Stack of interfolded face masks and dispenser

Abstract

A plurality of face masks that includes a stack of interfolded face masks comprising a first face mask and a second face mask is disclosed. The first and second face masks each include an elastic nonwoven sheet with an elongated shape and having a central portion and first and second lateral end portions each flanking the central portion on opposite sides. The second lateral end portion of the first face mask is interfolded with the first or second lateral end portion of the second face mask. A dispenser including a container enclosing the plurality of face masks is also disclosed.

1 . A plurality of face masks comprising:
 a stack of interfolded face masks comprising a first face mask and a second face mask, the first and second face masks each comprising:
 an elastic nonwoven sheet with an elongated shape and having a central portion and first and second lateral end portions each flanking the central portion on opposite sides, 
   
       wherein the second lateral end portion of the first face mask is interfolded with the first or second lateral end portion of the second face mask. 
     
     
         2 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second face masks further comprise a first opening in the first lateral end portion and a second opening in the second lateral end portion. 
     
     
         3 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second face masks further comprises a filtering web portion bonded to the central portion of the elongated elastic nonwoven sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 3 , wherein the filtering web portion has at least one pleat. 
     
     
         5 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 3 , wherein the filtering web portion is bonded to the central portion in a manner such that the central portion has a reduced elongation in at least one direction relative to the first and second lateral end portions. 
     
     
         6 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 3 , wherein the elastic nonwoven sheet has at least one cut in the central portion. 
     
     
         7 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second face masks further comprises a second web portion bonded to the central portion of the elastic nonwoven sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 7 , wherein the second web portion has at least one pleat. 
     
     
         9 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 7 , wherein the second web portion is elastic. 
     
     
         10 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the central portion of the elastic nonwoven sheet has an elongation of less than fifteen percent. 
     
     
         11 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the central portion of the elastic nonwoven sheet has an elongation of at least 70 percent. 
     
     
         12 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second face masks has at least three folds. 
     
     
         13 . A dispenser comprising a container enclosing the plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , the container having at least one side with an aperture for removing the plurality of face masks. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the aperture has a width that is up to half of the width of the first face mask. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the container has a width of up to one-third of the length of the first face mask. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one side of the container comprises a flexible polymer film. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the dispenser has the shape of a triangular, square, or rectangular pyramid or a triangular or trapezoidal prism. 
     
     
         18 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 7 , wherein the second web portion comprises at least one of a microreplicated perforated film or a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         19 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 3 , wherein the filtering web portion is capable of at least one of trapping pathogenic microorganisms, trapping particulates, trapping or masking odors, providing a barrier to liquid, providing thermal insulation, or reducing viral or bacterial contamination. 
     
     
         20 . The plurality of face masks according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second face masks further comprises an adhesive tape or adhesive strip disposed on at least one of a top or a bottom edge of the face mask, wherein the adhesive tape or the adhesive strip is provided with a removable liner.