MASK EAR LOOP, MASK, METHOD FOR PRODUCING MASK EAR LOOP, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING MASK

Abstract

 An ear hook portion for mask, the ear hook portion being made of a material including: a stretchable portion material; and a first surface sheet material and a second surface sheet material coupled, via a plurality of coupling portions, to both surfaces of the stretchable portion material in such a state that the stretchable portion material is stretched, the ear hook portion including: a proximal portion fixed to a mask body; an ear back placement portion to be situated at a back of an ear of a wearer; an upper transition portion extending, on an upper side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion; and lower transition portion transitioning, on a lower side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion, wherein a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion is greater than a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an ear hook portion for a mask, a mask, a method for manufacturing an ear hook portion for a mask, and a method for manufacturing a mask.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A known configuration of a mask to be worn on the face includes: a mask body that at least partially covers the face of a wearer; and ear hook portions, constituting a pair, each being coupled to the mask body, i.e., a pair of members that can be hung on the ears of the wearer in order to hold the mask body at a wearing position.

[0003] A sheet-shaped ear hook used for a mask is known. For example, a mask disclosed in PTL 1 includes a single sheet-shaped ear hook sheet extending on the same plane with both ear hook portions connected to each other at the connection portion. PTL 1 indicates that the ear hook portion is made of a stretchable spunbond nonwoven fabric or the like.

RELATED-ART DOCUMENT

Patent Literature

[0004] PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5762803

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] It is preferable that a portion of the sheet-shaped ear hook portion which extends in the left-and-right direction of the face as disclosed in PTL 1 is easily stretched when being put on. It is preferable that the portion of the ear hook portion situated behind the ear when the mask is put on (while the mask is worn) is not stretched and deformed so much, because the state of contact with the skin behind the ear can be stably maintained. Therefore, it is desirable that the stretching characteristic or the deformation characteristic of the sheet-shaped ear hook portion is different depending on the position in order to improve the ease of wearing and fit. However, such a study has not been made in the past.

[0006] In view of the above, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an ear hook portion for a mask that is improved in ease of wearing and fit.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an ear hook portion for mask, the ear hook portion being made of a material including: a stretchable portion material; and a first surface sheet material and a second surface sheet material coupled, via a plurality of coupling portions, to both surfaces of the stretchable portion material in such a state that the stretchable portion material is stretched, the ear hook portion including: a proximal portion fixed to a mask body; an ear back placement portion to be situated at a back of an ear of a wearer; an upper transition portion extending, on an upper side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion; and lower transition portion transitioning, on a lower side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion, wherein a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion is greater than a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, an ear hook portion for a mask that is improved in ease of wearing and fit can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask illustrated in FIG. 1 as seen from the inside (face side).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view after the ear hook portions, constituting the pair, are opened sideways when in use.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an ear hook portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an ear hook portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a coupling portion.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a manufacturing apparatus of a mask.

FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining manufacturing of a mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, unless otherwise explained, the same or corresponding components may be denoted with the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. The drawings are schematic for helping understanding of the invention.

(Basic Configuration of Mask)

[0011] First, a basic configuration of a mask according to the present embodiment is explained. The mask according to the present embodiment may be a mask capable of covering the face of a wearer, more specifically, covering at least the nose and the mouth of a wearer. The mask according to this embodiment can have a function of preventing foreign matter from reaching the face and preventing droplets generated by the wearer from being scattered, and is also referred to as a sanitary mask or surgical mask.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mask 1. FIG. 1 is a view of the mask 1 as seen from the outside, i.e., from the side exposed to the outside and facing away from the face when the mask 1 is worn. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mask 1 as seen from the inside (face side). Furthermore, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 1.

[0013]  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mask 1 according to the present embodiment includes: a mask body 10 which is disposed in front of the face of the wearer when the mask is worn and can mainly cover the nose and mouth of the wearer; and ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, coupled to the mask body 10. The mask body 10 has a height direction (height direction) D1 corresponding to the height direction of the wearer's face when wearing the mask and a left-and-right direction (left-and-right direction) D2 orthogonal to the height direction D1. In the form of FIG. 1, the mask body 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view having long sides in the left-and-right direction D2, but the shape of the mask body 10 in a plan view is not limited to the shape as illustrated in the drawings.

[0014] As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2, the mask body 10 has a pleated structure 15 formed by multiple pleats arranged side by side in the height direction D1. The pleats of the pleated structure 15 are formed by folding a sheet constituting the body 10 at fold lines along the left-and-right direction D2. In a state in which multiple pleats are formed, the side portions (the ends in the left-and-right direction D2) of the mask body 10 are joined and fixed by pressure bonding or the like. Therefore, when the mask 1 is used, the pleats of the pleated structure 15 are extended in the height direction D1, so that the center in the left-and-right direction D2 is curved so as to protrude toward the outer surface side of the mask 1, and can be deformed into a shape adapted to the three-dimensional shape of the face. The specific configuration of the pleated structure 15 is not particularly limited and may be a conventional configuration formed in a mask body.

[0015]  The mask body 10 may have a multilayer structure formed by laminating multiple layers. For example, the structure may include at least three layers sandwiched between an outer layer and an inner layer of an intermediate layer having an enhanced function of collecting a foreign matter (dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and the like). Each layer constituting the mask body 10 preferably includes a fiber-containing layer such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and the like, and more preferably includes a nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, an air through nonwoven fabric, a point bond nonwoven fabric, and the like. A meltblown nonwoven fabric which can contain fine fibers is preferably used for the intermediate layer. The fibers constituting the fiber-containing layer are preferably resin fibers, and the resin types of the resin fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and the like. The basis weight of the outer and inner layers may be 10 to 50 g/m², preferably 15 to 50 g/m². The basis weight of the intermediate layer having a high foreign matter collecting property is preferably 10 to 100 g/m² and more preferably 15 to 50 g/m².

[0016] The ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, may be in an annular shape (or in a closed belt shape), or may have a shape that includes an annulus in a plan view. When being worn, the ear hook portions 20a can be hung on the ears by allowing the ears of the wearer to enter the inside of the ring of each ear hook portion 20a, i.e., an opening 29 at the center of each ear hook portion 20a.

[0017] As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, is formed as a single sheet-shaped or a continuous ear hook portion sheet 20 in which the ear hook portions 20a, 20a are separably coupled to each other at the center in the left-and-right direction D2. In this case, the term "single sheet" herein refers to a form composed of one continuous sheet, and the "single sheet" is a concept that can include a stacked body in which multiple layers are stacked. The ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, are in a sheet form, and therefore, when the ear hook portion 20a is hung on the ear, the ear hook portion 20a can be brought into surface contact with the back surface behind the ear (or the back of the ear), i.e., the skin on the rear side with respect to the ear and/or the back of the earlobe, so that the load on the ear can be reduced. Accordingly, even when worn for a long period of time, pain and discomfort can be reduced. Furthermore, because the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, are in a sheet form (i.e., constituted by the ear hook portion sheet 20), the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, can be positioned at the same time during manufacturing, and therefore, manufacturing of the mask is also easy.

[0018] The ear hook portion sheet 20 is configured so as to be able to form the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, separated from each other by breaking the ear hook portion sheet 20 at a predetermined position at the start of use. Specifically, in the form of FIG. 1, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, are coupled by a coupling portion 28. The type of coupling at a separable coupling portion 28 between the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair is not particularly limited, but is preferably separable by pulling with a usual force of the user. For example, it may be formed as perforations as illustrated in FIG. 1. The coupling portion 28 may also be formed by reducing the thickness of the sheet or by other means to weaken the border between the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair or to increase stress.

[0019] As illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 3, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, or the ear hook portion sheet 20 in a single sheet shape are superposed on the mask body 10. The ear hook portion sheet 20 may have a shape and a size that does not protrude from the mask body 10 at least in the left-and-right direction D2 in a plan view. With this configuration, a length of the ear hook portion sheet 20 in the left-and-right direction D2 may be 70 to 95% of the length of the mask 1 in the left-and-right direction D2. With such configuration, masks can be continuously manufactured by superposing and coupling the mask body 10 and the ear hook portion sheet 20 without requiring complicated processes such as folding and bending of the ear hook portion sheet 20. The length of one ear hook portion 20a in the left-and-right direction D2 is 60 to 90 mm, preferably 65 to 85 mm.

[0020] The ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, may be directly or indirectly coupled to side portions (end portions in the left-and-right direction D2) of the body 10. Specifically, the portions on the outer sides of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, in the left-and-right direction D2 are connected to the body 10, and the other portions are not connected to the body 10. To start to use the mask 1 according to the present embodiment, before putting on the mask 1, the user releases the coupling, at the coupling portion 28, between the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, separates the ear hook portions 20a, 20a from each other (also referred to as a separation operation), and opens, sideways in the left-and-right direction D2, the portions of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a that are not coupled to the body 10 (also referred to as an expansion operation).

(Auxiliary material)

[0021] As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 3, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, may be coupled to both side portions of the mask body 10 via sheet-shaped auxiliary materials 30, 30, respectively. By interposing the auxiliary material 30 in the coupling between the ear hook portion 20a and the mask body 10, the mask 1 can be formed without directly coupling the ear hook portion 20a and the mask body 10. Therefore, the coupling between the ear hook portion 20a and the auxiliary material 30 and the coupling between the mask body 10 and the auxiliary material 30 can be formed separately in appropriate forms. In addition, it is possible to avoid using a portion of the ear hook portion 20a for fixation with the mask body 10. Therefore, by using the auxiliary material 30, the ear hook portion 20a can be moved more freely relative to the mask body 10 than in the case where the ear hook portion 20a is directly coupled to the mask body 10, and the position of the ear hook portion 20a relative to the ear can be set more freely when the ear hook portion 20a is attached to the ear. In the form illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 3, the mask body 10 and the sheet-shaped auxiliary material 30 are superposed and coupled at a first side coupling portion 50. The sheet-shaped ear hook portion 20a and the sheet-shaped auxiliary material 30 are superposed and coupled at a second side coupling portion 60.

[0022] The auxiliary material 30 may be a sheet-shaped member extending in the entire height direction D1 of the mask 1. The length (width) W of the auxiliary material 30 in the left-and-right direction D2 is preferably 15 to 35 mm, depending on the size and configuration of the entire mask 1 and the sizes, shapes, and materials of the body 10 and the ear hook portions 20a. The basis weight of the auxiliary material 30 may be 5 to 100 g/m2. The thickness of the auxiliary material 30 may be 100 to 1,000 µm.

[0023] The auxiliary material 30 may be formed of a non-stretchable material or a material with small stretchability, or may be formed of a material having a certain degree of stretchability. The auxiliary material 30 may include, for example, a stretchable nonwoven fabric. In this case, the auxiliary material 30 is preferably stretchable at least in the left-and-right direction D2, but the stretchability of the auxiliary material 30 is preferably smaller than that of the ear hook portion 20a. The auxiliary material 30 may be formed of a material whose shape can be irreversibly deformed when a force is applied.

[0024] For example, the first side coupling portion 50 and the second side coupling portion 60 can be formed by means of coupling the opposing surfaces of the members by applying pressure and/or heat, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, non-heating embossing, and the like. Among them, it is preferable to use heat sealing because reliable bonding is possible.

[0025] When the auxiliary material 30 is provided, the length in the left-right direction D2 of the ear hook portion sheets 20 constituting the pair of ear hook portions 20a, 20a is shorter than the length in the left-right direction D2 of the mask 1. As a result, an outer end 21 of the ear hook portion 20a in the left-right direction D2 and an outer end 11 of the body 10 in the left-right direction D2 can be shifted, so that the auxiliary material 30 can be pasted to a position in proximity to the end portion of the mask body 10 in the left-right direction D2 that is not covered with the ear hook portion 20a.

(Separation and expansion operation of ear hook portion)

[0026] At the start of use of the mask 1, the user can pull the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair in the opposite directions by pinching or holding them with their respective hands. As a result, the separable coupling portion 28 can be first uncoupled. If the coupling portion 28 includes perforations formed along the border line between the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair, the perforations can be broken to separate the ear hook portions 20a, 20a along the border line. Thereafter, the user can open the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair outward (as indicated by arrows) in the left-and-right direction D2 toward the sides indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3 while holding the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, are opened outward in the left-and-right direction D2 from the state illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIGs. 4 and 5, when the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair are opened, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a are turned over, i.e., the surface of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair facing the body 10 in the state before start of use is exposed.

[0028] After the user holds the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, and opens them outward in the left-and-right direction D2, the mask body 10 is placed on the face of the wearer so that the surface on the face side of the mask body 10 faces the face of the wearer, and the ear hook portions 20a, 20a are hung on the respective ears of the wearer.

[0029] In the state before start of use (FIGs. 1 to 3), the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, (the ear hook portion sheet 20) in the form of a single sheet are superposed on the mask body 10. The ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, may be superposed on any of the surfaces of the mask body 10, but it is preferable that they are superposed on the outer surface of the mask body 10 as illustrated in the drawing. Thus, when the mask 1 is worn, the contact with the inner surface (surface on the face side) of the mask body 10 can be reduced or substantially eliminated.

[0030] For example, when the user puts the mask 1 on himself/herself, the mask 1 is placed on his/her face so that the inner surface of the mask body 10 faces his/her face, and while pressing the outer surface of the mask body 10 with one hand, the coupling of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a at the coupling portion 28 is released by the other hand, and one ear hook portion 20a is hung on the ear. After switching the hand holding the mask body 10 to the other hand, the other ear hook portion 20a can be hung on the ear with the hand that was originally holding the mask body 10.

[0031] Also, while the mask 1 is placed with the outside of the mask 1 facing upward (with the outer surface of the body 10 facing upward), the user opens the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, outwardly in the left-and-right direction D2 by holding them with hands. Thereafter, the mask 1 is moved to the face of another wearer while the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair are held, and the mask body 10 is arranged at a desired position of the wearer's face, and at this occasion, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a constituting the pair can be hung on the ears of the wearer while the way of holding the mask 1 is not changed. Therefore, the mask 1 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used when the mask is worn by a person who has difficulty wearing the mask by himself or herself, such as a child or a sick person.

[0032] To hold the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, the user may also hold the tab portions 25, 25 protruding outward from the respective rings of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a in a plan view. By handling the ear hook portions 20a, 20a by holding the tab portions 25, 25, it is possible to perform the separation operation and the expansion operation of the mask more hygienically. As illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the tab portions 25, 25 protrude beyond the outer edge of the mask body 10, particularly beyond the lower end of the mask body 10.

[0033] A mark 18 that allows front and back (the outer and inner surfaces) of the body 10 to be distinguished from each other may be formed on the outer surface and/or the inner surface of the body 10 by embossing, printing, sewing, or the like. The form of the mark 18 is not limited as long as it can be visually recognized by the user. As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2, the mark 18 may be letters, numbers, a symbol, a figure, a logo, or the like. If the mark 18 includes characters, the side on which the user can read the characters correctly can be recognized as the outer surface.

(Ear hook portion and ear hook portion sheet)

[0034] FIG. 6 (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a material constituting the ear hook portion 20a or the ear hook portion sheet 20 taken along the left-and-right direction D2. As illustrated in FIG. 6 (a), the material constituting the ear hook portion 20a or the ear hook portion sheet 20 may be a sheet obtained by laminating multiple layers. In the example of FIG. 6 (a), the material is provided with a stretchable material (a stretchable film) 5, and a first surface sheet material 2 is provided on a first surface that is one of the surfaces of the stretchable material (a stretchable film) 5, and a second surface sheet material 3 is provided on a second surface that is a surface on the side opposite from the first surface. The stretchable portion material is a portion material that can be stretched in at least one direction by applying a tensile force, and that has a property of returning to an original length (natural length) when the applied tensile force is released (an external force is not applied).

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 6 (a), in this example, a stretchable film 5 is used as a stretchable portion material. Examples of materials of the stretchable film 5 include polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyurethane, and the like. With respect to the stretchability of the stretchable film 5, it is preferable that the maximum stretch rate is 3.5 to 4.0 times the natural length, as measured by a tensile testing machine. The stretchable film 5 may have a function of allowing moisture to pass through.

[0036] In place of the stretchable film, a thread-like stretchable body aggregate formed by arranging side by side multiple thread-like stretchable bodies (or thread-like elastic bodies) such as yarn rubber may be provided. However, a stretchable portion member in the form of a film, i.e., a film in the form of a flat molded body having a substantially uniform thickness, is preferable in that high stretchability or extensibility is obtained and handling during manufacture is easy.

[0037] Specifically, in the material illustrated in FIG. 6 (a), the first surface sheet material and the second surface sheet material are coupled to both surfaces (the first surface and the second surface) of the stretchable film 5 by multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ..., in a state where the stretchable film 5 is stretched. In order to obtain the material illustrated in FIG. 6 (a), first, as illustrated in FIG. 6 (b), a tensile external force T is applied to the stretchable film 5 to stretch the stretchable film 5 from its natural length, and the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 are intermittently coupled at multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... (to be described later) in the natural state in which the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 are not shrunk. Thereafter, the tensile external force T is released to relax the stretchable film 5, so that the material in the natural state illustrated in FIG. 6 (a) is obtained.

[0038] The state of the material illustrated in FIG. 6 (a) is the natural state, i.e., a state in which no external force is applied (a state having a natural length). In this state, the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3, which are flat when the tensile external force T illustrated in FIG. 6 (b) is applied, are formed with wrinkles (pleats), and are wavy in a cross section (FIG. 6 (a)). This is because, when the length of the stretchable film 5 returns to the natural length, portions other than the portions coupled by the multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... rise so as to be separated from the stretchable film 5.

[0039] In this manner, a large number of pleats are formed on the surface of the ear hook portion 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) . Therefore, when the surface of the ear hook portion 20a comes into contact with the skin, the material of the ear hook portion 20a does not come into contact with the entire surface of the skin, and a space is formed between the ear hook portion 20a and the skin, so that the feeling of sticking to the skin can be reduced and the fit can be improved. When the ear hook portion 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) is formed of the material, the stretch direction (extension direction) of the stretchable film 5 is configured to follow the left-and-right direction D2 of the mask. As a result, multiple wrinkles extending approximately along the height direction D1 of the mask 1 are formed on the surface of the ear hook portion 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20).

[0040] The first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 may be the same or different. The first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 preferably have a fiber structure. Examples of the fiber structures include a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and the like. Among them, a nonwoven fabric is preferably used because of its good touch and breathability, and it contributes to the fit. Examples of nonwoven fabric include an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a needle punch nonwoven fabric, a chemical bond nonwoven fabric, and the like. Among them, a spunbond nonwoven fabric having no pilling and high strength, an air-through nonwoven fabric having softness, and the like can be suitably selected. The fibers contained in the nonwoven fabric are preferably resin fibers, and the resin types of the resin fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and the like. In a case where the first surface sheet material 2 or the second surface sheet material 3 is nonwoven fabric, the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric may be 5 to 50 g/m², and more particularly, preferably 8 to 25 g/m².

[0041] When the ear hook portion 20a according to the present embodiment is made of a material in which both surfaces of the stretchable film 5 are covered by the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3, direct contact between the stretchable film 5 and the skin can be avoided when the mask is worn, and the fit can be improved.

[0042] The coupling portions 40, 40, ... can be formed by using fusing means such as ultrasonic sealing or heat sealing, or by using an adhesive or the like, but it is preferable to form the coupling portions by fusing means, especially by ultrasonic sealing, because it enables more reliable bonding. In the present embodiment, the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable film 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 all contain a thermoplastic resin or are made of a thermoplastic resin, and therefore, at the coupling portions (fused portions) 40, 40, ..., the three layers are fused and integrated by welding the layers together. Depending on the formation conditions of the fused portion, a through hole may be formed in the bonded portion. In this case, the breathability y of the ear hook portion 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) can be improved.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ear hook portion 20a may be in an annular shape (or in a closed belt shape) in a plan view, or may have a shape that includes an annulus. The ear hook portion 20a may include a proximal portion 22 fixed to the mask body 10 (coupled to the mask body 10 via the auxiliary material in the form of FIG. 1), an ear back placement portion 24 situated behind the ear of the wearer, an upper transition portion 23 transitioning, above the ear hook portion 20a, from the proximal portion 22 to the ear back placement portion 24, and a lower transition portion 26 transitioning, below the ear hook portion 20a, from the proximal portion 22 to the ear back placement portion 24. The proximal portion 22 and the ear back placement portion 24 extend substantially along the height direction D1 and are opposed to each other. The upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 extend approximately along the left-and-right direction D2 and face each other.

[0044] In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the shape of the ring included in the ear hook portion 20a is generally a rectangular belt shape, but may be generally a circular or elliptical shape. The ear hook portion 20a may have a shape having three places where the direction is greatly changed along the circumferential direction of the ring (i.e., a triangular belt shape) or a shape having five or more such places (i.e., a polygonal belt shape other than the rectangular belt shape).

[0045] The ear hook portions 20a, 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) are made of the material described above, i.e., a material including: the stretchable portion member 5; and the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 coupled to each other by multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... in a state where the stretchable portion member 5 is stretched. However, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the distribution of the multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... is not uniform. Specifically, the ear hook portions 20a, 20a include: sparse distribution areas R1_A, R1_B (which may be collectively referred to as R1) in which the coupling portions 41, 41, ... are sparsely distributed; and a dense distribution area R2 in which the coupling portions 42, 42, ... are more densely distributed. It is preferable that the sparse distribution areas R1_A, R1_B have the same configuration.

[0046] FIG. 8 (a) is a partially enlarged plan view of the sparse distribution areas R1_A, R1_B. FIG. 8 (b) is a partially enlarged plan view of the dense distribution area R2. As illustrated in FIGs. 8 (a) and 8 (b), in the dense distribution area R2, the density of the formed coupling portions 42, 42, ..., i.e., a number N₂ per unit area, is greater than the density of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... formed in the sparse distribution areas R1_A, R1_B, i.e., a number N₁ per unit area. The number per unit area is the number measured in the maximum stretched state of the ear hook portion 20a or the ear hook portion sheet 20. The maximum stretched state refers to a state in which the surface sheet material becomes a natural length by stretching the ear hook portion 20a or the ear hook portion sheet 20, i.e., a state in which the wrinkles of the surface sheet material are not substantially seen.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ear back placement portion 24 may have the dense distribution area R2, the upper transition portion 23 may have the upper sparse distribution area R1_A, and the lower transition portion 26 may have the lower sparse distribution area R1_B. Furthermore, the ear back placement portion 24 may include the dense distribution area R2, the upper transition portion 23 may include the upper sparse distribution area R1_A, and the lower transition portion 26 may include the lower sparse distribution area R1_B. Therefore, the number of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion 24 is greater than the number of coupling portions per unit area in the upper transition portion 23 and greater than the number of coupling portions per unit area in the lower transition portion 26.

[0048] In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the proximal portion 22 also includes the dense distribution area R2, and the proximal portion 22 does not necessarily have the dense distribution area R2. However, in a case where both the proximal portion 22 and the ear back placement portion 24 have the dense distribution area R2, it is preferable that the ear hook portion sheet 20 is manufactured easily. Specifically, the belt-shaped dense distribution area R2 can be continuously formed along the conveying direction (corresponding to the left-and-right direction D2) of the ear hook portion sheet band 20A serving as the ear hook portion sheet 20 (explained later with reference to FIGs. 9 and 10). The sparse distribution areas R1_A, R1_B can also be formed in a continuous belt shape along the conveying direction on both sides of the dense distribution area R2 in the belt shape.

[0049] The fact that the coupling portion is formed more densely in the ear back placement portion 24 means that the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable portion member 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 are fixed together at more positions per unit area in the ear back placement portion 24. Therefore, the ear back placement portion 24 has a relatively large resistance to stretching and is not easily stretched. Since the ear back placement portion 24 is usually worn such that it is in surface contact with the back of the ear, i.e., the skin on the rear side with respect to the ear and/or the back of the earlobe, and therefore, when the ear back placement portion 24 is greatly stretched and deformed, discomfort may occur due to friction with the skin. However, according to the above configuration of the present embodiment, such discomfort can be reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, because the coupling portion is formed more densely, the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable portion member 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 are less likely to be detached, and the strength of the ear back placement portion 24 is increased. Therefore, even if a relatively large force is applied to the vicinity of the coupling portion 28 in the separation operation of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a, constituting the pair, the structure of the material is less likely to be broken.

[0051] In contrast, in the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26, which are arranged along the left-and-right direction D2 of the face when worn, the coupling points are formed more sparsely, and this means that the number of positions where the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable portion member 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 are fixed together is relatively small per unit area. Therefore, the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 have a relatively small resistance to tension and are easily stretched. Therefore, while putting on the mask, it is possible to smoothly carry out the operation of hanging the ear hook portions 20a, 20a on the ear, in which the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 can be stretched in the left-and-right direction D2 with a relatively small force.

[0052] In this way, the densities of the coupling portions 40, 40, ... are changed to change the stretching characteristic depending on the position of the ear hook portion 20a, so that the fit can be improved by reducing discomfort while being worn, and the operating for putting on the mask is facilitated.

[0053] When the ear hook portion sheet 20 is cut into a predetermined shape from a material having the stretchable film 5 sandwiched between the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 as in the present embodiment, the edge portion of the stretchable film 5 is easily pulled inward from the edge portion of the first surface sheet material 2 and the edge portion of the second surface sheet material 3 due to compressive stress acting in the surface direction at the cutting position. In this case, since the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 project from the edge, they can be easily detached off from the edge. In particular, in the center of the ear hook portion sheet 20 in the left-right direction D2, i.e., in the ear back placement portion 24, the edge is likely to come into contact with the skin, so that the possibility of detachment can be higher than other portions of the ear hook portion 20a. Therefore, since the ear back placement portion 24 has the dense distribution area R2 having a large number of coupling portions 40, 40, ... per unit area, the above described drawing-in of the stretchable film 5 hardly occurs, and the ear back placement portion 24 hardly breaks. Furthermore, if the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 protrude from the edge, the appearance may be reduced, but if the stretchable film 5 can be prevented from being pulled in the ear back placement portion 24, which is conspicuous, the appearance of not only the ear hook portions 20a, 20a but also the entire mask 1 can be improved.

[0054] The number N₂ per unit area of the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the dense distribution area R2 is preferably 2 to 50 pieces/cm², and more preferably 8 to 34 pieces/cm². The number N₁ per unit area of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... in the sparse distribution area R1 may be 1 to 20 pieces/cm², and more preferably 5 to 15 pieces/cm². The ratio (N₂/N₁) of the number N₂ per unit area of the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the dense distribution area R2 to the number N₁ per unit area of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... in the sparse distribution area R1 preferably 1.5 to 2.5, and more preferably 1.75 to 2.25.

[0055]  Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGs. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the area S₂ of each one of the coupling portions 42 in the dense distribution area R2 may be smaller than the area S₁ of each one of the coupling portions 41 in the sparse distribution area R1. Furthermore, the ear back placement portion 24 includes the dense distribution area R2, and therefore, the upper transition portion 23 includes the upper sparse distribution area R1_A, and the lower transition portion 26 includes the lower sparse distribution area R1_B, and therefore, the area of each one of the coupling portions in the ear back placement portion 24 may be smaller than the area of each one of the coupling portions in the upper transition portion 23 and smaller than the area of each one of the coupling portions in the lower transition portion 26.

[0056] Thus, the area S2 of each one of the coupling portions 42 in the dense distribution area R2 is small, and therefore, deformation such as curving or bending of the entire dense distribution area R2 can be performed more freely. Since the ear back placement portion 24 includes the dense distribution area R2, the ear back placement portion 24 can be deformed to conform to the shape of the portion behind the ear of the user and/or the shape of the ear. Furthermore, if the area of each one of the coupling portions is excessively large, the user may feel the hardness when it comes into contact with the skin, which may lead to discomfort. Therefore, the unpleasantness or discomfort can be reduced by reducing the area S₂ of each one of the coupling portions 42 in the ear back placement portion 24 pressed against the portion behind the ear and/or the back side of the ear.

[0057] Furthermore, the area of the coupling portion being small means that the peripheral length per area of the coupling portion is long. When a force is exerted such that the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable portion member 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 are detached from each other, the detaching starts at the peripheral edge of the coupling portion where the coupling portion is particularly strongly coupled, and therefore, since the peripheral length per area of the coupling portion is long, resistance to detachment of the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable portion member 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 from each other at the initial stage also increases. Therefore, the ear back placement portion 24 including the dense distribution area R2 can be configured to be less likely to be detached and to be stronger.

[0058] The area S2 of each one of the coupling portions 42 in the dense distribution area R2 is preferably 0.02 to 0.72 mm², more preferably 0.08 to 0.45 mm². The area S1 of each one of the coupling portions 41 in the sparse distribution area R1 is preferably 0.2 to 0.8 mm², more preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm². The ratio (S2/S1) of the area S2 of each one of the coupling portions 42 in the dense distribution area R2 to the area S1 of each one of the coupling portions 41 in the sparse distribution area R1 is preferably 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably 0.25 to 0.75.

[0059] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGs. 8 (a) and 8 (b), a pitch p_x2 in the left-and-right direction D2 between the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the dense distribution area R2 may be smaller than a pitch p_x1 in the left-and-right direction D2 of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... in the sparse distribution area R1. The ear back placement portion 24 includes the dense distribution area R2, the upper transition portion 23 includes upper sparse distribution area R1A, and the lower transition portion 26 includes the lower sparse distribution area R1B, so that the pitch of the coupling portion in the left-and-right direction D2 in the ear back placement portion 24 may be smaller than the pitch of the coupling portion in the left-and-right direction D2 in the upper transition portion 23 and smaller than the pitch of the coupling portion in the left-and-right direction D2 in the lower transition portion 26.

[0060] If the pitch of the coupling portions in the left-and-right direction D2 is small, the intervals at which the first surface sheet material 2, the stretchable portion member 5, and the second surface sheet material 3 are fixed is small in the left-and-right direction D2. Since the ear hook portions 20a, 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) are stretched mainly in the left-and-right direction D2, the ease of stretch of the ear back placement portion 24 and the ease of stretch of the upper transition portion 23 and the lower transition portion 26 can be further changed depending on the difference in the pitch in the left-and-right direction D2, so that the fit can be improved and the effect of facilitating the operation for putting on the mask can be further enhanced.

[0061] The pitch p_x2 of the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the left-right direction D2 in the dense distribution area R2 may also be smaller than the pitch p_x1 of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... in the left-right direction D2 in the sparse distribution area R1. The pitch of the coupling portion in the left-and-right direction D2 in the ear back placement portion 24 may be smaller than the pitch of the coupling portion in the left-and-right direction D2 in the upper transition portion 23, and may be smaller than the pitch of the coupling portion in the left-and-right direction D2 in the lower transition portion 26.

[0062] The pitch p_x2 of the coupling portion 42 in the left-and-right direction D2 in the dense distribution area R2 is preferably 0.3 to 13.5 mm, more preferably 1.25 to 7.5 mm. The pitch p_x1 of the coupling portion 41 in the left-and-right direction in the sparse distribution area R1 is preferably 3 to 15 mm, more preferably 5 to 10 mm. Furthermore, the ratio (p_x2/p_x1) of the pitch p_x2 of the coupling portion 42 in the left-and-right direction in the dense distribution area R2 to the pitch p_x1 of the coupling portion 41 in the left-and-right direction in the sparse distribution area R1 is preferably 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably 0.25 to 0.75. Note that the pitch is a pitch measured in the maximum stretch state of the ear hook portion 20a or the ear hook portion sheet 20.

[0063] A pitch p_y2 of the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the height direction D1 in the dense distribution area R2 may be either smaller or larger than or about the same as the pitch p_y1 of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... in the height direction D1 in the sparse distribution area R1. However, the pitch p_y2 of the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the height direction D1 in the dense distribution area R2 is preferably smaller than the pitch p_y1 of the coupling portions 41, 41, ... in the height direction D1 in the sparse distribution area R1, because the coupling portions 42, 42, ... in the dense distribution area R2 can be formed more densely.

[0064] As illustrated in FIGs. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the coupling portions 40, 40, ... in the plan view are preferably arranged in a zigzag pattern, but may be arranged in a lattice pattern. Alternatively, the arrangement may be neither zigzag nor lattice. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8 (c), a row of coupling portions arranged along the left-and-right direction D2 may be arranged side by side in the height direction D1, and adjacent rows may be slightly shifted in the left-and-right direction D2 by a distance smaller than 1/2 of the pitch p_x2 in the left-and-right direction D2.

[0065] Furthermore, the shape of the coupling portion 40 may be circular (FIG. 8 (a)), elliptical (FIGs. 8 (b) and (c)), or other shapes, for example, a polygonal shape, regardless of whether it is in the sparse distribution area R1 or the dense distribution area R2. As illustrated in FIGs. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the shape of the coupling portion 41 in the sparse distribution area R1 (R1_A, R1_B) may be different from the shape of the coupling portion 42 in the dense distribution area R2. If the shape of the coupling portion 42 in the dense distribution area R2 is an elliptical shape having a long diameter in the height direction D1, the length of the coupling portion 42 in the left-and-right direction D2 can be shortened, so that the interval of the wrinkles formed in the material can be reduced and the height of the wrinkles can be made smaller, and accordingly, the appearance can be improved.

[0066] The sum of the areas of the multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... may be 1 to 20% of the areas of the ear hook portions 20a, 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20). The ratio of the area of the multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... is a value measured in the maximum stretch state of the ear hook portion 20a or the ear hook portion sheet 20.

[0067] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a manufacturing apparatus 300 of masks. The manufacturing apparatus 300 of the masks is provided with a manufacturing apparatus 100 of ear hook portions on the upstream thereof. Subsequently, a mask member combining apparatus 200 for combining the manufactured ear hook portion for the mask with other members of the mask is provided.

[0068] The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the ear hook portions is provided with a stretchable film band supply means 123 for supplying a stretchable film band (stretchable member band) 5A for forming a stretchable film 5, a first surface sheet material band supply means 121 for supplying a first surface sheet material band 2A for forming a first surface sheet material 2, and a second surface sheet material band supply means 122 for supplying a second surface sheet material band 3A for forming a second surface sheet material 3. A long material, i.e., a stretchable film band 5A, a first surface sheet material band 2A, and a second surface sheet material band 3A are supplied from each supply means, and then the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A are placed on one surface (first surface) and the other surface (second surface) of the stretchable film band 5A, respectively, to form a multilayer structure 6A. The multilayer structure 6A is conveyed in a conveying direction Dt.

[0069] In this case, the stretchable film band 5A is conveyed in a state of being stretched in the conveying direction Dt, i.e., in a state of applying a tensile force (tension) in the conveying direction Dt. The degree of stretching of the stretchable film band 5A is controlled by the feeding speed of the stretchable film band supply means 123 and conveying means (not illustrated). The stretchable film band 5A is preferably stretched, for example, about 1.5 to 4 times, preferably about 2 to 3 times, of the natural length. In contrast, the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A are conveyed in a state having a natural length (a state in which they are not pulled). Therefore, the surfaces of the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A laid on the respective surfaces of the stretchable film band 5A have a state without wrinkles.

[0070] Subsequently, the multilayer structure 6A is fed to the coupling means 140, so that discontinuous coupling portions, i.e., welded portions, are formed over the entire multilayer structure 6A between the stretchable film band 5A and the first surface sheet material band 2A and between the stretchable film band 5A and the second surface sheet material band 3A. The coupling means 140 is preferably ultrasonic sheet means, but other means such as welding may be used. The stacked body 8A can be obtained by coupling the layers of the multilayer structure 6A at the multiple discontinuous coupling portions with the coupling means 140.

[0071] FIG. 9 also illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion III. Multiple coupling portions 40, 40, ... are intermittently formed between the stretchable film band 5A and the first surface sheet material band 2A and between the stretchable film band 5A and the second surface sheet material band 3A. In this case, as described with reference to FIGs. 7 and 8, in the coupling portions 40, 40, ..., areas having different densities of the coupling portions 40, 40, ... are formed in the obtained ear hook portions 20a, 20a (the ear hook portion sheet 20) (described later with reference to FIG. 10) .

[0072] Furthermore, the stacked body 8A is fed to relaxing means 160. In the relaxing means 160, the tension applied to the stretchable film band 5A in the conveying direction Dt is loosened. Although the degree to which the tension is loosened by the relaxing means 160 is not limited, it is preferable that the tension is loosened until the stretchable film band 5A returns to its natural length. The stretchable film band 5A is contracted by relaxing the stretchable film band 5A. In this case, the first surface sheet material band 2A, the stretchable film band 5A, and the second surface sheet material band 3A are coupled by the coupling portions 40, 40, ..., and are fixed at these positions. Therefore, when the stretchable film band 5A is contracted and the length is shortened, the portions of the first surface sheet material 2 and the second surface sheet material 3 which are not coupled by the coupling portions 40, 40, ... loosen without following the stretchable film band 5A, and rise from the surface (see also FIG. 6). Therefore, the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A are formed with a large number of small pleats extending along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction Dt. In the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A, no force occurs or substantially no force occurs to return to the original length when the pleats are formed.

[0073] FIG. 9 also illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion IV. As illustrated in the drawing, in the ear hook portion sheet band 20A, the stretchable film band 5A is flat, but the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A are shrunk to form wrinkles. In the ear hook portion sheet band 20A, continuous irregularities are formed along the conveying direction Dt as seen in a cross section obtained by cutting the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A along the conveying direction Dt.

[0074] Subsequently, the ear hook portion sheet band 20A is fed to punching means 180. In the punching means 180, the ear hook portion sheet band 20A is punched by a punching die so as to obtain the shape of each ear hook portion sheet 20. In any case, multiple ear hook portion sheets 20, 20, ... can be obtained by the punching means 180.

[0075] In this manner, a method for manufacturing the ear hook portion sheet 20 includes: while the stretchable film band 5A including a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface is stretched in the predetermined direction (the conveying direction Dt), placing the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A on the respective surfaces of the stretchable film band 5A; coupling the stretchable film band 5A with the first surface sheet material band 2A and the second surface sheet material band 3A to obtain the stacked body 8A in which the first surface sheet material band 2A, the stretchable film band 5A, and the second surface sheet material band 3A are coupled at multiple coupling portions; causing the stacked body 8A to contract in the predetermined direction (the conveying direction Dt); and cutting the stacked body 8A to form multiple ear hook portion sheets 20 constituting a pair of ear hook portions separably coupled to each other.

[0076] The ear hook portion sheets 20, 20, ... are fed to the mask member combining apparatus 200. In the mask member combining apparatus 200, an auxiliary material band 30A is provided on one surface of the ear hook portion sheet 20. The mask member combining apparatus 200 includes a mask body band supply means 221 for supplying a mask body band 10A for forming a mask body. The mask body band supply means 221 supplies the mask body band 10A to a surface of the ear hook portion sheet 20 that is opposite to the surface where the auxiliary material band 30A is provided. In the example of FIG. 10, the auxiliary material band 30A is disposed on the outermost side, but may be disposed between the ear hook portion sheet 20 and the mask body band 10A.

[0077] After the ear hook portion sheet 20, the auxiliary material band 30A, and the mask body band 10A are combined, the first side coupling portion 50 and the second side coupling portion 60 (FIGs. 1 and 3 and the like) described above are formed, and are coupled at predetermined positions by heat sealing or the like by a coupling and cutting unit 240. Subsequently to the coupling or at the same time as the coupling, cutting is performed. Thus, each of the masks 1 can be obtained.

[0078] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates, in a plan view, processes of the mask ear hook portion manufacturing apparatus 100 and the mask member combining apparatus 200. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the ear hook portion sheet band 20A obtained through the coupling means 140 and the relaxing means 160, areas in which the degrees of densities of the coupling portions 40, 40, ... are different, i.e., the sparse distribution area R1_A, R1_B, and the dense distribution area R2, are formed along the conveying direction Dt. The sparse distribution area R1_A, R1_B, and the dense distribution area R2 are formed in a belt-like shape adjacent to a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction Dt (the width direction of the ear hook portion sheet band 20A). The ear hook portion sheet band 20A having the sparse distribution area R1_A, R1_B and the dense distribution area R2 is punched by punching means 180 to obtain the ear hook portion sheet 20. Thus, the sparse distribution area R1_A, R1_B and the dense distribution area R2, which are continuous along the conveying direction Dt, are formed adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction Dt in the ear hook portion sheet band 20A, so that the degree of density of the coupling portion 40 can be changed by the ear back placement portion 24 of the ear hook portion 20a to be obtained, the upper transition portion 23, and the lower transition portion 26 without greatly changing the setting of the coupling means 140.

[0079] The obtained ear hook portion sheet 20 is separated and further conveyed, and one auxiliary material band 30A is coupled to the side portion of the ear hook portion. After being coupled to the mask body band 10A, the auxiliary material band 30A and the mask body band 10A are cut to form individual masks 1.

[0080] Hereinafter, specific aspects of the present invention are supplementarily explained below.

(Supplementary Note 1)

[0081] An aspect according to Supplementary Note 1 is an ear hook portion for mask, the ear hook portion being made of a material including: a stretchable portion material; and a first surface sheet material and a second surface sheet material coupled, via a plurality of coupling portions, to both surfaces of the stretchable portion material in such a state that the stretchable portion material is stretched, the ear hook portion including: a proximal portion fixed to a mask body; an ear back placement portion to be situated at a back of an ear of a wearer; an upper transition portion extending, on an upper side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion; and lower transition portion transitioning, on a lower side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion, wherein a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion is greater than a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0082] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 1, the material is formed to include a stretchable portion material; and a first surface sheet material and a second surface sheet material coupled, via a plurality of coupling portions, to both surfaces of the stretchable portion material in such a state that the stretchable portion material is stretched. With such a material, a desired stretch can be achieved by adjusting the degree of stretch of the stretchable portion material when the material is manufactured, and therefore, the ear hook portion having a high stretchable can be obtained. In the natural state, the material has many small wrinkles on the first surface sheet material and the second surface sheet material, so that the material is microscopically in discontinuous contact with the skin, and therefore has a good touch.

[0083] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the coupling points are formed densely in the ear back placement portion. Specifically, since the first surface sheet material, the stretchable portion member, and the second surface sheet material are both fixed at a relatively large number of positions per unit area, the resistance to tension is relatively large and the sheet material is not easily stretched. Since the ear back placement portion is usually attached to the back of the ear, i.e., the skin on the rear side with respect to the ear and/or the back of the earlobe in a state of being in contact with the surface, when the ear back placement portion is greatly stretched and deformed, discomfort may occur due to friction with the skin. Conversely, in the upper transition portion and/or the lower transition portion, which are arranged along the left-and-right direction of the face when being worn, coupling points are sparsely formed. Specifically, since the portion where the first surface sheet material, the stretchable portion member, and the second surface sheet material are fixed together is relatively small per unit area, the resistance to tension is relatively small and the sheet material is easily stretched. Therefore, the mask can be put on relatively smoothly. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fit can be improved by reducing discomfort when being put on, and the operation for putting on the mask can be performed easily.

(Supplementary Note 2)

[0084] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 2, an area of each of the plurality of coupling portions in the ear back placement portion is smaller than an area of each of the plurality of coupling portions in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0085] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 2, the area of each one of the plurality of coupling portions (area per coupling portion) is smaller in the ear back placement portion, so that the perimeter per area of the coupling portion is longer. When a force is applied such that the first surface sheet material, the stretchable portion member, and the second surface sheet material are detached, the detachment starts at the peripheral edge of the coupling portion, so that when the perimeter per area of the coupling portion increases, resistance to detachment of the first surface sheet material, the stretchable portion member, and the second surface sheet material from each other increases. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the ear back placement portion can be made more resistant to detachment and made stronger. Furthermore, since the area of each one of the coupling portions in the ear back placement portion is reduced, deformation such as curving or bending of the entire ear back placement portion becomes easier, so that the ear back placement portion can be deformed to conform to the shape of the portion behind the ear of the user and/or the shape of the ear.

(Supplementary Note 3)

[0086] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 3, a pitch of the plurality of coupling portions in a left-and-right direction in the ear back placement portion is smaller than a pitch of the plurality of coupling portions in the left-and-right direction in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0087] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 3, the pitch of the plurality of coupling portions in the left-and-right direction in the ear back placement portion is smaller, and the pitch of the plurality of coupling portions in the left-and-right direction in the upper transition portion and/or the lower transition portion is larger. As a result, the upper transition portion and/or the lower transition portion are easier to stretch than the ear back placement portion, especially in the left-and-right direction, and the operation of stretching the ear hook portion in the left-and-right direction when being put on becomes smoother.

(Supplementary Note 4)

[0088] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 4, the coupling portion is a fused portion in which the stretchable portion material, the first surface sheet material, and the second surface sheet material are fused together.

[0089] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 4, the coupling portion is a fused portion, and therefore, the first surface sheet material, the stretchable portion member, and the second surface sheet material can be more integrally coupled in a more reliable manner.

(Supplementary Note 5)

[0090] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 5, the stretchable portion material is a stretchable film.

[0091] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 5, the stretchable portion member is made in the form of a film, high stretchability can be obtained. Furthermore, the ear hook portion can be easily manufactured.

(Supplementary Note 6)

[0092] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 6, the first surface sheet material and the second surface sheet material includes a nonwoven fabric.

[0093] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 6, the first surface sheet material and the second surface sheet material which can directly come into contact with the skin uses a nonwoven fabric, so that it is possible to impart softness to the surface of the ear hook portion and to improve the fit of the ear hook portion.

(Supplementary Note 7)

[0094] The aspect according to Supplementary Note 7 is a mask that includes a mask body; and an ear hook portion sheet configured such that ear hook portions for the mask according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6 constitute a pair, and ear back placement portions of the ear hook portions for the mask are separably coupled with each other.

[0095] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 7, the mask that exhibits substantially the same effects as those described with regard to the above-described aspect of the Supplementary Note 1 can be provided.

(Supplementary Note 8)

[0096] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 8, auxiliary materials are provided on both side portions of the mask body, wherein the proximal portions of the ear hook portions are coupled to the mask body via the auxiliary materials.

[0097] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 8, the mask can be formed without directly coupling the ear hook portion and the mask body, and therefore, the coupling portion between the ear hook portion and the auxiliary material and the coupling portion between the mask body and the auxiliary material can be formed separately in appropriate coupling forms. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid using a portion of the ear hook portion for adhesion to the mask body, and therefore, the ear hook portions can be moved more freely with respect to the mask body than in the case where the ear hook portions are directly coupled to the mask body, so that, the degree of freedom in the wearing positions of the ear hook portions is increased.

(Supplementary Note 9)

[0098] The aspect according to Supplementary Note 9 is a method for manufacturing an ear hook portion for a mask, the method including: (a1) while a stretchable portion material band is stretched in a predetermined direction, placing a first surface sheet material band and a second surface sheet material on respective surfaces of the stretchable portion material band; (a2) coupling, at a plurality of coupling portions, the first surface sheet material band, the stretchable portion material band, and the second surface sheet material band to obtain a stacked body; (a3) causing the stacked body to contract in the predetermined direction; (a4) cutting the stacked body to form ear hook portion sheets each including a pair of ear hook portions separably coupled to each other, wherein each of the ear hook portions for the mask includes: a proximal portion fixed to a mask body; an ear back placement portion to be situated at a back of an ear of a wearer; an upper transition portion extending, on an upper side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion; and a lower transition portion transitioning, on a lower side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion, wherein during the (a2) coupling, a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion is made to be greater than a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

[0099] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 9, the method for manufacturing the ear hook portion for the mask that exhibits substantially the same effects as those described with regard to the above-described aspect of the Supplementary Note 1 can be provided.

(Supplementary Note 10)

[0100] The aspect according to Supplementary Note 10 is a method for manufacturing a mask, the method including: (a) manufacturing ear hook portion sheets for the mask by the method for manufacturing the ear hook portion according to claim 9; (b) coupling an auxiliary material band to side portions of two ear hook portion sheets, spaced apart from each other, of the ear hook portion sheets; (c) coupling the auxiliary material band to a mask body band; and (d) cutting the auxiliary material band and the mask body band to form the mask.

[0101] In an aspect according to the Supplementary Note 10, the method for manufacturing the mask that exhibits substantially the same effects as those described with regard to the above-described aspect of the Supplementary Note 1 can be provided.

[0102] This application claims the priority to Basic Application No. 2020-144843 filed with the Japan Patent Office on August 28, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0103] 

1

mask

2

first surface sheet material

2A

first surface sheet material band

3

second surface sheet material

3A

second surface sheet material band

5

stretchable film (stretchable member)

5A

stretchable film band (stretchable member band )

6A

multilayer structure

8A

stacked body

10

mask body

10A

mask body band

15

pleats

20

ear hook portion sheet

20a

ear hook portion

20A

ear hook portion sheet band

22

proximal portion

23

upper transition portion

24

ear back placement portion

25

tab portion

26

lower transition portion

28

separable coupling portion

29

opening

30

auxiliary material

30A

auxiliary material band

40, 41, 42

coupling portion

50

first side coupling portion

60

second side coupling portion

100

manufacturing apparatus of ear hook portions

121

first surface sheet material band supply means

122

second surface sheet material band supply means

123

stretchable film band supply means

140

coupling means

160

relaxing means

180

punching means

200

mask member combining apparatus

221

mask body band supply means

240

coupling and cutting unit

300

manufacturing apparatus of masks

R1, R1 A, R1 B

sparse distribution area

R2

dense distribution area

D1

height direction of mask

D2

left-and-right direction of mask

Dt

conveying direction

Claims

1. An ear hook portion for mask, the ear hook portion being made of a material including: a stretchable portion material; and a first surface sheet material and a second surface sheet material coupled, via a plurality of coupling portions, to both surfaces of the stretchable portion material in such a state that the stretchable portion material is stretched,
the ear hook portion comprising:

a proximal portion fixed to a mask body;

an ear back placement portion to be situated at a back of an ear of a wearer;

an upper transition portion extending, on an upper side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion; and

a lower transition portion transitioning, on a lower side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion,

wherein a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion is greater than a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

2. The ear hook portion for the mask according to claim 1, wherein an area of each of the plurality of coupling portions in the ear back placement portion is smaller than an area of each of the plurality of coupling portions in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

3. The ear hook portion for the mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pitch of the plurality of coupling portions in a left-and-right direction in the ear back placement portion is smaller than a pitch of the plurality of coupling portions in the left-and-right direction in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

4. The ear hook portion for the mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of coupling portions are fused portions in which the stretchable portion material, the first surface sheet material, and the second surface sheet material are fused together.

5. The ear hook portion for the mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stretchable portion material is a stretchable film.

6. The ear hook portion for the mask according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first surface sheet material and the second surface sheet material include a nonwoven fabric.

7. A mask comprising:

a mask body; and

an ear hook portion sheet configured such that ear hook portions for the mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6 constitute a pair, and ear back placement portions of the ear hook portions for the mask are separably coupled with each other.

8. The mask according to claim 7, further comprising:

auxiliary materials provided on both side portions of the mask body,

wherein the proximal portions of the ear hook portions are coupled to the mask body via the auxiliary materials.

9. A method for manufacturing an ear hook portion for a mask, the method comprising:

(a1) while a stretchable portion material band is stretched in a predetermined direction, placing a first surface sheet material band and a second surface sheet material on respective surfaces of the stretchable portion material band;

(a2) coupling, at a plurality of coupling portions, the first surface sheet material band, the stretchable portion material band, and the second surface sheet material band to obtain a stacked body;

(a3) causing the stacked body to contract in the predetermined direction; and

(a4) cutting the stacked body to form ear hook portion sheets each including a pair of ear hook portions separably coupled to each other,

wherein each of the ear hook portions for the mask includes:

a proximal portion fixed to a mask body;

an ear back placement portion to be situated at a back of an ear of a wearer;

an upper transition portion extending, on an upper side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion; and

a lower transition portion transitioning, on a lower side, from the proximal portion to the ear back placement portion,

wherein during the (a2) coupling, a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in the ear back placement portion is made to be greater than a number of the plurality of coupling portions per unit area in at least one of the upper transition portion and the lower transition portion.

10. A method for manufacturing a mask, comprising:

(a) manufacturing ear hook portion sheets for the mask by the method for manufacturing the ear hook portion according to claim 9;

(b) coupling an auxiliary material band to side portions of two ear hook portion sheets, spaced apart from each other, of the ear hook portion sheets;

(c) coupling the auxiliary material band to a mask body band; and

(d) cutting the auxiliary material band and the mask body band to form the mask.

Drawing