pleats 8 are formed by folding the sheet forming the mask body 2 in a pleated manner. In this embodiment, three pleats are formed. The pleats 8 are maintained by preventing them from unfolding, which is done by welded parts 11, 12 (an example of "fixing parts") formed at the left and right ends of the mask body 2. Therefore, when the mask 1 is not worn, the mask body 2 can be made into a flat, non-bulky shape. On the other hand, when the mask 1 is worn, the pleats 8 are unfolded by stretching the mask body 2 in the vertical direction. When the pleats 8 are unfolded, the mask body 2 becomes a dome-shaped three-dimensional shape that bulges towards the non-skin side. This creates a space between the mask body 2 and the wearer's mouth, making it easier for the wearer to breathe. Because the mask 1 makes it easier for the wearer to breathe, the wearing comfort can be improved.

[0029] The welded portions 11 and 12 are formed on the end sides in the width direction and are formed by welding together multiple sheets that make up the mask body 2. The welded portions 11 and 12 are formed in the shape of two rows of dotted lines and extend along the vertical direction of the mask body 2. The welded portions 11 and 12 are covered by edge tapes 5 and 6 and are not exposed on the outer surface of the mask 1.

[0030] The nose fitter 7 is positioned between two rows of welded sections 13 at the top of the mask body 2, with its longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction of the mask body 2, thereby fixing it to the mask body 2. The nose fitter 7 is fixed to the mask body 2 by being sandwiched between the sheets that make up the mask body 2. Alternatively, the nose fitter 7 may be fixed to the surface of the mask body 2. The nose fitter 7 is made of a material that has sufficient strength to be deformed into an appropriate shape by the wearer pressing it with their fingers, and is also plastically deformable so that it maintains its shape even after the pressure is released. By providing such a nose fitter 7 at the top of the mask body 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wearer can close the gap between their nose and the mask body 2.

[0031] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the laminated structure of the sheet members constituting the mask body 2 of the mask according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the mask body 2 has a laminate made up of multiple sheets stacked together. In this embodiment, it has a four-layer structure in which the outer sheet 20, filter sheet 21, space-maintaining sheet 22, and skin-side sheet 23 are stacked in that order from the non-skin side towards the skin side.

[0032] The outer sheet 20 is made of a material that is highly breathable and has the durability necessary to withstand the external environment. In this embodiment, for example, spunlace nonwoven fabric is used for the outer sheet 20. The filter sheet 21 is made of a material with high particle capture performance. For example, electret-treated meltblown nonwoven fabric is used for the filter sheet 21, and the filter sheet 21 captures fine particles by static electricity. The space-maintaining sheet 22 has higher bending rigidity than the outer sheet 20 and the skin-side sheet 23. The space-maintaining sheet 22, due to its bending rigidity, facilitates the maintenance of the pleat shape while the wearer is wearing the mask. Specifically, the space-maintaining sheet 22 makes it easier to maintain the state in which the pleats are open and the mask body 2 is cup-shaped. In this embodiment, the space-maintaining sheet 22 is made of a long-fiber nonwoven fabric. The long-fiber nonwoven fabric is, for example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric. Details of the space-maintaining sheet will be described later. The skin-facing sheet 23 uses a nonwoven fabric such as a spunbond nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or an airlaid nonwoven fabric.

[0033] In the mask 1 according to this embodiment, the skin-facing sheet 23 is formed to be longer vertically than the other sheets. After laminating the four sheets, the vertical ends of the skin-facing sheet 23 are folded towards the outer sheet 20, and welded portions 13 and 14 are formed by embossing to fix the three sheets together. The nose fitter 7 is fixed between the folded skin-facing sheet 23 and the outer sheet 20. The mask body 2 is not limited to a four-layer laminated structure, but may also have a three-layer laminated structure.

[0034] In the mask 1 according to this embodiment, edge tapes 5 and 6 are arranged at both ends of the mask body 2 in the width direction. When the mask 1 is worn, the edge tapes 5 and 6 are the parts that come into contact with the wearer's cheeks. In this embodiment, the edge tapes 5 and 6 are not adhered to the mask body 2 outside the welded parts 9 and 10 that fix the edge tapes 5 and 6 to the mask body 2 in the width direction. As a result, a gap is created between the edge tapes 5 and 6 and the mask body 2 on the end side in the width direction beyond the welded parts 9 and 10, making the skin contact of the edge tapes 5 and 6 on the end side beyond the welded parts 9 and 10 softer. The welded parts 9 and 10 are formed on the central side of the mask body 2 in the width direction of the edge tapes 5 and 6, and by having the end side beyond the welded parts 9 and 10 come into contact with the wearer's skin, the welded parts 9 and 10 become less likely to come into contact with the skin. In the mask 1 according to this embodiment, the skin contact of the parts of the edge tapes 5 and 6 that are likely to come into contact with the skin is good, so the wearing comfort can be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, on the skin-facing side of mask 1, welded portions 11 and 12 are formed in the areas covered by edge tapes 5 and 6. By covering the welded portions 11 and 12 with edge tapes 5 and 6, mask 1 can prevent the welded portions 11 and 12 from directly contacting the wearer's skin. As a result, mask 1 becomes softer against the skin and improves wearing comfort. In addition, the welded portions 9 to 12 are formed outside the widthwise ends of the pleats 8 of the mask body 2. This does not hinder the unfolding of the pleats 8 of the mask body 2. Moreover, during the manufacturing of mask 1, the welded portions 11 and 12 that fix each sheet 20 to 22 of mask body 2 can be formed before welding the edge tapes 5 and 6 to mask body 2. This prevents the pleats 8 formed on mask body 2 from unfolding during manufacturing and improves the operability during the manufacturing of mask 1.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ear loops 3 and 4 have portions that extend from the welded portions 15 and 16 towards the vertical center of the mask body 2. The ear loop 3 extends downward from the portion welded at the welded portion 15 to the portion immediately after it leaves the welded portion 15. When the ear loop 3 extends downward from the mask body 2, it means that the component of the ear loop 3 in the direction of extension is greater in the downward direction of the mask body 2 than in the width direction of the mask body 2. Also, the ear loop 4 extends from the portion welded at the welded portion 16 to the portion immediately after it leaves the welded portion 16 towards the upper center of the mask body 2. When the ear loop 4 extends upward from the mask body 2, it means that the component of the ear loop 4 in the direction of extension is greater in the upward direction of the mask body 2 than in the width direction of the mask body 2. Furthermore, the ear loops 3 and 4 are positioned on the skin-facing side of the mask body 2, and when the mask 1 is worn, the ear loops 3 and 4 come into contact with the wearer's skin immediately after detaching from the welded parts 15 and 16. By allowing the ear loops 3 and 4 to come into contact with the wearer's skin, the mask 1 can create a gap between the edge tapes 5 and 6 and the wearer's skin, thereby preventing the welded parts 9 and 10, which are less irritating to the skin than the ear loops 3 and 4, from coming into contact with the wearer. For this reason, the mask 1 This can improve the wearing comfort.

[0037] Next, the welded portions 9 to 12 will be further explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a magnified view of the area around the edge tape 5 on the right side of the mask 1. In this embodiment, the length A from the welded portion 9 to the end in the width direction of the edge tape 5 is 5 mm or more. By having a length A of 5 mm or more, the welded portion 9 can be positioned so that it does not come into contact with the skin when the pleats are unfolded while the mask 1 is being worn. This improves the wearing comfort of the mask 1. In addition, the area outside the welded portion 9 in the width direction becomes a support part for maintaining the unfolded state of the pleats 8. The width of this support part is the length A, and by making the length A 5 mm or more, it becomes easier to support the unfolded pleats 8 so that they do not close. It is preferable that the length A be 8 mm or less, taking into consideration the dimensions of the mask 1. Although not shown in the illustration, the length from the welded portion 10 to the end in the width direction of the edge tape 6 on the left side is also 5 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

[0038] Furthermore, it is preferable that the spacing between each point of the welded portions 11 and 12 be 5 mm or more. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, in the welded portion 11, the length B between one point and another point adjacent to that point is 5 mm or more. By forming the welded portions 11 with such a pitch, one point and another point adjacent to that point can be positioned above and below a single pleat 8, and the single pleat 8 can be held down from above and below by that point and the other point adjacent to it. This suppresses the unfolding of the pleat 8 during the manufacturing process of the mask 1, and improves the operability of the mask 1. It is preferable that the length B be 10 mm or less, taking into consideration the dimensions of the mask 1. Although not shown in the illustration, in the left edge tape 6 as well, the length B between one point in the welded portion 11 and another point adjacent to that point is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0039] Next, the long-fiber nonwoven fabric that forms the space-maintaining sheet 22 will be described in detail. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30. In Figure 5, a part of the surface of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 is shown in enlargement within a circle. The long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 consists of multiple fibers 31 that intersect with each other. Furthermore, the long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 has multiple fibers 31 that intersect with each other, and the fibers 31 are laminated in the thickness direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the mask 1 uses a long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 for the space-maintaining sheet 22. The fibers 31 of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 act as beams, allowing the mask body 2 to maintain a dome-shaped three-dimensional form that bulges towards the non-skin side. As a result, the mask 1 can form a gap between the mask body 2 and the wearer's mouth. The mask 1 prevents the mask body 2 from sticking too tightly to the wearer's mouth, making it easier for the wearer to breathe. As a result, the mask 1 can improve wearing comfort.

[0041] Furthermore, the mask 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with edge tapes 5 and 6 on the mask body 2 in the area that comes into contact with the wearer's cheeks. These edge tapes 5 and 6 come into contact with the wearer's skin on the mask body 2 and function as a base for the dome-shaped three-dimensional form that the mask body 2 bulges out towards the non-skin side. As a result, the mask 1, with the edge tapes 5 and 6, maintains its dome-shaped three-dimensional form while providing a good feel against the skin of the mask body 2.

[0042] The long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 is characterized by its cross-sectional shape when cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fiber extension. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fiber 31 when the long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of a single fiber 31. The cross-section of the fiber 31 has a cross-shaped portion 32 and wide portions 33 provided at each end, extending to the left and right from the direction of extension of the cross-shaped portion 32. The wide portions 33 are provided at each of the four ends of the cross-shaped portion 32. Also in Figure 6, a virtual circle R is shown surrounding the cross-section of the fiber 31 and touching the leading edge of the cross-section. The shape has a recess 34 provided at the tip portion facing the virtual circle R that surrounds its cross-section. This tip portion is the tip portion of the wide portion 33 that extends to the left and right, and the recess 34 is provided in the center of the wide portion 33 in the left-right direction, and is a recessed portion toward the center of the cross-shaped portion 32 without touching the virtual circle R.

[0043] In a long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 in which fibers 31 of this shape overlap, the gaps between the fibers 31 can be made larger, thereby increasing the bulkiness.

[0044] Next, an experiment was conducted on the maintenance of the mouth space with respect to the mask 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the experimental method for evaluating the maintenance of the mouth space. In this experiment, first, as shown in Figure 7(A), a head model 70 that mimics a human head was prepared. The head model 70 has a nose portion 70A, a mouth portion 70B, and ear portions 70C that mimic a human nose, mouth, and left and right ears. Next, as shown in Figure 7(B), the mask 1 was attached to the head model 70 by hanging the ear straps 3 and 4 of the mask 1 on the ear portions 70C of the head model 70. Subsequently, the three-dimensional shape of the mask body 2 was determined by spreading the pleats of the mask 1 to cover the nose portion 70A and mouth portion 70B. This formed a mouth space 80 between the mask body 2 and the mouth portion 70B of the head model 70. Subsequently, a load L equivalent to an external force caused by the wearer's movements such as moving their mouth or the wearer's breathing was applied to the mask 1 from above. Then, the maintenance of the mouth space was evaluated based on whether or not the mouth space 80 could be maintained after applying the load L.

[0045] Furthermore, regarding the ease of folding the mask body 2, the ease of folding the mask body 2 was evaluated by folding the mask body 2, which includes the outer sheet 20, filter sheet 21, space maintenance sheet 22, and skin-facing sheet 23, in the mask 1 manufacturing apparatus to form pleats 8 in the mask body 2, and whether or not the fold lines of the pleats 8 were bent or whether or not wrinkles were formed in the mask body 2.

[0046] The bending stiffness of the space-maintaining sheet 22 was measured using a bending test machine (KESFB2-AUTO-A, automated pure bending test machine) to determine the values ​​in the lateral and longitudinal directions, respectively.

[0047] Figure 8 shows the results of evaluating the performance of the space-maintaining sheet 22 as described above. Figure 8 is a table showing the relationship between the bending stiffness values ​​in the left-right and up-down directions of the mask body 2 and the performance. In Figure 8, regarding the maintenance of the space around the mouth, based on the results of the aforementioned experiment, cases where the space around the mouth could be maintained were evaluated as good (○), and cases where the space around the mouth could not be maintained were evaluated as bad (×). Furthermore, regarding the ease of folding the mask body 2, cases where there was no bending or wrinkling of the fold lines of the pleats 8 were evaluated as good (○), and cases where there was bending or wrinkling of the fold lines of the pleats 8 were evaluated as bad (×).

[0048] In this embodiment, masks Sample 1 to Sample 20 were prepared and tested. Each sample differed only in the space-maintaining sheet 22; all other components were the same. As shown in Figure 8, when the bending stiffness value of the space-maintaining sheet 22 in the left-right direction (lateral direction) was less than 0.020 gf / cm, as in Samples 1 to 20, the lateral bending stiffness became too low, and the space around the mouth could not be maintained. On the other hand, when the bending stiffness value in the lateral direction was greater than 3.000 gf / cm, as in Samples 16 to 20, the lateral bending stiffness became too high, resulting in bending and wrinkling of the pleat lines 8, and the ease of folding was negative (×). From these results, it is preferable that the space-maintaining sheet 22 has a bending stiffness in the left-right direction within the range of 0.020 gf / cm to 3.000 gf / cm (0.020 gf / cm or more and 3.000 gf / cm or less), as in Samples 4 to 15. This makes it easier for the mask body 2 to fold when forming pleats in the mask 1, When the suit is extended, it can resist external forces caused by the wearer's movements and breathing, maintaining sufficient space around the mouth.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, when the vertical bending stiffness value was greater than 3.100 gf / cm, as in samples 16 to 20, the vertical bending stiffness became too high, causing bending and wrinkling of the pleat lines 8, resulting in a negative (×) result for ease of folding. From these results, it is preferable that the space-maintaining sheet 22 has a bending stiffness in the vertical direction within the range of 0.005 gf / cm to 3.000 gf / cm (0.005 gf / cm or more and 3.000 gf / cm or less), as in samples 1 to 15. This allows the mask 1 to resist the aforementioned external forces when the pleats are unfolded, maintaining sufficient space around the mouth, while also facilitating the folding of the mask body 2 when forming the pleats.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the space-maintaining sheet 22 is formed from fibers 31 having the cross-sectional shape shown in Figure 6. Compared to fibers with a circular cross-section, these fibers 31 tend to be straighter, and because of their complex cross-sectional shape, when the pleats 8 are unfolded from a bent state, the force (elastic force) that causes the fibers 31 to return to their natural state contributes to the ease of folding. Compared to the case where the space-maintaining sheet is formed from fibers with a circular cross-section, the mask 1 allows for easier folding of the mask body 2 due to the elastic force of the fibers 31.

[0051] Next, an air permeability test was performed on the mask body 2 of the mask 1 according to this embodiment. The air permeability of the mask body 2 was measured using an air permeability resistance tester (KES-F8, air permeability tester), and the value of the air permeability resistance was determined to be within a predetermined standard value (for example, 60 [Pa / cm²]). 2 The breathability was evaluated by comparing it with [ ]). The specified standard values ​​are those designated by the Japan Hygiene Materials Industry Association.

[0052] In this embodiment, the mask body 2 of mask 1 has an air permeability resistance value within a predetermined standard value (for example, 27.3 [Pa / cm²]) for all of samples 1 to 20. 2The value was within the standard range. The mask 1 according to this embodiment has a space-maintaining sheet 22 made of bulky long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30, which creates a gap between the wearer's mouth and the mask body 2, thereby improving the wearing comfort. In addition, since the breathability resistance value of the mask 1 according to this embodiment is within the standard range, the breathability of the mask body 2 can be ensured. As a result, the mask 1 makes it easier for the wearer to breathe, thereby improving the wearing comfort.

[0053] <Other Embodiments> In the mask 1 according to the above embodiment, the long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 is used only for the space-maintaining sheet 22 of the mask body 2, but the mask according to the present invention is not limited to this. The long-fiber nonwoven fabric 30 may also be used for other sheets of the mask body 2 (for example, the outer sheet 20, the filter sheet 21, and the skin-facing sheet 23). With such a mask 1, it is possible to more easily maintain the gap between the wearer's mouth and the mask body 2.

[0054] The features included in each embodiment and its modified form disclosed above can be combined in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1. Mask 2. Mask body 3,4...Ear straps 5. Edge tape 6. Edge Tape 7. Nose Fitter 8 pleats

Claims

1. A mask body that covers the mouth of the wearer, comprising: an outer sheet forming the outer surface; a skin-side sheet positioned on the skin-side of the wearer; and a space-maintaining sheet made of long-fiber nonwoven fabric, positioned between the outer sheet and the skin-side sheet. A mask equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The aforementioned long-fiber nonwoven fabric has multiple fibers that intersect with each other and extend in a manner. The mask according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned long-fiber nonwoven fabric has multiple fibers intersecting each other and the fibers layered in the thickness direction. The mask according to claim 1.

4. The cross-section of each fiber in the aforementioned long-fiber nonwoven fabric has a cross-shaped portion, a wide portion provided at each end of the cross-shaped portion and extending to the left and right from the direction of extension of the cross-shaped portion, and a recess provided at the end portion opposite to the imaginary circle surrounding the cross-section. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The mask body has a sheet made of the long-fiber nonwoven fabric in addition to the space-maintaining sheet. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An end sheet positioned at the widthwise end of the mask body and covering the widthwise edge of the mask body, having a welded portion formed on the central side in the widthwise side for welding to the mask body, and an end sheet that is not adhered to the mask body outside the welded portion in the widthwise direction, The ear loops, which are connected to the mask body and are worn over the wearer's ears, A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

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