BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a mask capable of continuously filtering air inhaled
through wearer's nose and mouth while stably covering the nose and mouth, and more
particularly, to a mask with a face contact function that allows a wearer to directly
change a structure of a mask body so that the mask body is not separated from the
face regardless of a face structure and a face size of the wearer.
Background of the Related Art
[0002] Earrings of a typical mask hang on the wearer's ears to provide a function of preventing
a mask body portion from being separated from the wearer's face.
[0003] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional mask. Referring to
FIG. 1, a mask 10 according to the conventional art includes a mask body, and earrings
15 provided on both sides of the mask body and hang on the ears.
[0004] The mask body includes a body portion 11 forming one or more layers in which a plurality
of wrinkles 14 are formed, an edge portion 12 that is thermally bonded and provided
on an upper end and a lower end of the body portion 11 through heat fusion, and a
finishing portion 13 that is thermally fused through ultrasonic waves and provided
on both sides of the body portion 11.
[0005] The edge portion 12 is thermally fused in a grounded state and coupled to the body
portion 11. A wire 17 of a metal material may be inserted into the edge portion 12
so as not to be exposed to the outside. Such a wire 17 is for improving the dustproof
effect by improving adhesion when wearing the mask 10, and is made of a plastic material
such as metal capable of free bending so as to be in close contact with a curve of
the nose part.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a conventional mask worn by the wearer.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 2, because a lifting phenomenon occurs in the finishing portion
13 of the mask 10 in contact with a curved contour part of the wearer's cheek, fine
dust or various harmful bacteria may be introduced into the respiratory organ through
the mouth and nose of the wearer of the mask, and in this case, there was a problem
that the effect of wearing the mask is not properly achieved.
[0008] Depending on the size of the face of the wearer wearing the mask, because the length
of the earrings is short, and the mask body portion presses the wearer's face, which
makes it uncomfortable to wear, or since the length of the earrings is long, the mask
body portion flows down from the wearer's face and is not in close contact with the
wearer's face, which causes a phenomenon in which external air directly flows into
the wearer's nose and mouth.
[0009] Meanwhile, recently, with coronavirus infection-19 (COVID-19) outbreaks around the
world, many masks are used and then thrown away even in a day, causing environmental
pollution. In particular, in the case of earrings, although the earrings can be recycled,
the earrings are thrown away, and there is room for improvement so that the earrings
can play various roles, but the earrings are used only in the form of a closed curve
connected to the mask, and there is also a problem such as dying of animals such as
birds tied to the earrings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems
occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide
a mask capable of stably filtering fine dust or various harmful bacteria contained
in the air by suppressing the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a mask body in contact
with the curved contour part of the cheek according to the size or curve of the wearer's
face is separated, and providing various functions as well as minimizing adverse effects
on the environment.
[0011] According to the present invention, without the use of a separate member such as
Velcro, a state of being in close contact with the wearer's cheek is stably maintained
regardless of the size or a curve of the wearer's face, or a movement of the wearer.
[0012] In addition, because there is no need to mount a member such as Velcro, etc. on a
mask body, the production can be increased compared to a mask equipped with Velcro,
etc., and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the mask of the present
invention can be worn for a long time because the weight of the mask is minimized.
[0013] In addition, because the mask of the present invention can maintain a state of being
in close contact with the face regardless of the movement of the wearer, the effect
of blocking contaminants including viruses is excellent.
[0014] In addition, it is possible to increase the utilization efficiency of the mask by
giving various functions to earrings, and it is possible to prevent damage from animals
such as birds being tied to the earrings, etc. by using the detachable earrings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional mask.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a conventional mask worn by the wearer.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mask in which a fastening protrusion of FIG.
3 is inserted into a cutting line.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the mask of FIG. 3 worn by a wearer.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mask according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Hereinafter, a mask with a face contact function (hereinafter abbreviated as the
'mask') according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mask in which a fastening protrusion of FIG.
3 is inserted into a cutting line. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the mask of
FIG. 3 worn by a wearer.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the mask according to the present invention includes a
mask body 100 including a contact member, and earrings 200 respectively provided on
the left and right sides of the mask body 100.
[0019] At this time, the contact member is preferably provided on a bonding surface 102
of the mask body 100 so as not to participate in the movement of the air during a
breathing process of the wearer. The bonding surface 102 means a part in which a bonding
line is formed along the edge of the mask body 100 through thermal fusion or ultrasonic
fusion so that several filters constituting the mask body 100 are coupled to each
other.
[0020] Hereinafter, each component will be described in more detail with reference to the
drawings.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the mask according to the present invention includes the
mask body 100.
[0022] The mask body 100 is seated on the wearer's face so as to cover the wearer's nose
and mouth, and filters harmful substances such as fine dust contained in the air introduced
from the outside direction to introduce only clean air into the interior.
[0023] To this end, the mask body 100 may be configured such that two or more of cotton,
synthetic resin, non-woven fabric filter, synthetic resin filter, and electrostatic
filter are stacked individually or in combination.
[0024] Here, the electrostatic filter means a filter that is electrostatically treated using
an ultra-high voltage current, and static electricity may capture fine dust that has
a polarity with positive or negative charges, thereby enhancing a dustproof effect.
[0025] As a specific aspect, the mask body 100 according to the present invention includes
an outer filter and an inner filter, and may be configured to selectively further
include a central filter between the outer filter and the inner filter.
[0026] It is preferable that the outer filter introduces air introduced from the outer direction
in an inner direction, and has a waterproof function such that moisture does not permeate.
It is preferable to three-dimensionally to form an air layer through which sufficient
air can be introduced between an inner surface of the outer filter and the wearer's
face.
[0027] It is preferable that the inner filter is combined with the outer filter so as to
be located on the inner surface of the outer filter to cover the wearer's nose and
mouth, introduces air flowing through the outer filter in the inner direction, and
has a waterproof function such that moisture does not permeate.
[0028] In addition, the inner filter may be three-dimensionally manufactured to breathe
smoothly by dividing into upper and lower portions to form a space between the wearer's
nose and mouth such that the breathing of the wearer is comfortable.
[0029] If necessary, a nose piece 104 that is deformed to correspond to the shape of the
wearer's nose may be provided between the outer filter and the inner filter. The nose
piece 104 is deformed to correspond to the shape of the wearer's face such that the
inner surface of the inner filter and the wearer's face are in close contact with
each other, and then maintains the shape thereof, and may be configured as a wire.
[0030] If necessary, the nose piece 104 may be made of the same material as the mask body
100 such that the nose piece 160 may be recycled together with the mask body 100.
[0031] The central filter may be configured to have a double structure in which a melt blown
filter (MB filter) or an electrostatic filter is stacked in order to improve the filtering
ability of the mask body 100.
[0032] As described above, when the waterproof function is provided to the inner filter,
since moisture contained in the breath is not transferred to the central filter, it
is possible to prevent the performance of the electrostatic filter from deteriorating
due to moisture.
[0033] As an embodiment, the mask body 100 according to the present invention may include
a mouth contact sheet that covers the wearer's mouth and nose, a nose contact sheet
that is bonded to the upper portion of the mouth contact sheet to cover the wearer's
nose, and a chin contact sheet that is bonded to the lower portion of the mouth contact
sheet to cover the wearer's chin. If necessary, a nose hanging portion that is curved
and sunken to be in contact with the wearer's nose may be formed on the nose contact
sheet, and a chin hanging portion that is curved and sunken to be in contact with
the wearer's chin may be formed on the chin contact sheet.
[0034] The bonding line 140 may be formed in a solid line or a broken line, and may include
a first edge bonding line formed between the nose bonding sheet along the edge of
the mouth contact sheet and a second edge bonding line formed between the chin contact
sheet along the edge of the mouth contact sheet.
[0035] The nose contact sheet is in close contact with the rear surface of the mouth contact
sheet and then spreads along the upper bonding line when the wearer uses the mask
to closely adhere to the nose and wearer's face. The chin contact sheet is in close
contact with the rear surface of the mouth contact sheet 102 and then spreads along
the upper bonding line when the wearer uses the mask to closely adhere to the wearer's
chin and face.
[0036] In this way, the mask body 100 according to the present invention may be formed in
a structure of a stereoscopic 3D mask including the mouth contact sheet, the nose
contact sheet, and the chin contact sheet.
[0037] Meanwhile, the mask body 100 according to the present invention may include the contact
member.
[0038] The contact member is to temporarily reduce the upper and lower lengths of both ends
of the mask body 100 such that the left and right ends are not separated from the
wearer's face when the mask body 100 is covered on the wearer's face.
[0039] Specifically, the contact member includes a first cutting line 110 provided in the
upper left end of the mask body 100 to form a first fastening protrusion 115, a first
fastening protrusion cutting line 120 provided in the lower left end of the mask body
100 and providing a space in which the first fastening protrusion 115 is to be fitted
so as to maintain a state that the upper left end is in close contact with the lower
left end, a second cutting line 130 provided in the upper right end of the mask body
100 to form a second fastening protrusion 135 by an external force, and a second fastening
protrusion cutting line 140 provided in the lower right end of the mask body 100 and
providing a space in which the second fastening protrusion 135 is to be fitted so
as to maintain a state that that the upper right end is in close contact with the
lower right end.
[0040] The first cutting line 110 has an open curve structure such that the first fastening
protrusion 115 is not separated while protruding from the mask body 100 by the manipulation
of a user. In other words, the first cutting line 110 is omitted in a part in which
the first fastening protrusion is connected to the mask body 100.
[0041] The first fastening protrusion 115 includes a head portion that is inserted into
the first fastening protrusion cutting line to form a hooking projection so as not
to be separated, and a body portion connecting the head portion to the mask body 100.
The first fastening protrusion cutting line may be formed in any structure as long
as the first fastening protrusion 115 may penetrate.
[0042] If necessary, the contact member may include a first additional cutting line 150
between the first cutting line 110 and the first fastening protrusion cutting line
120. Such a first additional cutting line 150 is to provide a space which the first
fastening protrusion 115 is to penetrate such that the left end of the mask body 100
is in close contact with three layers according to the size of the wearer's face.
[0043] The first cutting line 110 and the first fastening protrusion cutting line 120 may
provide a function of reducing the vertical length of the left end of the mask body
100.
[0044] The second cutting line 130 has an open curve structure such that the second fastening
protrusion 135 protrudes and is not separated from the mask body 100 by the manipulation
of the user.
[0045] If necessary, the contact member may include a second additional cutting line 160
between the second cutting line 130 and the second fastening protrusion cutting line
140.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mask according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, the first cutting line 110, the first fastening protrusion cutting
line 120, the second cutting line 130, and the second fastening protrusion cutting
line 140 may provide an earrings mounting function of selectively attaching/detaching
earrings 210 and 220 to/from the mask body 100. To this end, the mask body 100 may
include an earrings cutting line 170 to each of an upper portion of the first cutting
line 110, a lower portion of the first fastening protrusion cutting line 120, an upper
portion of the second cutting line 130, and a lower portion of the second fastening
protrusion cutting line 140.
[0048] The earrings cutting line 170 temporarily provides a space which the earrings 210
and 220 may penetrate by the external force of a user such that the earrings 210 and
220 may be fixed while penetrating the inside of the mask body 100.
[0049] Since an open space is reduced when the supply of the external force from the user
is stopped, the earrings cutting line 170 compresses the interpolated earrings 210
and 220 to penetrate the open space and provides pressure such that the earrings 210
and 220 remain coupled to the mask body 100.
[0050] Specifically, the earrings cutting line 170 includes a first earrings cutting line
provided in the upper portion of the first cutting line 110, a second earrings cutting
line provided in the lower portion of the first fastening protrusion cutting line
120, a third earrings cutting line provided in the upper portion of the second cutting
line 130, and a fourth earrings cutting line provided in the lower portion of the
second fastening protrusion cutting line 140.
[0051] Accordingly, the first earring 210 may pass through the first earrings cutting line
in the rear surface of the mask body 100 and then pass through the first cutting line
110 in the front surface of the mask body 100 as shown in FIG. 6. Subsequently, the
first earring 210 may pass through the first fastening protrusion cutting line 120
in the rear surface of the mask body 100 and then pass through the second earrings
cutting line in the front surface of the mask body 10.
[0052] The same method is also applied to the second earring 220.
[0053] In addition, when the wearer pulls the first earring 210 located between the first
cutting line 110 and the first fastening protrusion cutting line 120 in the rear surface
of the mask body 100, the wearer may adjust the length of the first earring 210.
[0054] As described above, the contact member according to the present invention provides
the effect of exchanging only the mask body 100 and reusing the earrings 210 and 220
and the effect that the wearer manually may adjust the lengths of the earrings 210
and 220.
[0055] The multi-purpose cutting line is a configuration formed in plural in the bonding
surface 102 such that a sheet providing an additional function may be inserted.
[0056] As the sheet, a functional pad such as a promotion pad, a humidification pad, an
aroma pad, an oxygen pad, a deodorizing pad, etc. may be used. Here, the functional
pad means a pad that may be used for a special purpose during daily life or sleeping.
[0057] Although the functional pad may be used by interpolating one end to the multi-purpose
cutting line, the functional pad may be embedded by including a cutting line sufficient
to accommodate the pad in the inner filter or the outer filter.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the mask according to the present invention includes the
earrings 210 and 220.
[0059] The first earring 210 and the second earring 220 may be attached to the mask body
100 through a method such as thermal fusion or ultrasonic fusion.
[0060] As an example, the earrings 210 and 220 according to the present invention may be
formed in an open structure that can be separated from the mask body 100. At this
time, one end and the other end of the earrings 210 and 220 may respectively penetrate
the earrings cutting line 170, the first cutting line 110, and the first fastening
protrusion cutting line 120 provided in the left side of the mask body 100.
[0061] If necessary, the earrings 210 and 220 formed in an open curve structure may be formed
such that both end portions have a structure thicker than the central portion. This
is to prevent the earrings cutting line 170 from penetrating so as not to separate
from the mask body 100 after the end portions of the earrings 210 and 220 penetrate
the earrings cutting line 170 by an external force of the user, even if an external
force pulling the end portions in the direction opposite to the interpolation direction
is applied.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 6, the mask according to the present invention may further include
an earrings connection rod 300.
[0063] The earrings connection rod 300 is mounted on the earrings 210 and 220 by a user
when using reusable earrings that can be separated from the mask body 100 and converts
the earrings to have a closed curve structure by coupling one end of the earrings
and the other end of the earrings to each other.
[0064] If necessary, the earrings connection rod 300 may be made of a material such as silicone,
rubber, or plastic foam. This is to relieve pain in the ear when the earrings connection
rod 300 comes into contact with the user's ear, and, even if a pulling force is applied
to the interpolated earring, to prevent separation from the earrings connection rod
300 by generating a frictional force with the earrings and the earrings connection
rod 300.
[0065] The earrings connection rod 300 may be formed in any structure as long as the earrings
connection rod 300 is coupled to one end and the other end of the earrings formed
in an open curve structure to form the earrings formed in the open curve structure
as that of a closed curve structure.
[0066] As a first embodiment, the earrings connection rod 300 according to the present invention
may be formed in a clip structure that presses together one end of the earrings and
the other end of the earrings to connect the entire earrings in a closed curve structure.
[0067] As a second embodiment, the earrings connection rod 300 according to the present
invention may be formed in a ring-shaped structure or a rod-shaped structure that
presses together one end of the earrings and the other end of the earrings to connect
the entire earrings in a closed curve structure.
[0068] Here, the rod-shaped structure may be formed in a 'U' shape such that the earrings
connection rod 300 may be smoothly wound around the user's ear. At this time, one
end of the earrings 210 and 220 are interpolated into the front end of the earrings
connection rod 300, and the other end of the earrings 210 and 220 is interpolated
into the rear end of the earrings connection rod 300. To this end, the earrings connection
rod 300 has an interpolation passage through which the earrings 210 and 220 may be
inserted in the longitudinal direction.
[0069] In addition, an opening through which the earrings are exposed to the outside may
be provided in the interpolation passage of the earrings connection rod 300. This
is to expose one end of the earrings and the other end of the earrings penetrating
the interpolation passage to the outside of the earrings connection rod 300. At this
time, the wearer may adjust the length of the earrings wrapping the wearer's ear by
pulling the end of the earrings exposed to the outside of the earrings connection
rod 300.
[0070] In addition, the interpolation passage may be formed to have an inner diameter smaller
than an outer dimeter of the earrings 210 and 220 such that the earrings 210 and 220
may not be separated from the insertion passage of the earrings connection rod 300
even if a pulling force is applied to the earrings after the ends of the earrings
210 and 220 are interpolated. In particular, the inner diameter of the tip to which
the ends of the earrings 210 and 220 enter may be the narrowest, and the inner diameter
may be formed to gradually increase in the longitudinal direction.
[0071] In addition, the earrings connection rod 300 may include an earring interpolation
cutting line connected to the interpolation passage along the longitudinal direction
such that the ends of the earrings 210 and 220 may be easily interpolated into the
interpolation passage. At this time, the earring interpolation cutting line is preferably
provided in a direction opposite to the surface facing the mask body 100 as shown
in FIG. 6 such that the earrings are not separated from the earrings connection rod
300 by the pulling force applied to the earrings.
[0072] As a third embodiment, the earrings connection rod 300 according to the present invention
may include a first earrings connection rod and a second earrings connection rod that
may be assembled with or separated from each other.
[0073] The first earrings connection rod includes a first interpolation passage through
which one end of the earrings may be interpolated along the longitudinal direction
such that the entire length of the earrings of the mask may be adjusted, a first cutting
line connected to the first interpolation passage along the longitudinal direction
such that one end of the earrings is interpolated into the first interpolation passage,
and a coupling protrusion on the end. In addition, the first earrings connection rod
may include a first opening connected to the first interpolation passage in the surface
such that one end of the earrings may be disposed outside after penetrating the first
earrings connection rod.
[0074] The second earrings connection rod includes a second interpolation passage through
which the other end of the earrings may be interpolated along the longitudinal direction
such that the entire length of the earrings of the mask may be adjusted, a second
cutting line connected to the second interpolation passage along the longitudinal
direction such that the other end of the earrings is interpolated into the second
interpolation passage, and a coupling grove assembled with and connected to the coupling
protrusion in the end facing the first earrings connection rod. In addition, the second
earrings connection rod may include a second opening connected to the second interpolation
passage in the surface such that the other end of the earrings may be disposed outside
after penetrating the second earrings connection rod.
[0075] Such a coupling protrusion may be formed in a cylinder, a square pillar, a square
pillar, a pentagonal pillar, etc. such that the coupling protrusion may be interpolated
and coupled to the coupling groove, and the coupling groove may be also formed in
a structure corresponding to the coupling protrusion such that the coupling protrusion
may be interpolated.
[0076] In particular, when the coupling protrusion is formed in a cylindrical structure,
a screw thread may be formed on the surface of the coupling protrusion for a firm
coupling with the coupling groove, and a screw groove may be formed in the coupling
groove.
[0077] In this way, the earrings connection rod 300 may be used as an ear pain protector,
and may also provide an earrings adjustment function because the earrings may be pulled
and fixed.
[0078] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative
embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended
claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art may change or modify
the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.