Mask With Folded Side Portions For Leakage Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-woven fabric masks inadequately prevent air leakage around the nose and ears of the wearer.
Innovation Solution
A mask design featuring folded portions that rise to contact the face, reinforced with non-woven fabric sheets or films, and strategically placed cuts or curves to minimize stress and ensure a snug fit, along with a bendable nose grip and adhesive nose pad for improved adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-woven fabric masks are used with basic joining at edge portions, then the mask structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but air leakage from the vicinity of the nose and ears is not sufficiently prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into multiple functional regions: a mask body portion covering the mouth and nose, separate ear catch portions extending from the mask body, and distinct folded portions at the side edges. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the mask body filters air, the ear catches secure the mask, and the folded portions prevent leakage at the nose and ear areas by creating additional contact layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded portions are formed by folding the side edge portions of the mask body backward, creating nested layers of non-woven fabric. The folded portion includes an outer surface and an inner surface that face each other, with the folded edge forming a nested structure that contacts both the face and the ear area, effectively preventing air leakage through multiple layers of material.
2Reliability
If the back side edge portion joint range extends backward to improve fit, then air leakage prevention improves, but the mask structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The folded portions are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed - they can rise or fall depending on the wearing condition and facial contours. When the mask is worn, the folded portions naturally rise to contact the face and ear area; when removed, they return to their original position. This dynamic behavior provides adaptive fit without requiring complex fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded portions change their spatial configuration parameter from a flat edge state to a raised, folded state during wearing. This parameter change allows the same material to achieve different functional states - providing leakage prevention when needed (folded state) while maintaining simplicity in storage and handling (flat state).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces air leakage around the nose and ears by ensuring a secure fit through tension from strings and enhanced contact with the face, while minimizing stress concentrations and edge floating.
Implementation Method 1
the synthetic fibers contained in the two non-woven fabrics, of which inner peripheral surfaces face each other at the extending portion of the back side edge portion, are melted and solidified
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
There is provided a mask that includes a mask body and two strings. The two strings hold the mask body at a predetermined position on the face of a wearer by being caught by both ears or the head of the wearer. Folded portions, which are adapted so as to be capable of rising and falling on the surface of the mask body coming into contact with the face of the wearer, are formed on both sides of the mask body.