The present disclosure relates to a sanitary mask storage, and more particularly, to a sanitary mask storage having a disposable mask for personal hygiene (including, for example, fine dust and yellow dust masks) dehumidified, antibacterialized, and deodorized when storing the disposable mask, thereby allowing hygienic storage for the disposable mask to be reused several times.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a sanitary mask storage, and more particularly, to a sanitary mask storage having a disposable mask for personal hygiene (including, for example, fine dust and yellow dust masks) dehumidified, antibacterialized, and deodorized when storing the disposable mask, thereby allowing hygienic storage for the disposable mask to be reused several times.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

In general, masks, especially sanitary masks, are objects that cover the nose and mouth to prevent germs or dust from entering the respiratory system.

Such a mask prevents people from inhaling cold air directly, which may weaken resistance in the nasal cavity or mouth, and catching a cold and also prevents fine foreign substances including dust from the outside enter the body through the mouth and nose, and accordingly, it is worn to prevent respiratory diseases or occupational diseases such as silicosis or pneumoconiosis.

When a user wearing the mask inhales and exhales, pathogenic bacteria may grow on an inner surface of the mask with odor due to breath or saliva, and dust or other bacteria adhere to an outer surface to reproduce.

As such, due to the user's repetitive breathing and skin contact and contaminants introduced from the outside and adsorbed on the mask, the mask should be used for a short period of time for a single use and then discarded for personal hygiene, but sanitary masks for yellow dust or fine dust which is significantly harmful to human body are more expensive than regular sanitary masks, so it is common to take them off after wearing them (put them in pockets, in bags, on desks, etc.) and reuse them.

However, bacteria may grow on the mask when the used mask is reused after storing them in a pocket, in a bag, or on a desk, so there is a problem that it is harmful to the human body, especially the respiratory system.

In order to solve this problem, a mask storage case has been recently introduced that allows sanitary masks to be sterilized while storing, an example of which is Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-0348505 (hereinafter “Document 1”).

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, FIG. 1, Document 1 is related to a mask disinfecting storage case which includes a housing-type upper body open toward the bottom, a housing-type lower body open toward the top and hinge-coupled to the upper body, and a securing hook formed at another side of coupling, characterized in that a function panel50formed of silver component is formed at inner side surfaces of the upper body10and the lower body20, and the function panel50is secured as a securing means60in respective inner surfaces.

The conventional mask case as described above is simply to store masks in the functional panel50formed of silver (Al) to sterilize bacterial foreign substances through sterilization and disinfection function of silver.

However, Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to fundamentally solve the cause of bacterial propagation because it is impossible to quickly remove moisture infiltration into the mask generated by user's wearing.

In addition, there is a problem in that the mask stored in the case is not fastened and is folded while moving around, such that dehumidification may not be performed particularly in a folded portion, and sterilization is not sufficiently achieved.

Prior literature related to the sanitary mask storage (case) as described above is as follows.Document 1: Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-0348505 (Title: sterilization case to keep mask); filing date: Jan. 17, 2004)Document 2: Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2019-0000622 (Title: packaging case of yellow dust mask); filing date: Jul. 2, 2018)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Objectives

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to a sanitary mask storage capable of dehumidification, antibacterialization, and deodorization while storing a disposable mask for personal hygiene (including fine dust and yellow dust masks), thereby allowing hygienic storage and reuse.

Technical Solution to the Problem

According to an embodiment, a sanitary mask storage10includes: an accommodating portion11including a first accommodating portion11A and a second accommodating portion11B defining an accommodating space for a mask1; a dehumidifier12provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B and absorbing and removing moisture in the accommodating portion11; a deodorizer13provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B and absorbing and removing pollutants and odor particles in the accommodating portion11; a sterilizer14provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B and sterilizing the accommodating portion11by reaction with bacteria in the accommodating portion11; and a vent15provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B and discharging expanding air or gas of the accommodating portion11.

In some embodiments, the sanitary mask storage10may be formed as a housing-type hard case.

In some embodiments, the sanitary mask storage10may be formed as a film-type pouch.

In some embodiments, the first accommodating portion11A may be a case body configured to accommodate the mask1, and the second accommodating portion11B may be a cover covering and blocking the case body.

In some embodiments, the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B may be two-ply opposing film bodies to be sealed.

In some embodiments, the dehumidifier12may include a dehumidifying agent storage12ballowing a dehumidifying agent12ato be inserted/withdrawn.

In some embodiments, the deodorizer13may include a deodorizing agent storage13ballowing a deodorizing agent13ato be inserted/withdrawn.

In some embodiments, the sterilizer14may include a sterilizing agent storage14ballowing the sterilizing agent14ato be inserted/withdrawn.

In some embodiments, the vent15may be a one-way valve body for discharging air and gas in the accommodating portion11to the outside.

In some embodiments, a mask securing portion16protruding from a portion of one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B may be further provided, the mask securing portion pressing and securing the accommodated mask1to another portion corresponding to the one portion.

In some embodiments, a space of the first accommodating portion11A may expand, a center portion of the space of the first accommodating portion may be partitioned into a used mask accommodating portion11′ and a storage mask accommodating portion11″, and a blocking plate17for opening and closing the partitioned portion may be further provided.

Effects of the Invention

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a sanitary mask storage allows dehumidification, antibacterialization, and deodorization of a disposable sanitary mask for personal hygiene (including fine dust and yellow dust masks) while storing it in a hard case or a film pouch, and thus the disposable sanitary mask may be hygienically stored and reused several times.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide, at one of first and second accommodating portions11A and11B, a dehumidifier12including silica gel which is a dehumidifying agent for absorbing and removing moisture in an accommodating portion11to dehumidify moisture in a mask1itself accommodated in the accommodating portion11or moisture generated in the accommodating portion11, thereby preventing propagation of bacteria by moisture and allowing use of mask1in a refreshing state.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide, at one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B, a deodorizer13including bentonite, zeolite, and activated carbon which are deodorizing agents for absorbing and removing odor in the accommodating portion11to absorb and remove odor and contaminant on the mask1accommodated in an accommodating portion11or odor and contaminant generated in the accommodating portion11, thereby allowing use of mask1in a refreshing state.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide, at one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B, a sterilizer14including components of silver, copper, and tin which are sterilizing agents for reacting with bacteria in the accommodating portion11to sterilize bacteria that propagate on the mask1itself accommodated in the accommodating portion11or in the accommodating portion11, thereby allowing use of mask1in a refreshing and hygienic state.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure expand a space in the first accommodating portion11A, partition a center portion thereof into a used mask accommodating portion11′ and a storage mask accommodating portion11″, and further include a blocking plate17for opening and closing the partitioned portion, and accordingly, in case of emergency, a used mask may be discarded and replaced with a storage mask.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings presented as described above.

As illustratedFIGS. 2 and 3, a sanitary mask storage10according to an embodiment includes, an accommodating portion11including a first accommodating portion11A and a second accommodating portion11B defining an accommodating space for a mask1, a dehumidifier12provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to absorb and remove moisture in the accommodating portion11, a deodorizer13provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to absorb and remove pollutants and odor particles in the accommodating portion11, a sterilizer14provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to sterilize the accommodating portion11by reaction with bacteria in the accommodating portion11, and a vent15provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to discharge expanding air or gas of the accommodating portion11.

In such a case, the sanitary mask storage10according to an embodiment may be a housing-type hard case or a film-type pouch.

In an embodiment, the dehumidifier12may include a dehumidifying agent storage12baccommodating a dehumidifying agent12ato be inserted/withdrawn.

In such a case, the dehumidifying agent12amay be a processed dehumidifying agent itself formed by processing any one of silica gel or bentonite or sericite or loess processed in the form of powder or granule or block or gel, or a dehumidifying agent pack composite-filled with any one or more of the processed dehumidifying agents.

In such a case, the dehumidifying agent storage12bmay be an accommodation body provided on a surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1and may have a slit or a through hole or a partial opening on a surface thereof opposing the mask1.

In such a case, the dehumidifying agent storage12bmay include a cover with an opening portion of a slit or a through hole or a partial opening that is coupled in a detachable manner to the accommodation body (a volume body) which is formed by protruding unitarily from the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1.

In such a case, the dehumidifying agent storage12bmay be an accommodation body (a film body or a mesh body formed with perforation) unitarily provided on the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1through heat fusion or attachment.

In an embodiment, the deodorizer13may include a deodorizing agent storage13bfor accommodating a deodorizing agent13ato be inserted/withdrawn.

In such a case, in an embodiment, the deodorizing agent13amay be a processed deodorizing agent itself formed by processing any one of bentonite or zeolite or activated carbon or sericite or loess processed in the form of powder or granule or block or gel, or a deodorizing agent pack composite-filled with any one or more of the processed deodorizing agents.

In such a case, in an embodiment, the deodorizing agent storage13bmay have the same structure as the dehumidifying agent storage12b.

In an embodiment, the sterilizer14may include a sterilizing agent storage14bfor accommodating a sterilizing agent14ato be inserted/withdrawn.

In such a case, in an embodiment, the sterilizing agent14amay be silver or/and copper or/and tin itself or a processed body thereof, or a sterilization pack composite-filled with silver or/and copper or/and tin.

In such a case, in an embodiment, the sterilizing agent storage14bmay have the same structure as the dehumidifying agent storage12band the deodorizing agent storage13b.

In an embodiment, the vent15may be a one-way valve body for discharging air and gas in the accommodating portion11to the outside.

In such a case, in an embodiment, the vent15, which is a one-way valve, is provided in a space body formed in the second accommodating portion11B, and the space body may have a through hole defined inside and outside the space body.

In addition, according to an embodiment, a mask securing portion16protruding from a portion of one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to press and secure the accommodated mask1to another portion corresponding to the one portion is further provided.

In such a case, the mask securing portion16may be a pressing protrusion protruding from the second accommodating portion11B to press an entire or part of an edge of the mask1.

Hereinafter, an operation of the present disclosure will be described.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sanitary mask storage10including an accommodating portion11including a first accommodating portion11A and a second accommodating portion11B defining an accommodating space for a mask1, a dehumidifier12provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to absorb and remove moisture in the accommodating portion11, a deodorizer13provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to absorb and remove pollutants and odor particles in the accommodating portion11, a sterilizer14provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to sterilize the accommodating portion11by reaction with bacteria in the accommodating portion11, and a vent15provided at any one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to discharge expanding air or gas of the accommodating portion11.

Here, the sanitary mask storage10according to an embodiment is preferably a housing-type hard case so that the mask1may be stably stored from external pressure and is also preferably a film-type pouch to store the mask1in a slim size or volume to carry it around easily.

In such a case, in a case where the mask storage10is a case made of a housing-type hard material, it is preferable that the first accommodating portion11A is a case body accommodating the mask1and the second accommodating portion11B is a cover to cover the case body and block, it is preferable that one side of the first accommodating portion11A, the case body, and one side of the second accommodating portion11B, the cover, are coupled to each other by a hinge or connected into an integrated part by a connector during injection molding to be open and closed, and it is also preferable that another side of the first accommodating portion11A, the case body, and another side of the second accommodating portion11B, the cover, are formed with a coupling protrusion and a depression, respectively, to maintain a locked state when closed.

In such a case, when the mask storage10is a film-type pouch, it is preferable that the first accommodating portion11A and the second accommodating portion11B are two-ply opposing film bodies whose opposite ends are sealed.

In such a case, a line zipper is provided in a sealed portion on one side, and after using the mask1, the mask1is placed in the accommodating portion11and the line zipper is closed for storage.

In an embodiment, the dehumidifier12includes the dehumidifying agent storage12bfor accommodating the dehumidifying agent12ato be inserted/withdrawn, and in an embodiment, the dehumidifying agent12amay be a processed dehumidifying agent itself formed by processing any one of silica gel or bentonite or sericite or loess processed in the form of powder or granule or block or gel, or a dehumidifying agent pack composite-filled with any one or more of the processed dehumidifying agents, and in an embodiment, the dehumidifying agent storage12bis an accommodation body provided on the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1and may have a slit or a through hole or a partial opening on a surface of the dehumidifying agent storage12bopposing the mask1.

The silica gel is a high-porosity moisture absorbent including silicon dioxide (SiO2) as its main component and has excellent effect of adsorbing moisture or small molecules, thus adsorbing water molecules or other substances in the air, to confine them in the space between particles and absorb moisture.

In addition, when the bentonite contacts moisture, electrons and molecular components rapidly change to generate electric charges, and in such a case, the generated charges absorb and trap toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other internal contaminants.

In such a case, it is preferable that the dehumidifying agent storage12bincludes a cover with an opening portion of a slit or a through hole or a partial opening that is coupled in a detachable manner to the accommodation body (a volume body) which is formed by protruding unitarily from the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1.

In such a way, the dehumidifying agent12aaccommodated in the accommodation body may be inserted/withdrawn, and the dehumidifying agent12amay be replaced.

In addition, in such a case, it is also preferable that the dehumidifying agent storage12bis an accommodation body (a film body or a mesh body formed with perforation) unitarily provided on the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1through heat fusion or attachment, and although not illustrated, it is useful when the accommodating portion11is made of a film-type pouch.

In an embodiment, the deodorizer13includes the deodorizing agent storage13bfor accommodating the deodorizing agent13ato be inserted/withdrawn, and in an embodiment, the deodorizing agent may be a processed deodorizing agent itself formed by processing any one of bentonite or zeolite or activated carbon or sericite or loess processed in the form of powder or granule or block or gel, or a deodorizing agent pack composite-filled with any one or more of the processed deodorizing agents, and in an embodiment, the deodorizing agent storage13bis an accommodation body provided on the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1and may have a slit or a through hole or a partial opening on a surface of the deodorizing agent storage13bopposing the mask1.

The bentonite has a function of moisture absorption, but there are a large amount of natural minerals with positive ions on the surface, which have exchangeability with cations such as odor particles and pollutants on the mask1itself and in the accommodating portion11, thus attracting and adsorbing the odor particles and pollutants and discharge cations beneficial to the human body toward the mask1and the accommodating portion11.

In addition, since zeolite includes exchangeable cations in its crystal structure which are easily exchanged with other cations and also serves functions as in bentonite, zeolite may remove harmful substances on the mask1and in the accommodating portion11, concentrates and recovers effective components, and serves antibacterial function by replacing part of cations with anion.

In addition, the activated carbon removes organic substances from the water by attraction and adsorption power of an active surface. The most important factors for the removal or adsorption of organic substances from the water may be physical properties such as high specific surface area and pore structure and chemical properties of the active surface of the activated carbon.

In such a case, it is preferable that the deodorizing agent storage13bincludes a cover with an opening portion of a slit or a through hole or a partial opening that is coupled in a detachable manner to the accommodation body (a volume body) which protrudes unitarily from the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1.

In such a way, the deodorizing agent13aaccommodated in the accommodation body may be inserted/withdrawn, and the deodorizing agent13amay be replaced.

In addition, in such a case, it is also preferable that the deodorizing agent storage13bis an accommodation body (a film body or a mesh body formed with perforation) unitarily provided on the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1through heat fusion or attachment, and although not illustrated, it is useful when the accommodating portion11is made of a film-type pouch.

In an embodiment, the sterilizer14includes the sterilizing agent storage14bfor accommodating the sterilizing agent14ato be inserted/withdrawn, and in an embodiment, the sterilizing agent14amay be silver (including silver nanostructure) or/and copper or/and tin itself or a processed body thereof, or a sterilization pack filled with silver or/and copper or/and tin, and in an embodiment, the sterilizing agent storage14bis an accommodation body provided on a surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1and may have a slit or a through hole or a partial opening on a surface of the sterilizing agent storage14bopposing the mask1.

Silver (Al) easily becomes silver ions (Ag+) when it encounters moisture, and when silver ions meet bacteria, it inhibits enzyme that controls the respiration of bacteria, such that the bacteria cannot breathe and die. Silver (Ag) bonds with oxygen molecules (O2) and releases active oxygen, which serves a strong oxidizing action, so it has a strong sterilizing power in proportion to the oxidation action.

In such a case, it is preferable that the sterilizing agent storage14bincludes a cover with an opening portion of a slit or a through hole or a partial opening that is coupled in a detachable manner to the accommodation body (a volume body) which is formed by protruding unitarily from the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1.

In such a way, the sterilizing agent14aaccommodated in the accommodation body may be inserted/withdrawn, and the sterilizing agent14amay be replaced. In addition, in such a case, it is also preferable that the sterilizing agent storage14bis an accommodation body (a film body or a mesh body formed with perforation) unitarily provided on the surface of the second accommodating portion11B opposing the mask1through heat fusion or attachment, and although not illustrated, it is useful when the accommodating portion11is made of a film-type pouch.

As such, as illustrated inFIG. 4, a sanitary mask storage according to an embodiment allows dehumidification, antibacterialization, and deodorization of a disposable sanitary mask for personal hygiene (including fine dust and yellow dust masks) while storing it in a hard case or a film pouch, and thus the disposable sanitary mask may be hygienically stored and reused several times.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the dehumidifier12including silica gel which is a dehumidifying agent for absorbing and removing moisture in the accommodating portion11is provided at one of first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to dehumidify moisture on the mask1itself accommodated in the accommodating portion11or moisture generated in the accommodating portion11, thereby preventing propagation of bacteria by moisture and thus allowing use of mask1in a refreshing state.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the deodorizer13including bentonite, zeolite, and activated carbon which are a deodorizing agent for absorbing and removing odor in the accommodating portion11is provided at one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to absorb and remove odor and contaminant of the mask1accommodated in the accommodating portion11or odor and contaminant generated in the accommodating portion11, thereby allowing use of mask1in a refreshing state.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the sterilizer14including components of silver, copper, and tin which are sterilizing agents for reacting with bacteria in the accommodating portion11is provided at one of first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to sterilize bacteria that propagate on the mask1itself accommodated in the accommodating portion11or in the accommodating portion11, thereby allowing use of mask1in a refreshing and hygienic state.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the vent15is a one-way valve body for discharging air and gas in the accommodating portion11to the outside, and in an embodiment, the vent15is provided in a space body formed in the second accommodating portion11B, and the space body may have a through hole formed inside and outside the space body.

It is preferable that the dehumidifier12, the deodorizer13, and the sterilizer14according to embodiments as described above are provided in a row at intervals at the second accommodating portion11B, but it is also preferable that the sterilizer14is provided as a coating layer attachment or a stack assembly provided over an entire inner surface of the accommodating portion11formed by the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B.

As described above, as the sterilizer14is provided over the entire inner surface of the accommodating portion11formed by the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B, the sterilizing force is uniformly applied to the entire mask1.

According to an embodiment, it is preferable that the mask securing portion16protruding from a portion of one of the first and second accommodating portions11A and11B to press and secure the accommodated mask1to another portion corresponding to the one portion is further provided, and in such a case, it is preferable that the mask securing portion16is a pressing protrusion protruding from the second accommodating portion11B to press an entire or part of an edge of the mask1.

In such a way, the mask securing portion16presses and holds the mask1which is spread and stored in the accommodating portion11to prevent moving of the mask1. In addition, by allowing the surface of the mask1to be spread evenly, dehumidification, deodorization, and sterilization may be uniformly performed.

In addition, in a state that the mask securing portion16presses along the edge of the mask1as described above, the dehumidifier12, the deodorizer13, and the sterilizer14located inwardly of the mask securing portion16are allowed to intensively act on the mask1.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, it is also preferable that a space in the first accommodating portion11A expands, a center portion of the space in the first accommodating portion11A is partitioned into the used mask accommodating portion11′ and the storage mask accommodating portion11″, and the blocking plate17for opening and closing the partitioned portion is further provided.

By expanding the space in the first accommodating portion11A, partitioning the center portion thereof into the used mask accommodating portion11′ and the storage mask accommodating portion11″, and further providing the blocking plate17for opening and closing the partitioned portion in such a way, it is possible to store the used mask1′ in the used mask accommodating portion11′ and store a plurality of unused masks1′ in the storage mask accommodating portion11″, and accordingly, in case of emergency, the used mask may be discarded and replaced with the storage mask.

As described above, the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in connection with a preferred embodiment for illustrating the principle of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration and operation as illustrated and described as such.

In addition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, all such appropriate changes and modifications and equivalents should be considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.