Patent Publication Number: US-2021162243-A1

Title: Face mask with supporting strip

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a face mask, and more particularly to a face mask having at least one supporting strip to hold up a mask body of the face mask. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the increasing awareness of fitness and health care, nowadays people actively participate in outdoor sports, relieving their intense pressure and maintaining their energy and health by exercising outdoors. However, the problem of air pollution is getting worse year by year, so some people exercising outdoors wear face masks to prevent air pollution fromfroiii negatively affecting their health. As shown in  FIG. 19 , a conventional face mask  90  includes a mask body  91 , two ear loops  92 , and a nose clip  93 . The mask body  91  has multiple pleats. The pleats make the mask body  91  folded up and down. The two ear loops  92  are arranged on two lateral edges of the mask body  91 . The nose clip  93  is disposed at the mask body  91  and is disposed adjacent to a top edge of the mask body  91 . A wearer hangs the two ear loops  92  of the face mask  90  on their left and right ears and let the nose clip  93  adjacent to the top edge of the mask body  91  contact a nose bridge of the wearer. The wearer bends the nose clip  93  to fit their nose bridge. The top edge of the mask body  91  is attached to the wearer&#39;s face accordingly. When the wearer breathes, air outside the face mask  90  passes through the mask body  91  and enters the wearer&#39;s nose. The face mask  90  is able to block pollutants in the air. 
     Nevertheless, as shown in  FIG. 19 , when the wearer wears the face mask  90  and exercises outdoors, the wearer frequently exhales and inhales during exercising. The mask body  91  inward contacts the wearer&#39;s mouth and skin lower than the wearer&#39;s nose when the wearer inhales. The mask body  91  outward departs from the wearer&#39;s mouth and skin lower than the wearer&#39;s nose when the wearer exhales. The face mask  90  repeatedly contacts and departs from the wearer, such that saliva, sweat, breath vapor, or makeup is attached to the face mask  90 , which makes the wearer uncomfortable. 
     To overcome the shortcomings of the conventional face mask, the present invention provides a face mask with at least one supporting strip to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the present invention is to provide a face mask that provides comfortable wearing experience. 
     The face mask has a mask body, at least one supporting strip, and two ear loops. The mask body has a top edge and a bottom edge disposed opposite each other, and has two lateral edges disposed opposite each other. Each one of the at least one supporting strip is elongated, is bendable, is disposed at a middle position on the mask body, and extends toward the two lateral edges. The two ear loops are respectively connected to the two lateral edges of the mask body. The at least one supporting strip holds up the mask body to form a space between the mask body and the wearer&#39;s face. The at least one supporting strip keeps the mask body from collapsing, and keeps the mask body from contacting the wearer&#39;s face during breathing. 
     The mask body further has a first pleat, a second pleat, and a third pleat. The second pleat has an exterior sheet, an interior sheet, and a bending section connected to both the exterior sheet and the interior sheet of the first pleat. The at least supporting strip includes two supporting strips both disposed at the exterior sheet of the second pleat. Furthermore, the face mask of the present invention may further have an additional supporting strip disposed at the second pleat or may further have an auxiliary disposed at the third pleat. 
     Benefits of the present invention are: 
     1. The supporting strips disposed at the middle portion of the mask body support the mask body simultaneously, maintain a shape of the mask body, and sustain a space between the mask body and a wearer&#39;s face. The supporting strips keep the mask body from collapsing and contacting the mouth and the skin below the nose of the wearer. The supporting strips promote wearing comfort of the face mask of the present invention, and let the wearer always breathe smoothly. 
     2. The two supporting strips are both disposed at the second pleat. A distance defined between the two supporting strips is short. Therefore, a part of the mask body disposed between the two supporting strips can be sufficiently supported, be expanded, and be free from collapsing. When the wearer is speaking as wearing the face mask of the present invention, the part of the mask body disposed between the two supporting strips is not easy to be depressed toward the wearer&#39;s face, and shows a smooth appearance. 
     3. The two supporting strips are both disposed at the second pleat. The part of the mask body disposed between the two supporting strips is free from any folding structures. Therefore, the second pleat of the mask body can show a smooth appearance when worn on the wearer&#39;s face. 
     4. The face mask of the present invention further has the additional supporting strip disposed at the second pleat or further has the auxiliary supporting strip disposed at the third pleat. One of the supporting strips is disposed between a lower rim of the wearer&#39;s nose and the upper lip of the wearer. Another supporting strip is disposed between the upper lip and the lower lip of the wearer. The additional supporting strip or the auxiliary supporting strip is disposed between the lower lip and the chin of the wearer and further enhances rigidity of the second pleat. 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the face mask in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a third embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the face mask in accordance with the present invention and shows supporting strips extending to each securement; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the face mask in accordance with the present invention and shows supporting strips extending through each securement; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a fifth embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the fifth embodiment of the face mask in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the face mask in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the face mask in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is another enlarged cross-sectional side view of the face mask in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the face mask in  FIG. 12  and shows the face mask worn on a wearer&#39;s face; 
         FIG. 16  is another side view of the face mask in  FIG. 12  and shows the face mask worn on the wearer&#39;s face; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a seventh embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of an eighth embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of a conventional face mask and shows the face mask worn on the wearer&#39;s face. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of a face mask in accordance with the present invention is a three-dimensional face mask (respirator) and has a mask body  10 , at least one supporting strip  20 , and two ear loops  30 . The mask body  10  is cup-shaped when expanded and has a top edge  101  and a bottom edge  102  disposed opposite each other, and has two lateral edges  103  parallel to and opposite each other. The mask body  10  has an absorbent layer  11 , an impermeable layer  12 , and a filter layer  13 . 
     The absorbent layer  11  has an outer surface and an inner surface facing opposite directions. The absorbent layer  11  is made of water absorption materials, is soft, and is configured to absorb bodily fluid of a wearer such as saliva, sweat, and breath vapor. The impermeable layer  12  is made of water repellent materials, is stiffer than the absorbent layer  11 , and is able to prevent attachment of droplet or blood. The filter layer  13  is disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the impermeable layer  12 , and the inner surface of the absorbent layer  11  faces to the filter layer  13 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the first embodiment, the at least one supporting strip  20  includes one supporting strip  20 . The supporting strip  20  is bendable, is elongated, and extends toward the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . Two ends of the supporting strip  20  are respectively apart from the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . The supporting strip  20  is disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13  and is disposed at a middle position on the mask body  10 . The two ear loops  30  are respectively connected to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a second embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention is also a three-dimensional face mask (respirator). In the second embodiment, the at least one supporting strip  20  includes two supporting strips  20 . Each supporting strip  20  extends toward the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . The two supporting strips  20  are parallel to each other and are disposed at the middle position on the mask body  10  corresponding to positions of an upper lip and a lower lip of the wearer. Specifically, the two supporting strips  20  divide a distance defined between the top edge  101  and the bottom edge  102  of the mask body  10  into three sections. More specifically, the two supporting strips  20  divide the distance between the top edge  101  and the bottom edge  102  of the mask body  10  into three equal sections. 
     In the present invention, the absorbent layer  11 , the impermeable layer  12 , and the filter layer  13  are integrally welded together. Surroundings of each supporting strip  20  are welded to fix the supporting strip  20 . The two supporting strips  20  are kept at the middle position on the mask body  10  accordingly and are unable to be moved relative to the mask body  10 . The two supporting strips  20  are disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 , the two supporting strips  20  are able to hold up the absorbent layer  11 , the impermeable layer  12 , and the filter layer  13  simultaneously as the two supporting strips  20  are being bended. Therefore, the mask body  10  can be fully sustained in expansion and be free from a situation that only the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13  are propped up. 
     Practically, non-toxic and eco-friendly glue is applied to adhere and to fix the two supporting strips  20  to the absorbent layer  11  and between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 . The two supporting strips  20  may be fixed to the outer face of the absorbent layer  11 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , welding may be applied on and along each supporting strip  20  to directly fix the absorbent layer  11 , the impermeable layer  12 , the filter layer  13 , and the two supporting strips  20 . Besides retaining the two supporting strips  20  in expansion between the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 , the absorbent layer  11 , the impermeable layer  12 , or the filter layer  13  would not be sucked toward the wearer&#39;s face as the wearer is breathing because the absorbent layer  11 , the impermeable layer  12 , and the filter layer  13  are directly connected to the two supporting strips  20 . 
     When the face mask of the second embodiment is worn on the wearer&#39;s face, one of the supporting strips  20  is disposed between a columella of the wearer&#39;s nose and the upper lip of the wearer, the other supporting strip  20  is disposed below the lower lip of the wearer. The two supporting strips  20  can be bended to hold up the mask body  10  and to form a space between the mask body  10  and the wearer. Bending degree of the two supporting strips  20  can be adjusted to expand the space between the mask body  10  and the wearer. The space between the mask body  10  and the wearer&#39;s face allows the wearer to keep breathing smoothly. The space between the mask body  10  and the wearer&#39;s face is not getting small when the wearer inhales, and the mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  is free from attaching to the wearer&#39;s face. The face mask of the present invention prevents the wearer&#39;s breathing difficulty. 
     Since the mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  is free from attaching to the wearer&#39;s face, droplets of the wearer and lipstick worn on the wearer&#39;s face are kept from attaching to the mask body  10 . In addition to being more hygienic in use, the face mask of the present invention can also prolong the service life of the face mask, reduce the cost of replacing the face mask, and is beneficial to environmental protection. 
     Moreover, when the wearer exercises outdoors, the mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  not only keeps the wearer breathing smoothly, but also solves the problem of the conventional face mask  90  that the conventional face mask  90  contacts and leaves the wearer&#39;s face repeatedly. The mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  also prevents the mask body  10  from rubbing the wearer&#39;s face. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a third embodiment of the face mask of the present invention is a flat face mask (surgical mask). The face mask of the third embodiment also has the mask body  10 , the two supporting strips  20  disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 , and the two ear loops  30  respectively connected to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . Differences between the third embodiment and the second embodiment are: the mask body  10  of the third embodiment has a first pleat  14 , a second pleat  15 , and a third pleat  16  parallel to one another at intervals. The mask body  10  of the third embodiment further has two securements  17 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the first pleat  14  is disposed adjacent to the top edge  101  of the mask body  10 , the second pleat  15  is disposed lower than the first pleat  14 , and the third pleat  16  is disposed lower than the second pleat  15 . The two securements  17  are formed by welding and are disposed respectively adjacent to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . The two securements  17  respectively extend along the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . In the third embodiment, one of the supporting strips  20  is disposed at the first pleat  14 , and the other one of the supporting strips  20  is disposed at the second pleat  15 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the two ends of each supporting strip  20  are respectively apart from the two securements  17 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , the two ends of each supporting strip  20  may respectively extend to the two securements  17  as well. Otherwise, with reference to  FIG. 7 , the two ends of each supporting strip  20  may respectively extend through the two securements  17  and respectively extend to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . The two securements  17  formed by welding can respectively fix the two ends of each supporting strip  20 . The supporting strip  20  with the two ends respectively extending to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10  increases the degree of bending of the supporting strip  20 . The wearer may expand the space between the mask body  10  and the wearer&#39;s face according to practical usage. Likewise, the wearer may bend the two supporting strips  20 , respectively place the two ear loops  30  to two ears of the wearer, and make the mask body  10  cover the mouth of the wearer. The second pleat  15  and one of the supporting strips  20  disposed at the second pleat  15  are disposed between the columella of the wearer&#39;s nose and the upper lip of the wearer. The third pleat  16  and the other one of the supporting strips  20  are disposed between the lower lip and a chin of the wearer. The two supporting strips  20  hold up the mask body  10  to form the space between the mask body  10  and the wearer and let the space disposed between the tip of the wearer&#39;s nose and the chin of the wearer. 
     When the wearer inhales, the mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  sustains the space. The mask body  10  is free from collapsing, and from contacting the mouth of the wearer and skin below the wearer&#39;s nose. The wearer also can adjust the bending degree of the two supporting strips  20  to expand the space. When the wearer exhales, the two supporting strips  20  maintain the shape of the mask body  10  and keep the mask body  10  from expanding to form a gap between the mask body  10  and the wearer. The edges of the mask body  10  securely attached to the face of the wearer and the two supporting strips  20  maintain the shape of the mask body  10 . When the wearer exercises outdoors and frequently breathes, the shape of the mask body  10  remains unchanged and is free from contacting the wearer and causing discomfort of the wearer. 
     In addition, when the wearer breathes, the mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  maintains the shape of the mask body  10 . The mask body  10  does not collapse or expand when the wearer inhales and exhales. The mask body  10  supported by the two supporting strips  20  keeps the wearer feel comfortable when wearing the face mask of the present invention. The mask body  10  is tightly attached to the wearer to fully block pollutants in the atmosphere to protect the wearer. 
     Furthermore, in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent layer  11  made of water absorption materials can also absorb bodily fluid of the wearer. The filter layer  13  can block bacteria and pollutant in the air. The impermeable layer  12  made of non-woven fabric with water repellent also prevents the wearer from droplet infection. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 8 , a fourth embodiment of the face mask in accordance with the present invention is also a flat face mask (surgical mask). The fourth embodiment also has a mask body  10 , the two supporting strips (upper-lip strip, lower-lip strip)  20  disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 , and the two ear loops  30  respectively connected to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . Differences between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment are: the mask body  10  has a top pleat  31 , an upper-lip pleat  32 , and a lower-lip pleat  33 . The fourth embodiment further has a nose clip (top supporting strip)  40 . The top pleat  31  is disposed adjacent to the top edge  101  of the mask body  10 . The upper-lip pleat  32  is disposed lower than the top pleat  31 . The lower-lip pleat  33  is disposed lower than the upper-lip pleat  32 . The two supporting strips (upper-lip strip, lower-lip strip)  20  are respectively disposed at the upper-lip pleat  32  and the lower-lip pleat  33 . The nose clip  40  is elongated, is flexible and bendable, and is disposed adjacent to the top pleat  31 . The nose clip  40  extends toward the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 9 to 11 , a fifth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the third embodiment. The fifth embodiment also has the mask body  10 , the two supporting strips  20  disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 , and the two ear loops  30  respectively connected to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . Differences between the fifth embodiment and the third embodiment are: the mask body  10  in the fifth embodiment further has four fourth pleats  18 . The four fourth pleats  18  are not like the first pleat  14 , the second pleat  15 , and the third pleat  16  that are parallel to the top edge  101  and the bottom edge  102  of the mask body  10 . Instead, the four fourth pleats  18  are parallel to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 . Two of the four fourth pleats  18  extend from the top edge  101  of the mask body  10  toward the bottom edge  102  of the mask body  10  and form two protrusions  181  protruding toward each other at an outer side of the absorbent layer  11 . The other two of the four fourth pleats  18  extend from the bottom edge  102  of the mask body  10  toward the top edge  101  of the mask body  10  and form two protrusions  181  protruding toward each other at the outer side of the absorbent layer  11 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the four fourth pleats  18  in the fifth embodiment facilitate the aforementioned first pleat  14 , the second pleat  15 , and the third pleat  16  to form the space between the mask body  10  and the wearer. When the face mask of the present invention is worn on the wearer&#39;s face, the four fourth pleats  18  make the face mask of the present invention more easily sustain its three-dimensional configuration. The four fourth pleats  18  especially make the face mask of the present invention stand in expansion between the columella of the wearer&#39;s nose and the upper lip of the wearer. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a sixth embodiment of the present invention is also a flat face mask (surgical mask) and also has the mask body  10 , the two supporting strips  20  disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 , the two ear loops  30  respectively connected to the two lateral edges  103  of the mask body  10 , and the nose clip  40 . Differences between the sixth embodiment and the fourth embodiment are: the two supporting strips  20  are both disposed at the second pleat  15 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , each one of the first pleat  14 , the second pleat  15 , and the third pleat  16  has an exterior sheet, an interior sheet, and a bending section connected to both the exterior sheet and the interior sheet. Wherein, the first pleat  14  is disposed adjacent to the top edge  101  of the mask body  10 . The third pleat  16  is disposed adjacent to the bottom edge  102  of the mask body  10 . The second pleat  15  is disposed between the first pleat  14  and the third pleat  16 . The exterior sheet  141  and the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  are connected via the bending section  143  of the first pleat  14 . The exterior sheet  151  and the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15  are connected via the bending section  153  of the second pleat  15 . The exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15  connects to the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  via a folded portion in a bending manner, and the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  is between the exterior sheet  141  of the first pleat  14  and the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 . 
     The exterior sheet  161  and the interior sheet  162  of the third pleat  16  are connected via the bending section  163  of the third pleat  16 . The exterior sheet  161  of the third pleat  16  connects to the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15  via a folded portion in a bending manner, and the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15  is between the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15  and the exterior sheet  161  of the third pleat  16 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , in the sixth embodiment, the nose clip  40  and the two supporting strips  20  are all disposed between the impermeable layer  12  and the filter layer  13 . Practically, the nose clip  40  and the two supporting strips  20  may be disposed between the absorbent layer  11  and the filter layer  13 . Or the two supporting strips  20  may be disposed at the absorbent layer  11  or at an outer surface of the impermeable layer  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the two supporting strips  20  are parallel to each other and are disposed at the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 . In  FIG. 13 , one of the supporting strips  20  is defined as a first supporting strip  20 A. The first supporting strip  20 A is disposed adjacent to the folded portion connected between the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  and the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 . An outer edge  201 A of the first supporting strip  20 A is near to the folded portion connected between the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  and the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 . 
     The other one of the supporting strips  20  is defined as a second supporting strip  20 B. The second supporting strip  20 B is disposed adjacent to the bending section  153  of the second pleat  15 . An outer edge  201 B of the second supporting strip  20 B is near to the bending section  153  of the second pleat  15 . Specifically, a distance is defined between the top edge  101  of the mask body  10  and the outer edge  201 A of the first supporting strip  20 A, and the distance is larger than and equal to 2.6 centimeter (cm) and is smaller than and equal to 3.0 cm. Preferably, the distance between the top edge  101  of the mask body  10  and the outer edge  201 A of the first supporting strip  20 A is 2.8 cm. 
     A distance G is defined between the outer edge  201 A of the first supporting strip  20 A and the outer edge  201 B of the second supporting strip  20 B, and the distance G is larger than and equal to 2.3 cm and is smaller than and equal to 2.7 cm. Preferably, the distance G between the two outer edges  201 A,  201 B of the two supporting strips  20 A,  20 B is 2.5 cm. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B with flexibility can be bended by the wearer to make the mask body  10  form the space S between the mask body  10  and the wearer. The wearer can adjust the degrees of bending of the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B to expand the space S and to ensure that the wearer breathes smoothly. 
     Especially, in the sixth embodiment, the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B are both disposed at a same pleat. A distance defined between the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B is short. A part of the mask body  10  disposed between the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B can be sufficiently supported, be expanded, and be free from collapsing. When the wearer speaks as wearing the face mask of the sixth embodiment, the part of the mask body  10  disposed between the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B is not easy to be depressed toward the wearer&#39;s face, and the face mask of the sixth embodiment shows a smooth appearance. 
     Moreover, the first supporting strip  20 A is disposed adjacent to the folded portion connected between the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  and the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 , and the second supporting strip  20 B is disposed adjacent to the bending section  153  of the second pleat  15 . In other words, the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B are both disposed at the exterior sheet  151 , which is flat, of the second pleat  15 . In the sixth embodiment, the part of the mask body  10  disposed between the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B is free from any folding structures. Therefore, the part of the mask body  10  disposed between the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B is difficult to rise or be depressed when the wearer inhales, exhales, or speaks. The part of the mask body  10  disposed between the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B without any folding structures further keeps the exterior sheet  151  smooth when the face mask of the sixth embodiment is worn on the wearer&#39;s face. 
     With reference to  FIG. 17 , a seventh embodiment is similar to the sixth embodiment. Difference between the seventh embodiment and the sixth embodiment is that the face mask of the seventh embodiment further has a third supporting strip  20 C. In the seventh embodiment, the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B are still disposed at the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 , and the third supporting strip  20 C is disposed at the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15 . Same as the sixth embodiment, the first supporting strip  20 A is disposed adjacent to the folded portion connected between the interior sheet  142  of the first pleat  14  and the exterior sheet  151  of the second pleat  15 , and the second supporting strip  20 B is disposed adjacent to the bending section  153  of the second pleat  15 . In the seventh embodiment, the third supporting strip  20 C is disposed at the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15  and is disposed adjacent to the folded portion connected between the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15  and the exterior sheet  161  of the third pleat  16 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 17 , the third supporting strip  20 C in the seventh embodiment is also disposed at the second pleat  15 . The first supporting strip  20 A is disposed between a lower rim of the wearer&#39;s nose and the upper lip of the wearer. The second supporting strip  20 B is disposed between the upper lip and the lower lip of the wearer. The third supporting strip  20 C is disposed between the lower lip and the chin of the wearer and further enhances rigidity of the second pleat  15 . When the face mask of the seventh embodiment is worn on the wearer&#39;s face, the third supporting strip  20 C makes the second pleat  15  of the mask body  10  even stiffer. Practically, the third supporting strip  20 C may be disposed at the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15 , be disposed adjacent to the bending section  153 , and be disposed between the impermeable layer  12  and the filter layer  13 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 18 , an eighth embodiment is similar to the seventh embodiment. Difference between the eighth embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that the eighth embodiment omits the third supporting strip  20 C disposed adjacent to the folded portion connected to the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15  and the exterior sheet  161  of the third pleat  16 . In the eighth embodiment, the present invention further has an auxiliary strip  50  being elongated and flexible. The auxiliary strip  50  is parallel to the first supporting strip  20 A and the second supporting strip  20 B and extends toward the two lateral edges  103 . The auxiliary strip  50  is directly attached to the absorbent layer  11  and is disposed adjacent to the folded portion connected to the exterior sheet  161  of the third pleat  16  and the interior sheet  152  of the second pleat  15 . The auxiliary strip  50  may be disposed between the impermeable layer  12  and the filter layer  13  as in the sixth embodiment. 
     Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.