Mask

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide a mask having improved texture.　A mask 1 comprises: a mask body 11; a string part 12 that is bonded to the mask body 11 by welding and holds the mask body 11 at a predetermined position on the face of a wearer by hanging on the wearer; and bulged parts 11L, 11N in which the mask body 11 is bulged, the bulged parts 11L, 11N being formed in adjacent regions 11K, 11M adjacent to the bonding parts 11C, 11D in the mask body 11 at which the string part 12 bonds to the mask body 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask in which a string part is attached to a mask body, and more particularly to a mask having an improved texture.

Background Art

[0002] There are masks used for dust prevention, virus prevention, virus spread prevention, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a mask that can suppress displacement from the initial position due to the movement of the wearer's mouth or face.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a mask in which a string part worn by a wearer to hold the mask body in a predetermined position on the wearer's face is welded and attached to the mask body, the portion where the mask body and the string part are welded hardens. Therefore, when the wearer wears the mask, the string part acts to pull the mask body toward the wearer side starting from the attachment / detachment site, and there is a problem that this hardened portion touches the skin and the texture deteriorates. In the prior art such as Patent Document 1, this problem could not be solved. An object of the present invention is to provide a mask with an improved texture by inhibiting contact of the joint portion between the mask body and the string part with the skin of the wearer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The mask according to the present invention includes a mask body, a string portion that is joined to the mask body by welding and holds the mask body at a defined position on the wearer's face when applied to the wearer, and a bulging portion where the mask body bulges, formed in an adjacent region adjacent to a joining portion that is a portion of the mask body to which the string portion is joined.

[0006] Thus, this mask includes, in the adjacent region, a bulging portion where the mask body bulges, formed in response to distortion generated around a joining portion and a welding portion that surround this adjacent region. This bulging portion bulges more in the direction of the wearer's face than other portions of the mask body. Therefore, this bulging portion acts to keep the adjacent joining region away from the wearer's skin by contacting the wearer's skin when the mask is worn. Also, since this bulging portion is more likely to come into contact with the wearer's skin than other portions of the mask body, in a state where the mask is worn, the force to press the mask body against the wearer's skin is more used to bring this bulging portion into contact with the wearer's skin. As a result, the force to press the joining portion against the wearer's skin is reduced. Therefore, even when the joining portion comes into contact with the wearer's skin, the degree of contact is further reduced. As described above, this bulging portion can inhibit the contact of the joining portion with the wearer's skin. The joining portion is a portion hardened by welding, and the greater the degree of contact of the joining portion with the skin, the lower the touch feeling. Therefore, this mask can suppress the decrease in touch feeling and further improve the touch feeling by more inhibiting the contact of the joining portion with the wearer's skin through this bulging portion.

[0007] Also, in the mask according to the present invention, preferably, the adjacent region is surrounded by a welding portion where a part of the mask body is welded and the adjacent joining portion, as needed. As a result, the bulge formed in the adjacent area is formed according to the distortion generated around the welded part and the coupling part without adding a member for forming the bulge from the outside to the mask body. That is, this mask can more easily improve the texture without the trouble of adding an additional member to the mask body.

[0008] In addition, the mask according to the present invention preferably has, if necessary, the adjacent area located on the extension line in the direction in which the string part pulls the mask body through the adjacent coupling part when the mask is worn by the wearer. The bulge formed in the adjacent area is preferably formed at a position on the extension line in the direction in which the string part pulls the mask body. The force transmitted from the string part to the mask body is transmitted along the direction in which the string part pulls the mask body. Therefore, the force transmitted from the string part to the mask body is more likely to be transmitted by this bulge than when this bulge is formed at other positions. As a result, more force is used to press this bulge against the skin, and the force pressing the coupling part against the skin is further reduced. Thereby, this mask can more inhibit the contact of the coupling part with the wearer's skin through this bulge and can further improve the texture of the mask.

[0009] In addition, the mask according to the present invention, if necessary, has the string portion with both ends coupled to the vicinity of the upper side edge and the vicinity of the lower side edge of the mask body, and by being placed over the ears of the wearer, holds the mask body at a defined position on the face of the wearer. For each of the adjacent regions adjacent to the coupling portion in the vicinity of the upper side edge of the mask body and the coupling portion in the vicinity of the lower side edge of the mask body, the swelling portion is provided. The adjacent region in the vicinity of the upper side edge of the mask body is located beside the adjacent coupling portion on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion pulls the mask body through the adjacent coupling portion when the mask is worn by the wearer. The adjacent region in the vicinity of the lower side edge of the mask body is preferably located diagonally below the adjacent coupling portion on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion pulls the mask body through the adjacent coupling portion when the mask is worn by the wearer. Accordingly, in this mask, the string portion is a string placed over the ears, and when both ends of each string are coupled to the vicinity of the upper side edge and the vicinity of the lower side edge of the mask body, by forming the swelling portion at a more suitable position, the deterioration of the texture can be further suppressed and the texture can be further improved.

[0010] In addition, the mask according to the present invention, if necessary, preferably has the adjacent region shaped to become narrower as it is farther from the adjacent coupling portion. By forming the adjacent region to become narrower as it is farther from the adjacent coupling portion, compared to the case where it is formed in other shapes (a shape that becomes wider as it is farther from the coupling portion, or a shape with a constant width regardless of the distance from the coupling portion (for example, a rectangle, etc.)), there are the following effects. By making the adjacent region shaped to become narrower as it is farther from the adjacent coupling portion, it becomes narrower compared to the case of other shapes. That is, the region in the mask body that is raised for forming the swelling portion formed in this adjacent region can be made narrower. In this adjacent region, a swelling portion is formed according to the force acting from the outer periphery. The narrower this adjacent region is, the smaller the amount of fibers to be raised, so the fibers within this adjacent region are more likely to bulge. As a result, a higher swelling portion is formed within this adjacent region. The higher this swelling portion bulges, the more it acts to move the adjacent joint further away from the skin, and furthermore, it becomes easier to come into contact with the wearer's skin. As a result, this swelling portion can more effectively inhibit contact of the joint with the skin.

[0011] Also, by forming this adjacent region as a region that becomes narrower as it moves away from the adjacent joint, a wider area within this adjacent region will be adjacent to the adjacent joint. Therefore, a wider area of the swelling portion formed in this adjacent region will be located near this joint. The closer the swelling portion is to the joint, the more it abuts against the wearer's skin at a position closer to the joint, acts to move the joint further away from the skin, and can more effectively inhibit contact of the joint with the skin. As described above, by forming this adjacent region as a region that becomes narrower as it moves away from the joint adjacent to this adjacent region, compared to forming this adjacent region as a region of other shapes, this mask can more effectively inhibit contact of the joint with the skin. As a result, this mask can further suppress a decrease in texture and improve the texture more.

[0012] Also, the mask according to the present invention, if necessary, the mask body is formed by laminating three or more layers, and the total thickness of the intermediate layers included in the three or more layers is preferably greater than that of each outermost layer. For the outermost layer of the mask body, a harder non-woven fabric may be used so that dust and makeup are less likely to adhere. The harder the layer included in the mask body, the less likely the swelling portion is to bulge. By making the total of the intermediate layers of the mask body thicker than the outermost layer, the proportion of the portion occupied by the harder non-woven fabric in the mask body can be further reduced, the influence on the bulging of the swelling portion can be minimized, and the decrease in bulging can be more effectively suppressed. Also, the total thickness of the intermediate layers is preferably 0.3 mm or more.

[0013] In addition, the mask according to the present invention preferably includes a layer having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value in the mask body as needed. By including a layer having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value in the mask body, the following effects can be achieved as compared with the case of including a plurality of thinner layers in order to ensure the same thickness as this layer. This layer is formed by intertwined fibers. The fibers in this layer are constrained by the surface shape on the surface of this layer. That is, in such a layer, the fibers are constrained by the surface shape near the surface. When using a layer having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value instead of a plurality of thin layers, the surface of the layer contained in the mask body is less. That is, the restraint on the fibers in the mask body is reduced. Therefore, since the restraint on the internal fibers in the mask body is less, the swelling part is more likely to bulge. Through the swelling part formed in this way, this mask can further inhibit the contact of the joint part with the skin and improve the texture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an example of a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment of the Present Invention) Using FIGS. 1 to 3, mask 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a rear view of mask 1 in a folded state. In mask 1, the direction in contact with the wearer's face when worn is defined as the back side, and the opposite direction is defined as the front side. Also, the upward and downward directions when worn in mask 1 are defined as upward and downward, respectively. In FIG. 1, mask 1 includes a rectangular mask body 11, string portions 12 welded to each corner of mask body 11 to hold mask body 11 in a defined position on the wearer's face when worn, and raised bulge portions 11L, 11N formed in adjacent regions 11K, 11M respectively adjacent to joining portions 11C, 11D where string portions 12 are joined in the vicinity of each corner of mask body 11. Adjacent regions 11K, 11M are located on the extension line of the direction in which string portions 12 pull mask body 11 through adjacent joining portions 11C, 11D when mask 1 is worn by the wearer, and are surrounded by welded portions 11E, 11F, 11G, 11I, 11J where a part of mask body 11 is welded, and adjacent joining portions 11C, 11D.

[0016] In the present embodiment, polygons (for example, triangles, quadrilaterals such as rectangles and trapezoids, hexagons, etc.) include not only exact polygons but also substantial polygons. A substantial polygon is a shape recognizable as a polygon. Substantial polygons include, for example, shapes in which one or more corners are rounded compared to an exact polygon, shapes in which one or more sides are curves with a curvature below a defined threshold, and shapes in which one or more sides have cuts. Also, substantial polygons for polygons with all interior angles equal (for example, rectangles, regular polygons, etc.) include shapes in which one or more corners have an angle with an error below a defined threshold compared to an exact polygon. Also, substantial polygons include shapes that include a plurality of the shape features exemplified above.

[0017] The mask 1 of this embodiment is a pleated mask. The mask body 11 is a rectangular member that covers a predetermined range of the wearer's face (for example, a range including the nose and mouth, etc.). Here, the fact that the pleated mask body 11 is rectangular means that the shape in which the mask body 11 is folded is rectangular. The mask body 11 is a non-woven fabric in which fibers are intertwined, and is formed by overlapping a plurality of horizontally long rectangular non-woven fabric layers. In this embodiment, the mask body 11 is formed by overlapping three or more layers (four layers in this embodiment), including the outermost layer on the front side, the outermost layer on the back side, and one or more intermediate layers. However, the mask body 11 may be formed by overlapping a different number of non-woven fabrics (for example, three, five, six, seven, eight, etc.).

[0018] The first layer from the front side in the mask body 11 is a spunbond non-woven fabric layer (thickness: 100 μm). Also, the second layer from the front side in the mask body 11 is an air-through non-woven fabric layer that is thicker than the other layers and has a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. In this embodiment, this threshold value is 200 μm, but it may be, for example, 300 μm or 1 mm. Also, the thickness of the layer that is thicker than the other layers of the mask body 11 may be other values such as twice or more, three times or more, four times or more the thickness of the other layers. In this embodiment, the second layer from the front side in the mask body 11 is assumed to be a layer with a thickness of 500 μm, but it may be a layer with other thicknesses such as 1 mm or 2 mm. Hereinafter, the second layer from the front side in the mask body 11 will be referred to as the thick layer. Also, the third layer from the front side in the mask body 11 is a layer formed of a meltblown non-woven fabric (thickness: 100 μm). Also, the fourth layer from the front side in the mask body 11 (the first layer from the back side) is a layer formed of a spunbond non-woven fabric (thickness: 100 μm). Note that the thickness of each layer was measured based on the JIS standard (JIS L 1913:2010: General test method for non-woven fabrics).

[0019] In this embodiment, the laminated structure of the non-woven fabric layers in the mask body 11 is as described above. However, the laminated structure of the non-woven fabric layers in the mask body 11 may also be other structures. For example, the mask body 11 may have an overall thickness of 0.5 mm or more, preferably 0.6 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 0.7 mm to 2 mm, and may be formed by laminating three or more layers. Also, the mask body 11 includes the outermost layer and the innermost layer of the mask body 11 (Outermost layer on the back side) The total thickness of the intermediate layers other than (Outermost layer on the back side) is usually 0.3 mm or more, preferably 0.3 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 0.4 mm to 2 mm, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Also, the outermost layer and the innermost layer of the mask body 11 (Outermost layer on the back side) The thickest layer among the intermediate layers other than (Outermost layer on the back side) may be formed to have a thickness of 0.3 mm or more, preferably 0.3 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 0.4 mm to 2 mm, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Also, the total thickness of the intermediate layers of the mask body 11 is (Outermost layer on the back side) formed to be at least twice, preferably at least three times, more preferably at least four times, and particularly preferably at least five times the thickness of the outermost layer or the innermost layer. Also, the total thickness of the intermediate layers of the mask body 11 is (Outermost layer on the back side) formed to be 2 to 30 times, preferably 3 to 25 times, more preferably 4 to 20 times, and particularly preferably 5 to 18 times the thickness of the outermost layer or the innermost layer.

[0020] Also, the mask body 11 includes a plurality of pleats 11A extending in the lateral direction and a divided region 11B which is a region of the mask body 11 divided by the pleats 11A. The divided region 11B is folded along the pleats 11A and is formed to have a three-dimensional shape that bulges forward when unfolded along the pleats 11A.

[0021] In the vicinity of each corner at the upper part of the mask body 11, an upper coupling part 11C, which is a coupling part between the mask body 11 and the end of the string part 12, is formed. The coupling part is a part where a part of the mask body 11 and the end of the string part 12 are compressed and welded. Welding means melting at least a part of the compressed part by applying pressure and heat to the object to be welded and then joining the compressed parts. There are methods such as ultrasonic welding that uses ultrasonic waves for heating and thermal welding that uses an external heat source for heating. In this embodiment, for the processing of the mask 1, compression processing and heating processing are added, and furthermore, ultrasonic welding is used. However, the mask 1 may be processed using other welding methods (for example, thermal welding, etc.). Each layer of the non-woven fabric included in the mask body 11 is a layer in which fibers are intertwined. Therefore, the mask body 11 can be compressed by applying pressure so as to crush the pore parts in each layer (non-woven fabric layer). In the vicinity of each corner at the lower part of the mask body 11, a lower coupling part 11D, which is a part where the mask body 11 and the end of the string part 12 are welded so that the mask body 11 and the end of the string part 12 are joined, is formed.

[0022] In each of the upper coupling part 11C and the lower coupling part 11D, compression processing and heating processing are applied to the overlapping mask body 11 and string part 12, and welding is performed by further ultrasonic welding. In this embodiment, in each of the upper coupling part 11C and the lower coupling part 11D, compression is performed by applying pressure from the back side to the front side of the mask body 11 during welding. Also, in this embodiment, in each of the upper coupling part 11C and the lower coupling part 11D, it is assumed that the string part 12 is arranged on the back side of the mask body 11. Each of the upper coupling part 11C and the lower coupling part 11D is hardened by welding. Therefore, the stronger the degree of contact of this part with the wearer's skin during the wearing of the mask 1, the lower the feel of the mask 1.

[0023] An upper welding part 11E, which is a horizontally long welding part provided along the upper edge of the mask body 11, is formed at the upper edge of the mask body 11. The welding part is a part where a part of the mask body 11 is compressed and welded. In the present embodiment, in the welding part, each layer included in the compressed mask body 11 is joined by welding. Further, a rectangular welding part 11F, which is a perforated welding part along the outer periphery of a horizontally long rectangle, is formed at the lower part of the upper welding part 11E in the mask body 11. A nose grip 13, which is a horizontally long wire that can be deformed along the wearer's nose and can maintain the deformed shape, is embedded in the region surrounded by the rectangular welding part 11F in the mask body 11. The nose grip 13 is formed of a material such as mild steel, aluminum, or resin, for example.

[0024] Also, an upper side welding part 11G, which is a perforated welding part along a line segment extending obliquely downward from the side end of the rectangular welding part 11F to the lower end of the side end of the upper coupling part 11C, is formed in the mask body 11. Also, a side welding part 11H, which is a perforated welding part along the vertical direction, is formed at the side edge of the mask body 11.

[0025] Also, a lower welding part 11I, which is a perforated welding part provided above the mask body 11 with a defined width from the lower end of the mask body 11 along the lower edge of the mask body 11, is formed in the mask body 11. Also, a lower side welding part 11J, which is a perforated welding part along a line segment extending from a defined position on the lower welding part 11I to the lower end of the lower coupling part 11D, is formed in the mask body 11. In each of the welding parts 11E to 11J, welding is performed by applying compression processing and heat processing to the mask body 11 and then performing ultrasonic welding. In the present embodiment, in each of the welding parts 11E to 11J, compression is performed by applying pressure from the back side to the front side of the mask body 11 during welding.

[0026] In the mask body 11, a region adjacent to the upper coupling part 11C and surrounded by the upper coupling part 11C, the upper welding part 11E, the rectangular welding part 11F, and the upper side welding part 11G is defined as the upper adjacent region 11K. The upper adjacent region 11K is a region whose shape becomes thinner as it is farther from the upper coupling part 11C. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper adjacent region 11K is a trapezoidal region. One base of the trapezoidal upper adjacent region 11K is longer than the other base (the base in contact with the side end of the rectangular welding part 11F) and is in contact with the edge of the upper coupling part 11C. An upper bulge part 11L where the mask body 11 bulges is formed in the upper adjacent region 11K. Here, the upper bulge part 11L in the upper adjacent region 11K will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0027] FIG. 2(A) shows a cross-sectional view when the mask 1 is cut by a horizontal virtual plane including the upper bulge part 11L. FIG. 2(B) shows a cross-sectional view when the mask 1 and the wearer are cut by the same virtual plane as in FIG. 2(A) when the mask 1 is worn by the wearer. As shown in FIG. 2(A), an upper bulge part 11L that bulges on the back side of the mask body 11 is formed. When the mask 1 is worn, as shown in FIG. 2(B), the upper bulge part 11L contacts the wearer's skin in the vicinity of the upper coupling part 11C.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the periphery of the upper swelling portion 11L in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 2(A). As shown in Figure 3, at each of the welding portions surrounding the upper adjacent region 11K such as the upper coupling portion 11C and the rectangular welding portion 11F, and the coupling portion, the mask body 11 is compressed from the back side toward the front side. In the periphery of each of these welding portions and coupling portions, distortion occurs in each layer of the non-woven fabric of the mask body 11 (see the diagonally hatched portion slanting upward in Figure 3). In the portion where this distortion occurs, a restoring force corresponding to the distortion is generated. This restoring force acts to push out the fibers in the mask body 11 within the upper adjacent region 11K toward the inside of the upper adjacent region 11K. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the fibers of each layer of the non-woven fabric in the mask body 11 that are pushed out bulge with respect to the surface of the mask body 11, thereby forming swelling portions (see the diagonally hatched portion slanting downward in Figure 3) on the back side and the front side surfaces of the upper adjacent region 11K. The swelling portion formed on the back side of the upper adjacent region 11K becomes the upper swelling portion 11L.

[0029] The upper adjacent region 11K and the upper swelling portion 11L are arranged at positions on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 via the upper coupling portion 11C in the worn state of the mask 1. The upper coupling portion 11C is arranged horizontally above the upper part of the wearer's nose in the worn state of the mask 1. The string portion 12 is put on the ears in the worn state of the mask 1. In the human body, the height of the ears and the height of the nose are approximately the same. Therefore, the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 in the horizontal direction (direction A in Figure 1) via the upper coupling portion 11C in the worn state of the mask 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the upper adjacent region 11K and the upper swelling portion 11L are formed at positions beside the upper coupling portion 11C, which are positions on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 via the upper coupling portion 11C in the worn state of the mask 1.

[0030] In the mask body 11, a region adjacent to the lower coupling portion 11D and surrounded by the lower coupling portion 11D, the lower welding portion 11I, and the lower side welding portion 11J is defined as the lower adjacent region 11M. Here, when a certain region is surrounded by a welding portion and a coupling portion, it means that a portion of a predetermined ratio (for example, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, etc.) or more of the outer periphery of that region is occupied by the welding portion or the coupling portion. As this predetermined ratio, 70% is preferable, and 80% is more preferable, but other values may also be used. The lower adjacent region 11M is a region that becomes narrower as it moves away from the lower coupling portion 11D. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower adjacent region 11M is a triangular region with one side in contact with the side end of the lower coupling portion 11D. A lower bulge portion 11N is formed in the lower adjacent region 11M in the same manner as the upper bulge portion 11L in the upper adjacent region 11K. The lower adjacent region 11M and the lower bulge portion 11N are formed at positions on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 via the lower coupling portion 11D when the mask 1 is worn.

[0031] The lower coupling portion 11D is disposed beside the wearer's jaw when the mask 1 is worn. In the human body, the height of the jaw is lower than the height of the ear. Therefore, when the mask 1 is worn, the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 obliquely upward (in the B direction in FIG. 1) via the lower coupling portion 11D. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lower adjacent region 11M and the lower bulge portion 11N are formed at positions diagonally below the lower coupling portion 11D, which is a position on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 via the lower coupling portion 11D when the mask 1 is worn. However, depending on the shape of the mask body 11 when the divided region 11B is unfolded via the pleats 11A, the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 via the lower coupling portion 11D may not be a position diagonally below the lower coupling portion 11D in the mask body 11. Therefore, the lower adjacent region 11M and the lower bulge portion 11N may be formed at positions different from the position diagonally below the lower coupling portion 11D (for example, a position beside the lower adjacent region 11M, etc.).

[0032] The strap portion 12 is two straps (for example, rubber straps, wide straps, etc.) that hold the mask body 11 at a defined position on the wearer's face by being placed over the wearer's ears. Each of the straps of the strap portion 12 has an end coupled to near the upper side end and near the lower side end of the mask body 11 (in this embodiment, near the upper corner and near the lower corner).

[0033] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 4, the situation when wearing the mask 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the mask 1 is being worn, the strap portion 12 is placed over the wearer's ears. At this time, the mask body 11 whose posture is maintained by the strap portion 12 covers the portion from the wearer's nose to the chin. In this state, the strap portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 via the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D. At this time, a part of the force transmitted from the strap portion 12 to the mask body 11 acts to press the mask body 11 against the wearer's skin. Hereinafter, the force that acts to press the mask body 11 against the wearer's skin when the strap portion 12 pulls the mask body 11 will be referred to as the pressing force.

[0034] The raised upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N act to move the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D away from the wearer's skin by coming into contact with the wearer's skin. Also, when the pressing force acts to press the mask body 11 against the wearer's skin, it also acts to press the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N against the wearer's skin more strongly than other parts of the mask body 11. That is, more of the pressing force is used to press the non-hardened upper swelling portion 11L and lower swelling portion 11N against the wearer's skin. As a result, the force used to press the hardened upper coupling portion 11C and lower coupling portion 11D against the wearer's skin is reduced. In this way, the mask 1 can improve the texture by inhibiting the contact of the hardened upper coupling portion 11C and lower coupling portion 11D with the wearer's skin via the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N and suppressing the deterioration of the texture.

[0035] In this embodiment, each of the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N is formed at a position on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11. The pressing force is transmitted along the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11. Therefore, compared with the case where the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N are formed at other positions, the pressing force is more likely to be transmitted by the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N. Accordingly, compared with the case where the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N are formed at other positions, more of the pressing force is used to press the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N against the skin. Thus, the mask 1 further reduces the force pressing the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D against the skin, and further inhibits the contact of the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D with the skin, thereby further reducing the deterioration of the texture and further improving the texture. In particular, in this embodiment, the upper adjacent region 11K and the upper swelling portion 11L are formed at positions beside the upper coupling portion 11C as positions on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11. Also, the lower adjacent region 11M and the lower swelling portion 11N are formed at positions diagonally below the lower coupling portion 11D as positions on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11. Thereby, when the string portion 12 worn on the ear is coupled near the upper corner portion and the lower corner portion of the mask body 11, the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N more inhibit the contact of the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D with the skin, more suppress the deterioration of the texture, and can further improve the texture.

[0036] Also, in this embodiment, the upper adjacent region 11K is a region having a shape that becomes narrower as it is farther from the upper coupling portion 11C. By forming the upper adjacent region 11K in such a shape, there are the following effects compared with the case of forming it in other shapes (a shape that becomes wider as it is farther from the upper coupling portion 11C, a shape having a constant width regardless of the distance from the upper coupling portion 11C (for example, a rectangle, etc.)). By making the upper adjacent region 11K narrower as it moves away from the upper connecting portion 11C, the upper adjacent region 11K can be made narrower compared to other shapes. That is, the region within the mask body 11 that is raised to form the upper swelling portion 11L can be made narrower. In the upper adjacent region 11K, the upper swelling portion 11L is formed in response to the force from the outer periphery. Since the amount of fibers to be raised decreases as the upper adjacent region 11K becomes narrower, the fibers within the upper adjacent region 11K are more likely to bulge. Therefore, a higher upper swelling portion 11L is formed in the upper adjacent region 11K. The higher the upper swelling portion 11L bulges with respect to the back surface of the mask body 11, the more it acts to move the upper connecting portion 11C farther away from the skin, and furthermore, it becomes easier to contact the wearer's skin. As a result, the upper swelling portion 11L can more effectively inhibit the contact of the upper connecting portion 11C with the skin.

[0037] Also, by forming the upper adjacent region 11K as a region that becomes narrower as it moves away from the upper connecting portion 11C, a wider region of the upper adjacent region 11K will be adjacent to the upper connecting portion 11C. Therefore, a wider region of the upper swelling portion 11L formed in the upper adjacent region 11K will be located in the vicinity of the upper connecting portion 11C. The closer the upper swelling portion 11L is to the upper connecting portion 11C, the more it acts to move the upper connecting portion 11C farther away from the skin, and can more effectively inhibit the contact of the upper connecting portion 11C with the skin. As described above, by forming the upper adjacent region 11K as a region that becomes narrower as it moves away from the upper connecting portion 11C, the mask 1 can more effectively inhibit the contact of the upper connecting portion 11C with the skin compared to when the upper adjacent region 11K is formed as a region of other shapes. As a result, the mask 1 can more effectively suppress the deterioration of the touch feeling and improve the touch feeling. In this embodiment, the upper adjacent region 11K is formed as a trapezoidal region, but may be formed as a region having another shape (for example, a triangular shape, etc.) that becomes narrower as it is farther from the upper coupling portion 11C. Further, the upper adjacent region 11K may be formed as a region having a shape different from the shape that becomes narrower as it is farther from the upper coupling portion 11C (for example, a rectangular shape, etc.). For example, the upper adjacent region 11K may be formed as a shape that becomes wider as it is farther from the adjacent coupling portion, or a shape having a constant width.

[0038] Further, also with respect to the lower adjacent region 11M, similar to the upper adjacent region 11K with respect to the upper coupling portion 11C, it is a region having a shape that becomes narrower as it is farther from the lower coupling portion 11D. By forming the lower adjacent region 11M as a region having a shape that becomes narrower as it is farther from the lower coupling portion 11D, compared to the case where the lower adjacent region 11M is formed as a region having another shape, the mask 1 can more effectively inhibit contact with the skin of the lower coupling portion 11D. As a result, the mask 1 can further suppress a decrease in the feel of the skin and can further improve the feel of the skin. In this embodiment, the lower adjacent region 11M is formed as a triangular region, but may be formed as a region having another shape (for example, a trapezoidal shape, etc.) that becomes narrower as it is farther from the lower coupling portion 11D. Further, the lower adjacent region 11M may be formed as a region having a shape different from the shape that becomes narrower as it is farther from the lower coupling portion 11D (for example, a rectangular shape, etc.). For example, the lower adjacent region 11M may be formed as a shape that becomes wider as it is farther from the adjacent coupling portion, or a shape having a constant width.

[0039] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D is formed by being compressed, heated, and ultrasonically welded from the back side to the front side of the mask body 11. As a result, the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D are formed to be recessed on the surface on the back side of the mask body 11. That is, the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N are relatively more highly raised with respect to the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D, respectively. As a result, the mask 1 inhibits the contact of the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D with the skin more through the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N formed in this way, suppresses the deterioration of the texture of the mask 1 more, and can improve the texture more.

[0040] In addition, in the present embodiment, the mask body 11 includes a thick layer having a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The mask body 11 may include a plurality of thinner layers instead of the thick layer in order to ensure the same thickness. However, the mask 1 can exhibit the following effects by including a thick layer instead of a plurality of layers. In a layer in which fibers are entangled like a non-woven fabric, the entangled fibers form this layer. The fibers in this layer are restricted by the surface shape on the surface of this layer. That is, in each layer included in the mask body 11, the fibers are restricted by the surface shape near the surface. When using a thick layer instead of a plurality of layers, the surface of the layer included in the mask body 11 becomes less. That is, when using a thick layer instead of a plurality of layers, the restraint on the fibers in the mask body 11 is reduced. In the mask body 11 using a thick layer, since the restraint on the internal fibers is less, the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N are more likely to bulge. The mask 1 inhibits the contact of the upper coupling portion 11C and the lower coupling portion 11D with the skin more through the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N formed in this way, and can improve the texture.

[0041] In addition, in the present embodiment, the mask body 11 is formed by laminating three or more layers including the outermost layer on the front side, the outermost layer on the back side, and one or more intermediate layers. Also, the total thickness of the intermediate layers (excluding the outermost layers on the front side and the back side) of the mask body 11 is greater than the thicknesses of the outermost layers on the front side and the back side, respectively. In the outermost layer of the mask body 11, a harder non-woven fabric may be used so that dust and makeup are less likely to adhere. The harder the layers included in the mask body 11 are, the less likely the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N are to bulge. By making the total of the intermediate layers of the mask body 11 thicker than the outermost layer, the proportion of the portion occupied by the harder non-woven fabric in the mask body 11 is further reduced, the influence on the bulging of the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N is further reduced, and the decrease in bulging can be further suppressed.

[0042] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the rectangular welding portions 11F and the upper side welding portion 11G surrounding the upper adjacent region 11K is a stitch-like welding portion. The welding portion is cured and restrains the movement of the nearby fibers. Therefore, in the vicinity of the welding portion, the fibers are less likely to bulge compared to other portions of the mask body 11. When the welding portion is stitch-like, there is no restraint on the surrounding fibers between each of the stitch-like welding portions. Therefore, in the vicinity of the stitch-like welding portion, the degree of restraint on the fibers around the welding portion is lower than that around the welding portion on the solid line. Therefore, by forming each of the rectangular welding portion 11F and the upper side welding portion 11G surrounding the upper adjacent region 11K as a stitch-like welding portion, the degree of restraint on the movement of the fibers in the upper adjacent region 11K is reduced compared to the case of forming them as welding portions on the solid line. As a result, an upper swelling portion 11L that bulges more in the upper adjacent region 11K can be formed. However, each of the rectangular welding portion 11F and the upper side welding portion 11G surrounding the upper adjacent region 11K may be formed as a solid-line welding portion.

[0043] Similarly, by forming the lower welding part 11I and the lower side welding part 11J that surround the lower adjacent area 11M as stitch-like welding parts respectively, the degree of restraint of the movement of the fibers in the lower adjacent area 11M is reduced compared to the case of forming them as welding parts on the solid line. As a result, the upper swelling part 11N bulging in the lower adjacent area 11M can be formed more easily. However, each of the lower welding part 11I and the lower side welding part 11J that surround the lower adjacent area 11M may be formed as a solid-line welding part.

[0044] As described above, the mask 1 of the present embodiment includes a mask body 11 in which an upper swelling part 11L and a lower swelling part 11N are formed. When the upper swelling part 11L and the lower swelling part 11N formed in the upper adjacent area 11K and the lower adjacent area 11M adjacent to the upper coupling part 11C and the lower coupling part 11D come into contact with the wearer's skin, the contact of the coupling part with the wearer's skin is inhibited. As a result, the mask 1 can further improve the feel of the mask against the skin.

[0045] In addition, the upper swelling part 11L and the lower swelling part 11N are formed at positions on the extension line in the direction in which the string part 12 pulls the mask body 11. Therefore, compared with the case where they are formed at other positions, more force transmitted from the string part 12 to the mask body 11 is used to press the upper swelling part 11L and the lower swelling part 11N against the skin. As a result, the force pressing the upper coupling part 11C and the lower coupling part 11D against the skin is further reduced. Thereby, the mask 1 can inhibit the contact of the coupling part with the wearer's skin and further improve the feel of the mask against the skin.

[0046] In addition, the upper swelling part 11L and the lower swelling part 11N are formed in response to the distortion generated in the mask body due to the compression of the welding part and the coupling part, without adding a member that forms a raised part to the mask body 11 from the outside. That is, the mask 1 can be provided with the upper swelling part 11L and the lower swelling part 11N without the trouble of adding an additional member to the mask body, and can more easily improve the feel against the skin.

[0047] (Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) In Embodiment 1, the mask has the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. However, the mask may have other configurations, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 5. The mask 2 shown in FIG. 5 includes a mask body 21, a string portion 22, and a nose grip 23. The mask body 21 is a rectangular member that covers a predetermined range of the wearer's face. The mask body 21 includes pleats 21A, a divided region 21B, an upper coupling portion 21C, a lower coupling portion 21D, an upper welding portion 21E, a rectangular welding portion 21F, an upper side welding portion 21G, and a side welding portion 21H. Further, the mask body 21 includes a lower welding portion 21I, a lower side welding portion 21J, an upper adjacent region 21K, an upper swelling portion 21L, a lower adjacent region 21M, and a lower swelling portion 21N. Elements 21A to 21I, 21K, 21L of the mask body 21 are the same as elements 11A to 11I, 11K, 11L of the mask body 11 of the mask 1 in Embodiment 1, respectively. Also, the string portion 22 and the nose grip 23 are the same as the string portion 12 and the nose grip 13 of the mask 1 in Embodiment 1, respectively.

[0048] The mask body 21 is different from the mask body 11 in Embodiment 1 in that five, rather than four, horizontally long rectangular nonwoven fabric layers are laminated to form it. The first layer from the front side of the mask body 21 is a spunbond type nonwoven fabric layer (thickness: 100 μm). The second layer from the front side of the mask body 21 is an air-through type nonwoven fabric layer that is thicker than the other layers and has a thickness of 1500 μm. The third and fourth layers from the front side of the mask body 21 are layers formed of meltblown type nonwoven fabric (thickness: 100 μm). The fifth layer from the front side of the mask body 21 (the first layer from the back side) is a layer formed of spunbond type nonwoven fabric (thickness: 100 μm).

[0049] Further, the mask body 21 is different from the mask 1 in that the position of the lower side welding portion 21J is different from the position of the lower side welding portion 11J in the mask 1. Therefore, the shapes of the lower adjacent region 21M and the lower swelling portion 21N are different from the shapes of the lower adjacent region 11M and the lower swelling portion 11N in the mask 1. The lower side welding portion 21J is formed along the lower welding portion 21I at a position near the side end of the mask body 21 and at a position below the lower welding portion 21I by a predetermined distance. Therefore, the lower adjacent region 21M is a horizontally long quadrilateral region. Also, in the central side end of the mask body 21, no fusion portion is formed in the lower adjacent region 21M. The lower connecting portion 21D, the lower welding portion 21I, and the lower side welding portion 21J are formed in a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the lower adjacent region 21M excluding the central side end of the mask body 21. In the lower adjacent region 21M, 85% of the outer periphery is occupied by the lower connecting portion 21D, the lower welding portion 21I, and the lower side welding portion 21J.

[0050] Even in such a lower adjacent region 21M, the lower swelling portion 21N is formed due to the distortion generated in the mask body 21 by the lower connecting portion 11D, the lower welding portion 21I, and the lower side welding portion 21J. Therefore, similar to the mask 1, the mask 2 can inhibit the contact of the upper connecting portion 21C and the lower connecting portion 21D with the wearer's skin through the formed upper swelling portion 21L and lower swelling portion 21N, and can improve the texture.

[0051] Also, the mask may have the configuration shown in FIG. 6. The mask 3 shown in FIG. 6 includes a mask body 31 and a string portion 32. The mask body 31 is a rectangular member that covers a predetermined range of the wearer's face. The mask body 31 is formed by laminating five non-woven fabric layers in the same manner as the mask body 21. The mask body 31 includes pleats 31A, a divided region 31B, an upper coupling part 31C, a lower coupling part 31D, an upper welding part 31E, an upper side welding part 31G, and a side welding part 31H. Further, the mask body 31 includes a lower welding part 31I, a lower side welding part 31J, an upper adjacent region 31K, an upper swelling part 31L, a lower adjacent region 31M, and a lower swelling part 31N.

[0052] Elements 31A to 31E, 31H to 31J, 31N, and 31M of the mask body 31 are the same as elements 21A to 21E, 21H to 21J, 21N, and 21M of the mask body 21, respectively. Also, the string part 32 is the same as the string part 22 of the mask 2. The mask 3 is different from the mask 2 in that it has no nose grip 23 and no element corresponding to the rectangular welding part 21F, and the shape of the upper side welding part 31G is different.

[0053] The upper side welding part 31G is a perforated welding part extending from the lower end of one upper coupling part 31C to the lower end of the other upper coupling part 31C, and is formed in an arched shape bulging upward. Therefore, the shapes of the upper adjacent region 31K and the upper swelling part 31L are different from the shapes of the upper adjacent region 21K and the upper swelling part 21L in the mask 2. The upper adjacent region 31K is a horizontally long triangular region that is longer than the upper adjacent region 21K. Also, in the central side end of the mask body 31 in the upper adjacent region 31K, no fusion part is formed. The upper coupling part 31C, the upper welding part 31E, and the upper side welding part 31G are formed in a part of the outer peripheral part of the upper adjacent region 31K excluding the central side end of the mask body 31. In the upper adjacent region 31K, more than 80% of the outer peripheral part is occupied by the upper coupling part 31C, the upper welding part 31E, and the upper side welding part 31G.

[0054] Even in such an upper adjacent region 21K, the upper swelling part 31L is formed due to the distortion generated in the mask body 31 by the upper coupling part 31C, the upper welding part 31E, and the upper side welding part 31G. Therefore, like masks 1 and 2, mask 3 can inhibit the contact of the upper connecting portion 31C and the lower connecting portion 31D with the wearer's skin through the formed upper swelling portion 31L and lower swelling portion 31N, and can improve the texture.

[0055] Also, in Embodiment 1, the mask body 11 is formed by overlapping a plurality of non-woven fabric layers. However, as another example, the mask body 11 may be formed to include only one layer. Further, if the mask body 11 is a three-dimensionally intertwined fibrous layer, it may be formed to include a layer different from the non-woven fabric (for example, a layer such as cotton-like fibers). Also, the mask body 11 may be formed to include a plurality of types of three-dimensionally intertwined fibrous layers. In addition to the plurality of non-woven fabric layers, the mask body 11 may be formed to include other layers having air permeability (for example, layers such as cotton-like fibers, gauze, felt, paper).

[0056] Also, in Embodiment 1, the string portion 12 is a string that is placed on the wearer's ears and holds the mask body 11 at a predetermined position on the wearer's face. However, the string portion 12 may be a string that is placed on a portion different from the wearer's ears and holds the mask body 11. For example, the string portion 12 may be a string that is placed on the wearer's head and holds the mask body 11 at a predetermined position on the wearer's face. In that case, the string portion 12 is, for example, two strings, and one string has both ends coupled to the upper connecting portions 11C respectively. The other string has both ends coupled to the lower connecting portions 11D respectively.

[0057] Also, in Embodiment 1, each of the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N is formed at a position on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11. However, each of the upper swelling portion 11L and the lower swelling portion 11N may be formed at a position different from the position on the extension line in the direction in which the string portion 12 pulls the mask body 11.

[0058] In Embodiment 1, the mask 1 includes four bulging portions (two upper bulging portions 11L and two lower bulging portions 11N). However, the mask 1 may have four or fewer bulging portions (for example, a part of the two upper bulging portions 11L and the two lower bulging portions 11N). For example, the mask 1 may include only the two upper bulging portions 11L and not include the lower bulging portions 11N. In Embodiment 1, the strap portion 12 is coupled to the back side of the mask body 11. However, the strap portion 12 may be coupled to the front side of the mask body 11. Even in this case, since the back side of the mask body 11 hardens due to the welding between the strap portion 12 and the mask body 11, if the joint between the strap portion 12 and the mask body 11 comes into contact with the skin, the texture may deteriorate. Therefore, even in such a case, the mask 1 can suppress the deterioration of the texture and further improve the texture.

[0059] In Embodiment 1, each of the upper coupling portion 11C, the upper welding portion 11E, the rectangular welding portion 11F, and the upper side welding portion 11G surrounding the upper adjacent region 11K is compressed and welded from the back side to the front side of the mask body 11. However, at least one or more of the upper coupling portion 11C, the upper welding portion 11E, the rectangular welding portion 11F, and the upper side welding portion 11G surrounding the upper adjacent region 11K may be compressed and welded from the front side to the back side of the mask body 11. In Embodiment 1, each of the lower coupling portion 11D, the lower welding portion 11I, and the lower side welding portion 11J surrounding the lower adjacent region 11M is compressed and welded from the back side to the front side of the mask body 11. However, at least one or more of the lower coupling portion 11D, the lower welding portion 11I, and the lower side welding portion 11J surrounding the lower adjacent region 11M may be compressed and welded from the front side to the back side of the mask body 11.

[0060] In Embodiment 1, the mask 1 is a pleated mask, but it may be other types of masks such as a flat mask. In Embodiment 1, the mask body 11 is rectangular, but it may have other shapes. For example, the mask body 11 may be horizontally or vertically elongated elliptical, circular, or polygonal such as horizontally or vertically elongated hexagonal. Also, in Embodiment 1, each of the coupling parts 11C, 11D, and the welding parts 11E to 11J is formed by welding along the mask body 11. However, a part of the coupling parts 11C, 11D, and the welding parts 11E to 11J may be formed by welding only on the surface of the mask body 11.

[0061] As described above in detail for an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment. For example, the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1 Mask 11 Mask body 11A Pleat 11B Divided region 11C Upper coupling part 11D Lower coupling part 11E Upper welding part 11F Rectangular welding part 11G Upper side welding part 11H Side welding part 11I Lower welding part 11J Lower side welding part 11K Upper adjacent region 11L Upper swelling part 11M Lower adjacent region 11N Lower swelling part 12 String part 13 Nose grip 2 Mask 21 Mask body 21A Pleat 21B Divided region 21C Upper coupling part 21D Lower coupling part 21E Upper welding part 21F Rectangular welding part 21G Upper side welding part 21H Side welding part 21I Lower welding part 21J Lower side welding part 21K Upper adjacent area 21L Upper bulge part 21M Lower adjacent area 21N Lower bulge part 22 String part 23 Nose grip 3 Mask 31 Mask body 31A Pleat 31B Divided area 31C Upper coupling part 31D Lower coupling part 31E Upper welding part 31G Upper side welding part 31H Side welding part 31I Lower welding part 31J Lower side welding part 31K Upper adjacent area 31L Upper bulge part 31M Lower adjacent area 31N Lower bulge part 32 String part

Claims

1. A mask, comprising: a mask body; a string portion that is joined by welding to the back side of the mask body on the wearer's face side, and that holds the mask body in a defined position on the wearer's face when applied to the wearer; a bulging portion where the mask body bulges, formed in an adjacent region adjacent to a joining portion that is a portion of the mask body to which the string portion is joined; and the mask body is formed by laminating three or more layers, the total thickness of the intermediate layers included in the three or more layers is greater than that of each outermost layer, the adjacent region is surrounded by a welded portion to which a part of the mask body is welded and the adjacent joining portion, the bulging portion is provided in a pair on each side of the adjacent region adjacent to each joining portion near the side end of the mask body, by compressing and heating the welded portion and the joining portion surrounding the adjacent region from the back side toward the front side; A mask characterized by the above.

2. The mask according to Claim 1, wherein when the mask is worn by the wearer, the adjacent region is located on an extension line in the direction in which the string portion pulls the mask body via the adjacent joining portion. A mask characterized by the above.

3. The mask according to Claim 2, wherein both ends of the string portion are joined near the upper part and the lower part of the side end of the mask body, and hold the mask body in a defined position on the wearer's face when applied to the wearer's ears, the bulging portion is provided for each of the adjacent regions adjacent to the joining portion near the upper part of the side end of the mask body and the joining portion near the lower part of the side end of the mask body, respectively, when the mask is worn by the wearer, the adjacent region near the upper part of the side end of the mask body is located beside the adjacent joining portion that is on an extension line in the direction in which the string portion pulls the mask body via the adjacent joining portion, when the mask is worn by the wearer, the adjacent region near the lower part of the side end of the mask body is located diagonally below the adjacent joining portion that is on an extension line in the direction in which the string portion pulls the mask body via the adjacent joining portion. A mask characterized by the above.

4. In the mask according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the adjacent region has a shape that becomes narrower as it moves away from the adjacent joining portion. A mask characterized by the above.

5. In the mask according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, the total thickness of the intermediate layers included in the three or more layers is 0.3 mm or more A mask characterized by the above.

6. In the mask according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the mask body includes a layer having a thickness equal to or greater than a defined threshold value A mask characterized by the above.

Images