EP4316604A1 - Ear-hanging member for mask, and mask - Google Patents

Ear-hanging member for mask, and mask Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4316604A1
EP4316604A1 EP22774674.0A EP22774674A EP4316604A1 EP 4316604 A1 EP4316604 A1 EP 4316604A1 EP 22774674 A EP22774674 A EP 22774674A EP 4316604 A1 EP4316604 A1 EP 4316604A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ear hook
mask
hook member
surface material
stretchable string
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22774674.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Kodai UJIIE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Daio Paper Corp
Original Assignee
Daio Paper Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daio Paper Corp filed Critical Daio Paper Corp
Publication of EP4316604A1 publication Critical patent/EP4316604A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
    • A41D13/1161—Means for fastening to the user's head
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/02—Masks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/02—Masks
    • A62B18/025—Halfmasks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/08—Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices
    • A62B18/084—Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B23/00—Filters for breathing-protection purposes
    • A62B23/02—Filters for breathing-protection purposes for respirators
    • A62B23/025—Filters for breathing-protection purposes for respirators the filter having substantially the shape of a mask

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ear hook member for a mask, and a mask.
  • a well-known mask to be worn on the face includes a mask body that at least partially covers the face of a wearer, and a pair of ear hook members each bonded to the mask body; i.e., a pair of members that can be hung around the ears of the wearer in order to keep the mask body at a wearing position.
  • ear hook members of the above-described mask are often in the form of a string.
  • sheet-shaped ear hook members (ear hook portions) have been studied in order to reduce the burden on the ears during the wearing of the mask to obtain comfortable feelings during the wearing of the mask.
  • PTL 1 describes a single sheet-shaped ear hook sheet in which both ear hook portions extend on the same plane, with both the ear hook portions being coupled to each other at a coupling portion.
  • PTL 1 exemplifies, as the material of the ear hook members, stretchable or extendible nonwoven fabric and stretchable hot-melt adhesive nonwoven fabric.
  • the ear hook member for a mask.
  • the ear hook member has an annular sheet shape and has, in a plan view thereof, a first direction corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the mask and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
  • the ear hook member includes: a first surface material; a second surface material that is disposed on an opposite side to the first surface material; and a plurality of stretchable string materials between the first surface material and the second surface material, the plurality of stretchable string materials being spaced from each other in the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction.
  • Each of the stretchable string materials is adhered to the first surface material and the second surface material, with the stretchable string materials being stretched.
  • an ear hook member for a mask in which the stretchability of the ear hook member can be more readily adjusted.
  • the mask in the present embodiment may be a mask that is capable of covering the face of a wearer, and more specifically at least the nose and mouth of the wearer.
  • the mask according to the present embodiment can have functions of preventing foreign matter from reaching the face and preventing scattering of droplets from the wearer.
  • This mask is also called a hygiene mask or surgical mask.
  • the mask of the present embodiment is suitably used as a disposable mask, but may be used as a reusable mask by, for example, washing the mask.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mask 1.
  • FIG. 1 is a view of the mask 1 from the outer face side thereof; i.e., the side on which the mask 1 is not facing towards the face upon being worn and is exposed to the outside.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask from the inner face side thereof (face side).
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line I-I of FIG. 1 .
  • the mask 1 includes: a mask body 10 disposed at the front of the face of a wearer upon putting the mask 1 on and capable of mainly covering the nose and mouth of the wearer; and a pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a bonded to the mask body 10.
  • the mask body 10 extends in a vertical direction (first direction) D1 corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the face of a wearer upon putting the mask 1 on and in a lateral direction (second direction) D2 that is orthogonal to the vertical direction (first direction) D1 and corresponds to a left-and-right direction of the face of a wearer upon putting the mask 1 on.
  • the mask body 10 has a rectangular shape in the plan view thereof, the rectangular shape having a longer side in the lateral direction D2.
  • the shape of the mask body 10 in the plan view thereof is not limited to the illustrated shape.
  • the mask body 10 has a pleated structure 15 made of a plurality of pleats that are juxtaposed in the vertical direction D1.
  • the pleats of the pleated structure 15 can be formed by folding a sheet for the mask body 10 twice or more at fold lines along the lateral direction D2.
  • the plurality of pleats are fixed at the lateral portions (the end portions in the lateral direction D2) of the mask body 10. Therefore, upon use of the mask 1, it is possible to expand a middle portion in the lateral direction D2 of the pleated structure 15 in the vertical direction D1.
  • the pleated structure 15 is not particularly limited to any specific structure, and may be a publicly known structure formed in a mask body.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are disposed on the outer face of the mask body 10.
  • the ear hook member 20a may be annular (or be a closed annular band) in the plan view.
  • the ear hook member 20a can be hung around the wearer's ear, with the wearer's ear being put in the ring of the ear hook member 20a; i.e., a central opening 29 of the ear hook member 20a.
  • No particular limitation is imposed on the shape of the above ring, but the shape thereof is preferably a tetragonal ring as described below.
  • the shape of the ring may be a circular or elliptical shape, a trigonal ring, or another polygonal ring.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be formed as a single sheet-shaped ear hook member (ear hook member sheet) 20, in which the ear hook members 20a and 20a are bonded together in a separable manner at a central portion in the lateral direction D2.
  • ear hook member sheet ear hook member sheet
  • sheet-shaped or “sheet” refers to a shape in which the length and width thereof are larger than the thickness thereof and that extends or can extend in one flat plane. Therefore, the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a in the present embodiment are different from the ear hook member in the form of a string or thread.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a being made as the ear hook member sheet 20, when a wearer has the ear hook member 20a hung around his or her ear upon putting the mask on, the ear hook member 20a can make surface contact with the back face of the earlobe. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the ear and the portion around the ear to reduce discomfort and pain, and offer comfortable feelings during the wearing of the mask.
  • the bonding manner of the separable bond portion 28 between the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a is preferable that the bond thereof be separable by being pulled apart with normal amount of force by a user.
  • discontinuous notches may be provided to form a perforated line.
  • the bond portion 28 may be formed by reducing the thickness of the sheet or by other means so as to embrittle the boundary between the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a, and make the boundary subjectable to stress.
  • the configuration of the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be in a line symmetry, with the line of symmetry being a line passing the bond portion 28 along the vertical direction D1.
  • the mask body 10 may have a multi-layered structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated on top of one another.
  • the mask body 10 may have a structure including at least three layers: an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer therebetween.
  • the intermediate layer has an enhanced function of capturing foreign matter (e.g., dust, pollens, bacteria, and virus particles).
  • Each of the layers forming the mask body 10 preferably contains a fiber-containing layer such as nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, or knit fabric, and more preferably contains nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include spunbonded nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, and point bond nonwoven fabric.
  • the intermediate layer preferably uses meltblown nonwoven fabric that can contain thin fibers.
  • the fiber of the fiber-containing layer is preferably a resin fiber.
  • the resin of the resin fiber include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon.
  • the basis weight of the outer layer or the inner layer may be from 15 through 50 g/m 2 .
  • the basis weight of the intermediate layer having a high ability to capture foreign matter is preferably from 10 through 100 g/m 2 , and more preferably from 15 through 50 g/m 2 .
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are bonded to both lateral portions (both end portions in the lateral direction D2) of the outer face of the mask body 10.
  • the ear hook members 20a and 20a have stretchability.
  • stretchability refers to a property in which the length of a substance can become longer in a direction in which the substance is pulled (a tensile force is applied to the substance) and the length of the substance returns to the original length or substantially the original length when pulling of the substance is stopped (the tensile force is released).
  • stretchable also refers to a property of to what degree a material is stretched when the material is pulled with a predetermined force, and/or to what degree a tensile stress occurs in the material when the material is stretched to a predetermined length.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are respectively bonded to both lateral portions of the mask body 10 via the auxiliary materials 30 and 30.
  • the auxiliary materials 30 and 30 may be a sheet-shaped member that extends along the vertical direction D1 of the mask 1.
  • the auxiliary materials 30 and 30 are joined, at outer joined portions 50 and 50, with both end portions of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2.
  • the auxiliary materials 30 and 30 are joined, at inner joined portions 60 and 60, with both end portions of the ear hook member sheet 20 in the lateral direction D2.
  • the outer joined portions 50 and 50 and the inner joined portions 60 and 60 may be joined by joining means such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or an adhesive.
  • an optimal way of bonding can be selected for the outer joined portion 50 between the auxiliary material 30 and the mask body 10 and for the inner joined portion 60 between the auxiliary material 30 and the ear hook member sheet 20.
  • the auxiliary material 30 may have stretchability but preferably has lower stretchability than the ear hook member sheet 20.
  • portions of the ear hook members 20a and 20a not joined with the mask body 10 are spread out laterally in the lateral direction D2.
  • the user can open the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a outward (laterally) in the lateral direction D2, while grasping the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a.
  • FIG. 4 is a view of a state where the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a of the mask 1 of FIG. 1 are opened laterally.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line II-II of FIG. 4 .
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are opened, the ear hook members 20a and 20a are turned over, and the faces thereof having previously faced the mask body 10 are exposed. Also, the outer face of the mask body 10 is almost entirely exposed.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be disposed on the outer face side of the mask body 10 or may be disposed on the inner face side thereof. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are preferably disposed on the outer face side of the mask 1. With the structure in which the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are disposed on the outer face side of the mask body 10, it is possible to reduce or eliminate possibility of touching the inner face of the mask body 10 when separating and opening the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a outward in the lateral direction D2. From a hygienic viewpoint, the above structure is preferable.
  • the mask 1 according to the present embodiment can be actually used, for example, in the following manner. Specifically, in a state where the mask 1 is placed with the outer face of the mask body 10 facing upward, a user grasps and opens the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a with his or her hands outward in the lateral direction D2. Then, the user can move the mask 1 to the face of another person (wearer) while grasping the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a. After applying the mask body 10 at a desired position on the face of the other person, the user can hang the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a around the ears of the other person without changing the way of holding the mask 1. Therefore, the mask 1 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used for those who cannot readily put a mask on by themselves, such as children and the sick.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a may be provided with pinch portions 25 and 25.
  • a user can pinch the pinch portions 25 and 25 when separating and opening the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a outward in the lateral direction D2.
  • the pinch portions 25 and 25 project from the edge of the mask body 10 in the plan view thereof, preferably from the bottom end of the mask 1 (or the bottom end of the mask body 10).
  • the pinch portions 25 and 25 projecting from the edge of the mask body 10 a user can pinch the pinch portions 25 and 25 with his or her hands without or substantially without touching the mask body 10 itself; i.e., both the outer face and the inner face of the mask body 10.
  • the user can separate and spread out the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a without or substantially without touching the mask body 10. Therefore, even in a situation where a user cannot sufficiently take care of hygiene of his or her hands and fingers, the user can put the mask 1 on or can have another person put the mask 1 on under good hygienic conditions.
  • the maximum length of the projected portion in the vertical direction D1 is preferably from 5 through 20 mm and more preferably from 8 through 15 mm.
  • the pinch portions 25 and 25 of the ear hook member 20a the user can readily adjust the ear hook members with the pinch portions 25 and 25 upon or after hanging the ear hook member 20a around the ear of the wearer. Specifically, with the pinch portions 25 and 25, it is possible to make a positional adjustment by shifting the ear hook member 20a in a circumferential direction of the ear hook member 20a relative to the ear, or to adjust the degree of tension of the ear hook member 20a by pulling the ear hook member 20a backward or loosening the ear hook member 20a.
  • the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a are bonded to both the lateral portions of the outer face of the mask body 10 rather than the inner face thereof (the face on the face side).
  • both the lateral portions of the mask body 10 are pushed towards the face from the outer face side by the ear hook member 20a.
  • the ear hook member 20a since the ear hook member 20a is not disposed on the inner face side (face side) of both the lateral portions of the body, the ear hook member 20a does not directly contact the face of the wearer at both the lateral portions of the mask body 10 during the wearing of the mask 1, and discomfort is reduced.
  • the mask body 10 may be provided with a mark 18 by embossing, printing, sewing, etc.
  • the mark 18 allows for distinction between the outer face and the inner face of the mask body 10.
  • the mark 18 may be any form as long as the mark 18 can be identified by a user visually. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 1 , the mark 18 may be a letter, a number, a symbol, a figure, a logo, etc.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates only the pair of the ear hook members 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20) of the mask 1 of FIG. 1 .
  • the ear hook member 20a (or the ear hook member sheet 20) has the stretchability.
  • This stretchability of the ear hook member 20a is obtained by a plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... that are disposed in the vertical direction D1 so as to be spaced from each other all over the ear hook member 20a having an annular sheet shape, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • the plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... respectively extend along the lateral direction D2. This makes it possible to obtain the stretchability of the ear hook member 20a in the lateral direction D2.
  • each of the intervals L (pitch) at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are placed in the vertical direction D1 may be about from 1 through about 10 mm.
  • the stretchable string material 9 may be, for example, a string- or thread-form elastic member (e.g., a rubber thread).
  • the thickness of the stretchable string material 9 may be preferably from 200 through 1,500 dtex, and more preferably from 400 through 1,000 dtex.
  • the shape of the cross section of the stretchable string material 9 may be a circle but may also be an ellipse, a tetragon (e.g., a square or a rectangle), or another polygon. Note that, as the stretchable string material 9, a material having a maximum stretch rate of from 150% through 1,000% of the natural length thereof may be used, with the maximum stretch rate being measured by a tensile tester.
  • FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line III-III of FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 6 (a view of a cross section of the stretchable string material 9, the cross section passing through the center line of the stretchable string material 9).
  • FIG. 8(a) illustrates a state where the stretchable string material 9 is pulled outward in the lateral direction D2 by external forces T and T.
  • FIG. 8(b) illustrates a state where no external force is applied (natural state). Note that, FIG.
  • FIG. 8(a) also illustrates a state where in a production step of the ear hook member 20a, the stretchable string material 9 being stretched is adhered to the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3.
  • FIG. 8(b) also illustrates a state where in the production step, the stretching of the stretchable string material 9 in the state as illustrated in FIG. 8(a) is lifted (pulling of the stretchable string material 9 is stopped).
  • the first surface material 2 is disposed at one side of the stretchable string material 9, and the second surface material 3 is disposed at the other side of the stretchable string material 9.
  • the stretchable string material 9 is adhered at intervals to each of the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 at adhesion portions 6, 6, ... ( FIG. 8 (a) ).
  • the predetermined stretch rate (the length Le in the stretched state to the length Ln in the natural state; i.e., Le/Ln ⁇ 100 (%)) may be preferably from 100 through 400%, and more preferably from 150 through 300%.
  • the adhesion between the stretchable string material 9 and the surface materials 2 and 3 can be achieved with an adhesive, sewing, etc. Also, in a portion where the stretchable string material 9 is not disposed, the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 may be directly joined together.
  • the stretching of the stretchable string material 9 is lifted to return the stretchable string material 9 into the natural state.
  • the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 are made from a material having high flexibility, portions of the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 other than the adhesion portions 6, 6, ... project in a direction away from the stretchable string material 9.
  • a plurality of small wrinkles extending along the vertical direction D1 are formed in juxtaposition in the lateral direction D2 ( FIG. 8(b) ).
  • the configuration of a stretchable sheet-shaped body having such a plurality of wrinkles can be formed in the same manner as in publicly known stretchable gathers.
  • the plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are sandwiched between the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3, to form a joined body.
  • the joined body is punched into the shape of the pair of ear hook members 20a and 20a.
  • the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 may be made of any material as long as the material has flexibility.
  • the materials of the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 may be the same or different.
  • the first surface material 2 and the second surface material 3 are preferably a fiber assembly.
  • the fiber assembly include nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and knit fabric. Of these, the nonwoven fabric is preferable because the nonwoven fabric is favorable in texture and gas permeability and contributes to improvement in feelings during the wearing of the mask.
  • the nonwoven fabric include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, needle-punched nonwoven fabric, and chemical bond nonwoven fabric.
  • the spunbonded nonwoven fabric which does not become fluffy and has high strength
  • the air-through nonwoven fabric which is soft
  • the fiber contained in the nonwoven fabric may be a resin fiber.
  • the resin of the resin fiber include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon.
  • the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric may be preferably from 5 through 50 g/m 2 , and more preferably from 8 through 25 g/m 2 .
  • the ear hook member 20a is a stretchable member made of a plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, .... Therefore, the stretchability of the stretchable string material 9; i.e., to what degree the string material is stretched when the string material is pulled with a predetermined force, or to what degree a tensile stress occurs in the string material when the string material is stretched to a predetermined length, can be readily adjusted across a wide range by changing the thickness and material of the stretchable string material 9.
  • the stretchability of the ear hook member 20a or the ear hook member sheet 20 is more readily adjusted than that of an ear hook member made of, for example, stretchable nonwoven fabric.
  • the ear hook member 20a that is short in a state before use (natural state) but becomes longer upon putting the mask 1 on is desired.
  • by, for example, increasing the stretch rate in the production of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... the length of the stretchable string material to be adhered to the surface material relative to the length of the stretchable string material in the natural state
  • the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... that are thick have a large dtex number
  • the stretchable string material 9 is made of an elastic material such as rubber among others, remarkable stretchability can be achieved as compared to, for example, the stretchable nonwoven fabric.
  • the configurations of the plurality of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the ear hook members 20a and 20a may be the same all over the ear hook member 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20).
  • the configurations thereof may be made partially different from region to region in the ear hook members 20a and 20a (ear hook member sheet 20) (as described below). In this case, for example, in upper, middle, and lower regions as viewed in the vertical direction D1, the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ..., the stretch rate thereof in the production, the arrangement thereof (intervals), etc. may be made different.
  • the ear hook member 20a is annular, and preferably a tetragonal ring shape as illustrated in FIG. 6 , and preferably a rectangular ring shape.
  • the tetragonal ring shape is a shape in which there are recognized to be four positions at which the direction of the outline of the ring greatly changes, as viewed along the perimeter of the ring.
  • one ear hook member 20a having a tetragonal ring shape may have an upper-side portion 23 corresponding to an upper side of the tetragonal ring, and a lower-side portion 26 corresponding to a lower side of the tetragonal ring.
  • the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 are portions that are mainly stretched from the mask body 10 to the ear in the lateral direction D2 upon putting the mask on.
  • the ear hook member 20a may include: an ear backward arrangement portion 24 that is positioned at the back of the ear of a wearer upon putting the mask on; and a base portion 22 the most of which is joined with the mask body 10.
  • the ear backward arrangement portion 24 is a portion that extends, between the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26, along the vertical direction D1 at a middle portion of the ear hook member sheet 20 in the lateral direction D2.
  • the base portion 22 is a portion that extends, between the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26, along the vertical direction D1 at an end portion of the ear hook member sheet 20 in the lateral direction D2.
  • the ear hook member 20a may include: an upper-end region E1 corresponding to the upper-side portion 23; a lower-end region E2 corresponding to the lower-side portion 26; and a middle region M between the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2, as viewed in the vertical direction D1.
  • the inner perimeter of the tetragonal ring has four points (p1, p2, p1', p2') at which the radius of curvature is a local minimum.
  • a region between the straight lines can be the middle region M.
  • the straight line that passes through a first point p1 at the upper side and is in parallel to the lateral direction D2 can be defined as a boundary line between the upper-end region E1 and the middle region M.
  • the straight line that passes through a second point p2 at the lower side and is in parallel to the lateral direction D2 can be defined as a boundary line between the lower-end region E2 and the middle region M.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates ear hook members 20aA and 20aA (ear hook member sheet 20A) according to a modified example.
  • a basic configuration of the ear hook member 20aA as illustrated in FIG. 9 is similar to that of the ear hook member 20a described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .
  • the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9t, 9t, ... used in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 are larger than the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... used in the middle region M.
  • the thicknesses D M of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M can be preferably from 1.1 through 3.
  • the thicknesses D M of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M may be from 200 through 900 dtex.
  • the thicknesses D E of the stretchable string materials 9t, 9t, ... in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 may be from 220 through 1,200 dtex.
  • the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 respectively correspond to the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 that are greatly pulled in the lateral direction D2 upon putting the mask on.
  • the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 can pull the mask body 10 with a greater force. This makes it possible to more strongly press the mask body towards a face, and to more closely adhere the mask body to the face.
  • the stretchability be present to some degree in the lateral direction D2.
  • the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are smaller, it is possible to make the ear backward arrangement portion 24 flexible, and to reduce discomfort when the ear backward arrangement portion 24 touches skin at the back of the ear. Therefore, according to the example as illustrated in FIG. 9 , it is possible to provide an ear hook member and a mask that are suitable for a wearer who seeks for fitness of the mask and comfort around his or her ears.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates ear hook members 20aB and 20aB (ear hook member sheet 20B) according to another modified example.
  • a basic configuration of the ear hook member 20aB as illustrated in FIG. 10 is similar to that of the ear hook member 20a described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .
  • the stretch rates of the stretchable string materials 9s, 9s, ... used in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 are larger than the stretch rates of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... used in the middle region M.
  • the stretch rates R M (%) of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M can be preferably from 1.1 through 2. Also, the stretch rates R M of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the middle region M may be from 100 through 300%. The stretch rates R E of the stretchable string material 9s, 9s, ... in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 may be from 110 through 400%.
  • the high stretch rates of the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 mean that the maximum lengths of those regions being pulled are long. Therefore, it is possible to greatly stretch the upper-side portion 23 and the lower-side portion 26 that respectively correspond to the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2.
  • an ear hook member that has enough length upon putting the mask on and can accommodate the case in which the distance from the mask body to the ear is long, even when the length thereof in the lateral direction D2 is short before application of a tensile force.
  • the ear backward arrangement portion 24 corresponding to the middle region M have the stretchability to some degree so that the ear backward arrangement portion 24 can deform naturally.
  • the stretch rate it is better for the stretch rate not to be extensively high because the wrinkles of the surface materials are not excessively densely or thickly formed per the length in the lateral direction D2. This improves texture upon touching the ears. Therefore, by the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... having a relatively low stretch rate in the middle region M, comfortable texture around the ears can be obtained.
  • FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an example of the wrinkles of the first surface material 2 that extend in the vertical direction D1. As illustrated in FIG.
  • the pitch between the wrinkles of the surface material in the lateral direction D2 is small in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2, and the wrinkles are densely formed there. Meanwhile, the pitch between the wrinkles of the surface material in the lateral direction D2 is large in the middle region M, and the wrinkles are sparsely formed there. Therefore, in the example as illustrated in FIG. 10 , it is possible to provide a mask that is suitable for a wearer who seeks for a long length from the ear to the end portion of the mask body in the lateral direction D2 and for comfort around his or her ears.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates ear hook members 20aC and 20aC (ear hook member sheet 20C) according to still another modified example.
  • a basic configuration of the ear hook member 20aC as illustrated in FIG. 11 is similar to that of the ear hook member 20a described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .
  • the plurality of stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... extending in the lateral direction D2 are provided all over the ear hook member 20aC so as to be spaced from each other in the vertical direction D1.
  • the intervals (pitch) at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed become shorter in the upper-end region E1 and the lower-end region E2 than in the middle region M.
  • a ratio (L E/ L M ) of each of the intervals L E at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 relative to each of the intervals L M at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the middle region M can be preferably from 1.1 through 2. Also, each of the intervals L M at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the middle region M may be from 1.1 through 10 mm. Each of the intervals L E at which the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... are disposed in the upper-end region E1 and/or the lower-end region E2 may be from 1 through 5 mm.
  • the stretchability be present to some degree in the lateral direction D2.
  • the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... it is better for the stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... not to be densely disposed in the middle region M because the ear backward arrangement portion 24 can be made flexible to reduce discomfort around the ear during the wearing of the mask. Therefore, according to the example as illustrated in FIG. 11 , it is possible to provide an ear hook member and a mask that are suitable for a wearer who seeks for fitness of the mask and comfort around his or her ears.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a modified example of the stretchable string material.
  • Stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... as illustrated in FIG. 12 do not extend as a straight line along the lateral direction D2 but instead have a wavy shape having amplitudes in the vertical direction D1.
  • FIG. 12(a) is a plan view of a state where no tensile force is applied.
  • FIG. 12(b) is a plan view of a state where the stretchable string materials are pulled from both sides in the lateral direction D2.
  • the ear hook member including the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... is compared to the ear hook member including the straight-line stretchable string materials 9, 9, ... (e.g., FIG. 6 ) under the conditions that the same tensile force is applied, the ear hook member including the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... can be more stretched in the lateral direction D2 (the stretchability is high). In other words, the ear hook member including the wavy stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... generates a lower stress even when the degree of stretch is the same. Therefore, by using the ear hook member including the stretchable string materials 9w, 9w, ... as illustrated in FIG. 12 , it is possible to provide a mask that is suitable for a wearer who wants to avoid the mask body being excessively pressed against his or her face, or the ear hook member being pressed against his or her ears.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a mask 101 including no auxiliary material.
  • a pair of ear hook members 120a and 120a are respectively directly joined at joined portions 70 and 70 with end portions of the mask body 10 in the lateral direction D2.
  • the joined portions 70 and 70 can be formed by similar joining means to that used for the outer joined portions 50 and 50 and the inner joined portions 60 and 60 in the mask 1 ( FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 ).
  • the pair of ear hook members 120a and 120a form a single-sheet ear hook member sheet 120.
  • an ear hook member for a mask, where the ear hook member has an annular sheet shape and has, in a plan view thereof, a first direction corresponding to an up-and-down direction of the mask and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the ear hook member including: a first surface material; a second surface material that is disposed on an opposite side to the first surface material; and a plurality of stretchable string materials between the first surface material and the second surface material, the plurality of stretchable string materials being spaced from each other in the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction, wherein each of the stretchable string materials is adhered to the first surface material and the second surface material, with the stretchable string materials being stretched.
  • the stretchability of the ear hook member can be achieved by using the plurality of stretchable string materials. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the material and the thickness of the stretchable string material (e.g., a rubber thread) and/or by appropriately selecting the arrangement, the stretch rate, etc. of the stretchable string material, it is possible to provide a resulting ear hook member with any level of the stretchability. This makes it possible to relatively easily produce various ear hook members for a mask that meet demands from users.
  • the material and the thickness of the stretchable string material e.g., a rubber thread
  • the stretchable string material is provided all over the ear hook member, and is also provided at the ear backward arrangement portion of the ear hook member that is to be positioned at the back of the ear of a wearer upon putting the mask on.
  • the stretchable string material is provided all over the ear hook member, and is also provided at the ear backward arrangement portion of the ear hook member that is to be positioned at the back of the ear of a wearer upon putting the mask on.
  • the first surface material and the second surface material are made of nonwoven fabric.
  • the nonwoven fabric is used as the surface materials of the ear hook member, it is possible to obtain an ear hook member having good texture.
  • the stretchable string material extends in a wavy shape having amplitudes in the first direction.
  • the stretchable string material extending in the wavy shape, it is possible to achieve a higher stretch property; i.e., to make the stretched length be longer than the length in the natural state when the stretchable string material is compared to another type of stretchable string material under application of the same tensile force.
  • the ear hook member has a shape of a tetragonal ring and includes an upper-side portion and a lower-side portion that respectively correspond to an upper side and a lower side of the tetragonal ring; and the ear hook member includes, as viewed in the first direction, an upper-end region corresponding to a region over which the upper-side portion extends, a lower-end region corresponding to a region over which the lower-side portion extends, and the middle region between the upper-end region and the lower-end region, wherein one or more of thicknesses, stretch rates, and intervals of the plurality of stretchable string materials are different between the middle region and a region that is either or both of the upper-end region and the lower-end region.
  • behaviors of stretch can be made different between the regions of the ear hook member.
  • the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials disposed in the upper-end region and the lower-end region are made larger and the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials disposed in the middle region are made smaller, the tensile stress occurring in the upper-end region and the lower-end region when the ear hook member is pulled upon putting the mask on can be made higher than the tensile stress occurring in the middle region.
  • the upper-end region and the lower-end region respectively correspond to the upper-side portion and the lower-side portion of the ear hook member that are to be greatly pulled in the lateral direction D2 upon putting the mask on.
  • the ear backward arrangement portion corresponding to the middle region of the ear hook member also have the stretchability in the lateral direction D2 so that the ear backward arrangement portion can deform along a curve of the ear, thicker stretchable members may degrade feelings during the wearing of the mask. Therefore, when the thicknesses of the stretchable string materials in the middle region are smaller, it is possible to keep the ear backward arrangement portion flexible.
  • An aspect according to Supplementary Note 5 is a mask including: a body for a mask; and the ear hook member for the mask according to any one of the Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the ear hook member for the mask being joined with an outer face of the body for the mask.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
EP22774674.0A 2021-03-25 2022-02-01 Ear-hanging member for mask, and mask Pending EP4316604A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2021051173A JP2022149154A (ja) 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 マスク用耳掛け部材、及びマスク
PCT/JP2022/003758 WO2022201872A1 (ja) 2021-03-25 2022-02-01 マスク用耳掛け部材、及びマスク

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EP22774674.0A Pending EP4316604A1 (en) 2021-03-25 2022-02-01 Ear-hanging member for mask, and mask

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EP (1) EP4316604A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2022149154A (ja)
KR (1) KR20230158459A (ja)
CN (1) CN116916777A (ja)
TW (1) TW202237230A (ja)
WO (1) WO2022201872A1 (ja)

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JP2007021029A (ja) * 2005-07-20 2007-02-01 Daio Paper Corp マスク
JP3128583U (ja) * 2006-10-30 2007-01-18 株式会社エブノ 感染予防マスク
JP4963268B2 (ja) * 2007-05-29 2012-06-27 明広商事株式会社 立体マスク
JP3159977U (ja) * 2010-02-15 2010-06-10 株式会社メイリ−ジャパン 立体マスク
JP5762803B2 (ja) 2011-04-08 2015-08-12 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 マスク
JP7298418B2 (ja) 2019-09-25 2023-06-27 コニカミノルタ株式会社 静電荷像現像用トナー及び電子写真画像形成方法
TWM597300U (zh) * 2020-02-27 2020-06-21 鴻盛實業有限公司 條狀彈性件以及使用該條狀彈性件之口罩
JP2021172949A (ja) * 2020-04-30 2021-11-01 株式会社瑞光 マスク

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CN116916777A (zh) 2023-10-20
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KR20230158459A (ko) 2023-11-20
WO2022201872A1 (ja) 2022-09-29

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