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EP4088603A1 - Masque facial avec fenêtre transparente et procédé de fabrication - Google Patents

Masque facial avec fenêtre transparente et procédé de fabrication Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4088603A1
EP4088603A1 EP21188981.1A EP21188981A EP4088603A1 EP 4088603 A1 EP4088603 A1 EP 4088603A1 EP 21188981 A EP21188981 A EP 21188981A EP 4088603 A1 EP4088603 A1 EP 4088603A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
film
sheet
continuous
mask
breathable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP21188981.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Christos KARAGEORGIOU
Spyros Vlastos
Georgios GEORGIADIS
Pavlos Nikiforidis
Nikolaos Papadopoulos
Ioannis SOTIRIOU
Anastasios Karvounidis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thrace Polyfilms SA
Original Assignee
Thrace Polyfilms SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thrace Polyfilms SA filed Critical Thrace Polyfilms SA
Publication of EP4088603A1 publication Critical patent/EP4088603A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres

Definitions

  • the invention relates to face masks.
  • the invention particularly relates to face masks, which allow others to see the wearer's mouth.
  • the invention also relates to medical and surgical face masks.
  • the invention further relates to method of production of face masks and a machine for this purpose.
  • An object of the invention is a mask with a window which prevents suspended particles from penetrating between the mask and the user's face, while ensuring breathability. It is also an object of the invention to produce such a mask. Another object of the invention is a mask with a window that can be certified as a medical or surgical mask. Another object of the invention is a window mask that can be certified as a medical or surgical mask according to EN 14683: 2019 + AC: 2019 "Medical face masks - Requirements and test methods”. Another object of the invention is a machine to produce effectively face masks.
  • a face mask according to the invention has a breathable section of air-permeable material that filters air, a window within the breathable section and a film of transparent material.
  • the window is defined by an inner contour of the breathable section and is covered by the film.
  • the film and the breathable section are connected along the inner contour by a closed continuous weldline.
  • the wearer's mouth is always in a position that allows visual contact and communication without the need to constantly reposition it on one hand, while allowing breathability on the other.
  • the respiration is achieved by the breathable section, which is not covered by the film of transparent material.
  • Continuous weldline may be effected by ultrasonic welding.
  • the inner contour may be a curve with no corners, preferably a curve with elliptical shape.
  • a contour with no corners is less vulnerable to tearing, in particular tearing during welding.
  • the breathable section has an outer contour with one or more welding lines running parallel to the outer contour. Small portions of the outer contour may coincide with corresponding portions of the contour of the film. The welding lines connect the breathable section and the film along these portions.
  • the breathable section may have two or more layers. In some embodiments it has two layers of spunbond material and one layer of meltblown fabric therebetween. Other breathable materials may be also used for the breathable section.
  • the film may be made of polyolefin, for example polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester.
  • the mask may have at least one of the following characteristics: a) bacterial filtration efficiency ⁇ 98%, b) differential pressure ⁇ 60Pa/cm 2 , splash resistance ⁇ 16.0kPa, bioburden ⁇ 30 cfu/gr.
  • the mask is certified as medical mask type I or II or IIR, preferably as type II or IIR, according to international standards, such as EN 14683:2019+AC:2019.
  • a method of producing masks according to the invention includes the following steps: a) supplying a continuous sheet of breathable material, b) making a plurality of openings to the sheet, each one of which is defined by an inner contour of the sheet, c) supplying a waterproof and airproof continuous film of transparent, material, which covers at least partially the sheet, d) sealing the sheet and the film along a closed, continuous weldline around each one of the plurality of openings to obtain a continuous multilayer, which includes the sheet and the film on a face of the sheet.
  • the multilayer may be cut along lines that are normal with respect to the direction of production.
  • Sealing may be performed by ultrasonic welding.
  • the method may include welding along one or more weldlines that run parallel to the outer contour of each mask under production and at a distance from each opening of said mask. Joining of the sheet and the film may be also effected by welding at individual spots that are between the continuous weldlines and the weldlines that run parallel to the outer contour, so as to fit effectively the film on one side of the sheet.
  • Shaping of the film by cutting its edges along the production line may be performed before sealing.
  • the film is heated in the cutting station, so as to obtain smooth cutting lines.
  • Openings to the sheet may be performed by passing the sheet through a generator of ultrasonic and a first cylindrical anvil with a surface and a lip projecting therefrom, which corresponds to the contour of an opening.
  • Sealing of the sheet and the film may be performed by passing the sheet and the film through a generator of ultrasonic and a second cylindrical anvil with a surface and a wall projecting therefrom.
  • the wall has a shape of a continuous ring that follows the contour, which corresponds to an opening of the plurality of openings.
  • a machine for the production of masks includes: a) an entry station to receive a continuous sheet of breathable material, b) an entry station to receive a waterproof and airproof continuous film of transparent material, c) means to cut a plurality of openings to the sheet, each one of which being defined by an inner contour of the sheet, which means includes a generator of ultrasonic and a first cylindrical anvil with a surface and a lip projecting from its surface, which lip defines the inner contour of the sheet, which corresponds to an opening of the plurality of openings, means to seal the sheet and the film along weldlines, which means includes a generator of ultrasonic and a second cylindrical anvil with a surface and a wall projecting from its surface, which wall has a shape of a continuous ring that follows the inner contour of the sheet, which corresponds to an opening of the plurality of openings.
  • the machine may include means to synchronize the rotation of the first anvil and second anvil to achieve an automatic production.
  • Figures 1 to 3 show an example of a face mask of the invention.
  • the mask is flexible and has a breathable section 20, which in the example is a multilayer with three layers 27, 28, 29.
  • the two outer layers 27, 29 are of non-woven fabric, e.g. of spunbond usually obtained by thermo-bonding of thermoplastic elastomer fibers and the intermediate is a meltblown non-woven layer.
  • Nonwoven layers can be made of polypropylene PP, polyethylene PE, polyester PET or a combination thereof.
  • the meltblown layers are made of polypropylene.
  • the breathable section 20 may have another number of layers, e.g. one, two, four, etc.
  • the breathable section 20 of an example of the invention is rectangular and has an outer contour 22, 24, but other shapes are also anticipated.
  • the outer contour 22, 24 of the breathable section 20 has four edges, which when the user wears the mask, the two 22 are parallel or almost parallel to his mouth and the two 24 are vertical or almost vertical.
  • the mask has an opening - window 30, which is defined by an inner contour 32 of the breathable section 20.
  • the inner contour 32 is curved, without corners and preferably has an elliptical shape with its large axis parallel to the mouth of the wearer of the mask.
  • the breathable section 20 also has two pleats 50, one to the right and one to the left of the window, or above and below the window, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 .
  • the window 30 in an unfolded mask i.e. a mask with folded pleats
  • the invention allows the selection of different geometric features of the mask and breathable materials, in order to obtain a medical mask with particular characteristics, for example type IIR, on the one hand and a mask exposing the mouth of the wearer on the other.
  • Attached to one side of the breathable layer 20 is a waterproof and airtight transparent film 10, preferably tested according to ISO 22610, which may be made of polypropylene or any suitable material.
  • the transparent film 10 completely covers the window 30 of the mask and extends between the two parallel edges 24 of the breathable layer.
  • the transparent film 10 has antifog technology so that it does not blur when using the mask.
  • the transparent film 10 has a contour 12 with two relatively small portions 14 coinciding with the outer contour 24 of the breathable section 20. Between these two small portions 14, the contour 12 of the transparent film 10 has no corners and is either straight or curved, preferably curved, with greater height in the window area and less height in the outer contour area 24 of the breathable section 20.
  • the layers 27, 28, 29 of the breathable section 20 are joined together along the outer contour 22, 24.
  • the connection is performed preferably with ultrasonic welding, such as spot ultrasonic welding, or any other method.
  • the connection along the outer contour 22, 24 of the breathable section 20 is effected along two or four weldlines 42.
  • the weldlines 42 are at least two so as to obtain an effective sealing between the welding spots, if the welding is not continuous.
  • the weldlines 42 are within a distance of 15 mm from the outer contour 22, 24 of the breathable section 20. This distance is given only as an example and other distances are anticipated.
  • the breathable section 20 is connected to the film 10 along the inner contour 32 of the breathable section 20 that defines the window 30.
  • the connection is achieved with a continuous weldline 44 obtained by ultrasonic welding and having no gaps.
  • the continuous weldline 44 is along the inner contour 32, practically at a distance that allows welding, i.e. a couple of millimeters.
  • the continuous welding may also be effected by other means, for example thermal welding, gluing. In some examples not shown in the Figures, there may be more than one continuous weldlines 44 that run along parallel paths.
  • the breathable section 20 and the transparent film 10 are attached at individual spots 46.
  • Such an attachment facilitates the correct and effective alignment of the breathable section and the transparent film 10 during production of the masks, as it will be described below, and/or the fitting of the one on the other. In the example shown there are 12 such spots on each mask.
  • the mask described was tested according to EN 14683: 2019 + AC: 2019 and found to have the following characteristics: Bacterial filtration efficiency ⁇ 98%, differential pressure ⁇ 60 Pa/cm 2 , resistance against penetration ⁇ 16.0 kPa, population of microorganisms bioburden test ⁇ 30 cfu/gr.
  • the relevant measurements were made according to the standard EN 14683:2019 + AC:2019, which describes the relevant procedures or refers to the relevant standards.
  • ISO 22609:2004 - Test Method for resistance against penetration was applied and for the control of biological load (bioburden test) the EN ISO 11737-1:2018 - Determination of population of microorganisms on products was applied accordingly.
  • the raw materials are a continuous sheet 120 of breathable material and a waterproof and airtight continuous film 310 of transparent material.
  • the sheet 120 and the film 310 are preferably provided as rolls.
  • the production line of the masks is shown schematically in Figure 4 and a flowchart in Figures 5A and 5B .
  • a continuous sheet 120 of breathable material is fed, preferably by roll unwinding, at station 100.
  • the transparent film 310 is fed at station 300, by rolling or unwinding if it is provided as a roll.
  • Openings 30 at the breathable sheet 120 are made at station 200. Each one of the openings 30 corresponds to an opening 30 of a mask under production.
  • the openings 30 are made with ultrasonic cutting.
  • the sheet 120 passes through an ultrasonic generator, a sonotrode or probe, and a rotating cylindrical shaft, i.e. an anvil, with a cutting lip, which has the shape of the openings 30.
  • the cutting lip may be formed for example by a series of bosses on the cylindrical shaft, i.e. an embossing roller, or by a continuous lip.
  • the transparent film 310 is shaped at station 400. At this station the two edges of the film 310, which are parallel to the direction of production, are cut and obtain the shape of a wave with troughs and peaks with no corners.
  • the forming of the edges of the film 310 may be done by cutting with ultrasonic and if this is the case the film 310 passes through an ultrasonic generator, sonotrode or probe, and a cylindrical anvil 76 having a lip 77 on its surface, which has the shape of the wave (see Figure 6 ).
  • the quality of the edges of the film 310 is improved, when the edges of the film 310 are at elevated temperature, for example at 60 °C to 90 °C.
  • the transparent film 310 is heated for example during shaping, i.e. cutting, at station 400 by supplying thermal energy via the anvil at this station.
  • Alignment of the sheet 120 and the film 310 is performed at station 500, so that the film 310 covers the openings 30 of the sheet 120. During alignment a line between the opposite peaks of the edges of the film 310 is aligned with the vertical axis of symmetry of an opening 30. The vertical direction is normal to the direction of production the sheet 120 and the film 310 (direction of production is designated with the dotted arrow in Figure 4 ).
  • the film 310 is applied on the sheet 120 at station 600.
  • the connection of these two elements of the mask follows at station 700, where the film 310 and the sheet 120 pass through an ultrasonic generator, sonotrode or probe, and a cylindrical anvil 71 with a projection wall 72 on its surface, which has the shape of a continuous closed ring, as shown in Figure 7 .
  • the wall 72 of the anvil 71 and the lip of the anvil that is used for cutting the openings 30 have similar shape, in the example presented elliptical, so as the continuous weldline 44 coincides with the inner contour 32 of each opening 30.
  • the inner contour 32 and the continuous weldline 44 are a couple of millimeters apart, a tolerance that is defined for an effective welding.
  • the weldline guarantees that the connection of the sheet 120 and the film 310 does not allow any particles or droplets to intrude the space between the mask and the face of the wearer.
  • the anvil 71 further carries bosses 73 to effect the individual welding spots 46.
  • the welding at the individual spots 46 and the continuous weldline 44 are effected as the film 310 and the sheet 120 pass through the ultrasonic generator and anvil 71.
  • the welding of the individual welding spots 46 may be effected before or after the continuous weldline, for example at station position 1100, where the sheet 120 and the film 310 are welded together as presented below.
  • the sheet 120 and the film 310 are welded along the contour of each mask under production.
  • the multilayer that is produced i.e. the multilayer comprising the sheet 120 and the film 310
  • the multilayer is ready for cutting to obtain the individual masks.
  • Cutting of the multilayer is effected in station 1200.
  • Earloops are attached to each mask at station 1300, for example with ultrasonic welding.
  • a machine for the production of masks includes a) a first entry station 100 to receive a continuous sheet 120 of breathable material, b) a second entry station 300 to receive a waterproof and airproof continuous film 310 of transparent material, c) means to cut a plurality of openings 30 to the continuous sheet 120, each one of being defined by an inner contour 32 of the sheet 120, which means includes an ultrasonic generator - sonotrode or probe - and a rotatable first cylindrical anvil with a surface and a lip projecting from its surface, which lip defines the inner contour 32 of the sheet 120, which corresponds to an opening 30 of the plurality of openings 30, d) means to seal the sheet 120 and the film 310 along weldlines 44, which means includes an ultrasonic generator- sonotrode or probe - and a rotatable second cylindrical anvil 71 with a surface and a wall 72 projecting from its surface, which wall 72 has a shape of a continuous ring that follows the inner contour 32 of the sheet 120, which corresponds to an opening
  • the difference of the ultrasonic cutting layout and the ultrasonic welding layout is the distance between the anvil and the sonotrode, since by adjusting this gap the layout may be used either for cutting or welding. Usually cutting requires a smaller gap.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
EP21188981.1A 2021-05-11 2021-08-01 Masque facial avec fenêtre transparente et procédé de fabrication Withdrawn EP4088603A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GR20210100321A GR20210100321A (el) 2021-05-11 2021-05-11 Χειρουργικη μασκα με διαφανεια

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4088603A1 true EP4088603A1 (fr) 2022-11-16

Family

ID=77168038

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21188981.1A Withdrawn EP4088603A1 (fr) 2021-05-11 2021-08-01 Masque facial avec fenêtre transparente et procédé de fabrication

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4088603A1 (fr)
GR (1) GR20210100321A (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008109438A2 (fr) 2007-03-02 2008-09-12 Anne Mcintosh Puckett Masque facial antimicrobien transparent
US20180007982A1 (en) * 2016-07-07 2018-01-11 Prestige Ameritech, Ltd. Medical face mask with clear portion
WO2019046434A1 (fr) 2017-09-01 2019-03-07 ClearMask, LLC Masque facial ayant une pièce en plastique transparent
KR101983370B1 (ko) * 2018-02-12 2019-05-28 김인종 이엽 위생 마스크
KR20200144518A (ko) * 2020-12-08 2020-12-29 임주원 투명창을 갖춘 위생 마스크

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES1267971Y (es) * 2021-03-25 2021-09-13 Centro De Investig E Innovacion Aplicada De La Formacion Profesional Del Pais Vasco Tknika Mascarilla transparente
GB2599992B (en) * 2021-06-15 2022-11-23 Contechs Medical Ltd A mask

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008109438A2 (fr) 2007-03-02 2008-09-12 Anne Mcintosh Puckett Masque facial antimicrobien transparent
US20180007982A1 (en) * 2016-07-07 2018-01-11 Prestige Ameritech, Ltd. Medical face mask with clear portion
WO2019046434A1 (fr) 2017-09-01 2019-03-07 ClearMask, LLC Masque facial ayant une pièce en plastique transparent
KR101983370B1 (ko) * 2018-02-12 2019-05-28 김인종 이엽 위생 마스크
KR20200144518A (ko) * 2020-12-08 2020-12-29 임주원 투명창을 갖춘 위생 마스크

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Publication number Publication date
GR20210100321A (el) 2022-12-12

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