mask

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mask that makes it possible to stably maintain a space between the wearer and the mask body more easily and more cheaply, without decreasing the air permeability of the mask body.　This mask comprises: a mask body 11; a plurality of pleats 115 which are provided to the mask body 11 and which are used in folding and expansion of the mask body 11; and an extending fixing part 116 which is linear and fixes a part of the mask body 11, said fixing part extending from the side end side of the mask body 11 to the side-direction center of the mask body 11, either on a pleat among the plurality of pleats 115 or along and near to a pleat.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask that improves the retention of space between the mask and the wearer's face. [Background technology]

[0002] The mask according to the related art has multiple pleats that are parallel to the horizontal direction and that unfold vertically via these pleats, creating a three-dimensional space between the wearer and the mask body when worn, corresponding to the shape of the mask body that has unfolded three-dimensionally due to the unfolding of the multiple pleats. Techniques for stably maintaining such a space have been disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensionally adjustable sanitary mask in which the three-dimensional shape of the mouth part is maintained even when the mask is used for a long period of time and the three-dimensional shape can be easily adjusted to fit the size of the user's face. The mask in Patent Document 1 is a three-dimensionally adjustable sanitary mask consisting of a flat mouth part with a folding part that extends elongatedly in the left-right direction with multiple layers of nonwoven fabric overlapped, and hook parts on both sides of the mouth part for attaching to the ears, and the three-dimensionally adjustable sanitary mask discloses a three-dimensionally adjustable sanitary mask in which a flexible shape-retaining member is housed in the folding part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-036574 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a flexible shape-retaining member is required to maintain the shape, and this member is added to the multiple sheets of nonwoven fabric that serve as the filter, which is the mask's original function, and then placed on the mask body, which makes the manufacturing process complicated and time-consuming, and furthermore, there are issues such as increased manufacturing costs as well as material costs for preparing this member.In addition, the mask in Patent Document 1 is configured to house a shape-retaining member that is not breathable, unlike multiple sheets of nonwoven fabric, which reduces the breathability of the mask. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a mask that can more easily and inexpensively maintain a stable space between the wearer and the mask body without impeding the breathability of the mask body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The mask according to the present invention comprises a mask body, a plurality of pleats provided on the mask body and used for folding and unfolding the mask body, and an extended fixing portion which is a linear fixing portion to which a part of the mask body is fixed, the extended fixing portion being provided on or near a pleat included in the plurality of pleats and extending along the pleat from a side end side of the mask body towards the lateral center of the mask body. As described above, the mask according to the present invention includes extended fixing portions that extend along the pleats of the mask body. Therefore, portions near the corresponding pleats are stiffened by the fixing. As a result, the corresponding pleats more stably maintain the shape of the mask body in the unfolded state. As a result, the mask body, together with the strengthening of its rigidity due to folding and the stiffening due to the fixing on or near the pleats formed by the folding, more stably maintains the space between the mask body and the wearer's face. In other words, the mask according to the present invention does not require an additional shape-retaining member to maintain the shape of the mask body in the unfolded state, and maintains the space between the mask body and the wearer's face via the extended fixing portions without impairing the breathability of the mask body. As described above, the mask according to the present invention can reduce the effort required to arrange the shape-retaining member on the mask body, as well as the material and manufacturing costs associated with the shape-retaining member. Therefore, the mask according to the present invention can more easily and inexpensively maintain the space between the mask body and the wearer's face more stably without impairing the breathability of the mask body.

[0006] In addition, in the mask according to the present invention, if necessary, it is preferable that the extended fixing portion is formed by fixing a part of the mask body by hardening the part of the mask body through welding. The extended fixing portion is more appropriately hardened by being hardened by welding, which allows the mask according to the present invention to more stably maintain the space between the mask body and the wearer's face.

[0007] Furthermore, in the mask according to the present invention, if necessary, the mask body is preferably formed by stacking a plurality of sheet bodies, and the extended fixing portion is preferably arranged so as not to include the outermost sheet body of the plurality of sheet bodies that is on the opposite side to the wearer's face when the mask is worn. Since the extended fixing part is not provided on the outermost sheet member of the mask body opposite the wearer's face, the extended fixing part can be made invisible from the outside, thereby improving the appearance of the mask when worn.

[0008] In addition, in the mask according to the present invention, it is preferable that the extended fixing portion extends from the side end side of the mask body toward the lateral center of the mask body, but does not extend to the lateral center of the mask body, as necessary. As a result, each extended fixing portion has two fixing portions spaced apart on both sides of the mask body. Each extended fixing portion maintains the shape of the mask body via these two fixing portions. If deformation occurs on one lateral side of the mask body, deformation occurs near one of the two fixing portions. In this case, because the two fixing portions are spaced apart, the effects of the deformation are less likely to propagate to the other fixing portion. On the other hand, when the extended fixing portion includes fixing portions that extend from both side edges to the lateral center of the mask body, the extended fixing portion is provided from one side edge to the other side edge. As a result, if deformation occurs on one lateral side of the mask body, the effect of the deformation will be propagated to the other lateral side of the mask body via the extended fixing portion. Therefore, by having the extended fixing portion support the mask body and two fixing portions arranged at an interval on both sides of the mask body, the space between the mask body and the face can be more stably maintained.

[0009] Furthermore, in the mask according to the present invention, it is preferable that, as necessary, the extended fixing portion is provided on two pleats that sandwich an opposing region, which is a region that faces the wearer's mouth when the mask is worn, among the multiple regions separated by the multiple pleats in the mask body, or in the vicinity of each of the two pleats. When a wearer is wearing the mask body, if the mask body comes into contact with the wearer's mouth, the wearer may feel uncomfortable or makeup, lip balm, etc. from the mouth may come off. By providing the extended fixing portion on or near the pleats that sandwich the opposing region, the mask according to the present invention can more stably maintain a space between the wearer's mouth and the mask body, thereby preventing such situations from occurring.

[0010] Furthermore, in the mask of the present invention, if necessary, it is preferable that the extended fixing portion is further provided on or in the vicinity of one of two pleats that sandwich an area adjacent to the opposing area among the plurality of areas and that is located in the opposite direction to the opposing area. By providing an extended fixing portion near the pleat located in the opposite direction to the opposing area, of the two pleats that sandwich the area adjacent to the opposing area, the shape of the four pleats closest to the opposing area can be maintained in the unfolded state, and the space between the mask body and the wearer's face can be maintained more stably.

[0011] Furthermore, in the mask according to the present invention, if necessary, the plurality of pleats are arranged on the surface of the mask body in a folded state that does not face the face of the mask wearer, so that one or more upward pleats are formed above a central region that includes the vertical center of the mask body in a folded state of the plurality of pleats, and one or more downward pleats are formed below the central region, and it is preferable that the opposing region is the central region, and that the extended fixing portion is arranged near two pleats that surround the central region and outside the central region. Because the mask body has multiple pleats arranged in this manner, the facing region is positioned at the front end when the pleats are deployed. The extended fixing portions are located outside the facing region, near the pleats that sandwich the facing region, and support the facing region from the back side to the front side. This allows the mask of the present invention to stably maintain the shape of the facing region due to the shape of the pleats in their deployed state, and more stably maintain the space between the mask body and the wearer's face.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the mask according to the present invention further comprises, as necessary, an X-shaped fixing portion in the opposing region to which a part of the mask body is fixed, the X-shaped fixing portion being a fixing portion formed from two intersecting linear fixing portions extending from one side end side of the mask body to the other side end side. The mask of the present invention further maintains the space between the mask body and the wearer's face more stably by holding the opposing region of the mask body in its expanded shape via an X-shaped fixing portion provided in the opposing region.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that the mask according to the present invention further comprises, as necessary, a linear fixing portion within the opposing region to which a part of the mask body is fixed, the linear fixing portion being a fixing portion provided in the vertical center of the opposing region, extending from the side end of the mask body toward the lateral center of the mask body. The mask of the present invention further maintains the space between the mask body and the wearer's face more stably by holding the opposing region of the mask body in the expanded shape via linear fixing parts provided within the opposing region.

[0014] Furthermore, the mask according to the present invention may further include a lower restraining portion, if necessary, provided on the lower side of the mask body to restrain the mask body so that it cannot unfold through a portion of the plurality of pleats. By providing the lower restraint portion, the pleats of the mask body do not unfold in the portion below and outside the lower restraint portion. The width of the face narrows from the mouth area toward the chin area. The lower restraint portion prevents the pleats of the mask body from unfolding in the portion below and outside the lower restraint portion. As a result, when the pleats are unfolded, the space formed by the mask body becomes narrower in the portion below and outside the lower restraint portion, allowing it to better fit the shape of the wearer's chin. In this way, the mask according to the present invention allows the mask body to fit the chin area better through the lower restraint portion, while the extended fixing portion more stably maintains the space between the mask body and the wearer's face. In other words, the mask according to the present invention can more stably maintain an appropriate space between the mask body and the wearer's face. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a mask according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an end view of the mask of the first embodiment in a folded state at cross section A. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mask of the first embodiment is worn. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a front view and the like of a mask according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a front view and the like of a mask according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a mask according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment of the present invention) The mask 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 shows a front view of the mask 1 in a folded state. Figure 2 shows an end view of cross section A of the mask 1 in the state of Figure 1. The direction of the mask 1 that comes into contact with the wearer's face when worn is the back side, and the opposite direction is the front side. Furthermore, the upward and downward directions of the mask 1 when worn are referred to as the upside and downside, respectively. 1 and 2, the mask 1 comprises a mask body 11, a plurality of pleats 115 provided on the mask body 11 and used for folding and unfolding the mask body 11, and an extended fixing portion 116 which is a linear fixing portion to which a part of the mask body 11 is fixed, and which is provided on or near a pleat 115 included in the plurality of pleats 115 and extends along the pleat 115 from the side end side of the mask body 11 toward the center of the side direction of the mask body 11.

[0017] The mask 1 further includes strings 12 that are welded to each corner of the mask body 11 and that are placed on the wearer to hold the mask body 11 in a predetermined position on the wearer's face. Welding is a method of applying pressure and heat to an object, melting at least a portion of the compressed portion due to the pressure and joining the compressed portion. Welding can be done by ultrasonic welding, which uses ultrasonic waves to heat the object, or by thermal welding, which uses an external heat source to heat the object. The mask body 11 is formed by laminating multiple horizontally elongated rectangular nonwoven fabric sheets (e.g., 3 to 8 sheets), and has a nose grip 13, which is a horizontally elongated wire rod embedded in the upper part and can be deformed to fit the wearer's nose and maintain its shape after deformation. However, the mask body 11 may also be formed by laminating sheet bodies having shapes other than a horizontally elongated rectangle (e.g., a horizontally elongated oval, a polygonal shape other than a horizontally elongated quadrilateral, etc.). The mask body 11 also has reinforcing members 14 on both side edges that cover the side edges of the multiple laminated sheets of the mask body 11.

[0018] An upper end weld 111 is provided at the upper end of the mask body 11, which welds together the multiple stacked sheets of the mask body 11. A lower end weld 112 is provided at the lower end of the mask body 11, which welds together the multiple stacked sheets of the mask body 11. An encircling weld 113 is provided at the top of the mask body 11, which surrounds the nose grip 13. Further, near both side edges of the mask body 11, side edge restraint sections 114 are provided which restrain the mask body 11 so as to prevent unfolding via the pleats 115 by welding the stacked sheets of the mask body 11 in the folded state of the pleats 115 and the reinforcing material 14. These side edge restraint sections 114 are provided as broken line welded sections extending in the vertical direction of the mask body 11 near both side edges of the mask body 11. In this embodiment, the side edge restraint sections 114 are provided by welding, but may also be provided by other methods such as bonding with an adhesive.

[0019] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of pleats 115 is provided to extend in the lateral direction on the mask body 11. The plurality of pleats 115 includes eight pleats, which are designated as pleats 115A to 115H in order from the top of the mask body 11 when the plurality of pleats 115 are in an expanded state. The pleats 115 are also arranged as two-tiered box pleats. That is, the pleats 115 are arranged so that, among the multiple regions of the mask body 11 separated by the pleats 115, two upward pleats (see pleats 115B and 115D in FIG. 2) are formed above a region (the region sandwiched between pleats 115D and 115E, hereinafter referred to as the central region) that includes the center position in the up-down direction of the mask body 11 when the pleats 115 are folded on the front surface of the mask body 11, and two downward pleats (see pleats 115E and 115G in FIG. 2) are formed below the central region. The mask body 11 covers the wearer's nose to chin when the pleats 115 are in an expanded state. Therefore, the central region in the vertical center of the mask body 11 is the region facing the wearer's mouth. Hereinafter, among the regions of the mask body 11 separated by the multiple pleats, the region facing the wearer's mouth will be referred to as the "facing region."

[0020] However, the pleats 115 may be formed as a single stage of box pleats (so that one upward pleat is formed above the central region on the front surface of the mask body 11 and one downward pleat is formed below the central region). The pleats 115 may also be formed as three or more stages of box pleats (so that three or more upward pleats are formed above the central region on the front surface of the mask body 11 and three or more downward pleats are formed below the central region). The pleats 115 may also be formed as box pleats with different numbers of stages between the top and bottom (so that one or more upward pleats are formed above the central region on the front surface of the mask body 11 and one or more downward pleats different from the number of upward pleats are formed below the central region). The pleats 115 may also be formed as pleats other than box pleats.

[0021] The extended fixing portions 116 are broken-line-shaped fixing portions provided near the pleats 115C to 115F and extending along the pleats 115C to 115F from the side end restraining portions 114 toward the lateral center of the mask body 11. In this embodiment, the extended fixing portions 116 are formed by fixing a portion of the mask body 11 by hardening the portion of the mask body 11 through welding. However, the extended fixing portions 116 may also be formed by fixing a portion of the mask body 11 by applying a hardening agent or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the extended fixing portion 116 is provided so as to extend from the side end restraint portion 114 toward the center of the mask body 11 in the lateral direction, but it may extend from a position different from the side end restraint portion 114 as long as it extends from the side end of the mask body 11. For example, the extended fixing portion 116 may extend from a position near the side end restraint portion 114, but further inward in the lateral direction of the mask body 11 than the side end restraint portion 114. Furthermore, the extended fixing portion 116 may extend from a position near the side end restraint portion 114, but further outward in the lateral direction of the mask body 11 than the side end restraint portion 114 (for example, a side end portion of the mask body 11).

[0022] The extended fixing portions 116 provided near the pleats 115C to 115F are referred to as extended fixing portions 116A to 116D, respectively. The extended fixing portions 116B and 116C are provided near the pleats 115D and 115E, respectively, outside the central region. That is, the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C are provided in a region adjacent to the central region among the regions of the mask body 11 defined by the plurality of pleats 115. However, the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C may be provided at other positions, such as on the pleats 115D and 115E or in the central region, as long as they are near the pleats 115D and 115E.

[0023] In this embodiment, the extended fixing portion 116 is provided to integrally fix sheet bodies excluding the frontmost sheet body among the multiple sheet bodies stacked on the mask body 11. However, the extended fixing portion 116 may be provided to integrally fix some of the multiple sheet bodies stacked on the mask body 11 excluding the frontmost sheet body. Furthermore, the extended fixing portion 116 may be provided to integrally fix multiple sheet bodies including the frontmost sheet body among the multiple sheet bodies stacked on the mask body 11.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the extended fixing portions 116 extend from the same positions in the up-down direction of the mask body 11 on each of the side end restraint portions 114 toward the lateral center of the mask body 11 to the lateral center of the mask body 11. Therefore, the extended fixing portions 116 are one fixing portion provided from one side end restraint portion 114 to the other side end restraint portion 114. However, the extended fixing portions 116 may be provided so as to extend from different positions in the up-down direction of the mask body 11 on each of the side end restraint portions 114 on both sides of the mask body 11 to the lateral center of the mask body 11. In addition, in this embodiment, the extended fixing portion 116 is a welded portion in the form of a broken line, but it may be provided in other linear shapes such as a solid line, a dashed line, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, the fixed portion of the extended fixing portion 116 (in this embodiment, the welded portion) is in contact with the side end restraint portion 114, but it may not be in contact.

[0025] The situation when the mask 1 is used will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows an end view of cross section A of the mask 1 when worn by a wearer. As shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the pleats 115 unfold, causing the mask body 11 to expand forward. When worn, the mask body 11 is positioned on the wearer's face so that the upper end contacts the wearer's nose and the lower end contacts the wearer's chin. In this state, when the wearer inhales, the mask body 11 is drawn toward the wearer's face, and the space formed between the mask body 11 and the wearer's face cannot be maintained, causing the mask body 11 to come into contact with the wearer's face. If the mask body 11 comes into contact with the wearer's face, it may cause discomfort to the wearer or cause makeup to come off, so it is desirable to maintain this space stably.

[0026] In this embodiment, extended fixing portions 116A-D are provided near the pleats 115C-115E of the mask body 11. Therefore, the portions near the pleats 115C-115E are hardened by being fixed (welded in this embodiment) at the extended fixing portions 116. In this way, the mask 1 more stably maintains the shape of the mask body 11 with the pleats 115 unfolded, due to the strengthened rigidity of the pleats 115 by being folded, coupled with the hardening due to the fixation at the extended fixing portions 116. As a result, the mask 1 can more stably maintain the space between the mask body 11 and the wearer's face.

[0027] In this embodiment, the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C are provided near the two pleats 115 that sandwich the central region, which is the opposing region. When a wearer wears the mask 1, if the mask body 11 comes into contact with the wearer's mouth, it can cause a stronger sense of discomfort than if the mask body 11 comes into contact with other parts of the face, and it can also cause makeup, lip balm, etc. on the mouth to come off. By providing the extended fixing parts 116 near the pleats 115 that sandwich the facing region, the mask 1 can more stably maintain the space between the facing region and the mouth, preventing such situations from occurring. Furthermore, in addition to the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C, the mask body 11 also has extended fixing portions 116A and 116D provided near the pleats 115C and 115F in the opposite direction to the facing region in an area adjacent to the facing region. That is, the extended fixing portions 116A to 116D are provided near the four pleats 115 closest to the facing region. This allows the extended fixing portions 116A to 116D to more stably maintain the space between the mask body 11 and the wearer's face compared to when only the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C are provided.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pleats 115 are arranged so that upward pleats are formed on the front surface of the mask body 11 in an upward direction relative to the central region, which is the facing region, and downward pleats are formed on the front surface of the mask body 11 in a downward direction relative to the central region. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the pleats 115 are in an unfolded state, the facing region protrudes furthest forward. Furthermore, the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C, which are provided near the pleats 115 sandwiching the facing region, are each provided outside the facing region. Therefore, the extended fixing portions 116B and 116C support the facing region located at the forefront from the rear side. As a result, the shape of the facing region of the mask 1 is stably maintained by the shape of the pleats 115 in an unfolded state, and the space between the mask body 11 and the wearer's face can be more stably maintained.

[0029] In this embodiment, the extended fixing portion 116 is provided so as not to include the frontmost sheet among the multiple stacked sheets of the mask body 11. Therefore, the extended fixing portion 116 is not visible from the outside when in use. The fixing portion on the front side of the mask body 11 may be unsightly when viewed from the outside when the mask 1 is in use. Therefore, the mask 1 of this embodiment makes the extended fixing portion 116 invisible from the outside, thereby improving the appearance of the mask 1 when in use.

[0030] As described above, the mask 1 of this embodiment can more stably maintain the space between the mask main body 11 and the wearer's face via the extended fixing portions 116 that follow the pleats 115 of the mask main body 11. That is, the mask 1 according to the present invention does not require an additional shape-retaining member to maintain the shape of the mask main body 11 in the unfolded state, and maintains the space between the mask main body 11 and the wearer's face via the extended fixing portions 116. In this way, the mask 1 can more easily and inexpensively maintain the space between the mask main body 11 and the wearer's face more stably, without the need for the effort of arranging a shape-retaining member in the mask 1, and without the material and manufacturing costs associated with the shape-retaining member, while preventing a decrease in breathability that would occur when a shape-retaining member is arranged in the mask 1.

[0031] In this embodiment, the extended fixing portions 116 extend from the same positions in the up-down direction of the mask body 11 on each of the side end restraint portions 114 on both sides of the mask body 11 to the lateral center of the mask body 11, and as a result, extend from one side end restraint portion 114 to the other side end restraint portion 114. However, the extended fixing portions 116 may be provided so as to extend from the side ends of the mask body 11 toward the lateral center of the mask body 11, but not to the lateral center of the mask body 11. As a result, the extended fixing portion 116 supports the mask body 11 based on the side end restraint portion 114 and has two welded portions arranged at a distance on both sides of the mask body 11. The extended fixing portion 116 maintains the shape of the mask body 11 via these two welded portions. If deformation occurs on one lateral side of the mask body 11, deformation occurs near one of the two welded portions. In this case, because these two welded portions are arranged at a distance from each other, the influence of the deformation is unlikely to propagate to the other welded portion. In contrast, if the extended fixing portion 116 is arranged from one side end restraint portion 114 to the other side end restraint portion 114, if deformation occurs on one lateral side of the mask body 11, the influence of the deformation is likely to propagate to the other lateral side of the mask body 11 via the extended fixing portion 116. Therefore, the extended fixing portion 116 supports the mask body 11 based on the side end restraint portion 114, and by having two welding portions spaced apart on both sides of the mask body 11, the space between the mask body 11 and the face can be maintained more stably.

[0032] (Second embodiment of the present invention) The mask 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4(A) shows a front view of the mask 2 in a folded state. Figure 4(B) shows an enlarged view of the opposing region (central region) of the mask 2 in the state of Figure 4(A). The direction of the mask 2 that comes into contact with the wearer's face when worn is the back side, and the opposite direction is the front side. Furthermore, the upward and downward directions of the mask 2 when worn are referred to as the up and down directions, respectively. In FIG. 4, the mask 2 comprises elements 21 to 24, 211 to 214, 215 (215A to 215H), and 216 (216A to 216D) similar to elements 11 to 14, 111 to 114, 115 (115A to 115H), and 116 (116A to 116D) of the mask 1 of embodiment 1, and further comprises an X-shaped fixing portion 217 in the opposing region of the mask body 21, which is an X-shaped fixing portion to which a part of the mask body 21 is fixed, and which is an X-shaped fixing portion formed from two intersecting linear fixing portions extending from one side end of the mask body 21 to the other side end.

[0033] In this embodiment, the X-shaped fixing portion 217 is provided in a central region of the mask body 21 between the pleats 215D and 215E, and is formed of two intersecting linear fixing portions extending from one side end restraint portion 214 to the other side end restraint portion 214. However, the two intersecting linear fixing portions forming the X-shaped fixing portion 217 do not have to be provided so as to extend from one side end restraint portion 214 to the other side end restraint portion 214, as long as they are provided so as to extend from one side end of the mask body 21 to the other side end. For example, the two intersecting linear fixing portions forming the X-shaped fixing portion 217 may be provided so as to extend from the vicinity of one side end restraint portion 214 of the mask body 21 to the vicinity of the other side end restraint portion 214.

[0034] In this embodiment, the X-shaped fixing portion 217 is provided by welding and fixing sheet bodies, excluding the frontmost sheet body, out of the multiple sheet bodies stacked in the mask body 21, so as to form a single unit. However, the X-shaped fixing portion 217 may also be provided by welding and fixing some of the sheet bodies, excluding the frontmost sheet body, out of the multiple sheet bodies stacked in the mask body 21, so as to form a single unit. Furthermore, the X-shaped fixing portion 217 may also be provided by welding and fixing sheet bodies, including the frontmost sheet body, out of the multiple sheet bodies stacked in the mask body 21, so as to form a single unit. In this way, the X-shaped fixing portion 217 is provided by welding to a part of the mask body 21, but it may also be provided by fixing a part of the mask body 21 by applying a curing agent or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the X-shaped fixing portion 217 is an X-shaped fixing portion (welded portion) represented by a dashed line, but it may also be provided in an X-shape represented by other lines such as a solid line or a dashed line.

[0035] When the mask 2 is worn (the pleats 215 are unfolded), the mask body 21 expands so that the center portion of the X-shaped fixing portion 217, which has been hardened by fixing, protrudes toward the front side. Then, four linear portions extending from the center portion of the X-shaped fixing portion 217 toward the side end restraint portions 214 support the center portion of the X-shaped fixing portion 217 that protrudes toward the front side. This allows the mask body 21 to more stably maintain the expanded shape of the central region (the shape of the pleats 215 in an unfolded state).

[0036] As described above, the mask 2 maintains the shape of the pleats 215 of the mask body 21 in the expanded state via the extended fixing portion 216, and further maintains the opposing region of the mask body 21 in the shape of the pleats 215 in the expanded state via the X-shaped fixing portion 217 provided in the opposing region, thereby more stably maintaining the space between the mask body 21 and the wearer's face.

[0037] (Third embodiment of the present invention) The mask 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5(A) shows a front view of the mask 3 in a folded state. Figure 5(B) shows an enlarged view of the opposing region (central region) of the mask 3 in the state of Figure 5(A). The direction of the mask 3 that comes into contact with the wearer's face when worn is the back side, and the opposite direction is the front side. Furthermore, the upward and downward directions of the mask 3 when worn are referred to as the up and down directions, respectively. In Figure 5, the mask 3 comprises elements 31 to 34, 311 to 314, 315 (315A to 315H), and 316 (316A to 316D) similar to elements 11 to 14, 111 to 114, 115 (115A to 115H), and 116 (116A to 116D) of the mask 1 of embodiment 1, and further comprises linear fixing portion 317, which is a linear fixing portion to which a part of the mask body 31 is fixed within the opposing region of the mask body 31, and which is a fixing portion provided in the vertical central part of the opposing region of the mask body 31, extending from the side end side of the mask body 313 toward the lateral center of the mask body 31.

[0038] The linear fixing portions 317 are provided in a central region (opposite regions in this embodiment) of the mask body 31 between the pleats 315D and 315E, and extend from the side edge restraint portions 314 toward the lateral center of the mask body 31. However, the linear fixing portions 317 may be formed so as not to extend from the side edge restraint portions 314, as long as they extend from the side edges of the mask body 31 toward the lateral center of the mask body 31. For example, the linear fixing portions 317 may be formed so as to extend from positions near the side edge restraint portions 314 and further inward in the lateral direction of the mask body 31 than the side edge restraint portions 314. The linear fixing portion 317 is provided at a central position in the vertical direction in the central region (a position further inside the central region in the vertical direction than the vicinity of the upper and lower ends (pleats 315D, 315E)).

[0039] In this embodiment, the linear fixing portion 317 is provided to weld and fix sheet bodies excluding the frontmost sheet body among the multiple sheet bodies stacked in the mask body 31 so as to unite them together. However, the linear fixing portion 317 may also be provided to weld and fix some of the sheet bodies excluding the frontmost sheet body among the multiple sheet bodies stacked in the mask body 31 so as to unite them together. Furthermore, the linear fixing portion 317 may also be provided to weld and fix sheet bodies including the frontmost sheet body among the multiple sheet bodies stacked in the mask body 31 so as to unite them together. Although the linear fixing portion 317 is provided by welding a part of the mask body 31 in this manner, it may be provided by fixing a part of the mask body 31 by applying a curing agent or the like.

[0040] In this embodiment, the linear fixing portions 317 extend from the same positions on the side end restraint portions 314 on both sides in the up-down direction of the mask body 31 toward the lateral center of the mask body 31 (extending from one side end restraint portion 314 to the other side end restraint portion 314). However, the linear fixing portions 317 may be provided so as to extend from the side end restraint portions 314 toward the lateral center of the mask body 31, but not to extend to the lateral center of the mask body 31. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the linear fixing portion 317 is a fixing portion in the form of a broken line, but it may be provided in other linear forms such as a solid line or a dashed line.

[0041] When the mask 3 is worn (the pleats 315 are unfolded), the linear fixing parts 317 are hardened by being fixed, and maintain the shape of the opposing regions of the mask body 31. This allows the mask body 31 to more stably maintain the expanded shape of the central region (the shape of the pleats 315 in the unfolded state).

[0042] As described above, the mask 3 can more stably maintain the space between the mask body 31 and the wearer's face via the extended fixing parts 316 and the linear fixing parts 317.

[0043] (Fourth embodiment of the present invention) The mask 4 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 shows a front view of the mask 4 in a folded state. The side of the mask 4 that comes into contact with the wearer's face when worn is the back side, and the opposite side is the front side. Additionally, the upward and downward directions of the mask 4 when worn are referred to as the upper and lower sides, respectively. In Figure 6, the mask 4 comprises elements 41 to 44, 411 to 414, 415 (415A to 415H), and 416 (416A to 416D) similar to elements 11 to 14, 111 to 114, 115 (115A to 115H), and 116 (116A to 116D) of the mask 1 of embodiment 1, and further comprises a lower restraint portion 417 provided on the lower side of the mask body 41 to restrain the mask body 41 so that it cannot unfold through some of the multiple pleats 415.

[0044] In this embodiment, the lower restraint portion 417 is provided on a lower lateral portion of the mask body 41. More specifically, the lower restraint portion 417 is provided at a position between the pleats 415G and 415H below the central region of the mask body 41 in the folded state, and between the lateral center of the mask body 41 and each of the lateral restraint portions 414. The lower restraint portion 417 is provided by welding all of the sheets overlapping in the thickness direction of the mask body 41 together, and restrains the mask body 41 so as not to unfold via the pleats 415G and 415H. As a result, the portion of the mask body 41 that is below the lower restraint portion 417 and laterally outward of the lower restraint portion 417 cannot unfold via the pleats 415G and 415H.

[0045] In this way, by providing the lower restraint portion 417, the pleats 415 are prevented from unfolding in the portion below and outside the lower restraint portion 417. The width of the face narrows as it approaches the chin area from the mouth area. The lower restraint portion 417 prevents the pleats of the mask body 41 from unfolding in the areas below and outside the lower restraint portion 417. As a result, when the pleats 415 are unfolded, the lower restraint portion 417 suppresses the spread of the areas below and outside the lower restraint portion 417 in the mask body 41. As a result, the space formed by the mask body 41 when the pleats 415 are unfolded becomes narrower in the areas below and outside the lower restraint portion 417, allowing it to better fit the shape of the wearer's chin. As described above, the mask 4 of this embodiment allows the mask body 41 to fit more closely to the chin area by the lower restraining portion 417, while more stably maintaining the space between the mask body 41 and the wearer's face by the extended fixing portion 416. In other words, the mask 4 can more stably maintain an appropriate space between the mask body 41 and the wearer's face.

[0046] (Other embodiments of the present invention) In the first to fourth embodiments, the facing region is the central region. However, if the central region does not face the wearer's mouth due to the pleat configuration or the shape of the mask body, a region of the mask body separated by the pleats that is different from the central region may be used as the facing region. In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, the extended fixing parts are provided near each of the four pleats, including the pleats that sandwich the opposing region. However, it is sufficient that the extended fixing parts are provided near at least one of the pleats provided on the mask body, and they may also be provided near other pleats. In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, the mask does not include a shape-retaining member for maintaining the shape of the mask body in the expanded pleats state, but it may include such a member, which allows the mask to more stably maintain the space between the mask body and the wearer's face.

[0047] Although an example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment. For example, the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Mask 11 Mask body 12 String section 13 Nose Grip 14 Reinforcement 111 Upper end welding part 112 Lower end welding part 113 Encircling Weld 114 Side end restraint part 115 pleats 116 Extension fixed part 2. Mask 21 Mask body 22 String section 23 Nose Grip 24 Reinforcement 211 Upper end welding part 212 Lower end welding part 213 Encircling Weld 214 Side end restraint part 215 pleats 216 Extension fixed part 217 X-shaped fixed part 3. Mask 31 Mask body 32 String section 33 Nose Grip 34 Reinforcement 311 Upper end welding part 312 Lower end weld 313 Encircling Weld 314 Side end restraint part 315 pleats 316 Extension fixed part 317 Linear fixed part 4. Mask 41 Mask body 42 String section 43 Nose Grip 44 Reinforcement 411 Upper end welding part 412 Lower end weld 413 Encircling Weld 414 Side end restraint part 415 pleats 416 Extension fixed part 417 Lower restraint part

Claims

1. A mask, The mask body and A plurality of pleats provided on the mask body and used for folding and unfolding the mask body; a linear fixing portion to which a part of the mask body is fixed, the extended fixing portion being provided on a pleat included in the plurality of pleats or in the vicinity of the pleat and extending from a side end side of the mask body toward a lateral center of the mask body along the pleat; Equipped with The extended fixing portion extends from the side end side of the mask body toward the center in the lateral direction of the mask body, but does not extend to the center in the lateral direction of the mask body. A mask characterized by:

2. 2. The mask of claim 1, The extended fixing portion is formed by fixing a part of the mask body by hardening the part of the mask body through welding. A mask characterized by:

3. 3. The mask according to claim 1 or 2, The mask body is formed by stacking a plurality of sheet bodies, The extended fixing portion is provided so as not to include the outermost sheet body on the side opposite to the wearer's face when the mask is worn among the plurality of sheet bodies. A mask characterized by:

4. 4. The mask according to claim 1, The extended fixing portion is provided on two pleats sandwiching an opposing region, which is an area facing the wearer's mouth when the mask is worn, among the multiple areas divided by the multiple pleats in the mask body, or in the vicinity of each of the two pleats. A mask characterized by:

5. 5. The mask of claim 4, The extended fixing portion is further provided on a pleat located in the opposite direction to the opposing region among two pleats sandwiching a region adjacent to the opposing region among the plurality of regions, or in the vicinity of the pleat. A mask characterized by:

6. 6. The mask according to claim 4 or 5, The plurality of pleats are arranged such that, on a surface of the mask body in a folded state that does not face the face of the mask wearer, one or more upward pleats are formed above a central region including the center in the vertical direction of the mask body in a folded state of the plurality of pleats, and one or more downward pleats are formed below the central region, the facing region is the central region, The extended fixing portion is provided near two pleats surrounding the central region and outside the central region. A mask characterized by:

7. 7. The mask according to claim 4, The mask further includes an X-shaped fixing portion to which a part of the mask body is fixed in the facing region, the X-shaped fixing portion being an X-shaped fixing portion formed of two intersecting linear fixing portions extending from one side end side of the mask body to the other side end side. A mask characterized by:

8. 8. The mask according to claim 4, The mask body may be fixed to a linear fixing portion in the facing region, the linear fixing portion being a fixing portion provided in a vertically central portion of the facing region and extending from a side end side of the mask body toward a lateral center of the mask body. A mask characterized by:

9. 9. The mask according to claim 1, The mask body further includes a lower restraining portion provided on a lower side of the mask body and restraining the mask body so that the mask body cannot be expanded through a part of the plurality of pleats. A mask characterized by:

10. A mask comprising: The mask body and A plurality of pleats provided on the mask body and used for folding and unfolding the mask body; a linear fixing portion to which a part of the mask body is fixed, the extended fixing portion being provided on a pleat included in the plurality of pleats or in the vicinity of the pleat and extending from a side end side of the mask body toward a lateral center of the mask body along the pleat; Equipped with The extended fixing portion is provided on two pleats sandwiching an opposing region, which is an area facing the wearer's mouth when the mask is worn, among the multiple areas divided by the multiple pleats in the mask body, or in the vicinity of each of the two pleats, The mask further includes an X-shaped fixing portion to which a part of the mask body is fixed in the facing region, the X-shaped fixing portion being an X-shaped fixing portion formed of two intersecting linear fixing portions extending from one side end side of the mask body to the other side end side. A mask characterized by:

Images