WO2008143462A1

WO2008143462A1 - Mask

Info

Publication number: WO2008143462A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joon Sik Hyun; Yu Man Park
Original assignee: Yuhan-Kimberly, Limited
Priority date: 2007-05-22
Filing date: 2008-05-21
Publication date: 2008-11-27
Also published as: KR100986665B1; KR20080102881A

Abstract

There is provided a mask including a front panels section having an outward curved surface. The mask includes a 2-intersecting front panels section having upper and lower flaps divided foldably by a reference line, each of the flaps having a width decreasing from a center to both ends along the reference line in a longitudinal direction thereof so that the front panels section has a curved surface in a fully extended position; an upper panel having an upper first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to an upper edge of the front panels section to define an upper connection line therebetween, and a free, upper second edge opposite to the upper first edge, the upper panel being foldable onto an inner face of the upper flap about the upper connection line; and a lower panel having a lower first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to a lower edge of the front panels section to define a lower connection line therebetween, and a free, lower second edge opposite to the lower first edge, the lower panel being foldable onto an inner face of the lower flap about the lower connection line. The mask may be useful to improve user's wearing feeling and facilitate easy portability.

Description

Description MASK

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mask, and more particularly, to a mask having excellent wearing feeling since a front panels section has an outwardly curved surface and showing easy portability since upper and lower panels are folded onto inner face of the front panels section. Background Art

[2] A mask is an article designed to cover user's nose and mouth to protect a user from the intake and scattering of germs, dusts and the like for health and sanitation.

[3] Conventional masks includes a mask including a flat front panel; and upper and lower panels connected respectively to both upper and lower ends of the front panel, a mask that is made totally of a flexible material so that it can be curved depending on the shape of a user's face to be covered, etc.

[4] These masks desirably has a predetermined space between a mask and a user's face so that the mask cannot press the user's nose and mouth so as to improve wearing feeling of the mask, with the mask being in a close contact with the user's face so as to cover user's nose and mouth.

[5] However, among the conventional masks, the above-mentioned mask including a flat front panel and upper and lower panels has a problem that the mask may give an unpleasant feeling to users since user's nose and mouth are strongly pressed by a front panel of the mask. In order to solve the problems regarding the unpleasant feeling, there is an alternative of a mask having a wide distance between a front panel and a user's face. This mask also has problems that the mask is unhandy to be carried and may obstruct user's field of vision owing to its increased volume.

[6] Also, among the conventional masks, the mask that is made totally of a flexible material so that it can be curved along the shape of a user's face to be covered has a disadvantage that a space between the mask and a user's face is so narrow since a user's face is completely covered with a mask that it can give inconvenience to users when a user opens this mouth.

[7] Among the conventional masks, some masks having their shapes have been listed above, but other masks have their limits to improve the wearing feeling of users. Therefore, there has been an attempt to develop a mask whose wearing feeling is improved.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a mask capable of being easily portable and improving user's wearing feeling.

[9] Also, it is another object of the present invention to provide a mask capable of maintaining its own original shape when the mask is used again after its storage and/or carrying.

[10] Furthermore, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a mask capable of closely sealing a contact surface between a user's face and the mask. Technical Solution

[11] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mask including a

2-intersecting front panels section having upper and lower flaps divided foldably by a reference line, each of the flaps having a width decreasing from a center to both ends along the reference line in a longitudinal direction thereof so that the front panels section has a curved surface in a fully extended position; an upper panel having an upper first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to an upper edge of the front panels section to define an upper connection line therebetween, and a free, upper second edge opposite to the upper first edge, the upper panel being foldable onto an inner face of the upper flap about the upper connection line; and a lower panel having a lower first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to a lower edge of the front panels section to define a lower connection line therebetween, and a free, lower second edge opposite to the lower first edge, the lower panel being foldable onto an inner face of the lower flap about the lower connection line.

[12] In this case, the mask according to the present invention may further include panel pressing parts extending from both ends of at least one of upper and lower connection lines of the front panels section to press portions of the upper and lower panels in contact with the panel pressing parts when the mask is worn on a user's face.

[13] Also, the panel pressing parts may extend from the both ends of the upper and lower connection lines of the front panels section.

[14] In addition, the mask according to the present invention may further include an attachment means connected to the panel pressing parts, the attachment means being configured to exert a tensile force to the panel pressing parts in order to press portions of the upper and lower panels that is in contact with the panel pressing parts when the mask is worn on a user's face.

[15] Additionally, the mask according to the present invention may further include an attachment means for enabling the mask to be worn on a user's face, the attachment means being attached to each end of the upper and lower flaps of the front panels section. [16] On the contrary, the mask according to the present invention may further include an attachment means for enabling the mask to be worn on a user's face, the attachment means being attached to both ends of the upper and lower panels.

[17] Also, the upper and lower panels may have a predetermined width so that the free edges of the upper and lower panels are distanced from the reference line when the upper and lower panels are folded onto inner face of the front panels section.

[18] In addition, the mask according to the present invention may further include a bending member installed at the upper panel and capable of being bended depending on a shape of a user's nose.

[19] Additionally, the front panels section is configured in such a fashion that the upper and lower flaps are completely put upon each other when the front panels section is folded about the reference line.

[20] Also, the upper and lower flaps of the front panels section may be folded once again about the reference line, with the upper panel being folded onto an inner face of the front panels section about the upper connection line and the lower panel being folded onto an inner face of the front panels section about the lower connection line.

[21] In addition, each of the upper and lower panels may have a width decreasing from a central portion to both ends.

[22] Additionally, the reference line may extend to both ends of the front panels section across a central portion thereof.

[23] Meanwhile, the upper and lower flaps of the front panels section divided by the reference line may define an obtuse angle therebetween when both ends of the front panels section are folded to contact each other with the mask being fully extended.

[24] In this case, the angle formed between the upper and lower flaps may have a range between 140°and 175°.

[25] Also, each of the front panels section, upper and lower panels may include one or more layers of a sheet material, or one or more layers of two or more sheet materials being laminated or joined to each other.

[26] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mask including a multi-intersecting front panels section having a plurality of flaps divided foldably by at least one reference line; an upper panel having an upper first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to an uppermost edge of the front panels section to define an upper connection line therebetween, and a free, upper second edge opposite to the upper first edge, the upper panel being foldable onto an inner face of the front panels section about the upper connection line; and a lower panel having a lower first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to a lowermost edge of the front panels section to define a lower connection line therebetween, and a free, lower second edge opposite to the lower first edge, the lower panel being foldable onto an inner face of the front panels section about the lower connection line.

Advantageous Effects

[27] According to the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a space is formed between the upper flap and the lower flap of the front panels section since the upper flap and the lower flap being curved outwardly when the mask is worn on a user's face, and therefore a wider space between the mask and a user's face is formed than conventional masks when user nose and mouth are covered with the mask. Therefore, the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be useful to improve the wearing feeling by minimizing the discomfort when a user who wears the mask opens his mouth, etc.

[28] Also, according to the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper panel and the lower panel of the mask may be folded onto an inner surface of the front panels section about the upper connection line and the lower connection line, and the upper flap and the lower flap of the front panels section may also be folded about the reference line. Therefore, the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be easily portable due to its small folded size since the mask is completely folded once, or folded several times.

[29] In addition, according to the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower panels are not crumpled since free edges of the upper and lower panels are not in contact with the reference line. Therefore, the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be useful to maintain its original shape even when the mask is re-used after its storage and/or carrying.

[30] Additionally, according to the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the panel pressing parts function to press portions in contact with the upper panel and the lower panel of the mask due to a tensile force of the attachment means when the mask is worn on a user's face since both ends of the attachment means are coupled respectively to the panel pressing parts. Therefore, the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be useful to effectively seal a contact surface between a user's face and the mask by exerting the panel pressing parts to press each of both ends of the upper panel and the lower panel.

[31] Furthermore, the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be useful to prevent the mask from slipping down by designing the upper connection line to be in contact with the end of a user's nose when the mask is worn on a user's face. Brief Description of the Drawings [32] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating that a mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn on a user's face. [33] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a front face (an outer face) of the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a fully extended position. [34] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear face (an inner face) of the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a once-folded position. [35] FIG. 4 is a plane view illustrating a fully folded position of the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [36] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating that the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is folded so that both ends of the front panels section can be in contact with each other when the mask is in a fully extended position. [37] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a front face (an outer face) of the mask according to one modified embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a fully extended position. [38] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating that a mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn on a user's face. [39] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a front face (an outer face) of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a fully extended position. [40] FIG. 9 is a back view illustrating a rear face (an inner face) of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a once- folded position. [41] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a rear face (an inner face) of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a once-folded position. [42] FIG. 11 is a plane view illustrating a fully folded position of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [43] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating that the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is folded so that both ends of the front panels section can be in contact with each other when the mask is in a fully extended position. [44] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a cut section taken vertically from the center of the mask according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [45] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[46] Embodiment 1

[47] First, the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[48] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating that a mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn on a user's face, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a front face (an outer face) of the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a fully extended position, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear face (an inner face) of the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a once-folded position, FIG. 4 is a plane view illustrating a fully folded position of the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating that the mask according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is folded so that both ends of the front panels section can be in contact with each other when the mask is in a fully extended position, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a front face (an outer face) of the mask according to one modified embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a fully extended position.

[49] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the mask 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a 2-intersecting front panels section 110, an upper panel 120 and a lower panel 130, and may further include an attachment means 140 or a bending member 160.

[50] Referring to FIG. 1, a surface that is exposed to the outside when the mask 100 is worn on a user's face is referred to as a 'front face or outer face', and a surface that is contact with the face is referred to as a 'rear face or inner face', as described through the entire specification. Also, an upward direction and a downward direction are referred respectively to as 'upper face and lower face', and portions that are adjacent to a user's ear are referred to as 'left and right ends or both ends' when the mask is worn on a user's face.

[51] The 2-intersecting front panels section 110 has an upper flap 111 and a lower flap

112 divided foldably by a reference line 113 formed in the central region of the mask. In this case, the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 preferably have a height decreasing from a center to both ends so that the front panels section 110 can have an outwardly curved surface in a fully extended position.

[52] That is to say, it is necessary for the mask to have a space in an inner face of the front panels section 110 that are in contact with user nose, mouse and/or jaw in order to improve user's wearing feeling, and the center of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the 2-intersecting front panels section 110 preferably have a wider width than both ends of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 in order to obtain the space when mask 100 is worn on a user's face.

[53] The reference line 113 intersects the central region of the front panels section 110 in a left-right direction (longitudinal direction). The reference line 113 is referred to as a line along which the front panels section 110 is folded, and the front panels section 110 has an upper flap 111 and a lower flap 112 divided foldably by the reference line 113. Of course, the reference line 113 may be formed by a plural number, and the front panels section 110 may be divided into a plurality of sections by respective reference lines, as shown in FIG. 13.

[54] Also, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 are coupled respectively to the upper and lower faces of the front panels section 110.

[55] The upper panel 120 has one face (a lower face) coupled to the top of the upper flap

111 of the front panels section 110 along the upper connection line 114, and the other face (an upper face) having a free edge 121 of the upper panel 120 that is in contact with a user's face (a nose). In this case, the upper panel 120 is folded onto an inner face of the front panels section 110 about the upper connection line 114.

[56] Also, in order to prevent the mask 100 from slipping down, the central region of the upper panel 120 may be formed at such a width that the upper connection line 114 is disposed in the end of a user nose.

[57] In addition, the lower panel 130 has one face (an upper face) coupled to the bottom of the lower flap 112 in the front panels section 110 along the lower connection line 115, and the other face (a lower face) having a free edge 131 of the lower panel 130 that is in contact with a user face (jaw). In this case, the lower panel 130 is folded onto an inner face of the front panels section 110 about the lower connection line 115.

[58] Additionally, like the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 preferably have a height decreasing from a central portion to both ends. That is to say, like the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the 2-intersecting front panels section 110, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 also preferably have a height decreasing from a central region to both ends so as to form a wide space in an inner face of the mask 100.

[59] As described above, the mask 100 according to the present invention may be useful to form a wider space between the mask 100 and a user face than the conventional masks when user nose and mouth are covered with mask 100. Therefore, the mask 100 has an effect to improve the wearing feeling by minimizing the wearing discomfort when a user who wears the mask 100 opens his mouth, etc.

[60] Also, the mask 100 is preferably configured so that the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 can be folded onto inner faces of the front panels section 110 about the upper connection line 114 and the lower connection line 115, as shown in FIG. 3. After the mask is folded once as shown in FIG. 3, the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the front panels section 110 may then be folded once more about the reference line 113, as shown in FIG. 4. That is to say, since it is possible for the mask to have a double-folded structure, the mask 100 may have an advantage of easy portability due to the small volume of the mask 100 in a completely folded position.

[61] Referring to FIG. 3, when the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 are folded to be in contact with the inner face of the front panels section 110, the free edge 121 of the upper panel 120 and the free edge 131 of the lower panel 130 preferably have such a width that they cannot be in contact with the reference line 113.

[62] That is to say, the free edge 121 of the upper panel 120 and the free edge 131 of the lower panel 130 are not in contact with the reference line 113 when the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 are folded about the upper and lower connection lines 114 and 115, and therefore the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 are not crumpled when the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 are folded onto the inner face of the front panels section 110 (see FIG. 3), and the mask 100 is then completely folded by re-folding the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 about the reference line 113 (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, the mask according to the present invention has an effect to maintain its original shape even when the mask is re -used after its storage and/or carrying.

[63] Also, when the front panels section 110 is folded about a line vertical to the reference line 113 so that both ends (left and right ends) of the mask 100 can be in contact with each other in a completely folded position of the mask 100, a central region of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 preferably has an obtuse angle with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 5. That is to say, when the center angle (θ) is 90° or an acute angle, the central region of the front panels section 110 is extruded outwardly to an excessive extent, and a width of the front panels section 110 is increased to an excessive extent. Therefore, an angle between the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 does not need to exceed 90° so as to form an inner space with suitable volume. And, the angle between the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 should be less than 180° in order to form a space between the front panels section 110 and a user's face.

[64] In this case, the angle (θ) formed around the central region of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 is preferably in a range from 140° to 175°.

[65] Where the angle between the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 is less than 140°, the central region of the front panels section 110 is extruded to an excessive extent around the reference line 113, which prevents the field of vision in a lower direction from the mask 100 and leads to the adverse effect on the beauty of the mask 100. On the contrary, when the angle between the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 exceeds 175°, the wearing feeling may be bad due to the very narrow space formed by the bending of the 2-intersecting front panels section 110 when the mask 100 is worn on a user's face.

[66] In the similar manner, the front panels section 110, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 are preferably unfolded at an obtuse angle about the upper connection line 114 and the lower connection line 115 to form a wide space with suitable volume.

[67] Meanwhile, when the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the front panels section 110 are folded about the reference line 113, the front panels section 110 preferably have a completely folded shape, that is, a symmetrical shape to facilitate the storage and portability of the folded mask 100 and easily manufacture the mask 100.

[68] Form the same grounds, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130 as well as the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the front panels section 110 may have a symmetrical shape with respect to a horizontal plane including the reference line 113.

[69] Also, attachment means 140 may be coupled to both ends 117 and 118 of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 in the 2-intersecting front panels section 110 to wear the mask 110 on a user's face, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

[70] FIGS. 1 to 4 show that the attachment means 140 has such a structure that it can be hanged on a user's ear, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, where the attachment means 140 according to one embodiment of the present invention has such a structure that the mask 100 may be worn on a user's face, the attachment means 140 may be used herein without any limitation on the shape of the mask 100. For example, the attachment means 140 may be mounted onto the mask 100 in various shapes such as a band structure to wraps the back of a user's head, or a string structure to tie the back of a user's head with strings. Also, the attachment means 140 are preferably made of stretch yarns such as spandex, or elastic materials such as elastic rubber for the purpose of the close adhesion and easy wearing of the mask 100, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the attachment means 140 may be formed of stretch materials such as fabric or non- woven materials, and also be used together with supplementary members to adjust a length of the attachment means.

[71] In order to enhance the adhesion of a portion where the mask 100 is in contact with a user's face, or in consideration of the easy attachment of the attachment means 140, the attachment means 140 is preferably attached to the front faces, that is, both outer ends 117 and 118 of the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

[72] Also in consideration of the easy installation of the attachment means 140, the both ends 117 and 118 of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the 2-intersecting front panels section 110 are preferably more extended, respectively, than those of the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. [73] Meanwhile, the attachment means 140 may also be coupled to the both ends 122 and

132 of the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130, as shown in one modified embodiment of FIG. 6.

[74] The coupling between the attachment means 140 and the both ends 117 and 118 of the upper flap 111 and the lower flap 112 of the front panels section 110, or the coupling between the attachment means 140 and the both ends 122 and 132 of the upper and lower panels 120 and 130 may be performed using one of the known methods such as adhesion, thermal fusion, sewing, etc.

[75] Also, a bending member 160 may be installed in the upper panel 120 to bend the mask 100 along the shape of a user's nose. A sealing effect between the upper panel 120 and a user's nose may be improved through the use of the semi-rigid bending member 160.

[76] In addition, the bending member 160 is preferably installed between two exterior sheets to improve the wearing feeling and appearance of the mask 100, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

[77] The front panels section 110, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130, all of which constitute the mask 100 as configured thus, may be formed of a sheet material having one layer or a plurality of layers. In order to improve the filtration performance, at least two sheet materials having one layer or a plurality of layers may be stacked onto, or partially attached to the front panels section 110, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel 130.

[78] For example, the front panels section 110, the upper panel 120 and the lower panel

130 may be configured so that at least one interior sheet material can be inserted between the two exterior sheet materials, or materials such as filter media can be held between or coated onto the exterior sheet materials.

[79] Non- woven materials such as spunlace, spunbond, meltblown and airlaid, various fabrics and knitted goods may be used as these sheet materials as known in the art, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Also, patterns or printings may be formed on an outer face of the mask 100 to improve the aesthetic effect of the mask 100.

[80]

[81] Embodiment 2

[82] Next, the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.

[83] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating that a mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn on a user's face, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a front face (an outer face) of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a fully extended position, FIG. 9 is a back view illustrating a rear face (an inner face) of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a once-folded position, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a rear face (an inner face) of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the mask is in a once-folded position, FIG. 11 is a plane view illustrating a fully folded position of the mask according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating that the ma sk according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is folded so that both ends of the front panels section can be in contact with each other when the mask is in a fully extended position.

[84] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the mask 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a 2-intersecting front panels section 210, an upper panel 220, a lower panel 230 and panel pressing parts 250, and may further include an attachment means 240 or a bending member 260.

[85] The 2-intersecting front panels section 210 has an upper flap 211 and a lower flap

212 divided foldably by a reference line 213 formed in a central region of the mask 200. Here, the upper flap 211 and the lower flap 212 preferably have a width decreasing from a central portion to both ends so that the 2-intersecting front panels section 210 can have a curved surface in a fully extended position.

[86] Also, the upper panel 220 has one face (a lower face) coupled to the top of the upper flap 211 of the front panels section 210 along the upper connection line 214, and the other face (an upper face) having a free edge 221 of the upper panel 220 that is in contact with a user's face (a nose). In this case, the upper panel 220 is folded onto an inner face of the front panels section 210 about the upper connection line 214.

[87] Also, the lower panel 230 has one face (an upper face) coupled to the bottom of the lower flap 212 in the front panels section 210 along the lower connection line 215, and the other face (a lower face) having a free edge 231 of the lower panel 230 that is in contact with a user face (jaw). In this case, the lower panel 230 is folded onto an inner face of the front panels section 210 about the lower connection line 215.

[88] These configurations of the front panels section 210, the upper panel 220 and the lower panel 230 are substantially similar to the configurations according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and therefore detailed descriptions of the parts with similar configurations and functions are omitted for clarity.

[89] The mask 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 includes panel pressing parts 250 extending from the both ends of the upper and lower connection lines of the front panels section 210 to press portions of the upper panel 220 and the lower panel 230 in contact with the panel pressing parts 250 when the mask 200 is worn on a user's face.

[90] In this case, attachment means 240 are coupled to the panel pressing parts 250 to press portions of the upper panel 220 and the lower panel 230 being in contact with the panel pressing parts 250 when the mask 200 is worn on a user's face using a tensile force of the attachment means 240, that is, a force exerted when the attachment means 240 pulls the panel pressing parts 250.

[91] Therefore, the contact surface between a user's face and the mask may be easily sealed since the upper panel 220 and the lower panel 230 is pressed by the panel pressing parts 250.

[92] In order to improve this sealing effect, the attachment means 240 is preferably attached to the front face of the panel pressing parts 250, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Also, the attachment means 240 may have various structures and materials as described above in the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[93] FIGS. 7 to 12 show that the panel pressing parts 250 extend outwardly to both ends of the upper flap 211 and both ends of the lower flap 212, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the panel pressing parts 250 may be installed in both ends of either the upper flap 211 or the lower flap 212.

[94] Meanwhile, like the mask 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a bending member 260 may be installed in the upper panel 220 to bend the mask 200 along the shape of a user's nose. A sealing effect between the upper panel 220 and a user's nose may be improved through the use of the semi-rigid bending member 260.

[95] Also, the bending member 260 is preferably installed between two exterior sheets to improve the wearing feeling and appearance of the mask 200, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

[96] As described above in the mask 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the front panels section 110 is folded about a line vertical to the reference line 213 so that both ends (left and right ends) of the mask 200 can be in contact with each other in a completely folded position of the mask 200, a central region of the upper flap 211 and the lower flap 212 preferably has an obtuse angle with respect to each other. In this case, the center angle (θ) of the upper flap 211 and the lower flap 212 is preferably in a range from 140° to 175°.

[97]

[98] Embodiment 3

[99] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a cut section taken vertically from the center of the mask according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [100] The mask according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 13.

[101] The mask according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is basically similar to the masks according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, except that a front panels section 110a of the mask according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of sections. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the parts with similar configurations and functions are omitted for clarity.

[102] The front panels section 110a as shown in FIG. 13 includes a plurality of reference lines 113a and 117a, and has three flaps I l ia, 112a and 116a folded about the reference lines 113a and 117a. Also, the upper flap 11 Ia is coupled to the upper panel 120a having a free edge 121a along the upper connection line 114a, and the lower flap 112a is coupled to the lower panel 130a having a free edge 131a along the lower connection line 115a.

[103] As described above, the mask according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have an effect to improve the wearing feeling by providing a plurality of the reference lines 113a and 117a to obtain an inner space in the mask.

[104] FIG. 13 shows that the front panels section 110a has three flaps I l ia, 112a and 116a, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Also, the front panels section 110a may be configured so that it can have at least four flaps.

[105] While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. However, it will be considered that the modifications and variations are included within the sprit and scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] A mask comprising: a 2-intersecting front panels section having upper and lower flaps divided foldably by a reference line, each of the flaps having a width decreasing from a center to both ends along the reference line in a longitudinal direction thereof so that the front panels section has a curved surface in a fully extended position; an upper panel having an upper first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to an upper edge of the front panels section to define an upper connection line therebetween, and a free, upper second edge opposite to the upper first edge, the upper panel being foldable onto an inner face of the upper flap about the upper connection line; and a lower panel having a lower first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to a lower edge of the front panels section to define a lower connection line therebetween, and a free, lower second edge opposite to the lower first edge, the lower panel being foldable onto an inner face of the lower flap about the lower connection line.

[2] The mask according to claim 1, further comprising panel pressing parts extending from both ends of at least one of upper and lower connection lines of the front panels section to press portions of the upper and lower panels in contact with the panel pressing parts when the mask is worn on a user's face.

[3] The mask according to claim 2, wherein the panel pressing parts extend from the both ends of the upper and lower connection lines of the front panels section.

[4] The mask according to claim 3, further comprising an attachment means connected to the panel pressing parts, the attachment means being configured to exert a tensile force to the panel pressing parts in order to press portions of the upper and lower panels in contact with the panel pressing parts when the mask is worn on a user's face.

[5] The mask according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means for enabling the mask to be worn on a user's face, the attachment means being attached to each end of the upper and lower flaps of the front panels section.

[6] The mask according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means for enabling the mask to be worn on a user's face, the attachment means being attached to both ends of the upper and lower panels.

[7] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the upper and lower panels have a predetermined width so that the free edges of the upper and lower panels are distanced from the reference line when the upper and lower panels are folded onto inner face of the front panels section.

[8] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a bending member installed at the upper panel and capable of being bended depending on a shape of a user's nose.

[9] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the front panels section is configured in such a fashion that the upper and lower flaps are completely put upon each other when the front panels section is folded about the reference line.

[10] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the upper and lower flaps of the front panels section are folded once again about the reference line, with the upper panel being folded onto an inner face of the front panels section about the upper connection line and the lower panel being folded onto an inner face of the front panels section about the lower connection line.

[11] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the upper and lower panels has a width decreasing from a central portion to both ends.

[12] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reference line extends to both ends of the front panels section across a central portion thereof.

[13] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the upper and lower flaps of the front panels section divided by the reference line define an obtuse angle therebetween when both ends of the front panels section are folded to contact each other with the mask fully extended.

[14] The mask according to claim 13, wherein the angle formed between the upper and lower flaps has a range between 140° and 175°.

[15] The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the front panels section, upper and lower panels comprises one or more layers of a sheet material, or one or more layers of two or more sheet materials being laminated or joined to each other.

[16] A mask comprising: a multi-intersecting front panels section having a plurality of flaps divided foldably by at least one reference line; an upper panel having an upper first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to an uppermost edge of the front panels section to define an upper connection line therebetween, and a free, upper second edge opposite to the upper first edge, the upper panel being foldable onto an inner face of the front panels section about the upper connection line; and a lower panel having a lower first edge connected along a longitudinal direction thereof to a lowermost edge of the front panels section to define a lower connection line therebetween, and a free, lower second edge opposite to the lower first edge, the lower panel being foldable onto an inner face of the front panels section about the lower connection line.