mask

Abstract

To provide a global environment-friendly face mask which provides a user with cool air without use of electric power and can clean air around the user.SOLUTION: A face mask 110 includes: a face cover part 112 that covers at least a mouth W1 and a nose W2 of a user W; and a neck cover part 114 that covers a neck W3 of the user W in such a manner as to go around it. The neck cover part 114 has its front side part provided with an air intake port 132a that communicates between the neck cover part 114 and the user W, and is directed ahead of the user W. The air intake port 132a is provided with a first filter 134.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask capable of purifying air.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mask that covers a user's mouth and nose and supplies purified air between the mask and the user's face. This mask has a fan that sucks air and a filter that removes impurities from the air. According to such a mask, the user can inhale the purified air while well controlling the occurrence of stuffiness between the mask and the user's face.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, masks capable of purifying air as described in Patent Document 1 are often used by users of bicycles and motorcycles in areas with severe air pollution. Therefore, it can be said that such masks purify the air (atmosphere) in that area. Therefore, it can be said that they are masks friendly to the global environment.

[0005] However, the mask described in Patent Document 1 uses electricity to rotate a fan to suck air and purifies the sucked air with a filter. Since it uses electricity, it is hard to say that the mask described in Patent Document 1 is a mask friendly to the global environment.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mask friendly to the global environment that can purify air without using electricity.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a face cover portion that covers at least the user's mouth and nose, and a neck cover portion that wraps around and covers the user's neck, and the neck cover portion is provided, at its front portion, with an air intake port that communicates between the neck cover portion and the user and faces forward of the user, A mask is provided in which a first filter is provided at the air intake port.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an environmentally friendly mask that can purify air without using electricity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The mask according to one aspect of the present invention has a face cover portion that covers at least the mouth and nose of the user, and a neck cover portion that wraps around and covers the user's neck. The neck cover portion has, at its front portion, an air intake port that communicates between the neck cover portion and the user and faces forward of the user, and a first filter is provided at the air intake port.

[0011] According to such an aspect, it is possible to provide an environmentally friendly mask that can purify air without using electricity.

[0012] For example, the mask may further include a suction fan that sucks air and sends the sucked air between the face cover portion and the user's face, and a second filter disposed upstream of the suction fan with respect to the flow direction of the sucked air. Thereby, the user can suck the purified air.

[0013] For example, the second filter may include a pre-filter and a high-performance filter disposed between the pre-filter and the suction fan and having a higher particle collection rate than the pre-filter.

[0014] For example, the mask may further include a plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets disposed at intervals so that air can pass through on the neck side of the user with respect to the first filter. Thereby, it is possible to suppress sunburn of the user's neck by ultraviolet rays.

[0015] For example, the UV-absorbing sheets may be arranged to partially overlap each other so as to hide the front part of the user's neck within the air intake when viewed from the front, thereby further preventing the user's neck from being sunburned by UV rays.

[0016] For example, the mask may further include a spacer that forms a gap between the neck cover portion and the user's neck, thereby allowing air to flow more easily between the neck cover portion and the user's neck.

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mask according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views showing the mask according to the first embodiment worn by a user. Fig. 2 shows the mask as seen from the side of the user, and Fig. 3 shows the mask as seen from behind the user.

[0019] 1 to 3, the mask 10 according to the first embodiment has a face cover part 12 that covers at least the mouth W1 and nose W2 of the user W, and a neck cover part 14 that wraps around and covers the neck W3 of the user W. In addition, in the case of the first embodiment, the mask 10 is equipped with an air purification unit 30.

[0020] 4 and 5 show the mask according to the first embodiment in an unfolded state. Fig. 4 shows the front surface (outer surface) of the mask 10 facing forward of the user W, and Fig. 5 shows the rear surface (inner surface) of the mask 10 facing the user W.

[0021] 4 and 5, in the mask 10 according to the first embodiment, the face cover part 12 is generally in an inverted triangular shape, and the neck cover part 14 is generally strip-shaped. Also, as shown in Fig. 4 and 5, the face cover part 12 and the neck cover part 14 of the mask 10 are made integrally.

[0022] Specifically, in the case of the first embodiment, on a single outer sheet 16 that constitutes the outer surface of the face cover portion 12 and the outer surface of the neck cover portion 14, a face cover lining 18 facing the mouth W1 and nose W2 of the user W and a neck cover lining 20 facing the neck W3 of the user W are bonded together by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. The outer sheet 16, the face cover lining 18, and the neck cover lining 20 are made of a deformable material, such as a cloth material or a highly elastic material (such as a sponge material). Note that the outer sheet 16, the face cover lining 18, and the neck cover lining 20 are preferably made of a material that can be repeatedly washed. Further, the outer sheet 16 may be made of a material subjected to a UV (ultraviolet) cut treatment or a waterproof treatment. Also, an annular sealing part 60 for filling the gap between the face and the face cover portion 12 to prevent the inflow of air from the outside is provided inside the face cover portion 12. The sealing part 60 is made of a deformable material, such as silicon or cloth, that can fit the face. Furthermore, an inner cup 62 for forming a predetermined space for facilitating breathing between the mouth W1 and the face cover portion 12 is provided inside or on the inner side of the face cover portion 12. The inner cup 62 is made of, for example, a resin material. In preparation for washing the face guard cover portion 12, the inner cup 62 may be removable with respect to the face cover portion 12.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, a rubber string 22 that goes over the ears W4 of the user W is provided on the inner surface of the face cover portion 12. By putting the rubber string 22 over the ears W4, the face cover portion 12 is worn on the head of the user W in a state of covering the mouth W1 and nose W2 of the user W.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the neck cover portion 14 is wound around the neck W3 of the user W. In order to maintain the wound state, both ends of the neck cover portion 14 are connected via fastening means such as a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnet, a button, or a chuck. Thereby, the neck cover portion 14 is worn on the neck W3 of the user W.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a removable air cleaning unit 30 is housed between the outer sheet 16 and the neck cover lining 20. As shown in FIG. 2, when the user W wears the mask 10, the air cleaning unit 30 is located under the user W's chin.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air cleaning unit of the mask according to Embodiment 1. Further, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the air cleaning unit of the mask according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaning unit of the mask according to Embodiment 1.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the case of the present Embodiment 1, the air cleaning unit 30 includes a filter unit 32 that removes impurities such as particles to clean the air, and a fan unit 34 that attracts air to the filter unit 32.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 7, the filter unit 32 is a unit that holds a plurality of filters. In the case of the present Embodiment 1, the filter unit 32 includes a base member 36, a cover member 38, and a plurality of filters 40, 42, 44.

[0029] In the central portion of the base member 36 in the left - right direction, a recess 36a for accommodating the filters 40 and 42 is formed. In the case of the first embodiment, in this recess 36a, a pre - filter 40 and a high - performance filter 42 are accommodated as filters (second filters) for purifying the air A1 inhaled by the user W. The high - performance filter 42 is, for example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filter. The pre - filter 40 is arranged in front of the head of the user W with respect to the high - performance filter 42. That is, the pre - filter 40 is located upstream of the high - performance filter 42 in the flow direction of the air A1. Further, in the recess 36a for accommodating these filters 40 and 42, a vent 36b is formed through which the air A1, that is, the purified air A1, after passing through the two filters 40 and 42, moves to the suction fan 52 arranged at the back.

[0030] The pre - filter 40 is a filter with a lower particle collection rate compared to the high - performance filter 42. On the other hand, the high - performance filter 42 is, for example, a filter having a particle collection rate of 99.97% for particles with a particle size of 0.3 μm. By removing large - particle - size particles from the air A1 before the pre - filter 40 passes through the high - performance filter 42, a decrease in the collection ability of the high - performance filter 42 is suppressed.

[0031] In each of the outer portions of the base member 36 in the left - right direction, a recess 36c for accommodating the filter 44 is formed. That is, the recess 36a is arranged between the two recesses 36c. In each of these two recesses �6c, a filter (first filter) 44 for purifying the air A2 not inhaled by the user W, details of which will be described later, is accommodated. Further, on the bottom surface of the recess 36c, a vent 36d is formed through which the air A2, that is, the purified air A2, after passing through the filter 44, passes. Note that the filter 44 may be a filter having the same particle collection rate as the pre - filter 40. Also, at least one of the filters 40, 42, and 44 may be a filter that can be washed by the user and reused.

[0032] The cover member 38 is detachably attached to the base member 36 so as to cover the front side portion of the base member 36. The cover member 38 is configured to cover the filters 40, 42, 44 housed in the base member 36 so that these filters 40, 42, 44 do not fall off. Specifically, the cover member 38 includes a central cover portion 38a that covers the pre-filter 40 and side cover portions 38b that cover the filters 44, respectively. When replacing the filters 40, 42, 44, the cover member 38 is removed from the base member 36.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the central cover portion 38a of the cover member 38 is configured to cover the pre-filter 40 with a gap therebetween. A plurality of protruding portions 38c that protrude from the rear surface thereof and contact the pre-filter 40 are provided on the central cover portion 38a. Although details will be described later, the air A1 (thick dashed line) that passes through the pre-filter 40 and the high-performance filter 42 passes through a gap 38e provided, for example, on the lower side between the central cover portion 38a of the cover member 38 and the base member 36. By being configured to take in the air A1 through the lower gap 38e, it is suppressed that the rainwater is sucked in on a rainy day.

[0034] Each of the side cover portions 38b of the cover member 38 is configured to cover the filter 44 in a state of contacting the filter 44. An air intake port 38d is formed in the side cover portion 38b so that the air A2 can pass through the filter 44.

[0035] The fan unit 34 attracts the air A1 so that the air A1 passes through the pre-filter 40 and the high-performance filter 42. For this purpose, the fan unit 34 is attached to the filter unit 32 so as to be positioned rearward (on the user W side) with respect to the pre-filter 40 and the high-performance filter 42 housed in the recess 36a of the base member 36.

[0036] The fan unit 34 also includes a housing 50 and a suction fan 52 housed within the housing 50. The housing 50 is composed of a main body 54 and a lid member 56. An air inlet 50a through which the air A1 that has passed through the high-performance filter 42 flows in is formed in the housing 50. Also, an air outlet 50b for blowing out the air A1 that has flowed into the housing 50 is formed in the housing 50.

[0037] The suction fan 52 is housed within the housing 50 and sucks the air A1 that has passed through the pre-filter 40 and the high-performance filter 42 in sequence into the housing 50. That is, the pre-filter 40 and the high-performance filter 42 are arranged on the upstream side of the suction fan 52 with respect to the flow direction of the air A1.

[0038] In the case of the first embodiment, the suction fan 52 is a so-called sirocco fan that sucks in the air A1 in the extending direction of the rotation center line C and blows out the air A1 in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the rotation center line C. The suction fan 52 has a suction port 52a that opens toward the air inlet 50a of the housing 50 and sucks in the air A1 that has passed through the high-performance filter 42, and a discharge port 52b that discharges the sucked air A1 toward the air outlet 50b of the housing 50. Note that a power source, a controller, etc. for driving the suction fan 52 are not shown but are mounted within the housing 50.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the air cleaning unit 30 housed between the outer sheet 16 of the mask 10 and the neck cover lining 20 is exposed to the outside through an opening 16a formed in the outer sheet 16 of the mask 10. Thereby, the air cleaning unit 30 can take in the air A1 and A2.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the air outlet 50b of the fan unit 34 blows out the purified air A1 between the outer sheet 16 and the face cover lining 18. A mesh-shaped opening 18a is formed in the face cover lining 18. Through the mesh-shaped opening 18a, the purified air A1 flows into the space between the face cover portion 12 of the mask 10 and the face of the user W. As a result, the user W can suck in the normalized air A1 through the mouth W1 and the nose W2. The air A1 that has flowed into the space between the face cover portion 12 and the face of the user W finally flows out to the outside through the gap between the outer peripheral edge of the face cover portion 12 and the face of the user W.

[0041] The air A2 purified by passing through the filter 44 of the fan unit 34 passes through the ventilation port 36d of the base member 36. The air A2 that has passed through the ventilation port 36d of the base member 36 flows into the space between the neck cover lining 20 and the neck W3 of the user W through the opening 20a of the neck cover lining 20 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. The air A2 that has flowed into the space between the neck cover lining 20 and the neck W3 of the user W flows out to the outside through the gap between the outer peripheral edge of the neck cover lining 20 and the neck W3 of the user W.

[0042] Note that the air A2 passing through the filter 44 is not attracted by a fan or the like, unlike the air A1 passing through the pre-filter 40 and the high-performance filter 42. Therefore, the air A2 cannot pass through the filter 44 as it is.

[0043] However, when the user W wearing the mask 10 is riding on a moving body such as a bicycle or a motorcycle, the air A2 passes through the filter 44. That is, when the traveling wind flowing from the front to the rear of the user W hits the user W, the traveling wind passes through the filter 44 as the air A2. As a result, the air A2 can pass through the filter 44 without a fan or the like and flow into the gap between the neck cover lining 20 and the neck W3 of the user W. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of stuffiness between the neck cover lining 20 and the neck W3 of the user W. At the same time, the air (atmosphere) in the area where the user W is using a moving body such as an automobile or a motorcycle is purified.

[0044] According to the first embodiment as described above, it is possible to provide an environmentally friendly mask that can purify air without using electricity.

[0045] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is a view showing a mask worn on a user as viewed from the side of the user according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the neck cover portion of the mask according to the second embodiment worn on the user.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 10, the mask 110 according to the second embodiment has a face cover portion 112 that covers at least the mouth W1 and the nose W2 of the user W, and a neck cover portion 114 that surrounds and covers the neck W3 of the user W. Also, similar to the first embodiment described above, the mask 110 is provided with a sealing part 140 and an inner cup 142.

[0047] The face cover portion 112 is provided with a fan unit 116 that sends the air A1 between the face cover portion 112 and the face of the user W. In the case of the second embodiment, two fan units 116 are provided in the face cover portion 112 so as to face both cheeks of the user W (only one fan unit 116 facing the left cheek is shown in FIG. 10).

[0048] The fan unit 116 includes a housing 118, a filter 120 (second filter) housed in the housing 118, and a suction fan 122 housed in the housing 118. When the suction fan 122 rotates, air A1 is sucked into the housing 118 through the air inlet 118a of the housing 118. The sucked air A1 passes through the filter 120 and the suction fan 122 and is sent between the face cover portion 112 and the face of the user W. Note that the filter 120 for purifying the air A1 may be composed of a pre-filter and a high-performance filter, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a filter unit 130 is attached to the front side portion 114a of the neck cover portion 114. Note that the neck cover portion 114 is configured such that the front side portion 114a and the rear side portion 114b are separable. Thereby, when the user wears a half-cap type helmet, the chin strap of the helmet can be passed between the neck cover portion 114 and the neck W3. For example, the front side portion 114a and the rear side portion 114b of the neck cover portion 114 are configured to be detachable from each other via a hook-and-loop fastener 114c. Further, the rear side portion 114b of the neck cover portion 114 is connected to the face cover portion 112.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11, the filter unit 130 includes a frame-shaped housing 132 attached to the front side portion 114a of the neck cover portion 114, and a filter 134 (first filter) detachably attached to the housing 132 for purifying air A2 (running wind).

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the housing 132 is a frame-shaped member and includes an air intake port 132a facing forward of the user W. A filter 134 is provided at the air intake port 132a. Further, the housing 132 includes a plurality of spacers 132b protruding rearward to form a gap between the neck cover portion 114 and the neck W3 of the user W. Thereby, the air A2 which is the traveling wind can easily flow into the gap between the neck cover portion 114 and the neck W3 of the user W through the filter 134 provided at the air intake port 132a. In addition to or instead of the spacer 132 that forms a gap between the neck cover portion 114 and the front portion of the neck W3 of the user W, another spacer that forms a gap between the neck cover portion 114 and another portion of the neck W3 may be provided on the neck cover portion 114. Such a spacer can also be provided on the mask 10 of the first embodiment described above.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the filter unit 130 also includes a plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets 136 provided on the housing 132. The ultraviolet absorption sheet 136 is a rectangular member extending in the vertical direction and absorbs the ultraviolet rays transmitted through the filter 134.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets 136 are arranged on the side of the neck W3 of the user W with respect to the filter 134 in order to absorb the ultraviolet rays transmitted through the filter 134. Also, the plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets 136 are arranged so that the air A2 can pass through so that the air A2 that has passed through the filter 134 can reach the neck 3 of the user W.

[0054] Note that, when viewed from the front, it is preferable that the plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets 136 are arranged so as to partially overlap each other so as to hide the front portion of the neck W3 of the user W inside the air intake port 132a. Thereby, the ultraviolet rays transmitted through the filter 134 do not reach the neck W3 of the user W, and sunburn (partial burning) of the front portion of the neck W3 of the user W facing the filter 134 can be suppressed.

[0055] Even in the second embodiment as described above, similar to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to provide an environmentally friendly mask that can purify air without using electricity.

[0056] As described above, the present invention has been described by taking the above-described first and second embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0057] For example, as shown in the above-described first and second embodiments, the shapes of the face cover portion and the neck cover portion in the mask are not limited. It is only necessary that the face cover portion has a shape that can cover at least the mouth and nose of the user, and the neck cover portion has a shape that wraps around and covers the user's neck.

[0058] Also, in the case of the above-described first and second embodiments, the air sucked by the user through the nose or mouth is sent between the face cover portion and the user's face by the suction fan. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the suction fan may be omitted. In this case, air is sent between the face cover portion and the user's face by the user's breathing.

[0059] Furthermore, in the case of the above-described first embodiment, the second filter for purifying the air sucked by the user is composed of a pre-filter 40 and a high-performance filter 42. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the second filter for purifying the air sucked by the user may be composed of one filter or three or more different filters.

[0060] Furthermore, in the case of the above-described Embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. 10, the neck cover portion 114 of the mask 110 is composed of a front side portion 114a and a rear side portion 114b that are detachable from each other. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. The front side portion and the rear side of the neck cover portion may be integrally formed in a non-detachable manner. In this case, a string passage portion for positioning the chin string on the neck cover portion may be formed on the outer surface of the neck cover portion by the chin string of the half-cap type helmet passing therethrough. Note that the string passage portion may be a strap having one end fixed to the neck cover portion and the other end detachable from the neck cover portion, and the chin string passes through a portion between the one end and the other end.

[0061] That is, the mask according to the embodiment of the present invention broadly includes a face cover portion that covers at least the mouth and nose of the user, and a neck cover portion that wraps around and covers the user's neck. The neck cover portion has an air intake port that communicates between the neck cover portion and the user and faces forward of the user at its front side portion, and a first filter is provided at the air intake port.

Industrial Applicability

[0062] The present invention is applicable to any mask that covers at least the mouth and nose of the user.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 110(10) Mask 112(12) Face Cover Portion 114(14) Neck Cover Portion 132a(38d) Air Intake Port 134(44) Filter (First Filter) W User W1 Mouth W2 Nose W3 Neck

Claims

1. A face cover portion that covers the lower half of the face including the user's mouth and nose; A neck cover portion that wraps around and covers the user's neck; A suction fan that sucks in the first air and sends the sucked first air between the face cover portion and the user's face; and has, The neck cover portion has, at its front side portion, an air intake port that communicates between the neck cover portion and the user, faces forward, and takes in the second air. A first filter through which the second air passes is provided at the air intake port. A second filter is provided upstream of the suction fan with respect to the flow direction of the sucked first air, has a higher particle collection rate than the first filter, and through which the first air passes. The neck cover portion is configured such that the second air that has passed through the first filter provided at the air intake port due to the movement of the user passes between the neck cover portion and the user's neck and flows out to the outside through the gap between the outer peripheral edge of the neck cover portion and the user's neck. The face cover portion is configured such that the first air that has flowed into the space between the face cover portion and the user's face by the suction fan flows out to the outside through the gap between the outer peripheral edge of the face cover portion and the user's face. A mask.

2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the second filter includes a pre-filter and a high-performance filter disposed between the pre-filter and the suction fan and having a higher particle collection rate than the pre-filter.

3. The mask according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets arranged at intervals from each other so that the second air can pass through on the neck side of the user with respect to the first filter.

4. The mask according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ultraviolet absorption sheets are arranged so as to partially overlap each other so as to hide the front side portion of the user's neck inside the air intake port when viewed from the front.

5. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a spacer that forms a gap between the neck cover portion and the user's neck.

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