Mask

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mask capable of maintaining a comfortable fit as much as possible. [Solution] A mask 1 comprises a mask body part 2 and a face-contact body 3. The mask body part 2 is provided with a shape retainer 6 for retaining a three-dimensional structure during wear, the shape retainer 6 comprising: a shape-retainer-side central portion 60a that covers the central part in the left-right direction of the face of a wearer 100 along the vertical direction; shape-retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b that are connected to the lateral sides of the shape-retainer-side central portion 60a and folded along the vertical direction of the mask body part 2; and shape-retainer-side lateral portions 60c, 60c provided by being connected to the lateral sides of the shape-retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b and covering the lateral sides of the face of the wearer 100. The shape-retainer-side central portion 60a includes an upper reduced-width portion 610 and a lower reduced-width portion 620 in which the width in the left-right direction decreases from the central part in the top-bottom direction toward the top and / or the bottom. Slits 71-77 for further retaining the three-dimensional structure during wear are provided in the shape retainer 6.

Description

mask

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask suitable for use in various applications, such as a dust mask or a medical mask.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, various types of masks have been used to prevent the wearer from inhaling external harmful substances and viruses, and to prevent droplets contained in the wearer's exhaled breath from scattering to the outside.

[0003] Patent Document 1, for example, is known as an invention of various masks that create sufficient space between the face, making it easier to breathe and talk, and preventing the area between the face and the mask from becoming stuffy.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a mask that includes a central panel having opposing left and right side edges that are curved outward in a convex shape, and a first side panel and a second side panel that are connected to the left and right side edges of the central panel, where A1 is the distance between the lower end of the joint between the first side panel and the central panel and the lower end of the joint between the second side panel and the central panel, and A2 is the distance between the upper end of the joint between the first side panel and the central panel and the upper end of the joint between the second side panel and the central panel, and A1 is larger than A2.

[0005] Patent No. 4632941

[0006] However, the mask described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above has the problem that the part that forms the space between the face and the mask can easily become dented when a force is applied, for example, when taking a deep breath, making it difficult to breathe or talk, causing the mask to become stuffy, and making it difficult to maintain a comfortable fit.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mask that can maintain a comfortable wearing feeling as much as possible.

[0008] In order to achieve this object, the present invention is characterized by a mask comprising a mask main body portion that is exposed to the outside when worn on the face of a wearer, and a face contact body that is provided inside the mask main body portion and comes into contact with the face of the wearer, wherein the mask main body portion has a central portion that covers the left-right central portion of the wearer's face along the vertical direction, folding portions that are connected to the sides of the central portion and are folded along the vertical direction of the mask main body portion, and side portions that are connected to the sides of the folding portions and cover the sides of the wearer's face, and a shape-retaining material is arranged to maintain the three-dimensional structure when worn, and the central portion has a narrowing width portion that narrows in width in the left-right direction from the vertical central portion upward and / or downward, and the shape-retaining material is provided with slits to further maintain the three-dimensional structure when worn.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape-retaining material has at least one pair of slits on both sides of the central portion, extending from the folding portion to the side portion so as to straddle the fold line at the boundary between the folding portion and the side portion.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mask body is folded in a state in which the shape-retaining material overlaps the main filter.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape retaining material has a generally butterfly shape consisting of the vertically elongated central portion and the folded portions and side portions that expand outward from both ends thereof.

[0012] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape retaining material is provided with a V-shaped slit along a side of the tip of the wearer's nose as the slit.

[0013] The mask according to the present invention comprises a mask body and a face-contacting member, the mask body having a central portion that vertically covers the center of the wearer's face in the left-right direction, folding portions connected to the sides of the central portion and folded along the length of the mask body, and side portions connected to the sides of the folding portions and covering the sides of the wearer's face, and a shape-retaining material for maintaining a three-dimensional structure when worn, the central portion having a reduced width portion that reduces in width from the vertical center upward and / or downward, and the shape-retaining material having slits for further maintaining the three-dimensional structure when worn. Therefore, by raising the folding portions of the shape-retaining material, the folding portions of the mask body also rise, forming a three-dimensional structure in which the central portion of the mask body is raised vertically relative to the side portions of the mask body, providing a space between the face and the mask. The shape-retaining material is easily bent in the direction of the slits, and is less likely to return to its original shape when folded on the slit side of the original folding portion. This makes it possible to provide a mask that can easily maintain a three-dimensional structure with space between the face and the mask, making it easy to breathe and talk, preventing it from becoming stuffy, and maintaining a comfortable fit as much as possible.

[0014] Furthermore, in the mask of the present invention, the shape-retaining material has at least one pair of slits on both sides of the central part of the shape-retaining material, spanning from the folding part to the side part so as to straddle the fold line at the boundary between the folding part and the side part.This makes it easier to bend starting from this slit in the extension direction of the slit, and it is more difficult to return to its original shape as it folds closer to the slit than the original fold line of the folding part, making it even easier to maintain the three-dimensional structure with space between the face and the mask.

[0015] Furthermore, in the mask of the present invention, the mask body is folded with the shape-retaining material overlapping the main filter, so there is no need to attach this shape-retaining material later, as the folded shape-retaining material further maintains the three-dimensional structure when worn, thereby reducing the effort required.

[0016] Furthermore, in the mask of the present invention, the shape-retaining material has an overall roughly butterfly shape consisting of a vertically elongated central portion and folding portions and side portions that spread outward from both ends. Therefore, since the shape-retaining material is not present across the upper and lower narrowing portions, the restoring force is suppressed, and it is easy to form with little force a three-dimensional structure with a space between the face and the mask when worn, and to fold it up. The outer mask body portion bends more easily than the outline portions of the left and right sides that spread outward, ensuring a tight fit to the wearer's face.

[0017] Furthermore, the mask of the present invention has a V-shaped slit in the shape-retaining material along the side of the wearer's nose, and this V-shaped slit minimizes deformation of the nose grip as it bends to fit the nose when worn, thereby suppressing deformation of the three-dimensional structure that has a space between the face and the mask when worn.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the mask of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a back view showing the same mask. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a shape-retaining material used in the same mask. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the same shape-retaining materials in a stacked state when in use. FIG. 6 is a view of the same mask as worn by a wearer, viewed from an oblique direction. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a shape-retaining material used in a mask of a modified example of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the lower folding portion on the shape-retaining material side of the same shape-retaining material is folded. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state in which the outline of the same shape-retaining material is formed.

[0019] A mask according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. [Embodiment] Mask 1 according to this embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a so-called pleated nonwoven mask used primarily for purposes such as preventing the inhalation of particles such as hay fever and dust, and suppressing the dispersion of droplets contained in the breath of a wearer 100 (see Figure 6). However, mask 1 according to this embodiment may also be a mask 1 used for various purposes, such as preventing colds or for medical purposes.

[0020] 1 and 2, the mask 1 of this embodiment comprises a mask body 2, a face contact body 3 that comes into contact with the face of a wearer 100, a pair of upper and lower strings 4, 4 that are looped around the head of the wearer 100 to attach the mask body 2 and the face contact body 3 to the face, and string length adjustment stoppers 5, 5 on the strings 4, 4. Note that instead of a pair of upper and lower strings 4, 4, a pair of left and right ear strings may be used.

[0021] The mask body 2 mainly constitutes the portion that is exposed to the outside when the mask 1 is worn on the face of the wearer 100. The mask body 2 includes a main filter 20 and a shape-retaining material 6 that is laminated on the main filter 20.

[0022] The main filter 20 is made of a breathable sheet material, such as a nonwoven fabric, that is breathable and can prevent the passage of particles such as pollen and dust, or particles such as droplets contained in the wearer's 100 breath.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the main filter 20 is generally octagonal in overall front view. This is a shape that is suitable for closely covering the areas around the nose and mouth of the wearer 100. By forming the main filter 20 in this shape, a good wearing condition can be ensured. However, the main filter 20 may have any shape in front view other than this generally octagonal shape (such as a generally hexagonal or elliptical shape) as long as it can closely cover the areas around the nose and mouth of the wearer 100.

[0024] 1 and 2, the main filter 20 is formed to have a length in the left-right direction and a length in the up-down direction of 120 mm to 180 mm (these lengths vary depending on the size of the mask 1, etc.). However, the main filter 20 is not limited to these dimensions as long as it fits snugly against the face of the wearer 100 during use and provides a good fit and dustproof function.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, when viewed from the front or rear, the main filter 20 comprises a filter-side central portion 20a, a pair of filter-side folded portions 20b, 20b provided on the left and right sides of the filter-side central portion 20a, and a pair of filter-side side portions 20c, 20c provided on the sides of the filter-side folded portions 20b, 20b.

[0026] The filter-side central portion 20a is configured to cover the left-right central portion of the face of the wearer 100 along the up-down direction, which is the "vertical direction."

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the filter-side central portion 20a is formed in a generally octagonal shape in front view, and includes a pair of vertical portions 200, 200, upper narrowing portions 210, 210 located above the vertical portions 200, 200, lower narrowing portions 220, 220 located below the vertical portions 200, 200, an upper end portion 230, and a lower end portion 240.

[0028] The vertical portions 200, 200 are formed in parallel along the top and bottom in the center in the vertical direction when viewed from the front.

[0029] The lower narrowing portions 220, 220 are formed so that the size in the left-right direction gradually decreases downward.

[0030] The upper end 230 and the lower end 240 are formed in shapes that fit the upper and lower ends of the main filter 20 of the mask body 2. The upper end 230 is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape, and the lower end 240 is formed in a downwardly convex curved shape.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, when the main filter 20 is not in use, it is folded along the folding lines 2a and 2b.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the string 4 has both ends 4a, 4a joined to the top and bottom of the main filter 20, respectively.

[0033] The string length adjusting stoppers 5 are cylindrical bodies and are provided in the middle of the upper and lower hanging strings 4, 4, respectively, and are configured so that the lengths of the upper and lower hanging strings 4, 4 can be adjusted by sliding the string length adjusting stoppers 5.

[0034] The shape-retaining material 6 is made of a breathable sheet material with higher bending rigidity than the main filter 20. Specifically, it is made of a material, such as a nonwoven fabric, that is breathable and can prevent the passage of particles such as pollen and dust, or particles such as droplets contained in the wearer's 100 breath.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the shape-retaining material 6 is generally butterfly-shaped when viewed from the front when unfolded flat. Specifically, the shape-retaining material 6 has a generally rectangular, vertically elongated band-like portion in the generally central portion when viewed from the front, and portions on both sides of the band that extend outward (in the vertical direction) from the central portion toward the sides when viewed from the front (this shape is referred to as a "butterfly shape" in this specification). As will be described in detail later, the shape-retaining material 6 is configured in a shape that is easy to form a three-dimensional structure that has a space 300 between the face of the wearer 100 and the mask main body 2 when worn, and that is easy to fold (see also Figure 6). However, the shape-retaining material 6 may have any shape when viewed from the front other than the generally butterfly shape.

[0036] The shape retaining material 6 is formed so that its overall shape is smaller than the main filter 20, as shown in FIG.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the shape retainer 6 comprises, in front and rear views, a shape retainer-side central portion 60a, a pair of shape retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b provided on the left and right sides of the shape retainer-side central portion 60a, and a pair of shape retainer-side side portions 60c, 60c provided on the sides of the shape retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the shape retainer 6 is formed so that the shape retainer-side central portion 60a, the shape retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b, and the shape retainer-side side portions 60c, 60c form a generally butterfly shape when viewed from the front. The shape retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b are provided on the sides of the shape retainer-side central portion 60a in a connected state, and the shape retainer-side side portions 60c, 60c are provided on the sides of the shape retainer-side folded portions 60b, 60b in a connected state. However, in this embodiment, the shape retainer side central portion 60a, the shape retainer side folded portions 60b, 60b, and the shape retainer side portions 60c, 60c are integrally formed by a single member.

[0038] When not in use, the shape retaining material 6 is folded from the flat spread state shown in FIG. 5 into the main filter 20 as shown in FIGS.

[0039] That is, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the shape retaining material 6 is overlapped between the two main filters 20, 20 so that the shape retaining material side central portion 60a and the filter side central portion 20a, the shape retaining material side folded portions 60b, 60b and the filter side folded portions 20b, 20b, and the shape retaining material side portions 60c, 60c and the filter side side portions 20c, 20c overlap, and the fold lines 2a of the main filters 20, 20 and the fold line 6a of the shape retaining material 6 are mountain folds, and the fold lines 2b of the main filters 20, 20 and the fold line 6b of the shape retaining material 6 are valley folds.

[0040] The shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a is configured to cover the left-right central portion of the face of the wearer 100 along the up-down direction, which is the "vertical direction." As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a has two overlapping shape retaining materials 61, 62 to increase its bending rigidity. The shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a may be single-layered instead of being double-layered.

[0041] Similarly to the filter-side central portion 20a, the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a is configured to cover the left-right central portion of the wearer's 100 face along the up-down direction, which is the "vertical direction."

[0042] That is, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the central portion 60a on the shape-retaining material side is formed in a roughly octagonal shape when viewed from the front, and includes a pair of vertical portions 600, 600, upper narrowing portions 610, 610 located above the vertical portions 600, 600, lower narrowing portions 620, 620 located below the vertical portions 600, 600, an upper end portion 630, and a lower end portion 640.

[0043] The vertical portions 600, 600 are formed parallel to the top and bottom in the vertical center when viewed from the front, and are provided only on the shape retaining material 62 that is layered below the shape retaining material 61 so as not to interfere with the folding of the shape retaining material 61 at the fold line 6a.

[0044] The upper narrowing portions 610, 610 are formed so that the size in the left-right direction gradually decreases upward.

[0045] The lower narrowing portions 620, 620 are formed so that the size in the left-right direction gradually decreases downward.

[0046] The upper end 630 and the lower end 640 are formed in shapes that fit the upper and lower ends of the main filter 20 of the mask body 2. The upper end 630 is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape, and the lower end 640 is formed in a downwardly convex curved shape.

[0047] The peripheral edges of the upper narrowed width portions 610, 610 of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a and the peripheral edges of the upper narrowed width portions 210, 210 of the filter-side central portion 20a are joined by heat fusion using high-frequency welding, etc. Similarly, the peripheral edges of the lower narrowed width portions 620, 620 of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a and the peripheral edges of the lower narrowed width portions 220, 220 of the filter-side central portion 20a are joined by heat fusion using high-frequency welding, etc.

[0048] Other parts of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a and other parts of the filter-side central portion 20a may be joined by similar processing. For example, the peripheral edges of the vertical portions 600, 600 of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a may be joined to the peripheral edges of the vertical portions 200, 200 of the filter-side central portion 20a. Also, for example, the upper end portion 630 and the lower end portion 640 of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a may be joined to the upper end portion 230 and the lower end portion 240 of the filter-side central portion 20a.

[0049] In addition, parts other than the peripheral parts of the central part 60a on the shape-retaining material side and the central part 20a on the filter side (for example, the peripheral part of the central part 60a on the shape-retaining material side and the part spaced apart from the peripheral part of the central part 20a on the filter side) may be joined using similar processing.

[0050] Furthermore, only one of the left and right peripheral edges of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a or the filter-side central portion 20a may be joined. For example, one of the left and right peripheral edges of the upper narrowed width portions 610, 610 or the lower narrowed width portions 620, 620 may be joined to one of the left and right peripheral edges of the upper narrowed width portions 210, 210 or the lower narrowed width portions 220, 220 of the filter-side central portion 20a. Furthermore, only one of the peripheral edges of the upper end portion 630 or the lower end portion 640 of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a may be joined to one of the peripheral edges of the upper end portion 230 or the lower end portion 240 of the filter-side central portion 20a.

[0051] Furthermore, the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a and the filter-side central portion 20a may be joined by a heat fusion process other than high-frequency welding or by a process other than heat fusion.

[0052] Furthermore, the shapes of the upper width-reduced portions 610, 610 and the lower width-reduced portions 620, 620 of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a may be formed when high-frequency welding processing, etc. For example, the upper end side or the lower end side of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a, which has a vertically elongated, approximately rectangular shape, may be heat-fused to the filter-side central portion 20a by high-frequency welding processing, etc., while forming a shape in which the width in the left-right direction decreases as it goes upward or downward from the central portion.

[0053] Furthermore, the shape retaining material 6 has slits 71, 72, 73, and 74 that extend radially outward from the shape retaining material folded portion 60b to the shape retaining material side portion 60c on both sides of the shape retaining material side central portion 60a, straddling the fold line 6b at the boundary between the shape retaining material side folded portion 60b and the shape retaining material side portion 60c, to further maintain the three-dimensional structure when worn on the left and right. Because the slits 71, 72, 73, and 74 are provided radially in this way, the mask 1 can form a neat cup shape as a whole when worn.

[0054] In addition, each of the shape-retaining material side portions 60c, 60c of the shape-retaining material 6 is provided with a slit 75 that is located at a position that will be under the eyes of the wearer 100 when the mask 1 is worn by the wearer 100, and that forms a valley fold along the area under the eyes of the wearer 100 when the mask is worn.

[0055] In addition, the shape retaining material 6 has a V-shaped slit 76 in the part along the side of the tip of the nose of the wearer 100 when wearing the central part 60a of the shape retaining material, so as to be located below the nose grip 8 provided on the main filter 20.

[0056] Further, the shape retaining material 6 has a V-shaped slit 77 formed in the shape retaining material side central portion 60a near the mouth of the wearer 100 when worn, along the vicinity of the mouth when worn.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the face contact body 3 comprises an annular portion 30, upper edge portions 31, 31 each having a slit 3a provided on the inside upper side of the annular portion 30, and a lower edge portion 32 provided on the inside lower side of the annular portion 30.

[0058] When the face contact body 3 is worn, the annular portion 30 abuts and fits tightly around the nose and mouth of the wearer 100, and the upper side portions 31, 31 are each folded in a mountain shape at the slit 3a, so that the face contact body 3 is deformed to fit along the side of the tip of the nose of the wearer 100. The lower side portion 32 also fits tightly around the chin of the wearer 100 and is deformed accordingly.

[0059] Next, the method of use and the function of the mask 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mask 1 of this embodiment is flat when folded, does not take up much space when packed, and is therefore extremely easy to transport and store.

[0061] When the mask 1 of this embodiment is worn on the face of the wearer 100 by looping the strings 4, 4 around the head as shown in Figure 6, the periphery of the main filter 20 of the mask body 2 and the face contact body 3 come into close contact with the nose and mouth of the wearer 100, and a three-dimensional structure with a space 300 between the face of the wearer 100 and the mask body 2 is formed, making it easy to breathe and talk, less likely to become stuffy, and more comfortable to wear.

[0062] In the mask 1 of this embodiment, by raising the shape-retaining-material-side folded portions 60b, 60b of the shape-retaining material 6, the filter-side folded portions 20b, 20b of the mask main body 2 also rise, and the filter-side central portion 20a and the shape-retaining-material-side central portion 60a of the mask main body 2 are raised in the vertical direction relative to the filter-side side portions 20c, 20c and the shape-retaining-material-side side portions 60c, 60c of the mask main body 2, forming a three-dimensional structure with a space 300 between the face and the mask 1. The slits 71-77 provided in the shape-retaining material 6 act to further maintain this three-dimensional structure when worn. This makes it possible to provide a mask 1 that easily maintains the three-dimensional structure with the space 300 between the face and the mask 1, making it easy to breathe and talk, preventing stuffiness, and maintaining a comfortable fit to the greatest extent possible.

[0063] The mask 1 of this embodiment is particularly resistant to crushing at the central portion 60a on the shape-retaining material side, so that not only can it maintain a comfortable fit to the greatest extent possible, but it can also maintain a good appearance.

[0064] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the shape-retaining material 6 has left and right radial slits 71, 72, 73, 74 on both sides of the shape-retaining material side central portion 60a of the shape-retaining material 6, spanning from the shape-retaining material side folding portion 60b to the shape-retaining material side side portion 60c, so as to straddle the fold line 6b at the boundary between the shape-retaining material side folding portion 60b and the shape-retaining material side side portion 60c. Therefore, the mask 1 is more likely to bend starting from these left and right slits 71, 72, 73, 74 in the extension direction of the slits 71, 72, 73, 74, and is less likely to return to its original shape as it folds closer to the slit than the original fold line of the folding portion, making it easier to maintain the three-dimensional structure with space 300 between the face and the mask 1.

[0065] On both sides of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a, particularly the pair of slits 72, 72 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of this shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a, a large force can be generated to further maintain the three-dimensional structure having the space 300 formed when worn between the face of the wearer 100 and the mask 1. The remaining radial slits 71, 73, 74 can also generate a force to maintain the curved shape-retaining material-side folded portion 60b in an upright state.

[0066] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the mask body 2 is folded with the shape-retaining material 6 superimposed on the main filter 20, so even if this shape-retaining material 6 is not attached later, the folded shape-retaining material 6 further maintains the three-dimensional structure when worn, so it is less time-consuming.

[0067] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the shape-retaining material 6 has an overall roughly butterfly shape consisting of a vertically elongated shape-retaining material side central portion 60a and shape-retaining material side folded portions 60b, 60b and shape-retaining material side side portions 60c, 60c that spread outward from both ends. Therefore, the shape-retaining material 6 does not exist across the upper narrowed width portion 210 and the lower narrowed width portion 220 of the main filter 20, so the restoring force is suppressed, and it is easy to form with little force a three-dimensional structure with a space 300 between the face and the mask 1 when worn and to fold it, and the filter side side portions 20c, 20c of the mask main body 2 that are outside the outline portions of the left and right shape-retaining material side portions 60c, 60c that spread outward can bend easily, ensuring a tight fit to the face of the wearer 100.

[0068] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the shape-retaining material 6 is provided with a V-shaped slit 76 in a portion that follows the side of the tip of the nose of the wearer 100, and this V-shaped slit 76 minimizes deformation of the nose grip 8 that bends to fit the nose when worn, thereby suppressing deformation of the three-dimensional structure that has the space 300 between the face and the mask 1.

[0069] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the shape-retaining material 6 is provided with slits 75 that form valley folds along the area under the eyes when worn, thereby enabling the shape under the eyes to be neat when worn.

[0070] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the shape-retaining material 6 has a V-shaped slit 77 that runs along the vicinity of the mouth of the wearer 100 when the mask is worn, in the central portion 60a of the shape-retaining material side, so that this portion near the mouth is less likely to become dented.

[0071] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this embodiment, the face contact body 3 includes a ring-shaped portion 30, upper side portions 31, 31 each having a slit 3a formed on the upper inside of the ring-shaped portion 30, and a lower side portion 32 formed on the lower inside of the ring-shaped portion 30, so that the mask can be fitted more closely to the face of the wearer 100. [Modifications] Next, modifications of the embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 7 to 9.

[0072] In this modification, the same or corresponding parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the configuration and effects different from those in the embodiment will be mainly described.

[0073] In this modified example, as shown in Figure 7, instead of two pieces as in the above-mentioned embodiment, a single piece of shape-retaining material 63 is used as the shape-retaining material 6, which has a pair of trapezoidal shape-retaining material-side lower folding portions 60d, 60d at both the lower left and right ends of the central portion 60a on the shape-retaining material side.

[0074] As shown in Figure 8, this shape-retaining material 63 has a pair of trapezoidal shape-retaining material-side lower folding portions 60d, 60d folded toward the front, increasing the thickness of the portion of the lower part of the shape-retaining material-side central portion 60a that corresponds to the chin side of the wearer's 100 face when worn, thereby increasing the bending rigidity.

[0075] More specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the left trapezoidal shape-retaining material side lower folding portion 60d is folded rightward toward the front, centered on the fold line 6c of the shape-retaining material 63, so that its left end 60e is positioned at the position of the fold line 6c of the right-side shape-retaining material 63, and further, the right trapezoidal shape-retaining material side lower folding portion 60d is folded leftward toward the front, centered on the fold line 6c of the shape-retaining material 63, so that its right end 60f is positioned at the position of the fold line 6c of the left-side shape-retaining material 63.

[0076] Here, the folding line 6c of the shape retaining material 63 has a slit formed in the center along the line direction, so that folding along the folding line 6c can be easily performed.

[0077] As a result, at the bottom of the central portion 60a of the shape-retaining material 63, the two upper left and right locations become two overlapping areas A1 where one lower folding portion 60d on the shape-retaining material side is overlapped on the central portion 60a on the shape-retaining material side, and the one lower location becomes a three-layer overlapping area A2 where two lower folding portions 60d, 60d on the shape-retaining material side are overlapped on the central portion 60a on the shape-retaining material side, thereby increasing the thickness and bending rigidity.

[0078] 9, the central portion 60a of the shape retaining material has an upper end 630, upper narrowed width portions 610, 610, lower narrowed width portions 620, 620, and a lower end 640, similar to those of the above-described embodiment. The upper end 630 is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape, and the lower end 640 is formed in a downwardly convex curved shape. The upper narrowed width portions 610, 610 are formed so that their left-right size gradually decreases toward the top, and the lower narrowed width portions 620, 620 are formed so that their left-right size gradually decreases toward the bottom. The upper narrowed width portions 610, 610, lower narrowed width portions 620, 620, and lower end 640 are each formed and contoured during high-frequency welding or the like.

[0079] Although the shape retainer side lower folded portions 60d are provided as a pair, the present invention is not limited to this and does not necessarily have to be a pair.

[0080] Furthermore, although the shape retainer side lower folded portion 60d is trapezoidal in shape, it is not limited to this and may be of other shapes.

[0081] Furthermore, although the shape retainer side lower folding portion 60d is folded toward the front side of the shape retainer side central portion 60a, this is not limitative and it may be folded toward the rear side.

[0082] Furthermore, in the lower folding portion 60d on the shape retaining material side, not only two overlapping areas A1 but also three overlapping areas A2 are provided, but this is not limited to this and it is also possible to provide only two overlapping areas A1.

[0083] The shape retaining material 63 also has an inverted V-shaped slit 78 above the V-shaped slit 76 provided along the side of the tip of the nose of the wearer 100 .

[0084] In the mask 1 of this modified example, while the above-mentioned embodiment uses two stacked shape retaining materials 61, 62, even if the shape retaining material 6 is a single shape retaining material 63, the shape retaining material side lower folding portion 60d at the bottom of the shape retaining material side central portion 60a is folded to increase bending rigidity, so that the middle portion 60 of the shape retaining material side central portion 60a can be made less likely to collapse, similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, and further, the number of parts can be reduced, allowing for lower cost manufacturing.

[0085] Furthermore, in the mask 1 of this modified example, an inverted V-shaped slit 78 is also provided in the shape-retaining material 63 above the V-shaped slit 76 provided along the side of the tip of the nose of the wearer 100. This inverted V-shaped slit 78 also serves to minimize deformation of the nose grip 8 that bends to fit the nose when worn, thereby suppressing deformation of the three-dimensional structure that has the space 300 (FIG. 6) between the face and the mask 1.

[0086] The above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications. In other words, the specific configurations and specific procedures of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0087] LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 mask 2 mask body 20 main filter 20a filter side central portion 20b filter side folded portion 20c filter side portion 200 filter side vertical portion 210 filter side central portion upper narrowed portion 220 filter side central portion lower narrowed portion 230 filter side central portion upper end 240 filter side central portion lower end 2a, 2b main filter folding line 3 face contact body 30 annular portion 3a slit 31 upper edge portion 32 lower edge portion 4 hanging cord 4a end of hanging cord 5 cord length adjustment stopper 6 shape retaining material 61, 62, 63 shape retaining material 60a shape retaining material side central portion (center portion) 60 shape retaining material side central portion middle portion 60b shape retaining material side folded portion (folded portion) 60c...Side portion (side portion) of shape retainer side 60d...Lower folded portion of shape retainer side 60e...Left end of lower folded portion of shape retainer side 60f...Right end of lower folded portion of shape retainer side 6a, 6b, 6c...Bend line of shape retainer 600...Vertical portion of central portion of shape retainer side 610...Upper narrowed portion of central portion of shape retainer side 620...Lower narrowed portion of central portion of shape retainer side 630...Upper end portion of central portion of shape retainer side 640...Lower end portion of central portion of shape retainer side 71-78...Slits 8...Nose grip 100...Wearer 300...Space A1, A2...Overlapping area

Claims

1. A mask comprising: a mask body that is exposed to the outside when worn on a wearer's face; and a face-contacting body that is provided inside the mask body and contacts the wearer's face, wherein the mask body is provided with a shape-retaining material for maintaining a three-dimensional structure when worn, the shape-retaining material having a central portion that covers the left-right central portion of the wearer's face along the vertical direction, a folded portion that is connected to the side of the central portion and folded along the vertical direction of the mask body, and a side portion that is connected to the side of the folded portion and covers the side of the wearer's face, the central portion has a narrowing portion whose width in the left-right direction narrows upward and / or downward from the vertical central portion, and the shape-retaining material is provided with slits for further maintaining the three-dimensional structure when worn.

2. The mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape-retaining material has at least one pair of slits on both sides of the central portion, spanning from the folded portion to the side portion so as to straddle the fold line at the boundary between the folded portion and the side portion.

3. The mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the mask body is folded with the shape retaining material overlapping the main filter.

4. A mask as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shape-retaining material has an overall roughly butterfly shape consisting of the vertically elongated central portion and the folded portions and side portions which flare outward from both ends.

5. A mask as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shape-retaining material has a V-shaped slit along the side of the wearer's nose as the slit.

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