FACE MASK

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2021-101601, filed on Jun. 18, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a face mask.

Description of the Background Art

Face masks that cover the mouths and noses of wearers are known. For example, the face mask disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-014659 includes a mask body portion that covers the mouth and nose of a wearer, and a pair of ear loop portions (elastic braids) that are hooked on the right and left ears of the wearer.

In the case of conventional face masks, when a face mask is worn, portions of a mask body portion that are bonded to right and left ear loop portions are pulled respectively in the right and left directions, and thereby the mask body portion is pressed against a wearer. However, the distorting force of compressing the mask body portion in the up-down direction may act on the both end portions of the mask body portion, and accordingly large gaps may be formed between the mask body portion and the skin of the wearer

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a technique that enables a reduction of gaps between end portions of the mask body portion and the skin of a wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a face mask. A first aspect is directed to a face mask that includes a mask body portion formed of a sheet material configured by one or more sheets and having spreads in an up-down direction and in a right-left direction as viewed from a wearer, and a pair of ear loop portions mounted on both end portions of the mask body portion in the right-left direction. The pair of ear loop portions each include a base portion extending in the up-down direction and bonded to the mask body portion, and an ear-loop body portion having both end portions bonded respectively to both end portions of the base portion. The mask body portion includes a pair of overlapping portions arranged at an interval in the up-down direction, the pair of overlapping portions being portions in which the sheet member is folded in upward and downward directions at a pair of folds extending in the right-left direction, so that the sheet member is folded in two or more layers in a thickness direction of the mask body portion, and a non-overlapping portion located between the pair of overlapping portions and in which the sheet member is not folded in the thickness direction. The base portion includes a bonding region that is bonded to the pair of overlapping portions, and a non-bonding region that overlaps the non-overlapping portion in the thickness direction but is not bonded to the non-overlapping portion.

According to the mask of the first aspect, since the base portion of each ear loop portion is not bonded to the non-overlapping portion of the mask body portion, the non-overlapping portion is more flexible than in the case where the base portion is bonded to the non-overlapping portion of the base portion. Accordingly, even if the distorting force of compressing the mask body portion in the up-down direction arises when the face mask is worn, it is possible to absorb and disperse this distorting force by, for example, forming pleats (creases) with the non-overlapping portion. This reduces gaps between the mask body portion and the skin of the wearer. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an improved fit of the face mask.

A second aspect is directed to the face mask according to the first aspect, in which the bonding region includes a plurality of dot fixing areas that are arranged at an interval in the up-down direction and that bond the base portion to the mask body portion, and the non-bonding region has a length greater than the interval of the dot fixing areas in the up-down direction.

According to the mask of the second aspect, it is possible to disperse the distorting force with the non-overlapping portion arranged between the overlapping portions.

A third aspect is directed to the face mask of the first or second aspect, in which the sheet member includes a plurality of sheets laminated one on another, and the plurality of sheets are bonded to one another in the pair of overlapping portions of the mask body portion and are not bonded to one another in a portion of the base portion that overlaps the non-bonding region in the thickness direction.

According to the face mask of the third aspect, it is possible to make the non-overlapping portion of the mask body portion flexible because the plurality of sheets are not bonded to one another in the portions in which the sheets overlaps the non-overlapping regions of the base portion. Accordingly, even if the distorting force of compressing the mask body portion in the up-down direction arises when the face mask is worn, it is possible to absorb and disperse the distorting force with the non-overlapping portion of the mask body portion.

A fourth aspect is directed to the face mask according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the base portion is bonded to an outer surface of the mask body portion.

According to the face mask of the fourth aspect, when the face mask is worn, non-bonded portions of the base portion at the upper and lower end portions of the body portion are pulled and folded by the ear loop body portions. This causes the upper and lower end portions of the strap base portions to press the mask body portion against the skin of the wearer. This reduces gaps between the end portions of the mask body portion and the skin of the wearer.

A fifth aspect is directed to the face mask according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the mask body portion is arranged in the thickness direction between the base portion and the ear loop portions.

A sixth aspect is directed to the face mask according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the base portion is longer in the up-down direction than the mask body portion.

A seventh aspect is directed to the face mask according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the bonding region includes an upper-end bonding zone located at an upper end and a lower-end bonding zone located at a lower end, the upper-end bonding zone of the ear loop portion on a left side has a right end portion that tilts toward a left as the right end portion approaches an upper side, and the lower-end bonding zone of the ear loop portion on the left side has a right end portion that tilts toward the left as the right end portion approaches a lower side.

According to the face mask of the seventh aspect, since the upper-end bonding zone and the lower-end bonding zone of the left-side ear loop portion are angled, the portions of the mask body portion that are bonded to the upper-end bonding zone and the lower-end bonding zone are pulled upward and downward when the face mask is worn. This reduces gaps between the left end portion of the mask body portion and the skin of the wearer because the left portion of the mask body portion is pulled in the upward and downward directions when the face mask is worn.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front view of a face mask according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the face mask illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a left ear loop portion 201 of the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 in enlarged dimensions.

FIG. 5 shows an example of wearing the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constituent elements described in the embodiment are only examples, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto. To facilitate understanding of the drawings, the dimensions or number of each constituent element may be illustrated in exaggerated or simplified form as necessary.

1. Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a front view of a face mask 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of a left ear loop portion 201 of the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 in enlarged dimensions. FIG. 5 shows an example of wearing the face mask 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, the “right-left direction” and/or the “up-down direction” are shown. These directions correspond to the right-left direction and the up-down direction as viewed from a wearer 9 who wears the face mask 1. The right-left direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction (width direction) of a mask body portion 10. The up-down direction corresponds to a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the mask body portion 10. FIG. 1 illustrates the outer side of the face mask 1 (the side opposite the wearer 9), and FIG. 2 illustrates the inner side of the face mask 1 (the wearer's side). Thus, the right and left are reversed between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a center line CL1 is assumed, the center line being a straight line that is parallel to the up-down direction and that passes through the center in the right-left direction (width direction) of the mask body portion 10. The direction getting closer to the center line CL1 is referred to as “inward in the right-left direction,” and the direction getting away from the center line CL1 is referred to as “outward in the right-left direction.”

The face mask 1 may, for example, be a disposable face mask that is discarded after single or multiple uses. The face mask 1 is usable in applications such as protection against pollen, protection against viruses including colds, and moisture retention in the oral or nasal cavity.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the face mask 1 includes the mask body portion 10. The mask body portion 10 is designed to cover the mouth and nose of a wearer 9 when the face mask 1 is worn by the wearer 9 (when the face mask is worn) (see FIG. 5). As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mask body portion 10 has spreads in the up-down direction and in the right-left direction.

The mask body portion 10 is formed by a sheet member 11 that is configured by arranging one or more sheets in layers. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sheet member 11 includes an inner sheet 111, an outer sheet 112, and a middle sheet 113. The inner sheet 111 is arranged on the wearer's side. The outer sheet 112 is arranged on the non-wearer's side (on the outer side) opposite the wearer's side. The middle sheet 113 is arranged between the inner sheet 111 and the outer sheet 112.

The inner sheet 111 and the outer sheet 112 may, for example, be a nonwoven fabric sheet that includes heat seal fiber and has air permeability. Alternatively, the inner sheet 111 and the outer sheet 112 may be woven fabric. The middle sheet 113 may have functionality such as a filtering function.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner sheet 111 is folded outward at the upper and lower ends of the mask body portion 10 on the outer sheet 112. The folded portions of the inner sheet 111 are bonded to the outer sheet 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mask body portion 10 includes a shape-retaining wire 13 that extends linearly rightward and leftward. The shape-retaining wire 13 is deformed along the nose surface of the wearer 9 so as to retain the shape of the mask body portion 10 along the nose surface. The shape-retaining wire 13 is arranged between the inner sheet 111 and the outer sheet 112.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mask body portion 10 includes three pleats 13a, 13b, and 13c that extend in the right-left direction. The pleats 13a, 13b, and 13c are arranged at intervals from the upper side to the lower side. Each of the pleats 13a, 13b, and 13c is formed by folding the sheet member 11 in the upward and downward directions at a pair of creases 131 that extend in the right-left direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mask body portion 10 includes three overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c and two non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b. The overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c correspond respectively to the pleats 13a, 13b, and 13c. That is, the overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c are each formed by folding the sheet member 11 in the upward and downward directions at each pair of creases 131. The overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c are portions where the sheet member 11 is folded in two or more layers (in this example, in three layers) in the thickness direction of the mask body portion 10. The three overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the non-overlapping portion 17a is arranged between the pair of overlapping portions 15a and 15b that are adjacent to each other in the up-down direction, and the non-overlapping portion 17b is arranged between the pair of overlapping portions 15b and 15c that are adjacent to each other in the up-down direction. The non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b are portions where the sheet member 11 is not folded in layers in the thickness direction (i.e., portions where the sheet member 11 is in a single layer).

Note that the mask body portion 10 may include only two overlapping portion and only one non-overlapping portion between the two overlapping portions. As another alternative, the mask body portion 10 may include four or more overlapping portions. The mask body portion 10 may also include three or more non-overlapping portions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the face mask 1 includes a left ear loop portion 201 and a right ear loop portion 202 (a pair of ear loop portions). The left ear loop portion 201 is mounted on the left end portion of the mask body portion 10, and the right ear loop portion 202 is mounted on the right end portion of the mask body portion 10. When the face mask is worn, the left ear loop portion 201 is hooked on the left ear of the wearer 9, and the right ear loop portion 202 is hooked on the right ear of the wearer 9 (see FIG. 5). The left ear loop portion 201 and the right ear loop portion 202 each include a base portion 22 and an ear-loop body portion 23.

Note that the right ear loop portion 202 has a configuration obtained by reversing the configuration of the left ear loop portion 201 right to left. Thus, the following description focuses mainly on the configuration of the left ear loop portion 201, and a detailed description of the right ear loop portion 202 may be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 or 4, the base portion 22 is a strap that extends in the up-down direction. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the base portion 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 is bonded to an outer surface 10S of the mask body portion 10. That is, the base portion 22 is bonded to the outer sheet 112 of the mask body portion 10. For example, the base portion 22 may be nonwoven fabric made of a fiber having heat seal properties.

The ear-loop body portion 23 includes a strap ear-loop sheet portion 231 and two rubber threads 233. The ear-loop sheet portion 231 is made of fabric having heat seal properties. The two rubber threads 233 are arranged at intervals in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ear-loop sheet portion 231, and are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the ear-loop sheet portion 231. The rubber threads 233 are bonded to the ear-loop sheet portion 231 at a plurality of points in the longitudinal direction of the ear-loop sheet portion 231. Note that the ear-loop body portion 23 may include only a single rubber thread 233. As another alternative, the ear-loop body portion 23 may include three or more rubber threads 233.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the face mask 1 is not used (in a state in which the rubber threads 233 have a natural length, which is hereinafter referred to as the “non-use state”), the ear-loop body portion 23 is longer in the up-down direction than the mask body portion 10. Note that the face mask 1 in the non-use state may include the ear-loop body portions 23 that are shorter in the up-down direction than the mask body portion 10.

The ear-loop sheet portion 231 is configured so as to be extendable in the longitudinal direction. To make the ear-loop sheet portion 231 have stretching properties, for example, the ear-loop sheet portion 231 may be pleated like an accordion in which mountain folds and valley folds are alternatively repeated in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the ear-loop sheet portion 231 may have a mesh-like shape. The stretching properties of the ear-loop sheet portion 231 allow the ear-loop sheet portion 231 to follow extension and contraction of the rubber threads 233.

The rubber threads 233 are not absolute necessities for the ear-loop sheet portion 231, and may be omitted. For example, the ear-loop body portion 23 may be configured by only the ear-loop sheet portion 231. The ear-loop sheet portion 231 is not an absolute necessity for the ear-loop body portion 23. For example, the ear-loop body portion 23 may be configured by only the rubber threads 233.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the non-use state, the ear-loop body portions 23 are arranged in parallel with the up-down direction. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the base portion 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 is longer in the up-down direction than the mask body portion 10. The ear-loop body portion 23 has the same length in the up-down direction as the base portion 22. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the face mask 1 is in the non-use state, the mask body portion 10 is arranged between the base portion 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 and the ear-loop body portion 23 of the left ear loop portion 201.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, both end portions of the ear-loop body portion 23 are bonded respectively to both end portions of the base portion 22 in a plurality of end fixing areas 24. Thus, the base portion 22 and the ear-loop body portion 23 form a ring shape. The end fixing areas 24 are each in dotted form and are arranged at intervals in the right-left direction. For example, the end fixing areas 24 may be areas where the base portion 22 and the ear-loop sheet portions 231 are bonded to each other by thermal melting. Note that the end fixing areas 24 may include a hot-melt adhesive applied to the bonded surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 or 4, the base portion 22 includes a bonding zone 25. The bonding zone 25 is a portion of the base portion 22 that is bonded to the mask body portion 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1 or 4, the bonding zone 25 of the base portion 22 includes bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c and non-bonding regions 27a and 27b. The bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c of the base portion 22 are regions that are bonded to the mask body portion 10, and the non-bonding regions 27a and 27b of the base portion 22 are regions that are not bonded to the mask body portion 10. In this way, the bonding zone 25 of the base portion 22 includes bonded portions (bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c) and non-bonded portions (non-bonding regions 27a and 27b). The upper end (in this example, bonding region 26a) and lower end (in this example, bonding region 26c) of the bonding zone 25 are bonded to the mask body portion 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction. The bonding region 26b is arranged below the bonding region 26a, and the bonding region 26c is arranged below the bonding region 26b. The bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c of the base portion 22 include a plurality of dot fixing areas 28 that serve as bonding portions.

The dot fixing areas 28 may, for example, be areas where the base portion 22 is thermally welded to the mask body portion 10 and where the base portion 22 and the outer sheet 112 of the mask body portion 10 are bonded to each other by thermal melting. Note that the dot fixing areas 28 may include an adhesive (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) applied to the bonded surface of each member.

The dot fixing areas 28 are areas of the base portion 22 that are fixed to the mask body portion 10. The dot fixing areas 28 are arranged at predetermined intervals H1 (see FIG. 4) in the up-down direction. That is, the bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c of the base portion 22 are intermittently bonded to the mask body portion 10 in the dot fixing areas 28. The bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c may have the same interval H1 of the dot fixing areas 28, or may have different intervals of the dot fixing areas 28.

In the present embodiment, portions of the bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c of the base portion 22 other than the dot fixing areas 28 are portions that are not fixed to the mask body portion 10. In this way, the bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c of the base portion 22 each may include portions that are not fixed to the mask body portion 10 (non-fixed portions).

The bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c respectively overlap the overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c in the thickness direction of the mask body portion 10. Thus, the bonding regions 26a, 26b, and 26c of the base portion 22 are bonded respectively to the overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c via the dot fixing areas 28.

The inner sheet 111 and the outer sheet 112 of the mask body portion 10 are bonded to each other in the dot fixing areas 28. That is, the inner sheet 111 and the outer sheet 112 are bonded to each other in the dot fixing areas 28 of the overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c of the mask body portion 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the non-bonding region 27a is arranged between the pair of bonding regions 26a and 26b, and the non-bonding region 27b is arranged between the pair of bonding regions 26b and 26c. The non-bonding region 27a is an area interposed between the dot fixing area 28 at the lower end of the bonding region 26a and the dot fixing area 28 at the upper end of the bonding region 26b. The non-bonding region 27b is an area interposed between the dot fixing area 28 at the lower end of the bonding region 26b and the dot fixing area 28 at the upper end of the bonding region 26c.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a length H2 of the non-bonding regions 27a and 27b in the up-down direction is greater than the interval H1 of the dot fixing areas 28. Note that the length H2 of the non-bonding region 27a and the length H2 of the non-bonding region 27b in the up-down direction may be the same, or may be different from each other.

The non-bonding regions 27a and 27b respectively overlap the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b of the mask body portion 10 in the thickness direction of the mask body portion 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the two non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b of the mask body portion 10 do not include any dot fixing areas 28.

The bonding zone 25 of the base portion 22 includes an upper-end bonding zone 31. The upper-end bonding zone 31 is located at the upper end of the bonding zone 25, and to be more specific, located at the upper end of the bonding region 26a. The bonding zone 25 of the base portion 22 also includes a lower-end bonding zone 33. The lower-end bonding zone 33 is located at the lower end of the bonding zone 25, and to be more specific, located at the lower end of the bonding region 26c.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a right end portion 35a (end portion located inward in the right-left direction) of the upper-end bonding zone 31 of the left ear loop portion 201 is arranged so as to tilt toward the left (outward in the right-left direction) as the right end portion 35a approaches the upper side. In this example, the right end portion 35a of the upper-end bonding zone 31 is inclined at a fixed angle of inclination toward the left as the right end portion 35a approaches the upper side. To be more specific, the right end portion 35a of the upper-end bonding zone 31 is configured by right end portions of a plurality of dot fixing areas 28 that are arranged in the up-down direction. Then, a straight line that connects the right end portions of the dot fixing area 28 is inclined at a fixed angle of inclination toward the left as the straight line approaches the upper side.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a right end portion 35b (the end portion located inward in the right-left direction) of the lower-end bonding zone 33 of the left ear loop portion 201 is arranged so as to tilt toward the left (outward in the right-left direction) as the right end portion 35b approaches the lower side. In this example, the right end portion 35b of the lower-end bonding zone 33 is inclined at a fixed angle of inclination toward the left as the right end portion 35b approaches the lower side. To be more specific, the right end portion 35b of the lower-end bonding zone 33 is configured by right end portions of a plurality of dot fixing areas 28 that are arranged in the up-down direction. Then, a straight line that connects the right end portions of the dot fixing areas 28 is inclined at a fixed angle of inclination toward the left as the straight line approaches the lower side.

The upper-end bonding zone 31 and the lower-end bonding zone 33 each include a first-column bonding region 41 and a second-column bonding region 42 located inward of the first-column bonding region 41 in the right-left direction. The first-column bonding region 41 and the second-column bonding region 42 each include a plurality of dot fixing areas 28 that are arranged in a column from top to bottom.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the upper-end bonding zone 31 of the left ear loop portion 201, the dot fixing area 28 at the upper end of the first-column bonding region 41 is located upward of the dot fixing area 28 at the upper end of the second-column bonding region 42. By arranging the dot fixing areas 28 in this way in the upper-end bonding zone 31, the right end (the end located inward in the right-left direction) of each dot fixing area 28 tilts toward the right (outward in the right-left direction) as the right end approaches the upper side.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the configuration of the right ear loop portion 202 is approximately the same as the configuration of the left ear loop portion 201, which is reversed right to left. That is, a left end portion 36a (the end located inward in the right-left direction) of the upper-end bonding zone 31 is arranged so as to tilt toward the right (outward in the right-left direction) as the left end portion 36a approaches the upper side. In this example, the left end portion 36a of the upper-end bonding zone 31 is inclined at a fixed angle of inclination toward the right as the left end portion 36a approaches the upper side. A left end portion 36b (the end portion located inward in the right-left direction) of the lower-end bonding zone 33 of the right ear loop portion 202 is arranged so as to tilt toward the right (outward in the right-left direction) as the left end portion 36b approaches the lower side. In this example, the left end portion 36b of the lower-end bonding zone 33 is inclined at a fixed angle of inclination toward the right as the left end portion 36b approaches the lower side.

In the face mask 1, the right end portion 35a of the upper-end bonding zone 31 of the left ear loop portion 201 is arranged so as to tilt toward the left as the right end portion 35a approaches the upper side. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the face mask is worn, the base portion 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 is folded at the right end portion 35a of the upper-end bonding zone 31 and arranged so as to extend in the upper left direction relative to the mask body portion 10. Accordingly, the left end portion of the mask body portion 10 that is bonded to the upper-end bonding zone 31 is pulled upward.

The right end portion 35b of the lower-end bonding zone 33 of the left ear loop portion 201 is arranged so as to tilt toward the left as the right end portion 35b approaches the lower side. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the face mask is worn, the base portion 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 is folded at the right end portion 35b of the lower-end bonding zone 33 and arranged so as to extend in the lower left direction relative to the mask body portion 10. Accordingly, the portion of the mask body portion 10 that is bonded to the lower-end bonding zone 33 is pulled downward.

In this way, when the face mask is worn, the left end portion of the mask body portion 10 is pulled in the upward and downward directions by the left ear loop portion 201. This reduces gaps between the left end portion of the mask body portion 10 and the skin of the wearer 9. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an improved fit of the face mask 1.

In the case of the right ear loop portion 202 as well, the left end portion 36a of the upper-end bonding zone 31 is arranged so as to tilt toward the right as the left end portion 36a approaches the upper side, and the left end portion 36b of the lower-end bonding zone 33 is arranged so as to tilt toward the right as the left end portion 36b approaches the lower side. Thus, when the face mask is worn, the right end portion of the mask body portion 10 is pulled in the upward and downward directions by the right ear loop portion 202. This reduces gaps between the right end portion of the mask body portion 10 and the skin of the wearer 9. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an improved fit of the face mask 1.

In the face mask 1, the base portion 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 is bonded to the left end portion of the mask body portion 10, and the base portion 22 of the right ear loop portion 202 is bonded to the right end portion of the mask body portion 10. Thus, it is possible to improve stiffness (resistance to deformation) of the both end portions of the mask body portion 10. This suppresses the occurrence of a much loose fit of the both end portions of the mask body portion 10 to the skin of the wearer 9 when the face mask is worn. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an improved fit of the face mask 1.

The base portions 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 and the right ear loop portion 202 are bonded to the outer surface 10S of the mask body portion 10. Thus, when the face mask is worn, the base portions 22 are folded outward (see FIGS. 1 and 4) and then press the both end portions of the mask body portion 10 against the skin of the wearer 9 (see FIG. 5). Accordingly, it is possible to provide an improved fit of the face mask 1. Since the base portions 22 are straps, the both end portions of the mask body portion 10 are pressed by strap surfaces against the skin of the wearer 9. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a more improved fit of the face mask 1 than in the case where the mask body portion 10 is pressed by line surfaces.

If the base portions 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 and the right ear loop portion 202 are mounted on an inner surface 11S of the mask body portion 10, the base portions 22 is interposed between the mask body portion 10 and the skin of the wearer 9. In this case, when the base portions 22 become deformed, large gaps may be formed between the mask body portion 10 and the skin of the wearer 9. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the base portions 22 are arranged on the outer surface 10S of the mask body portion 10. This suppresses the formation of large gaps between the mask body portion 10 and the skin of the wearer 9 due to deformation of the base portions 22. It is, however, possible to bond each base portion 22 to the inside of the mask body portion 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the left ear loop portion 201, a first angle α may for example be 35°, the first angle being an acute angle formed by a straight line extending in the up-down direction and a straight line extending along the right end portion 35a of the upper-end bonding zone 31. Note that the first angle α is preferably greater than or equal to 30°, more preferably greater than or equal to 32°, and yet more preferably greater than or equal to 34°. The first angle α is also preferably less than or equal to 40°, more preferably less than or equal to 38°, and yet more preferably less than or equal to 36°.

If the first angle α is less than 30°, the outward bend of the upper end portion of the base portion 22 in the right-left direction becomes too small and makes it difficult to achieve an improved fit of the face mask 1 when the face mask is worn. If the first angle α is greater than 40°, the outward bend of the upper end portion of the base portion 22 in the right-left direction becomes too large and makes it difficult to achieve an improved fit of the face mask 1 when the face mask is worn.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the left ear loop portion 201, a second angle β may for example be 30°, the second angle being an acute angle formed by a straight line extending in the up-down direction and a straight line along the right end portion 35b of the lower-end bonding zone 33. The second angle β is preferably greater than or equal to 25°, more preferably greater than or equal to 27°, and yet more preferably greater than or equal to 29°. The second angle β is also preferably less than or equal to 35°, more preferably less than or equal to 33°, and yet more preferably less than or equal to 31°.

If the second angle β is less than 25°, the outward bend of the lower end portion of the base portion 22 in the right-left direction becomes too small and makes it difficult to achieve an improved fit of the face mask 1 when the face mask is worn. If the second angle β is greater than 35°, the outward bend of the lower end portion of the base portion 22 in the right-left direction becomes too large and makes it difficult to achieve an improved fit of the face mask 1 when the face mask is worn.

The first angle α is preferably different from the second angle (3. The first angle α is also preferably greater than the second angle (3. By making the first angle α greater than the second angle β in this way, the left end portion of the mask body portion 10 is pulled in the upward and downward directions while achieving good balance when the left ear loop portion 201 is hooked on the left ear of the wearer 9.

As a result of the left ear loop portion 201 and the right ear loop portion 202 pulling the mask body portion 10 from side to side when the face mask is worn, the distorting force of compression in the up-down direction may arise at the both end portions of the mask body portion 10. In the present embodiment, the base portions 22 of the left ear loop portion 201 and the right ear loop portion 202 are not bonded to the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b of the mask body portion 10. Thus, the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b are more flexible than in the case where the base portions 22 are bonded to the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b. Accordingly, even if the aforementioned distorting force arises when the face mask is worn, it is possible to absorb and disperse the above distorting force by, for example, forming pleats (creases) with the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b. This reduces gaps between the mask body portion 10 and the skin of the wearer 9. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an improved fit of the face mask 1.

The non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b of the mask body portion 10 do not include any dot fixing areas 28. Thus, the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b are more flexible than in the case where the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b include the dot fixing areas 28. Accordingly, even if the aforementioned distorting force arises when the face mask is worn, it is possible to absorb and disperse the above distorting force by the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b.

In particular, the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b are thinner than the overlapping portions 15a, 15b, and 15c and therefore easy to deform. Thus, even if the aforementioned distorting force arises when the face mask is worn, it is possible to absorb and disperse the above distorting force by the non-overlapping portions 17a and 17b.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. The configurations of the above-described embodiments and variations may be appropriately combined or omitted as long as there are no mutual inconsistencies.

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