Face mask having improved air permeability

A face mask having improved air permeability, the face mask comprising:

• a mask main body configured to cover a part of a user's face including the user's nose and mouth;
• a folded region formed by folding a part of the mask main body to increase a vent area and decrease airflow resistance when the user breathes;
• support bands coupled to the mask main body and configured to support the mask main body so that the mask main body is in close contact with the user's face;
• a first support part foldably coupled to a first end of the mask main body and configured to cover the user's nose;
• a second support part foldably coupled to a second end of the mask main body and configured to cover the user's chin;
• and
• an exhaust valve coupled to the mask main body and configured to discharge air in one direction during exhalation,
• wherein the mask main body is curved to form a three-dimensional structure corresponding to the user's face as the first support part and the second support port are respectively unfolded from the first end and the second end of the mask main body,
• wherein, when the mask main body is in a curved state, the mask main body, together with the unfolded first support part and the unfolded second support part, forms a space portion configured to receive the user's face,
• wherein the folded region comprises a plurality of folded parts formed by folding the mask main body multiple times in opposite directions along folding lines extending in a vertical direction, the plurality of folded parts including:
• a central folded region in which the plurality of folded parts spread outwardly as the mask main body is curved, thereby increasing the vent area;
• and
• first/second end folded regions in which a first end and a second end of the plurality of folded parts, respectively, are joined by sewing, ultrasonic joining, or thermal bonding to be fixed in a folded state,
• wherein the mask main body maintains the three-dimensional structure formed by unfolding the first support part and the second support part, even when the plurality of folded parts spread apart, due to the first/second end folded regions being fixed in a folded state,
• wherein the mask main body includes an opening portion defined by removing at least one portion of the mask main body on an imaginary vertical centerline,
• wherein the exhaust valve is coupled to the mask main body to cover the opening portion,
• wherein the exhaust valve includes a plurality of exhaust holes through which the air flows defined along an edge of one surface of the exhaust valve,
• wherein some of the plurality of exhaust holes are defined on a lower edge of the one surface of the exhaust valve to correspond to a flow direction of exhalation discharged from the user,
• wherein a remainder of the plurality of exhaust holes are formed on a side edge of the exhaust valve except for an upper side of the one surface of the exhaust valve to prevent inflow of foreign substances into the mask main body,
• wherein the remainder of the exhaust holes formed on the side edge define a vertical distance that is greater than a horizontal distance defined by the exhaust holes extending on the lower edge of the exhaust valve, so that the plurality of the exhaust holes correspond in shape to the central folded region, and
• wherein the central folded region and the exhaust valve form an air flow passageway in which the air flows into the mask main body through the central folded region and discharges outward from the mask main body through the exhaust valve.