Abstract:Clothing pressures were measured in relation to the covered area at the waist for waistnipper and waistband at a reduction rate of 2.5%. A sensory test was carried out on subjects in relation to the clothing pressure. Clothing pressures at the waist line (W.L) for the waistband, for which the area covered at the waist was narrower than that for the waistnipper, were higher than those for the waistnipper in standing position at rest. For rightward bending movement, on the other hand, the pressure at the middle axillary line for the waistnipper was higher than that for the waistband. However, at other regions and for other movements, the pressure for the former was lower than that for the latter. Clothing pressure for waistband at the scapular line and at 3cm outside the posterior median line changed remarkably by respiration as compared to those at other regions. These changes were larger than those for the waistnipper.These results indicated that the pressures at the same reduction rate at the waist changed due to the difference in area covered at the waist, and that respiration and the ability of samples to follow bodily movement affected the clothing pressure. Subjects' evaluations of clothing pressure at W. L during sensory test were as follows: (1) No sense or no discomfort when pressure was 0-15 gf/em'; (2) negligible or only slight discomfort when pressure was 15-25 gf/cm2; (3) extreme discomfort when pressure exceeded 25 gf/cm2.

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The hygienic face mask is a useful textile product for individuals, which covers the wearer’s nose and mouth. One of the hygienic face mask’s performance requirements is a close fit between the mask sheet and the wearer’s facial contours. The present study proposed an optimal shape and size for a mask sheet pattern that provides a sheet with high fit performance for a large number of people. The study experiments analyzed a variety of patterns: i.e. three types of two-dimensional (2D) pattern (i.e. second, third or fourth rings) were used to expand the face mask area to cover the wearers’ nose and mouth (first ring), and were analyzed based on three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of participants’ facial contours ( n = 132) with closed mouths. Subsequently, the analyzed patterns were used to make prototype mask sheets from nonwoven fabric. The fit performances of the face mask sheets were tested using a 3D analyzer. It was difficult to provide high fit performance at all measurement points; therefore, a range of 3 SD in the analyzed pattern was calculated with the aim of fitting more people with 100% precision. The results showed that a number of wearers, i.e. 91.7% (second ring), 93.2% (third ring) and 90.2% (fourth ring), had 100% precision. Moreover, the second ring pattern had the smallest 3 SD amount. These results show that the shape and size of the second ring pattern was most appropriate for young Japanese people with closed mouths.

Abstract:Effect of pressure stimulation to the waist on the skin temperature of the hand was examined by thermography in 2 women subjects. They were pressured around their waists on all sides by using a waistband of 2.5 cm width. Pressure stimuli of 2-minute duration were applied twice at 4-minute intervals and their intensities ranged from 5 to 20 Torr (from 6.8 to 27.2 gf/cm2). Waistband pressures, developed between the waistband and the abdominal skin, were measured by a hydrostatic pressure-balanced method. In both subjects, the apparent skin temperature of dorsum manus decreased when their waists were pressured by even a 5 Torr.It can be concluded that analysis of the skin temperature is useful to examine the effect of weak pressure on the human body.

Purpose Many Japanese hay fever (HF) sufferers wear a hygienic face mask to prevent pollen inhalation, but most find it very uncomfortable. The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems associated with mask wearing through repeated surveys. This information can be used in the improved design of a hygienic face mask that can be worn without discomfort by HF sufferers. Design/methodology/approach In 2009 (n=1,519), 2012 (n=2,994), and 2015 (n=3,213), repeated surveys of university students were conducted. HF sufferers were queried regarding symptoms, countermeasures, and problems associated with wearing a hygienic face mask. Holistic perspectives for each year were obtained by a co-occurrence analysis of the aggregated data. The triplet co-occurrence of specific problems was compared among the surveys using the χ2 test. Temporary and contemporary co-occurrence relationships were also determined. Findings Most Japanese university students with HF wore a hygienic face mask. In each survey, the most common problems associated with mask use were related to its thermal, hygroscopic, and air-flow properties. Contemporary problems with co-occurrence relationships were “humidity,” “breathing difficulty,” and “mist over eyeglasses” for males and, “humidity,” “breathing difficulty,” and “make-up coming off” for females. Originality/value The results of this study will contribute to improving hygienic face mask design. The co-occurrence of contemporary problems related to mask use was identified by comparing the results obtained in each year. The thermal, hygroscopic, and air flow properties of the mask cause these problems, and the air gap between the mask and the wearer’s face influences the inherent physical properties of the mask. To measure the air gap, a suitable hydrostatic pressure-balanced experimental method was applied, and the data were demonstrated experimentally.