Mask

Abstract

A mask according to the present invention includes a mask body and sheet-like ear hook parts joined to each horizontal-direction edge of the mask body in a joining processing region extending along the vertical direction. The joining processing region has a plurality of modified portions that are spaced apart from each other and modified by melting, and the area ratio of the modified portions in a central joining processing region located in the center in the vertical direction of the joining processing region is smaller than the area ratio of the modified portions in end joining processing regions located at the ends in the vertical direction of the joining processing region.

Description

mask

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask.

[0002] A typical face mask includes a mask body that at least partially covers the wearer's face and a pair of ear loops connected to the mask body. Sheet-like ear loops, rather than string-like ones, are also known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a mask in which the mask body and ear loops are both made of sheet-like nonwoven fabric, and the ear loops are fused to the end region of the mask body in the low-stretch direction (lateral direction).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-217651

[0004] Depending on the material composition of the mask body and / or ear loops, sufficient bonding strength may not be obtained between the mask body and the ear loops. Therefore, in order to increase the bonding strength, it is considered to increase the area of ​​the fused portion in the area where the fusion process for joining the mask body and the ear loops is performed. However, if the fused area is large, the treated area becomes hard, which may reduce the flexibility of the mask and make it uncomfortable to wear.

[0005] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention provides a mask in which the mask body and ear loops are joined with sufficient joining strength and which feels good against the skin.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a mask comprising a mask body and sheet-like ear loops joined to each horizontal edge of the mask body in a joining treatment area extending along the vertical direction, wherein the joining treatment area has a plurality of modified areas that are spaced apart from each other and have been modified by melting, and the area ratio of the modified areas in a central joining treatment area located in the center of the joining treatment area in the vertical direction is smaller than the area ratio of the modified areas in end joining treatment areas located at the ends of the joining treatment area in the vertical direction.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a mask can be provided in which the mask body and ear loops are joined with sufficient joining strength and which feels good against the skin.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mask according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the outer surface side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state after the ear hooks have been unfolded. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified bonding treatment area of ​​the mask. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another modified bonding treatment area of ​​the mask. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing yet another modified bonding treatment area of ​​the mask. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing yet another modified bonding treatment area of ​​the mask. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the cross-sectional shape of a modified portion of the mask.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] <Basic Structure of the Mask> One embodiment of the present invention may be a mask that can cover the wearer's face, more specifically, at least the wearer's nose and mouth. The mask according to this embodiment may have the function of preventing foreign objects from reaching the face and preventing droplets emitted by the wearer from scattering, and is also called a sanitary mask or a surgical mask. The mask may be disposable or may be reusable after washing.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a mask 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a view of the mask 1 from the outside, i.e., the side that is exposed to the outside when worn (the side opposite the side facing the face). As shown in FIG. 1, the mask 1 according to this embodiment includes a mask main body 10 that is placed in front of the wearer's face when worn and that can cover primarily the wearer's nose and mouth, and a pair of sheet-like ear loops 20, 20 joined to end regions (edges) 11, 11 of the mask main body 10. The ear loops 20, 20 are a pair of members that hold the mask main body 10 in its worn position by hanging them over the wearer's ears. The mask 1 and the mask main body 10 have an up-down direction (vertical direction) D1 that corresponds to the up-down direction of the wearer's face when worn, and a left-right direction (horizontal direction) D2 that is perpendicular to the vertical direction D1 and corresponds to the left-right direction of the wearer's face when worn.

[0012] The mask body 10 may have a central portion C located in the center in the longitudinal direction D1, an upper end portion E1 located at the upper end in the longitudinal direction D1, and a lower end portion E2 located at the lower end in the longitudinal direction D1. The upper end portion E1 and the lower end portion E2 may be collectively referred to as the end portion E. The upper end portion E1, the central portion C, and the lower end portion E2 may be the upper portion, the central portion, and the lower portion, respectively, of the portion formed by dividing the length of the mask body 10 in the longitudinal direction D1 into approximately three equal parts.

[0013] The mask body 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a rectangular shape in a plan view with long sides in the horizontal direction D2 before use, but the plan view shape of the mask body 10 is not limited to that shown. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the mask body 10 has a pleated structure 15 formed by multiple pleats arranged in the vertical direction D1. The pleats of the pleated structure 15 are formed by folding the sheet constituting the mask body 10 along fold lines along the horizontal direction D2. Then, with the multiple pleats formed, both ends of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2 are fixed by heat sealing or the like. The heat sealing for forming the pleated structure 15 is not shown. When the mask 1 is used, the pleats of the pleated structure 15 near the center of the mask 1 in the horizontal direction D2 can be expanded in the vertical direction D1, allowing the mask body 10 to deform to fit the three-dimensional shape of the face. More specifically, the mask body can be deformed so that the center in the vertical direction D1 protrudes and the center in the horizontal direction D2 protrudes.

[0014] The specific configuration of the pleat structure 15 is not particularly limited, and may be a known configuration formed on the mask body 10. However, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that box pleats are formed in the center of the vertical direction D1, because this makes it easier to protrude the center of the vertical direction D1 of the mask body 10 away from the face when worn.

[0015] The mask body 10 may have a multilayer structure in which multiple layers are stacked. For example, the mask body 10 may have a structure including at least three layers, with an intermediate layer having enhanced functionality for capturing foreign matter (dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, etc.) sandwiched between an outer layer and an inner layer. Each layer constituting the mask body 10 preferably includes a fiber-containing layer such as a nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, or knitted fabric, and more preferably includes a nonwoven fabric. Examples of nonwoven fabrics include spunbond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and point-bonded nonwoven fabrics. Furthermore, the intermediate layer preferably uses a meltblown nonwoven fabric that may contain fine fibers. Furthermore, the fibers constituting the fiber-containing layer are preferably resin fibers, and examples of the resin type of the resin fiber include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon. The basis weight of the outer and inner layers is 15 to 50 g / m. ２ The basis weight of the intermediate layer having high foreign matter collection properties may be 10 to 100 g / m ２ It is preferable that the density is 15 to 50 g / m ２ It is more preferable that:

[0016] A member (nose fit) 30 for fitting to the shape of the wearer's nose and maintaining that shape may be provided on the upper part of the mask body 10. This member may be disposed, for example, between a folded layer formed by folding the inner layer of the mask body 10 outward and the intermediate layer.

[0017] Furthermore, a mark 18 that enables distinction between the outer and inner surfaces of the mask body 10 may be formed on the mask body 10 by embossing, printing, sewing, etc. The form of the mark 18 is not limited as long as it can be visually recognized by the user. The mark 18 may be a letter, a number, a symbol, a figure, a logo, etc., as shown in FIG. 1 etc.

[0018] The ear loops 20 are components that function to hold the mask body 10 in place by hanging them over the wearer's ears when worn. The ear loops 20 may be annular, and are worn by placing the wearer's ears inside the loops of the ear loops 20, i.e., in the central openings 29 of the ear loops 20. However, the shape of the ear loops 20 is not limited to a closed annular shape, and may be a roughly C-shape with the outer side open in the horizontal direction D2 before use, as shown in FIG. 1 . In this case, both end edges of the open C shape are joined to the upper and lower ends of the edges of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2, respectively.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are not string-like or thread-like, but are formed as a sheet, i.e., as a member with a width greater than its thickness. Because the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are sheet-like, when the ear loops 20 are placed over the ears while wearing the mask, a larger area of ​​the ear loops 20 can come into contact with the skin behind the earlobes or around the base of the ears, thereby reducing the strain on the skin. This allows the mask 1 to remain comfortable even when worn for long periods of time.

[0020] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are formed as a single sheet, i.e., as an ear loop sheet 20A. Here, a single sheet refers to a form consisting of a single continuous sheet. This single sheet may be a single layer or a laminate consisting of multiple layers. Forming the pair of ear loops 20, 20 as a single sheet allows the left and right ear loops 20, 20 to be positioned simultaneously during manufacturing, making mask manufacturing easier. However, in this embodiment, the pair of ear loops 20, 20 do not necessarily have to be joined together.

[0021] When the pair of ear hooks 20, 20 are formed as an ear hook sheet 20A, the ear hook sheet 20A may be configured to be able to separate the pair of ear hooks 20, 20 by tearing it at a predetermined position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the pair of ear hooks 20, 20 are connected at a connecting portion tc. The connecting portion tc may be of any suitable type, but is preferably separable by pulling with a normal user force. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the connecting portion tc may be formed as a perforation having alternating tie portions and cut portions. Alternatively, the connecting portion tc may be formed by reducing the thickness of the sheet or by other means to weaken or make the boundary between the pair of ear hooks 20, 20 more susceptible to stress. The connecting portion tc may also be configured so that the user can cut it using a tool such as scissors.

[0022] The ear loops 20, 20 (or ear loop sheet 20A) may be made of a stretchable material, at least stretchable in the lateral direction D2. The stretchability of the ear loops 20, 20 allows the user to easily pull the ear loops 20, 20 behind their ears and place them over their ears when putting on the mask. Furthermore, the tensile stress generated in the ear loops 20, 20 during wearing also pulls the mask body 10 toward the ear loops 20, 20 (in the lateral direction D2), making it easier to fit the mask body 10 to the face.

[0023] The ear loops 20 may be a single-layer sheet made of a stretchable material, or a multi-layer sheet made of multiple laminated layers including a layer made of a stretchable material. The stretchable material may be a stretchable nonwoven fabric, a stretchable film, or a thread-like or string-like stretchable material such as rubber thread. When a stretchable nonwoven fabric is included, the stretchability of the nonwoven fabric may be achieved by the inclusion of stretchable fibers in the nonwoven fabric, for example, by the fiber material itself being stretchable or the fibers being crimped fibers. Alternatively, the stretchability may be achieved by a predetermined physical structure, for example, by having an uneven surface. Specific examples of stretchable nonwoven fabrics include shrinkable air-through nonwoven fabrics, stretchable spunbond nonwoven fabrics, stretchable spunlace nonwoven fabrics, stretchable needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, and stretchable chemical-bond nonwoven fabrics.

[0024] Furthermore, a structure including a stretchable film is preferred for the material of the ear hook portion 20, as it is easy to manufacture and has high stretchability, and in particular a structure in which surface materials are placed on both sides of a stretched stretchable film. In this case, structures such as nonwoven fabric / stretchable film, nonwoven fabric / stretchable film / nonwoven fabric (e.g., spunbond nonwoven fabric / stretchable film / spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric / stretchable film / air-through nonwoven fabric, etc.) can be used.

[0025] Examples of materials for the stretchable film include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyurethane. The stretchability of the stretchable film is preferably such that the maximum elongation (elongation at tensile break) measured using a tensile tester is 3.5 to 4.0. The stretchable film may also have a moisture-permeable function. In the case of a configuration using a stretchable film, the surface material combined with the stretchable film is preferably a nonwoven fabric. The basis weight of such a nonwoven fabric is preferably 5 to 50 g / m ２ , more preferably 8 to 35 g / m ２ It may be.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the ear hook portion 20 along line I-I in FIG. 1 , in which surface materials are disposed on both sides of a stretchable film. FIG. 2( a ) shows the ear hook portion 20 in an unstretched state. This material can be manufactured, for example, as follows: First, as shown in FIG. 2( b ), a predetermined external tensile force T is applied to the stretchable film 5, pulling it in a predetermined direction and placing it in a stretched state. Then, a first surface material 2 and a second surface material 3 are disposed on both sides (first and second surfaces) of the stretchable film 5, respectively. Then, while maintaining the stretchable film 5 in its stretched state, multiple fixing portions 8, 8 , ... are intermittently formed on the laminate consisting of the second surface material 3, the stretchable film 5, and the first surface material 2. The external tensile force T is then released, yielding the ear hook portion 20 in the state shown in FIG. 2( a ).

[0027] The state shown in Figure 2(a) is the unstretched state in which no external force is applied to the ear hook portion 20, or the natural state in which it has its natural length. In the unstretched state, the length of the stretchable film 5 returns to its natural length, so that the portions other than those joined by the multiple fixing portions 8, 8, ... rise up and away from the stretchable film 5, forming wrinkles (folds) in the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3, which were flat in the stretched state (Figure 2(b)). Therefore, the folds are formed in a direction perpendicular to the stretch direction of the ear hook portion 20.

[0028] The fixing portions 8, 8, ... can be formed using fusion means such as ultrasonic sealing or heat sealing, or adhesives, but fusion means are preferred because they provide a more reliable bond. Ultrasonic sealing is particularly preferred because it allows for the easy formation of various fusion patterns. Ultrasonic sealing allows the first surface material 2, the stretchable film 5, and the second surface material 3 to be simultaneously fixed in the same position. Furthermore, by using a fusion means to fuse the contacting layers together at the fixing portions 8, 8, ..., and to integrate the three layers at that position, if the first surface material 2, the stretchable film 5, and the second surface material 3 all contain or are made of a thermoplastic resin, the fixing portions 8, 8, ... may be formed with through-holes or may even become through-holes, depending on the conditions for forming the fixing portions. In this case, the breathability of the ear hook portion 20 (ear hook sheet 20A) can be improved.

[0029] When rubber thread is used instead of the elastic film, the rubber thread can be similarly stretched and sandwiched between the surface materials 2 and 3. In this case, however, it is preferable to form the fixing portions 8, 8, ... by using a means that does not deteriorate the rubber thread, such as an adhesive, or by fusing the surface materials 2 and 3 together at a position where there is no rubber thread.

[0030] When the stretchable ear loops 20 (or ear loop sheets 20A) formed as described above are joined to the mask body 10, the stretch direction (extension direction) of the stretchable film 5 is aligned with the horizontal direction D2 of the mask 1. Therefore, the ear loops 20 are easily stretched in the horizontal direction D2 but are difficult to stretch in the vertical direction D1.

[0031] Furthermore, the above-mentioned multiple wrinkles formed by the surface materials 2 and 3 on the surface of the ear hooks 20 (or ear hook sheet 20A) extend roughly along the longitudinal direction D1 of the mask 1. Because numerous folds are formed on the surface of the ear hooks 20, when the surface of the ear hooks 20 comes into contact with the skin, the material of the ear hooks 20 does not come into contact with the entire surface of the skin, but a space is formed between the ear hooks 20 and the skin, which reduces the feeling of the ear hooks sticking to the skin and improves the wearing comfort.

[0032] The overall basis weight of the ear hook portion 20 (ear hook portion sheet 20A) is 20 to 150 g / m ２ The overall thickness of the ear hook 20 in the unstretched state may be 100 to 3,000 μm.

[0033] A pair of sheet-like ear loops 20, 20 (or ear loop sheets 20A) are placed on one side of the mask body 10 and are bonded to both edges of the side in the horizontal direction D2. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the ear loops 20, 20 are bonded to the outer surface of the mask body 10. This bonding between the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 in the thickness direction is formed by performing a bonding process in the thickness direction on a laminate of the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10. Here, the region where the bonding process has been performed is referred to as the bonding process region 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the bonding process regions 50, 50 extend along the vertical direction D1 on both edges in the horizontal direction D2. The bonding process region 50 includes multiple modified regions spaced apart from each other. The modified regions are portions that have been modified by melting the material. The ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 may overlap over the entire bonding treatment area 50, or the bonding treatment area 50 may include a portion where the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 do not overlap, and a portion where the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 do not overlap. Therefore, the bonding treatment area 50 may include, for example, a portion where only the mask body 10 has been subjected to bonding treatment.

[0034] <How to use the mask> When starting to use the mask 1 according to this embodiment, the user opens (deploys) each of the ear loops 20, 20 to the side in the lateral direction D2 before putting on the mask 1. If the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are separably connected to each other at the connection part tc as described above, the connection is released to separate the ear loops 20, 20 from each other before deployment.

[0035] Figure 3 shows the ear loops 20 of the mask 1 in Figure 1 after they have been unfolded. After the ear loops 20 are unfolded outward in the lateral direction D2, the ear loops 20 are turned inside out, exposing the surfaces of the ear loops 20 that faced the mask body 10 before use. Furthermore, almost the entire main region 12 of the mask body 10 (the region other than the edges 11 in the lateral direction D2) is also exposed.

[0036] 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are disposed on the outer surface of the mask body 10. Therefore, when the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are separated from each other and opened outward in the lateral direction D2, the possibility of touching the inner surface of the mask body 10 can be reduced or eliminated, which is preferable from a hygienic point of view.

[0037] The mask 1 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as follows: The wearer places the mask 1, before the ear loops 20, 20 are unfolded, on the wearer's face with the inner surface of the mask body 10 facing the face. Next, while holding the mask body 10 from the outside with one hand, the wearer unfolds one ear loop 20 with the other hand and places it over one ear, and then unfolds the other ear loop 20 and places it over the other ear. Alternatively, if the wearer is someone else, the wearer may place the mask 1 with the outer surface of the mask body 10 facing up, grasp each of the pair of ear loops 20, 20 with their hands, open them outward in the lateral direction D2, and then move the mask 1 toward the wearer's face while still grasping the pair of ear loops 20, 20. After placing the mask body 10 in the desired position on the wearer's face, the wearer can place each of the pair of ear loops 20, 20 over the wearer's ears without changing their grip. Therefore, the mask 1 according to this embodiment can be suitably used when making a mask wearable by a person who has difficulty wearing a mask by himself, such as a child or a sick person.

[0038] When the pair of ear loops 20, 20 are respectively joined to the edges 11, 11 of the outer surface of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2 (FIGS. 1 and 3), when the mask 1 is worn, i.e., when the ear loops 20, 20 are open to the sides and hanging over the ears, the edges of the mask body 10 are pressed against the face from the outer surface by the ear loops 20. This reduces the gap between the mask body 10 and the face on both sides of the mask body 10, improving the mask's functions, such as blocking foreign matter and preventing droplets emitted by the wearer from scattering. Furthermore, because the ear loops 20 are not joined to the inner surface (face side) of both sides of the mask body 10, the ear loops 20 do not come into direct contact with the wearer's face on both sides of the mask body 10 while wearing the mask, reducing discomfort caused by the edges of the ear loops touching the face.

[0039] 1, in the mask 1 according to this embodiment, before deployment, the ear loops 20 are positioned so that their lower sides protrude from the mask body 10. Therefore, when putting on the mask 1, the user can grasp the protruding parts of the ear loops 20 from the lower sides and separate and deploy the ear loops 20, 20.

[0040] <Bonding Treatment Area and Modified Portion> Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of portion II in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the bonding treatment area 50 is an area where a treatment such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing is performed on the edge in the horizontal direction D2 along the vertical direction D1. Of these treatments, heat sealing is preferred because it can be performed reliably in a short time with relatively little energy consumption. Therefore, using heat sealing as a bonding treatment enables high-speed mask production at low cost.

[0041] The bonding treatment region 50 includes a plurality of modified portions 51, 51, ... formed at a distance from one another. The modified portions 51 are portions where the material has been modified by melting. When the modified portions 51 are formed by heat sealing, they may be portions that are pressed by convex portions provided on the roll surface of an embossing machine used for heat sealing. Between the plurality of modified portions 51, 51, ... are non-modified portions 52 that have not been modified by melting. In the bonding treatment region 50, the portions that are not the modified portions 51, 51, ... are non-modified portions 52.

[0042] The bonding treatment region 50 has a width from the inner end of the innermost modified portion 51 in the width direction D2 to the outer end of the outermost modified portion 51 in the width direction D2, and a length in the vertical direction D1 from the upper end of the uppermost modified portion 51 in the vertical direction D1 to the lower end of the lowermost modified portion 51. The width of the bonding treatment region 50 in the horizontal direction D2 may be preferably 3 to 10 mm, more preferably 3.5 to 7 mm. Furthermore, the length of the bonding treatment region 50 in the vertical direction D1 is preferably approximately equal to the length of the mask body 10 in the vertical direction D1 or the length of the mask 1 in the vertical direction D1. The bonding treatment region 50 preferably extends from the upper end to the lower end in the vertical direction D1.

[0043] When the modified portions 51 are formed in the areas where the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 overlap, they are areas where the materials of both the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 are melted and fused together, thereby forming a strong bond in the thickness direction between the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10. Of the modified portions 51, the modified portions 51 where the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 are bonded in the thickness direction are sometimes called fused portions.

[0044] By forming multiple modified portions 51, 51, ... at a distance from each other, it is possible to prevent the bonding treatment area 50 from becoming excessively hard while maintaining adhesive strength, compared to when a continuous modified portion is formed throughout the entire bonding treatment area 50.

[0045] 1 and 4, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the modified portions 51, 51, ... included in the bonding treatment region 50 is not uniform within the bonding treatment region 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the density of the modified portions 51, 51, ... differs between a central bonding treatment region 50C located in the center of the longitudinal direction D1 within the bonding treatment region 50 and an end bonding treatment region 50E located at an end in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0046] The edge joining processing region 50E includes an upper edge joining processing region 50E1 located above the mask body and a lower edge joining processing region 50E2 located below. In this specification, the edge joining processing region 50E refers to the upper edge joining processing region 50E1 located above and / or the lower edge joining processing region 50E2 located below. The upper edge joining processing region 50E1, the central joining processing region 50C, and the lower edge joining processing region 50E2 are the upper region, the central region, and the lower region obtained by dividing the joining processing region 50 into approximately three equal parts, respectively, and correspond to the upper edge E1, the central region C, and the lower edge E2 of the mask body 10, respectively.

[0047] In this embodiment, the area ratio (Rc) of the modified portions 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C is smaller than the area ratio (Re) of the modified portions 51 in the end joining treatment regions 50E. That is, Rc<Re. The modified portions 51, 51, ... in the central joining treatment region 50C are more sparsely arranged than the modified portions 51, 51, ... in the end joining treatment regions 50E. Here, the area ratio (%) of the modified portions 51 in a given region refers to the total area of ​​the modified portions included in the given area relative to the given area. For example, the area ratio of the modified portions 51 in the central joint region 50C may be the ratio (%) of the total area of ​​the modified portions 51 to the area of ​​the central joint treatment region 50C, the area ratio of the modified portions 51 in the upper end joint region 50E1 may be the ratio (%) of the total area of ​​the modified portions 51 to the area of ​​the upper end joint treatment region 50E1, and the area ratio of the modified portions 51 in the lower end joint region 50E2 may be the ratio (%) of the total area of ​​the modified portions 51 to the area of ​​the lower end joint treatment region 50E2.

[0048] When the pleated structure 15 of the mask body 10 is unfolded during wearing, the edge of the mask 1 in the horizontal direction D2, to which the pleats are fixed, also deforms. At this time, the center C of the edge in the vertical direction D1 tends to protrude toward the skin and, in some cases, tends to bend sharply. Furthermore, since the denatured portion 51 is a portion where the material has melted and denatured as described above, it is a portion that the wearer tends to feel hard when it comes into contact with the skin. In particular, when the denatured portion 51 is formed by heat sealing, the denatured portion 51 is a portion that has been exposed to high heat of approximately 120 to 300°C, melted, and then solidified, so it tends to feel hard to the wearer. Therefore, when the bonded region 50 at the edge of the mask 1 in the horizontal direction D2 comes into contact with the skin, it may cause discomfort or discomfort to the wearer.

[0049] In contrast, in this embodiment, the area ratio of the modified portion in the central joining region 50C is relatively small, thereby improving the flexibility of the central joining region 50C, i.e., the flexibility of the central region C in the longitudinal direction D1 at the edge. Therefore, the central joining region 50C is less likely to bend sharply. Even if it does bend, because the central joining region 50C itself is more flexible, the protruding portion is less likely to cause discomfort or discomfort when it touches the skin.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the modified portions 51 in the entire joining region 50 is not reduced, but the area ratio of the modified portions 51 in the end joining region 50E is maintained relatively large. Here, the areas of the joining region 50 that are subjected to force during wearing are the end joining region 50E (upper end joining region 50E1 and lower end joining region 50E2), where the ear hooks 20 extend. Therefore, even if the joining strength in the central joining region 50C is somewhat low, it does not significantly affect the joining strength between the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10. Furthermore, in some cases, the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 may not even be joined in the central joining region 50C. Therefore, according to this embodiment, by maintaining a relatively large area ratio of the modified portions 51 in the end joining region 50E, sufficient joining strength between the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 is ensured.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, the flexibility of the central joining region 50C, which is particularly prone to come into contact with the skin, is increased to improve the feel of the mask 1, while the bonding strength of the edge joining regions 50E, which are prone to receiving force, is maintained, resulting in a sufficiently robust mask 1. Furthermore, even if the ear loops 20 are formed by arranging and fixing the surface materials 2 and 3 on both sides of the stretched elastic member 5 as described above and thus have wrinkles on the surface (FIG. 2), the softness of the central joining region 50C ensures that the mask feels good against the wearer's skin even if the bonding conditions are somewhat strict.

[0052] The ratio (Rc / Re) of the area ratio (Rc) of the modified portions 51 in the central bonding treatment region 50C to the area ratio (Re) of the modified portions 51 in the end bonding treatment region 50E may be preferably 0.2 to 0.95, more preferably 0.3 to 0.8. By setting Rc / Re in the above range, the effect of obtaining a robust mask 1 that is highly flexible and has sufficient bonding strength can be improved.

[0053] The area ratio (Rc) of the modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C may be preferably 2 to 40%, more preferably 3 to 30%, and the area ratio (Re) of the modified portion 51 in the end joining treatment region 50E may be preferably 5 to 60%, more preferably 10 to 50%.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4 , the spacing and / or pitch between the modified portions 51 can be different between the central joining region 50C and the end joining region 50E. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the pitch pc between the modified portions 51 in the longitudinal direction D1 in the central joining region 50C is greater than the pitch pe between the modified portions 51 in the longitudinal direction D1 in the end joining region 50E. That is, pc > pe. This further enhances the effect of providing a soft feel or texture while ensuring the bonding strength between the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10. Furthermore, patterns that vary the spacing and / or pitch between the modified portions 51 are not complex and can be constructed relatively easily. For example, the pattern in the central joining region 50C can be a pattern in which one or more modified portions 51 adjacent to one modified portion 51 in the longitudinal direction D1 are thinned out from the arrangement of the modified portions 51, 51, ... in the longitudinal direction D1 in the end joining region 50E.

[0055] The ratio (pc / pe) of the pitch pc in the longitudinal direction D1 between the modified portions 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C to the pitch pe in the longitudinal direction D1 between the modified portions 51 in the end joining treatment region 50E may preferably be 1.5 to 5, and more preferably 2 to 4.

[0056] 4, the distance dc in the longitudinal direction D1 between adjacent modified portions 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C is greater than the distance de in the longitudinal direction D1 between adjacent modified portions 51 in the end joining treatment region 50E. That is, dc > de. This provides the same effect as that achieved by satisfying pc > pe.

[0057] The ratio (dc / de) of the distance dc between adjacent modified portions 51 in the vertical direction D1 in the central joining processing region 50C to the distance de between adjacent modified portions 51 in the vertical direction D1 in the end joining processing region 50E may preferably be 1.5 to 5, and more preferably 2 to 4.

[0058] In addition, the design can be improved by making the spacing and / or pitch between the modified portions 51 different between the central joining treatment region 50C and the end joining treatment region 50E.

[0059] Furthermore, the bonding treatment region 50 may include a modified portion row in which a plurality of modified portions 51, 51, ... are arranged in the vertical direction D1. In the example shown in Figure 4, the bonding treatment region 50 includes three modified portion rows A1, A2, and A3 in which a plurality of modified portions 51, 51, ... are arranged in the vertical direction D1, and the modified portion rows A1, A2, and A3 are arranged in the horizontal direction D2. The number of such modified portion rows is not particularly limited and may be four or more, or may be one or two. However, forming multiple modified portion rows spaced apart in the horizontal direction D2 is preferable because it allows the bonding treatment region 50 to have an expansive width in the horizontal direction D2 without becoming excessively hard.

[0060] When there are multiple modified portion rows, the modified portion row A1, which is the innermost one in the horizontal direction D2, does not include a modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C. In other words, the number of modified portion rows in the central joining treatment region 50C is fewer than the number of modified portion rows in the end joining treatment region 50E. In the example shown in Figure 4, the number of modified portion rows provided in the end joining treatment region 50E is three (A1 to A3), but the number of modified portion rows in the central joining treatment region 50C is two (A2 and A3).

[0061] This configuration reduces the area of ​​the modified portion 51 in the central joining region 50C, improving the flexibility of the central joining region 50C. Furthermore, depending on how the garment is worn, the inner side of the central joining region 50C in the lateral direction D2 is often more likely to come into contact with the skin, so eliminating the modified portion 51 at the innermost part of the central joining region 50C in the lateral direction D2 greatly improves the wearing comfort.

[0062] As described above, the portion that contributes to the bond strength between the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 is primarily the portion where the ear hooks 20 and the mask body 10 are bonded in the end bonding region 50E. Therefore, even if the number of modified portions in the central bonding region 50C is reduced, the bond strength is not significantly affected, and the above-described configuration in which the innermost modified portion row in the horizontal direction D2 does not have modified portions 51 in the central bonding region 50C can improve the soft feel while maintaining the bond strength.

[0063] In the example shown in Fig. 4, the planar shape of one modified portion 51 is a square, but the shape of the modified portion 51 is not limited to this shape. The shape of the modified portion 51 may be, for example, a rectangle other than a square, a polygon other than a rectangle such as a pentagon or hexagon, a circle, an ellipse, or any other shape such as a star or a heart. In the example shown in Fig. 4, all four sides of the rectangle that is the shape of the modified portion 51 are formed parallel to the longitudinal direction D1 or the transverse direction D2, but the sides of the rectangle may be formed so as to form an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction D1 or the transverse direction D2.

[0064] Regardless of the shape of the modified portion 51, the area of ​​one modified portion 51 is 0.5 to 15 mm ２ When the modified portion 51 is a fused portion formed by fusing the ear hook portion 20 and the mask body 10, an area within this range can improve the bonding strength between the ear hook portion 20 and the mask body 10 and prevent the area of ​​the modified portion 51 from becoming excessively large, thereby preventing a loss of flexibility.

[0065] 4, the modified portions 51 are formed at a distance from the edge of the mask 1 in the horizontal direction D2 and the edge of the mask body 10 in the horizontal direction D2. The edge of the mask 1 is likely to come into contact with the skin while being worn, and is also likely to come into contact with the skin and hands during the putting-on operation. Since the hard modified portions 51 do not extend to the edge, the feel on the skin can be further improved.

[0066] The horizontal length w from the edge of the mask 1 in the horizontal direction D2 to the outermost modified portion 51 in the horizontal direction may be preferably 0.1 to 4 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 3.5 mm. By setting the length w within the above range, the effect of improving the feel on the skin is obtained, and the bond between the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 at the edge in the width direction D2 is weakened, preventing a loss of robustness of the mask 1.

[0067] 5 to 9, modified examples of the bonding treatment area 50 will be described. In the present invention, the area ratio (Rc) of the modified portion 51 in the central bonding treatment area 50C is smaller than the area ratio (Re) of the modified portion 51 in the end bonding treatment area 50E. In other words, various configurations are possible as long as Rc<Re. Furthermore, such various embodiments include various variations in the pattern of the modified portion 51 with a high level of design.

[0068] In the example shown in Figure 5, the shape of the modified portion 51 shown in Figure 4 has been changed from square to circular. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 5, the area ratio (Rc) of the modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C is smaller than the area ratio (Re) of the modified portion 51 in the end joining treatment region 50E. The joining treatment region 50 also includes modified portion rows A1 to A3, and the modified portion row A1, which is the innermost row in the horizontal direction D2, does not include modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C. Therefore, in the mask 1 shown in Figure 5, as in the example shown in Figure 4, the mask body and ear loops are joined with sufficient joining strength, and a mask that feels good against the skin is obtained.

[0069] In addition, the shapes of the multiple modified portions 51 in the joining treatment region 50 may be different. Therefore, square modified portions 51 as shown in Fig. 4 and circular modified portions 51 as shown in Fig. 5 may be mixed. For example, the end joining treatment region 50E may include multiple square modified portions 51, 51, ..., and the central joining treatment region 50C may include multiple circular modified portions 51, 51, .... Furthermore, modified portions 51 of different shapes may be included in the end joining treatment region 50E or the central joining treatment region 50C.

[0070] In the modified examples shown in Figures 6 to 8, the modified portions 51 are all circular in shape but include two types of modified portions of different sizes. In this way, the multiple modified portions 51, 51, ... may include two or more types of modified portions of different sizes. More specifically, the modified portions 51 include a first modified portion 51a having a relatively small diameter and a second modified portion 51b having a relatively large diameter. By mixing two or more types of modified portions 51 with different areas in this way, it becomes easier to design a pattern in which the area ratio (Rc) of the modified portions 51 in the central bonding treatment region 50C is smaller than the area ratio (Re) of the modified portions 51 in the end bonding treatment region 50E, i.e., a pattern in which Rc < Re.

[0071] 6, the end joining treatment region 50E includes a first modified portion 51a and a second modified portion 51b, while the central joining treatment region 50C includes only the first modified portion 51a. By including the second modified portion 51b, which has a relatively large area, in the end joining treatment region 50E, the joining strength between the ear hook portion 20 and the mask body 10 in the end joining treatment region 50E can be further improved. On the other hand, by limiting the modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C to only the first modified portion 51a, which has a relatively small area, the flexibility of the central joining treatment region 50C can be ensured.

[0072] Furthermore, when focusing on the area of ​​each modified portion 51, the area of ​​each modified portion 51 in the central bonding region 50C may be equal to or smaller than the area of ​​each modified portion in the end bonding region 50E. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, the area of ​​each modified portion 51 in the central bonding region 50C is smaller than the area of ​​each modified portion in the end bonding region 50E. This further enhances the effect of achieving a configuration that has a soft feel while bonding the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 with sufficient bonding strength. Note that the area of ​​each modified portion 51 is the average area of ​​multiple modified portions 51 contained within a given region.

[0073] The first modified portions 51a in the central joining treatment region 50C are arranged more sparsely than the first modified portions 51a in the end joining treatment regions 50E. More specifically, the pitch in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first modified portions 51a in the central joining treatment region 50C is greater than the pitch in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first modified portions 51a in the end joining treatment regions 50E. Furthermore, the spacing in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first modified portions 51a in the central joining treatment region 50C is greater than the spacing in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first modified portions 51a in the end joining treatment regions 50E. This also helps maintain the flexibility of the central joining treatment region 50C.

[0074] 6, two modified portion rows A1 and A2 are formed side by side in the width direction D2. The second modified portion 51b, which has a relatively large area, is included in the modified portion row A1 on the inner side in the width direction D2.

[0075] In the example shown in Fig. 7 , similar to the example shown in Fig. 6 , the end joining treatment region 50E includes first modified portions 51 a and second modified portions 51 b, while the central joining treatment region 50C includes only the relatively small first modified portions 51 a. Similarly to the example shown in Fig. 6 , the area of ​​each modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C (or the average area if the individual areas vary) is smaller than the area of ​​each modified portion in the end joining treatment region 50E (or the average area if the individual areas vary). Furthermore, the first modified portions 51 a in the central joining treatment region 50C are more sparsely spaced than the first modified portions 51 a in the end joining treatment region 50E. Therefore, the example shown in Fig. 7 achieves the same effect as the example shown in Fig. 6 .

[0076] However, in the example shown in FIG. 7, unlike the example shown in FIG. 6, the second modified portions 51b having a relatively large area are included in the modified portion row A2 on the outer side in the width direction D2.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 8, the end joining region 50E includes only the relatively large second modified portion 51b, while the central joining region 50C includes only the first modified portion 51a. The area of ​​each modified portion 51 in the central joining region 50C (or the average area if the individual areas vary) is smaller than the area of ​​each modified portion in the end joining region 50E (or the average area if the individual areas vary). Therefore, even in the example shown in Figure 8, the effect of obtaining a configuration in which the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 are joined with sufficient bonding strength while still having a soft feel can be further improved.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 8, the modified portion row A1 on the inside in the width direction D2 includes only the second modified portion 51b, which has a relatively large area, while the modified portion row A2 on the outside in the width direction D2 includes both the first modified portion 51a and the second modified portion 51b.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the planar shape of the modified portion 51 is elliptical. Furthermore, the modified portion 51 may include a modified portion 51c whose major axis is tilted inward from the longitudinal direction D1 in the width direction D2, and a modified portion 51d whose major axis is tilted outward from the longitudinal direction D1 in the width direction D2. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the modified portions 51c and 51d, each with a different inclination, are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction D1. When the modified portion 51 has an elongated shape such as an ellipse, microscopic folds of the material are induced to form along the longitudinal direction of the shape, or the major axis direction of the ellipse. Here, with the modified portion 51 arranged as shown in FIG. 9 , the microscopic fold induction direction appears to alternate in the longitudinal direction D1, making it difficult for the entire bonding treatment region 50 to bend linearly. For example, large folds along the transverse direction D2 are unlikely to form. Therefore, even if the bonding treatment region 50 deforms, it is likely to deform in a gentle curve that conforms to the skin (sharp folds are unlikely to come into contact with the skin). This prevents the joining processing area 50, particularly the central joining processing area 50C, from folding and coming into contact with the skin, improving the wearing comfort.

[0080] The modified portions in the central joining treatment region 50C are arranged more sparsely than the modified portions 51 in the end joining treatment regions 50E. More specifically, the pitch in the longitudinal direction D1 of the modified portions 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C is greater than the pitch in the longitudinal direction D1 of the modified portions 51 in the end joining treatment regions 50E. Furthermore, the spacing in the longitudinal direction D1 of the modified portions 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C is greater than the spacing in the longitudinal direction D1 of the modified portions 51 in the end joining treatment regions 50E.

[0081] The joining treatment region 50 includes a modified portion row A1 on the inner side in the width direction D2 and a modified portion row A2 on the outer side in the width direction D2. The innermost modified portion row A1 in the width direction D2 does not include a modified portion 51 in the central joining treatment region 50C.

[0082] <Other Configurations> The configuration of the modified portion 51 in one embodiment of the present invention will now be described. As described above, the modified portion 51 is a portion modified by melting, and therefore has a higher density than the original material, resulting in a shape that is recessed from at least one of the outside and inside. For example, a nonwoven fabric material containing voids loses voids, resulting in a high-density portion. The state of the recesses in the modified portion 51 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the depth of the recesses recessed from the inside of the modified portion 51 is smaller than the depth of the recesses recessed from the outside, or that the modified portion 51 is not recessed from the inside. By appropriately selecting the bonding method, i.e., the method for forming the modified portion 51, a desired recess shape can be obtained.

[0083] An example of forming a depression shape, such as the one described above, in which the depth of the depression recessed from the inside of the modified portion 51 is smaller than the depth of the depression recessed from the outside, or in which the modified portion 51 is not recessed from the inside, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 shows an example in which the bonding treatment region 50 is formed by heat sealing, i.e., the modified portion 51 is formed by heat sealing. In the process of forming the bonding treatment region 50, a laminate formed by stacking the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 is passed between a pair of rolls 81 and 82 and heated and pressurized in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 10( a), one of the rolls, 81, has a surface formed with convex portions corresponding to the shape of the modified portion 51, and the other roll, 82, has a flat surface. By this roll pair 81 and 82, the laminate of the ear loops 20 and the mask body 10 is melted at the positions of the convex portions and compressed in the thickness direction, forming the modified portion 51.

[0084] Figure 10(b) shows the state of the laminate after the bonding process. Figure 10(b) is a view equivalent to the cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 4. As seen in cross section, the modified portion 51 has depressions on both the outside and inside. Here, the depth of the depressions formed on the side pressed against the uneven roll 81 is greater than the depth of the depressions on the side contacted by the flat roll 82. When the ear loops 20 are bonded to the outer surface of the mask body 10, the inside of the mask faces the wearer's skin. By having the inside, with less unevenness due to the depressions, come into contact with the skin, the feel when worn can be improved. Depending on the bonding conditions, the modified portion 51 can also be shaped so that it is not depressed from the inside.

[0085] Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0086] The first aspect is a mask comprising a mask body and sheet-like ear loops joined to each horizontal edge of the mask body in a joining treatment area extending along the vertical direction, wherein the joining treatment area has a plurality of modified areas that are spaced apart from each other and have been modified by melting, and the area ratio of the modified areas in a central joining treatment area located in the center of the joining treatment area in the vertical direction is smaller than the area ratio of the modified areas in end joining treatment areas located at the ends of the joining treatment area in the vertical direction.

[0087] In this embodiment, the bonding treatment region formed for bonding the ear loops and the mask body includes multiple, spaced-apart modified regions. The modified regions are regions modified by melting the material. When modified regions are formed in the overlapping regions of the ear loops and the mask body, the materials on at least the surfaces of the ear loops and the mask body melt and fuse together, forming a relatively strong bond. However, depending on the composition of the materials of the ear loops and / or the mask body, for example, if the ear loops are made of a stretchy material with a wrinkled surface, the bond strength with the mask body may be insufficient. In such cases, it may be possible to increase the area of ​​the modified regions in the bonding treatment region to improve the bond strength. However, because the modified regions are modified by melting the material, the voids present in the original material are lost and the modified regions become harder than the untreated regions. Therefore, increasing the area of ​​the modified regions may reduce the flexibility of the bonding treatment region and impair the comfortable feel.

[0088] In contrast, according to the first aspect, the area ratio (Rc) of the modified portions in the central joining region located at the center in the vertical direction of the joining region is smaller than the area ratio (Re) of the modified portions in the end joining regions located at the ends in the vertical direction of the joining region. That is, Rc<Re. When a wearer wears the mask, the vertical center portion of the horizontal end portion is likely to bend toward the skin and come into contact with the skin. Therefore, the flexibility of the central joining region can have a significant impact on the wearing comfort. In other words, reducing the stiffness of the central joining region can effectively improve the wearing comfort of the entire mask. In this aspect, the area ratio of the modified portions in the central joining region located at the center in the vertical direction is relatively small, making the central joining region less likely to bend. Furthermore, even if the mask does bend, the central joining region itself is more flexible, so it does not bend sharply, and even if the bent portion comes into contact with the skin, a good wearing comfort is maintained.

[0089] Furthermore, when the ear hook portion is pulled laterally during wearing, the portion that receives the greatest force is the longitudinal end portion from which the ear hook portion extends. In this embodiment, the area ratio of the modified portion in the end joining treatment region is relatively large, so that sufficient joining strength can be ensured at the longitudinal end portion.

[0090] In this way, the first aspect provides a configuration in which the mask body and the ear loops are joined with sufficient joining strength while still having a soft feel against the skin.

[0091] In a second aspect, the area of ​​one of the modified portions in the central joining treatment region is equal to or less than the area of ​​one of the modified portions in the end joining treatment region.

[0092] By specifying the area of ​​each modified portion according to the second aspect, the mask body and the ear loops can be joined with sufficient strength while still maintaining a soft feel, which is an improved effect. Furthermore, if the area of ​​each modified portion in the central joining region is smaller than the area of ​​each modified portion in the end joining region, the size of each modified portion will vary depending on the location within the joining region, thereby improving the design of the mask.

[0093] In a third aspect, the vertical pitch between the modified portions in the central joining treatment region is greater than the vertical pitch between the modified portions in the end joining treatment regions.

[0094] The third aspect of the present invention provides a mask with a soft feel and a strong bond between the mask body and the ear loops. The design of the mask can be improved by varying the vertical pitch of the modified portions depending on the location within the bonded area.

[0095] In a fourth aspect, the joining treatment area includes multiple rows of modified portions in the horizontal direction, each row having multiple modified portions lined up in the vertical direction, and the innermost row of modified portions in the horizontal direction does not have a modified portion in the central joining treatment area.

[0096] According to the fourth aspect, no modified portion is formed at the innermost widthwise portion of the central joining region. This reduces the area of ​​the modified portion in the central joining region, which may come into contact with the skin depending on how the mask is worn. This further improves the flexibility of the central joining region and the feel of the mask. Furthermore, the ear loops and the mask body may not overlap laterally inside the central joining region. In such cases, even if the modified portion is reduced in the central joining region, this does not significantly affect the bond strength between the ear loops and the mask body. Furthermore, even if the ear loops and the mask body overlap laterally inside the central joining region, the bond in the central joining region has little effect on the bond strength between the ear loops and the mask body, and the bond strength can be maintained by the bond in the edge joining region. This improves the effect of a comfortable feel and sufficient bond strength between the ear loops and the mask body.

[0097] In a fifth aspect, the length in the lateral direction from the lateral edge of the mask to the modified portion located outermost in the lateral direction is 0.1 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

[0098] According to the fifth aspect, since there are no modified portions in the range from the lateral edges of the mask to a position a predetermined distance away, the lateral edges of the mask are flexible. The lateral edges of the mask are areas that are particularly likely to come into contact with the skin when putting on the mask, during the putting-on operation, or when adjusting the position of the mask after putting on the mask. Therefore, by making the lateral edges of the mask flexible, the wearer can easily feel that the bonding treatment area of ​​the mask has become flexible. Furthermore, when holding the mask in the hand to put it on, the edges of the mask are easily touched by the hand, improving the feel perceived by the hand.

[0099] In a sixth aspect, the modified portion is a portion recessed from at least the outside of the bonding treatment area, and the depth of the recess recessed from the inside of the modified portion is smaller than the depth of the recess recessed from the outside, or the modified portion is not recessed from the inner surface.

[0100] The modified portion is formed by melting the material and has a shape that is recessed from at least the outer side (skin side). Here, as in the sixth aspect, if the modified portion is formed so that the recess on the inner side (non-skin side) is smaller than the recess on the outer side, the unevenness on the inner side that is more likely to come into contact with the skin is reduced, thereby improving the feel against the skin. Furthermore, in the modified portion, where the recess is larger on the outer side where the ear loops are located, the material of the ear loops is well embedded in the mask body. Therefore, even if the material of the ear loops is formed from multiple layers or is thick, sufficient bonding strength between the ear loops and the mask body can be ensured. One example of a method for achieving the configuration of the sixth aspect is a process in which heat sealing is used to form the bonding treatment area, with an embossing roll with heated protrusions contacting the outer side.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations of the above embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims, and these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined in any manner.

[0102] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-057139, filed on March 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Mask 2, 3 Surface material 5 Stretchable film 8 Fixing portion 10 Mask body 15 Pleated structure 18 Mark 20 Ear hook portion 20A Ear hook portion sheet 29 Opening 50 Joint treatment area 50C Central joint treatment area 50E End joint treatment area 50E1 Upper end joint treatment area 50E2 Lower end joint treatment area 51, 51c, 51d Modified portion 51a First modified portion 52b Second modified portion A1, A2, A3 Modified portion row D1 Vertical direction (up and down direction) D2 Horizontal direction (left and right direction) tc Separable joint portion

Claims

1. A mask comprising: a mask body; and sheet-like ear loops joined to each horizontal edge of the mask body in a joining treatment area extending along the vertical direction, wherein the joining treatment area has a plurality of modified areas that are spaced apart from one another and have been modified by melting, and the area ratio of the modified areas in a central joining treatment area located in the center of the joining treatment area in the vertical direction is smaller than the area ratio of the modified areas in end joining treatment areas located at the ends of the joining treatment area in the vertical direction.

2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​one of the modified portions in the central bonding treatment region is equal to or less than the area of ​​one of the modified portions in the edge bonding treatment region.

3. The mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vertical pitch between the modified portions in the central joining treatment region is smaller than the vertical pitch between the modified portions in the end joining treatment regions.

4. A mask as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bonding treatment area includes a plurality of rows of modified portions in the horizontal direction, each row being made up of a plurality of modified portions lined up in the vertical direction, and the innermost row of modified portions in the horizontal direction does not have a modified portion in the central bonding treatment area.

5. A mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the horizontal length from the horizontal edge of the mask to the outermost modified portion in the horizontal direction is 0.1 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

6. A mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the modified portion is a portion recessed from at least the outside of the bonding treatment area, and the depth of the recess recessed from the inside of the modified portion is smaller than the depth of the recess recessed from the outside, or the modified portion is not recessed from the inside.

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