JP2011200421A - Mask - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mask having an exhalation filter capable of sufficient filtering (decontamination) of exhalation, without affecting natural communication between a user and others and without giving burdens to the user wearing the mask for a long period.SOLUTION: The mask 100 includes a bowl-shaped body 111 which covers the mouth and nose of the user, and the exhalation filter 120 which is connected to the bowl-shaped body 111 via a flexible hose 140. The mask also includes an inhalation filter 130 connected to the bowl-shaped body 11 if necessary. The bowl-shaped body 111 includes a vibrator region 114 in a part, and an adhesive layer 112 in the peripheral edge of the bowl-shaped body 111 in contact with the face of the user. It is allowable to securely hold the bowl-shaped body 111 to the face of the wearer by using a pair of holder members 113 whose one ends 113a are attached to the bowl-shaped body 111 and whose other ends 113b are inserted into ears of the user in place of the adhesive layer 112 or together with the adhesive layer 112.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mask, and more particularly, to a mask provided with an exhalation filter.

  In order to prevent inhalation of pollen, harmful dust and gas, infectious particles, etc. present in the air, a mask covering the mouth and nose of the wearer is used. The simplest of the conventional masks provided for this purpose is one in which a pair of ear straps are attached to both side ends of a flat filter body constituting the mask body. In such a mask, the filter efficiency of the filter body formed by gauze or non-woven fabric is not so high, or unfiltered air (contaminated air) is inhaled from the gap between the filter body and the wearer's face. Have a problem.

Of course, even with a mask having such a simple structure, the filter body is provided with an activated carbon layer or the like to increase the filter efficiency, or the filter body is three-dimensionally formed to improve the adhesion with the wearer's face. Improvements are being attempted. However, even with these improvements, it is difficult to maintain the filter efficiency for a long time and to prevent a gap from being generated between the filter body and the wearer's face. In addition, the ear strap causes pain on the back side of the ear when the mask is worn for a long time, and causes discomfort to the wearer, such as interfering with the vine when used together with glasses. . Therefore, the mask having the above-described configuration is exclusively used as a simple disposable mask that has a short wearing time.

  On the other hand, a bowl-shaped member (hereinafter referred to as bowl-shaped body) covering the mouth and nose of the wearer is provided separately from the filter body, and filtered air is introduced into the bowl-shaped body and inhaled by the wearer. There has been proposed a mask configured so as to be made (for example, Patent Document 1). According to this configuration, the edge of the bowl is formed in a three-dimensional shape along the wearer's face, or the edge of the bowl in contact with the wearer's face is made flexible. For example, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the saddle and the wearer's face. That is, it becomes easy to prevent the wearer from inhaling contaminated air by configuring the mask using a bowl-shaped body separate from the filter body.

When the mask is configured using a bowl-shaped body that is separate from the filter body, the bowl-shaped body and the filter body can be directly coupled, or both can be coupled by a flexible hose. Here, when directly connecting the rod-shaped body and the filter body, it is difficult to keep the rod-shaped body in close contact with the wearer's face when trying to use a large and heavy filter, It is necessary to strongly fix the rod-like body to the wearer's head with a belt or the like. However, it goes without saying that it is difficult to wear a mask in which the rod-like body is strongly pressed against the face for a long time. Therefore, the mask in which the bowl-shaped body and the filter body are directly connected must use a small and lightweight filter body, and the filter efficiency cannot be maintained for a long time.

On the other hand, when connecting a bowl-like body and a filter body via a flexible hose, a large filter body filled with a sufficient amount of filter material is used to achieve high filter efficiency over a long period of time. A mask that can be maintained can be realized. This is because the filter body is usually held on the body of the wearer, and restrictions on its size and weight are relatively gentle. For this reason, a mask used when the wearer cannot permit inhalation even with a small amount of contaminated air, such as a mask for protection against toxic gas, is a flexible hose on a rod-like body covering at least the mouth and nose. Many of them are equipped with large filter bodies (absorbers) connected together.

  By the way, in recent years, a mask having an exhalation filter has been proposed in order to prevent an infection from spreading from a person suffering from an infectious respiratory disease (hereinafter also simply referred to as a patient). That is, it is a proposal to prevent infection to the surroundings by causing a patient to wear a mask having an exhalation filter for filtering exhalation. An example of such a mask is configured to cover the mouth and nose of a patient with a mask body in which an inhalation filter and an exhalation filter are arranged (for example, Patent Document 2). In this configuration example, a seal is disposed on the edge of the mask body in order to prevent a gap from being generated between the wearer's face and air leaking.

  In addition, another mask proposed for the above-described purpose includes a hood that includes an inhalation filter and covers the entire head of the patient, and an exhalation filter that is separate from the hood. The exhalation of the wearer exhaled into the hood is guided to an exhalation filter via a flexible hose (for example, Patent Document 3). In this configuration example, in order to prevent air from leaking from the gap between the hood and the wearer's body surface, a seal disposed at the end of the hood is brought into close contact with the circumference of the wearer's neck.

However, any of the masks provided with the conventional exhalation filter as described above must be said to be lacking in practicality because the emphasis is on preventing air (exhalation) leakage. . For example, since the portion covering the face is considerably large, there is a problem that normal behavior is restricted when the mask is worn. In addition, natural communication such as difficulty in speaking because the mouth and nose of the wearer is covered with a rod-like body, and the expression of the wearer becomes difficult to understand because the mouth is covered with a filter body. There is also the problem that it becomes difficult.

In addition, the conventional mask that covers the entire head with a hood has a problem that it makes communication difficult, for example, it becomes difficult for the wearer to notice surrounding sounds and calls. In addition, when such a mask is worn for a long period of time, it is natural to expect the actions such as listening to music using headphones, using the phone, and drinking beverages. Could not perform these actions without removing the hood. In addition, a mask that covers the entire wearer's head with a hood can be extremely painful if the wearer is feverish or feels stuffy. There is also the problem of becoming.

JP 2006-102324 A JP 2005-185749 A Special table 2007-524429 gazette

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and includes an exhalation filter capable of sufficiently filtering (decontamination) exhalation even when the wearer is a patient with an infectious respiratory disease. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mask that does not hinder natural communication between a person and the surroundings and that is less burdensome even when worn for a long time.

  In order to solve the above problems, a mask according to claim 1 of the present application is connected to a wearer's mouth and nose by a hook-like body and a hook-like body via a flexible hose. A first filter body for filtering air flowing out from the bowl-like body, wherein the bowl-like body has a vibrating body region in a part thereof and adheres to a peripheral edge portion in contact with the face of the wearer It has an agent layer.

  Moreover, the mask described in claim 2 of the present application for solving the above-described problem is connected to the wearer's mouth and nose by a hook-like body and the hook-like body via a flexible hose. And a first filter body that filters the air flowing out of the bowl-shaped body, wherein one end is attached to the bowl-shaped body and the other end is inserted into the ear hole of the wearer It is characterized by providing.

In order to solve the above problem, a mask according to claim 3 of the present application is connected to the rod-like body and flows into the rod-like body in the mask according to claim 1 or claim 2. It further comprises a second filter body for filtering the air to be performed.

  Moreover, the mask described in claim 4 of the present application for solving the above problem is the mask described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first filter body and / or the mask The second filter body includes fiber cotton.

  According to the invention described in claim 1 of the present application, a hook-like body that covers the mouth and nose of the wearer, and air that is connected to the hook-like body via a flexible hose and flows out of the hook-like body. A first filter body that filters, and having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a peripheral portion that contacts the wearer's face while the saddle-shaped body has a vibrating body region in a part thereof, Has the ability to filter the wearer's exhalation, allows the wearer to communicate naturally, and can be worn comfortably over a long period of time without using an ear strap A mask can be provided.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, a hook-like body covering the mouth and nose of the wearer, and the hook-like body connected to the hook-like body via a flexible hose and flowing out of the hook-like body. A first filter body that filters the air to be performed, the wearer comprising a pair of holding members having one end attached to the bowl and the other end inserted into the ear hole of the wearer. Thus, it is possible to provide a mask that can be filtered with respect to exhaled breath, allows the wearer to perform natural communication, and can be worn comfortably for a long time without using an ear strap or the like.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, in the mask described in claim 1 or claim 2, the second filter that filters air that is connected to the rod-like body and flows into the rod-like body. By further providing the filter body, it is possible to perform filtering on both the exhalation and inhalation of the wearer, enabling the wearer to perform natural communication, and without using an ear strap or the like A mask that can be worn comfortably for a long time can be provided.

Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application, in the mask described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the first filter body and / or the second filter body are fibers. By including the wadding, it is possible to perform highly efficient filtering on the exhalation and / or inspiration of the wearer, and to provide a mask that can completely incinerate the filter after use.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the mask as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the main-body part of the mask as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the adsorption characteristic of various fiber cotton, (a) shows the adsorption characteristic with respect to ammonia, (b) shows the adsorption characteristic with respect to hydrogen sulfide, respectively.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a mask as one embodiment of the present invention. The mask 100 includes a mask main body 110 worn on the wearer's face, an exhalation filter 120 (first filter) for filtering air (exhalation) discharged from the mask main body 110, and the mask main body 110. An inhalation filter 130 (second filter) that filters supplied air (inhalation), a flexible hose 140 that couples the mask main body 110 and the exhalation filter 120, and a connection between the mask main body 110 and the inhalation filter 130 And a flexible hose 150.

  The mask main body 110 is composed of a bowl-shaped member (bridge-shaped body) 111 formed of a synthetic resin that does not allow air to pass through. It has a three-dimensional shape designed to be in close contact with the face. The material for forming the bowl-shaped body 111 is provided with a light transmittance that allows the mouth of the wearer of the mask 100 to be visually recognized, and a mechanical strength that does not greatly deform with the breathing of the wearer of the mask 100, It is not particularly limited as long as it is harmless to the human body. For example, silicone resin or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) can be used as a material that satisfies such conditions, is easily available, and has excellent chemical stability and processability.

An adhesive layer 112 is provided over the entire periphery of the edge of the bowl-shaped body 111 that is in contact with the face of the wearer of the mask 100. The saddle-like body 111 is held by the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 112 on the face of the wearer without using an ear strap or the like. The material for forming the adhesive layer 112 does not cause damage to human skin, and the adhesive force is not extremely reduced by sebum or sweat, and the change in adhesive force due to temperature characteristics is gradual, Moreover, any material can be used as long as the adhesive force can be easily adjusted. As a material satisfying such conditions, for example, a paste mainly composed of an acrylic resin can be used.

A vibrating body region 114 is formed in a part of the bowl-shaped body 111 to efficiently transmit the air vibration in the bowl-shaped body 111 accompanying the speech (speech) of the wearer of the mask 100 to the outside. The position where the vibrating body region 114 should be formed is not particularly limited, but the position facing the mouth when the mask 100 is worn is most preferable. The vibrating body constituting the vibrating body region 114 may have any configuration as long as it is sufficiently excited by air vibration in the bowl-shaped body 111, and is formed as a thin plate-like portion integrated with the bowl-shaped body 111. The diaphragm may be a diaphragm, or a diaphragm attached so as to close a hole provided in a part of the bowl-shaped body 111.

The vibrating body region 114 needs to have a mechanical strength that does not transmit air, is lightweight and has a small internal loss, and that cannot be broken even if the wearer of the mask 100 coughs or sneezes. Further, similarly to the bowl-shaped body 111, it is desirable that the mask 100 is formed of a material having transparency to the extent that the mouth of the wearer can be visually recognized. As a material satisfying such a condition, for example, a silicone resin, PET, or the like can be used in the same manner as the material for forming the cage 111.

  The exhalation filter 120 is for filtering (decontamination) the exhalation of the wearer of the mask 100 before being released into the surrounding air. The exhalation filter 120 includes a case 121 and a filter material 123 filled in the case 121. And. The case 121 is a deformable bag-like container formed of a flexible material that does not transmit gas. As a material for forming the case 121, for example, polyethylene, vinyl resin, or the like can be used. The case 121 is provided with a discharge port 122 for discharging filtered air to one end side thereof, and a connection portion 124 to which the flexible hose 140 is connected to the other end side.

  The intake filter 130 is for filtering ambient air and supplying it to the wearer of the mask 100, and includes a case 131 and a filter material 133 filled in the case 131. . The case 131 is a cylindrical container that is not easily deformed (not crushed) by the intake operation of the wearer of the mask 100. As a material for forming the case 131, for example, PET or the like can be used. The case 131 is provided with a suction port 132 for introducing ambient air at one end thereof, and a connection portion 134 to which the flexible hose 150 is connected at the other end.

  Both of the filter material 123 and the filter material 133, which are means for removing harmful gases in the air, infectious particles, and the like, are formed in a fiber shape so that the surface area becomes as large as possible. The mechanism of filtering for gases is generally such that physical passage blocking for relatively large particles, and electrostatic adsorption by surface charge for fine particles, for reactive gases. It is said that adsorption with chemical reaction is dominant. Therefore, it is desirable that the filter material 133 and the filter material 123 can exhibit these mechanisms in a composite manner. Note that materials suitable for the filter material 133 and the filter material 123 will be described in detail later.

  The exhalation filter 120 and the inhalation filter 130 are connected to the rod-shaped body 111 via the flexible hose 140 and the flexible hose 150, respectively. The flexible hose 140 and the flexible hose 150 cause a cross-sectional area that does not cause the wearer of the mask 100 to feel resistance due to breathing, and sufficient flexibility, bending, and expansion and collapse due to a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the hose. It is necessary to have a mechanical strength of a certain level. As a material for forming such a flexible hose, for example, polyethylene or vinyl resin can be used. Note that the flexible hose 140 for exhalation is sufficient to prevent a sudden rise in pressure in the bowl 111 in cooperation with the exhalation filter 120 when the wearer of the mask 100 coughs or sneezes. It is desirable to have a large volume.

  The above-described exhalation filter 120 and inhalation filter 130 are each held on the trunk of the wearer of the mask 100. Here, the intake filter 130 may be held in any position as long as it does not hinder the intake of the surrounding fresh air, and is held inside the outerwear of the wearer of the mask 100 or in the bag. It does not matter. In contrast, it is desirable that the exhalation filter 120 be held in close contact with the side of the body such as the armpit of the wearer of the mask 100. As a result, the inside of the flexible hose 140 and the exhalation filter 120 is maintained at a temperature close to the body temperature, so that not only is the clogging of the filter material 123 caused by condensation of water vapor in the exhalation reduced, This is because the adsorption efficiency of the fine particles is improved by covering the surface with water vapor.

Next, the detailed configuration of the mask 100 as one embodiment of the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG. 2 together with FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the main body 110 of the mask 100.

  The rod body 111 of the mask main body 110 is connected to a connecting portion 115 to which a flexible hose 150 for sending the breath of the wearer of the mask 100 from the rod body 111 to the breath filter 120 is connected. And a connecting portion 116 to which a flexible hose 140 for receiving the signal is connected. In order to satisfy the requirements such as that both the connecting portion 115 and the connecting portion 116 can maintain airtightness, cannot be removed even if the pressure in the flexible hose changes suddenly, and can be easily attached and detached. It is desirable that the flexible hose be inserted in the axial direction and then further rotated and locked.

For the same reason, the connecting portion 124 between the exhalation filter 120 and the flexible hose 140 and the connecting portion 134 between the inhalation filter 130 and the flexible hose 150 are further inserted after the flexible hose is inserted in the axial direction. It is desirable that the system be rotated and locked.

  The connection portion 115 is provided with a one-way valve (exhalation valve) for guiding the exhalation of the wearer of the mask 100 from the rod-shaped body 111 to the exhalation filter 120 via the flexible hose 140. This exhalation valve is opened only when the pressure in the rod 111 rises above the surrounding pressure by the breathing operation of the wearer of the mask 100, and the pressure in the rod 111 is less than or equal to the surrounding pressure. When it is, keep it closed. Such an intake valve can be constituted by a flap valve or a ball valve.

  On the other hand, the connection part 116 is provided with a one-way valve (intake valve) for guiding the air filtered by the intake filter 130 into the rod-like body 111 through the flexible hose 150. Contrary to the above-described exhalation valve, this inhalation valve is opened only when the pressure in the bowl 111 is reduced by the inhalation operation of the wearer of the mask 100 and the surrounding pressure is reduced. Keep closed when pressure is above or equal to ambient pressure. Such an intake valve can also be constituted by a flap valve or a ball valve similar to the exhalation valve.

  As described above, the mask main body 110 of the mask 100 includes the above-described exhalation valve and inhalation valve, so that contaminants collected by the filter material 123 in the exhalation filter 120 flow back into the rod-shaped body 111. , And the exhalation of the wearer of the mask 100 is prevented from flowing back into the inhalation filter 130.

By the way, as described above, the mask 100 is provided with the adhesive layer 112 over the entire periphery at the edge of the hook-shaped body 111 that is in contact with the face of the wearer. The body 111 is configured to be held on the wearer's face. However, the mask 100 may include a pair of holding members 113 for reliably holding the hook-shaped body 111 on the wearer's face in place of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 112 or together with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 112.

The holding member 113 is a linear, rod-like, or belt-like member having moderate elasticity and flexibility, and one end 113a thereof is coupled to the hook-like body 111, and the other end is inserted into the ear hole of the wearer of the mask 100. The It is desirable that the one end 113a is coupled so that the holding member 113 and the bowl-shaped body 111 maintain a certain degree of mobility. The other end 113b has the same shape as the earphone and is accommodated in the concha cavity of the wearer of the mask 100. Even if the holding member 113 is pulled forward in this state, the other end 113b is caught by the tragus, and thus does not easily fall off from the concha cavity. For this reason, the hook-shaped body 111 of the mask 100 is reliably held on the face by the holding member 113 even when the adhesive layer 112 is not formed.

The holding member 113 is made of, for example, polyethylene or vinyl resin. The length of the holding member 113 protruding from the edge of the bowl-shaped body 111 can be adjusted by providing a minute ratchet mechanism at one end 113a. Furthermore, the other end 113b can also be configured as a functioning earphone with a built-in speaker. According to such a configuration, the wearer of the mask 100 can listen to music and use a mobile phone while holding the main body 110 on the face. For this reason, the burden at the time of wearing the mask 100 over a long time is reduced.

  Next, preferred materials for the exhalation filter material 123 and the inhalation filter material 133 of the mask 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The filter material for exhalation and the filter material 133 for 123 inspiration may be different materials or the same material, but it is desirable that at least one of them includes fiber cotton. The fiber cotton may be used alone, or may be used in appropriate combination with activated carbon, zeolite, glass fiber, etc., which have been conventionally used as a filter material.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of fiber cotton adsorption characteristics. FIG. 3A shows the adsorption characteristics for ammonia, and FIG. 3B shows the adsorption characteristics for hydrogen sulfide. These adsorption characteristics are obtained by introducing air containing a constant concentration (1 ppm) of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide into a chamber filled with a certain amount (1 g) of fiber cotton as a filter material, respectively. The time change was measured by gas chromatography. As can be seen from the results of the measurement of the adsorption properties of four types of fiber cotton (true cotton, cotton, cashmere, polyester), the fiber cotton generally has good adsorption properties, in particular, polyester and cotton have excellent adsorption properties. It has characteristics.

As described above, the fiber cotton has a preferable adsorption characteristic as a means for removing harmful gases and infectious particles in the air, and the breathing filter material 123 and the filter material 133 for inhalation of the mask 100 are provided. Can be used as Moreover, unlike the zeolite or glass fiber conventionally used as a filter material, the fiber cotton does not produce a residue even when incinerated. Therefore, the filter material 123 of the filter 130 for exhalation that is preferably incinerated after use is used. Is preferred.

  The mask 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above includes a hook-like body 111 that covers at least the mouth and nose of the wearer, and the hook-like body 111 connected to the hook-like body 111 via the flexible hose 140. An exhalation filter 120 that filters out air flowing out of the adhesive 111, and the adhesive 111 is formed on the periphery of the flange 111 that has a vibrating body region 114 in a part of the flange 111 and that is in contact with the wearer's face. It is possible for the wearer to perform natural communication while having the ability to perform filtering on the exhalation of the wearer, and for a long time without using an ear strap or the like. It can be worn comfortably.

  The mask 100 has a pair of holding members 113 whose one end 113a is attached to the bowl 111 and the other end 113b is inserted into the ear hole of the wearer instead of the adhesive layer 112 or together with the adhesive layer 112. By providing, the hook-shaped body 111 can be reliably hold | maintained to a wearer's face.

  Furthermore, the mask 100 can further filter both the exhalation and the inhalation of the wearer by further including an inhalation filter 130 that is connected to the rod-shaped body 111 and filters the air flowing into the rod-shaped body 111.

Furthermore, the mask 100 can obtain high filter efficiency because the filter material 123 of the exhalation filter 120 and / or the filter material 133 of the inhalation filter 130 contains fiber cotton, and the filter is completely incinerated after use. can do.

  In the above description, the mask 100 as an embodiment of the present invention is assumed to include both the exhalation filter 120 and the inhalation filter 130. However, the mask 100 may be configured such that the intake filter 130 may be omitted depending on the wearing situation, and an extremely small intake filter 130 may be directly connected to the mask body 110. Moreover, the form and arrangement | positioning of the exhalation filter 120 and the inhalation filter 130 are not restrict | limited especially unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mask 110 Mask main-body part 111 Rod-like body 112 Adhesive layer 113 Holding member 114 Vibrating body area | region 115 Connection part (exhalation valve)
116 Connection (intake valve)
120 Exhalation Filter 121 Case 122 Discharge Port 123 Filter Material 124 Connection Portion 130 Intake Filter 131 Case 132 Inlet Port 133 Filter Material 134 Connection Portion 140, 150 Flexible Hose

Claims (4)

A rod covering the mouth and nose of the wearer;
In a mask comprising: a first filter body that is connected to the rod-like body via a flexible hose and filters air flowing out of the rod-like body,
The mask having a vibrating body region in a part thereof and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a peripheral portion of the hook-shaped body in contact with the face of the wearer. A rod covering the mouth and nose of the wearer;
In a mask comprising: a first filter body coupled to the rod-like body via a flexible hose and filtering air flowing out of the rod-like body;
A mask comprising: a pair of holding members having one end attached to the bowl and the other end inserted into a wearer's ear hole. The mask according to claim 1, further comprising a second filter body that is connected to the rod-like body and filters air flowing into the rod-like body. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first filter body and / or the second filter body includes fiber cotton.