Mask frame and face-worn mask

Abstract

This invention provides a mask frame and a face mask with a simple structure. [Solution] The mask frame 20 of this invention is composed of a flat ring, with dividing lines 20A inserted in addition to the top and bottom, and at least one of the inner or outer rings (outer frame 24 or inner frame 22) is made liftable, and holes 24B for securing the string 26 are formed on the left and right sides of the inner or outer frame (22 or 24) of the mask frame. With the face-worn mask of this invention, the mask frame creates space around the mouth and nose of the mask wearer, making it less likely for moisture that would degrade the performance of the mask filter to adhere to the mask filter. Furthermore, the mask frame and string can be reused, and only the bag-shaped mask filter is disposable, so the amount of waste is limited to the bag-shaped mask filter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask frame and a face-mounted mask, and particularly to a mask frame and a face-mounted mask suitable for use in countermeasures against novel coronavirus and hay fever, which can block the air breathed without passing through the mask, improve the permeation removal rate of dust, aerosol, pollen, etc. in the air breathed through the used mask, and achieve a high mask function with a simple structure.

Background Art

[0002] As face-mounted masks, conventionally, there have been proposed face-mounted masks in which a mask filter is attached to the surface of a mask frame as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and masks attached over a frame-shaped mask assist as described in Patent Document 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventionally, since a planar one was used as the mask filter, there was a problem that moisture contained in the exhaled breath of the mask user easily adhered to the filter, and the performance of the filter decreased.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and a first object thereof is to provide a mask frame with a simple structure suitable for use in a face-mounted mask.

[0006] A second objective of this invention is to create a space around the mouth and nose of the mask wearer with a simple configuration, thereby making it less likely for moisture, which can degrade the performance of the mask filter, to adhere to the mask filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention solves the first problem by providing a mask frame that is a flat ring with dividing lines in addition to the top and bottom, and in which at least one of the inner or outer rings can be raised.

[0008] Here, holes for securing strings can be formed on the inner or outer sides of the mask frame.

[0009] This invention also solves the second problem by providing a face-worn mask characterized by combining a bag-shaped mask filter with the mask frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention provides a mask frame with a simple structure. Furthermore, with the face-worn mask of this invention, the mask frame creates space around the mouth and nose of the mask wearer, making it less likely for moisture, which degrades the performance of the mask filter, to adhere to the mask filter. Moreover, the mask frame and string can be reused, and only the bag-shaped mask filter is disposable, thus limiting the amount of waste to only the bag-shaped mask filter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the state before the mask frame and bag-shaped mask filter are attached. [Figure 3] A front view showing the same state when attached. [Figure 4] Figure showing the manufacturing state of the bag-shaped mask filter used in the first embodiment [Figure 5] Figure showing the usage state in which the bag-shaped mask filter of the first embodiment is placed on the mask frame [Figure 6] Front view showing an example of the mask frame used in the first embodiment [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the unfolded state as well [Figure 8] Perspective view showing the state with a string attached as well [Figure 9] Exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention [Figure 10] Front view showing the state before the mask frame and the bag-shaped mask filter are attached as well [Figure 11] Front view showing the attached state as well

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the content described in the following embodiments. Also, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the constituent elements disclosed in the following embodiments may be combined as appropriate or selected and used as appropriate.

[0013] Figs. 1 to 3 show the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention and the states before and after attachment.

[0014] This embodiment includes a mask frame 20 having an inner frame 22 and an outer frame 24 for forming a dome-shaped space in front of the mouth and nose of the user 10, and a bag-shaped mask filter 30 attached to the mask frame 20.

[0015] The bag-shaped mask filter 30 is made by subjecting a mask material 32, for example made of non-woven fabric, having a size (for example, about 19 cm in width and 21 cm in length) required when the pleats are opened as shown in FIG. 4(A), to parallel pleat processing to obtain a pleated mask 34 as shown in FIG. 4(B) having a width of about 19 cm and a height of about 11 cm, folding it in two along a fold line 34A at the center in the width direction to obtain a state folded in half as shown in FIG. 4(C) (about 19 cm in width and 5.5 cm in height). In the figure, 36 is an aluminum fitting on the nose side. Then, the portion indicated by the solid line 38 (referred to as a sealing line) is sewn or adhered with a sewing machine to seal it. The sealed and turned-over state is shown in FIG. 4(D). Then, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, it is wound around the mask frame 20 from the inside and covered to be in a use state.

[0016] In this way, both ends of the pleated mask 34 are sealed or sewn to shape the bag-shaped mask filter 30 into a bag shape. Then, by covering the continuous opening of the bag-shaped mask filter 30 having pleats with a separate mask frame 20 from the inside or outside and expanding the inside, a space can be formed around the mouth and nose of the user 10, and moisture that causes a performance decline of the bag-shaped mask filter 30 can be made difficult to attach to the filter.

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the mask frame 20 is in a use state as shown in FIG. 8 by raising an outer frame 24 of a double-ring-shaped planar ring in which a dividing line 20A is formed, for example, by laser cutting, from an inner frame 22 as shown in FIG. 7. In the figure, 20B is a small-diameter hole for facilitating folding, 24A is a convex portion for string locking, 24B is a string hole, and 26 is a string for hanging on the ears of the user 10.

[0018] In this embodiment, a portion of the double-ring-shaped member shown in Figure 6 is raised to form the outer frame 24, and the string 26 is attached to it. This positions the point of force that presses the mask against the user's face 10 in front of the inner frame 22, and also brings the inner frame 22 closer to the face. This allows the inner frame 22 to be in close contact with the user's face 10, and reduces the frequency with which the string 26 touches the cheeks, thereby reducing the pressure on the cheeks. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the mask frame 20 can be attached over the bag-shaped mask filter 30.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the bag-shaped mask filter 30 is placed over the mask frame 20, which holds the bag-shaped mask filter 30 in place around the user's face 10 to maintain airtightness. The bag-shaped mask filter 30 is then placed over the mask frame 20 from the inside or outside, the open end is folded back, and the folded portion is pressed tightly against the user's mouth and nose. This allows the entire surface area of ​​the bag-shaped mask filter 30, excluding the folded portion and the contact surface, to be effectively used as a filter.

[0020] The bag-shaped mask filter 30 is completely independent of the mask frame 20 and string 26, and is a component dedicated solely to the mask's filtering function.

[0021] Furthermore, the bag-shaped mask filter 30 unfolds three-dimensionally, creating a space in front of the user's mouth and nose, preventing the filter from being in close contact with the mouth and nose. This suppresses the reduction in filtering function caused by localized moisture and significantly increases the effective area of ​​the bag-shaped mask filter 30.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the structure allows the pressure difference with the outside air that occurs when the user 10 breathes to be evenly distributed around the entire surface of the mask's contact surface. This eliminates the leakage of gas that does not pass through the filter during breathing, which is a drawback of conventional masks due to insufficient localized sealing force, and allows all of the outside air being breathed and the air exhaled by the user 10 to pass through the bag-shaped mask filter 30.

[0023] Furthermore, the method of attaching the bag-shaped mask filter 30 to the inside or outside of the mask frame 20 is not limited to folding back the open end and placing it over the mask frame 20. For example, it can also be secured with a clip, or a hook can be provided near the string attachment portion (24B) of the outer frame 24 to secure the bag-shaped mask filter 30 near its center, or a string can be attached to the bag-shaped mask filter 30 so that it can be tied to the outer frame 24, or a hook can be attached to the bag-shaped mask filter 30 so that it can be hooked onto the outer frame 24.

[0024] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0025] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, this embodiment is a double mask in which a primary mask 40, such as a general pleated mask, is placed between the bag-shaped mask filter 30 of the first embodiment and the face of the user 10.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the primary mask 40 broadly covers the user's face, not only around the mouth and nose, but also extending beyond the bag-shaped mask filter 30, thereby preventing droplets from adhering to the face. Furthermore, the primary mask 40 can be sealed by the compression force of the mask frame 20, further enhancing the airtightness of the primary mask 40.

[0027] Furthermore, the application of this invention is not limited to countermeasures against coronavirus and hay fever, but can also be similarly applied to the removal of dust and aerosols. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 10…User 20… Mask frame 22...Inner frame 24…Outer frame 24B... String Hole 26... String 30…Bag-type mask filter 32… Mask material 34…Pleated mask 34A... Fold line 38...Sealed wire 40…Primary mask

Claims

1. A mask frame characterized by being a flat ring with dividing lines at all points except the top and bottom, and at least one of the inner or outer rings being able to be raised.

2. A mask frame characterized in that holes for securing strings are formed on the inner or outer sides of the mask frame.

3. A face mask characterized by combining a bag-shaped mask filter with the mask frame described in claim 1 or 2.

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