US20060085893A1

US20060085893A1 - Amusing mask having composite formative variability function

Info

Publication number: US20060085893A1
Application number: US11/249,363
Authority: US
Inventors: Che-Wen Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-22
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2006-04-27

Abstract

An amusing mask having composite formative variability function, which particularly integrates planar printed patterns with a three-dimensional form and produces variability therefrom, and is applicable for application in an air filter respirator. The present invention is configured to utilize the principle of closing and opening of the upper and lower jaws of the face of a person to actuate unitary animated simulation of the external appearance of a mouth of an animal or a cartoon figure. The present invention is primarily formed from upper and lower masks joined to mask holding members. The user can choose whether or not to combine adjoining decorations or a blow toy externally to the upper and lower masks and thereby achieve interesting and simulative dynamic amusement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an amusing mask having composite formative variability function, and more particularly to a mask that combines planar printed patterns with three-dimensional formative variability, moreover, the mask has air filtration functionality. A user wears the mask using mask holding members, and can choose whether or not to combine upper and lower masks externally with adjoining decorations and an externally connected toy.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional air filtration mask has a primary function to protect the user against dirty air, and basically covers the nostrils and mouth with a mask, but lacks any amusing function. A surface of a majority of the masks is printed with cartoon faces, which entices purchase and allures children to wear the mask. However, visual effectiveness of the planar printed patterns is limited, and impression achieved is no different than that achieved from printed patterns on conventional T-shirts, and so on. Moreover, there are no mask products in the current market having air filtration protective functionality while simultaneously providing amusement and play. Furthermore, the various face masks with amusement function for sale in the current market are unable to achieve the effect whereby opening and closing of the upper and lower jaws of the user actuates synchronous movement of the mouth portion of the mask.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a mask having interesting and amusing functionality that entices children to relish wearing it, and which not only incorporates conventional air filtration functionality, but more particularly has an interesting composite design, thereby achieving a utility that realizes formative variability and dynamic simulation, and enables the user to choose whether or not to further externally connect adjoining decorations or append a toy that can be manipulated with the mouth to enhance the playful and interesting effect of the mask.
Another objective of the present invention is to join an upper beak and a lower beak to an exterior of the mask, wherein the upper and lower beaks are designed as three-dimensional variable forms that simulate a variety of animals and cartoon figures.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide the mask separately configured with an upper mask and a lower mask joined together, whereafter mask holding members are attached to provide for fitting on the ears or head of a user. An amusing toy operated by the mouth can be disposed between the upper mask and the lower mask; moreover, the user can choose whether or not to externally connect adjoining decorations to the mask.
A fourth objective of the present invention is to partition the mask to form the upper and lower masks using a separation. The separation can be further configured with an adjusting pull cord, which is used to adjust the extent of separation to enable contact between the upper and lower masks and the upper and lower jaws of the user respectively, thereby facilitating opening and closing of the mouth portion of the mask and enhancing actuation of the upper and lower masks by the upper and lower jaws respectively, which further enhances visual effectiveness of the mask and enables the upper and lower beaks to be connected to the upper and lower masks respectively.
A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide the mask with a center defined rectangular slot, which partitions the mask and enables upper and lower mask decorations to be respectively joined thereto. Furthermore, a bi-part portion is disposed in the rectangular slot, and is a piece that assumes a concave form having area larger than the rectangular slot, and is fixed in the mask to provide extent of opening required for the opening and closing movement of the mouth portion.
A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide the mask with an upper press fit member and a lower press fit member affixed to an upper portion and a lower portion of an inner side of the mask respectively. The upper press fit member and the lower press fit member cause a pressing effect on the nose and lower jaws of the user respectively, thereby effectively securing position of the mask on the face of the user, and further enabling the mask through the bi-part portion to move in synchronization with the opening and closing of the mouth of the user to produce a realistic simulation of the opening and closing of, for example, the mouth of an animal.
A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide an upper securing member and a lower securing member attached to the inner side of the mask. The upper securing member and the lower securing member secure upper edges and lower edges of a padding respectively, wherein the padding used is a replaceable, disposable sterilized padding that prevents the mouth of the user from coming in direct contact with the mask when in use.
An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a joining portion externally attached to the mask. The joining portion provides for externally connected adjoining decorations to join thereto, thereby enabling the mask together with different styled adjoining decorations to form varied assembled configurations.
A ninth objective of the present invention is to configure adjusting devices on the mask holding members adjoined to two sides of the mask, which convenience adjusting length of the mask holding members to match face shape or head size dimensions of the user.
To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a structural side view of the embodiment configured with a blow toy according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a side view depicting separation of an upper mask and a lower mask using a separating portion according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a front view depicting separation of the upper mask and the lower mask using the separating portion according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a side view depicting an externally connected upper beak and lower beak according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a side view depicting the externally connected upper beak and lower beak including a blow toy according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a side view depicting structural assembly of a nose mask and a mouth mask according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows an exploded front view of another embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a rear schematic view of another embodiment depicting an assembled padding according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a rear schematic view of another embodiment depicting press fit members configured according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of the present invention in a closed state.
FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of the present invention in an open state.
FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of yet another embodiment depicting joining of a head decoration, a neck decoration and a tongue member according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of an embodiment depicting configuration of the tongue member and adjusting devices used on mask holding members according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, which shows the present invention primarily structured to comprise a mask 1 connected backward to two mask holding members 2 that provide for fitting round the ears of a user. The two mask holding members 2 can also be replaced by using only one mask holding member 2 for fitting around the head of a user (not shown in the drawings). A bi-part portion 13 is particularly formed center of the mask 1, which separates an upper mask 11 and a lower mask 12. A side end of the mask forms a joining portion 3, which provides for an adjoining decoration 4 to join thereto. The bi-part portion 13 is formed by line joining upper edges 131, 132 of a folded flexible strip to corresponding edges of the upper and lower masks 11, 12 respectively.
Referring to FIG. 2, which shows a configuration after joining the adjoining decoration 4 to the mask 1, wherein an upper end of the mask 1 joins to the adjoining decoration 4 and forms an image of a face. The upper and lower masks 11, 12 formed by the bi-part portion 13 simulate the shape of a mouth. After a user puts on the mask 1, the entire face portion of the mask 1 forms a adjoining decoration that resembles, for example, the face of an animal.
Friction is formed between the upper mask 11 and the bridge of the nose and upper jaws of the user and between the lower mask 12 and the lower jaws of the user after the user uses the mask holding members 2 (see FIG. 1) to hold the mask 1 on his face. The flexible strip between the center bi-part portion 13 enables the user to cause the upper and lower masks 11, 12 to form an opening and closing movement when talking or purposely opening and closing the mouth, thereby simulating, for example, the movement of the mouth of an animal.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, which show a through hole 130 defined in the bi-part portion 13 center of the mask 1 corresponding to the position of the mouth of the user. The through hole 130 provides for an externally connected blow toy 5 to be disposed therein, the blow toy 5 being a conventional blow toy that children play with, interior of which is defined a blow hole 51, which provides for the user to blow therethrough and actuate the blow toy 5. The blow toy 5, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, is a flexible and restorable curled tubular toy, however, other externally connected toys can be used as a substitute for the blow toy 5, but are not disclosed hereinafter. Moreover, the externally connected toy adopts a movable installation to connect to the mask 1, thereby enabling the user to choose whether or not to install the externally connected toy. When the user decides not to use the externally connected toy, he needs only seal a connection interface for the externally connected toy with a sealing device 7 made from reusable adhesive material. The aforementioned through hole 130 can not only enable the externally connected toy to be disposed therein, moreover, the user can pass a conventional straw through the through hole 130 to enable drinking of beverages therewith or to enable solid food to be eaten, such as confectionery or other snack foods, which would otherwise first require removing the mask 1 before drinking or eating. When not using the through hole 130, the sealing device 7 can then be used as a sealing attachment to effectively seal the through hole 130.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, which show the mask 1 separated by a separating portion 6 to form the upper mask 11 and the lower mask 12. Formation of the separating portion 6 is realized through a pulling action on a pull cord 61 incorporated at a position of a longitudinal seam using a plaiting method center of the mask 1, which forces a center of the mask 1 to form a concavity, thereby forming corresponding upper and lower jaw portions of the upper and lower masks 11, 12 respectively.
Furthermore, length of the pull cord 61 can be determined by adjusting adjusting portions 62, which further determine separating visual effect of the upper and lower masks 11, 12 and degree of manifestation of the simulated form of the mask. Moreover, the blow toy 5 can similarly connect to the center of the upper and lower masks 11, 12.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, in order to realize a facial mask that externally strongly resembles the face of an animal, an upper beak 14 and a lower beak 15 can be joined to the aforementioned upper and lower masks 11, 12 at assemble edges 110, 120 respectively (see FIG. 6). The upper and lower beaks 14, 15 are formed as elongated protrusions, which present a distinct degree of opening after being actuated that produce an evident simulation of an animal, thereby achieving a mask having a beak that realistically emulates a beak of an animal. A fixed connecting method or a movable connecting method is adopted to connect the upper and lower beaks 14, 15 to the upper and lower masks 11, 12 respectively. The fixed connecting method fixedly joins the upper and lower beaks 14, 15 to the upper and lower masks 11, 12 at the assemble edges 110, 120 respectively, thereby achieving the objective of the upper and lower beaks 14, 15 being undetachable from the upper and lower masks 11, 12. Primary means to achieve the fixed connecting method is by stitching or gluing. Whereas the movable connecting method incorporates the upper and lower beaks 14, 15 still being joined to the upper and lower masks 11, 12 at the assemble edges 110, 120 respectively, however, the user can choice whether to remove the beaks 14, 15 from the upper and lower masks 11, 12 respectively or to join the beaks 14, 15 to the upper and lower masks 1 1, 12 respectively. Primary means to achieve the movable connecting method is by a reusable adhesive felt strip or by clasping together male and female clasp members. Because of the multiplicity of methods to achieve such connecting methods, thus, detailed descriptions are not included hereinafter.
Activation of the upper and lower beaks 14, 15 is realized through the upper and lower masks 11, 12 respectively rubbing against the bridge of the nose and moving of the upper and lower jaws of the user.
Referring to FIG. 5, which shows the through hole 130 defined center of the upper and lower beaks 14, 15 and the bi-part portion 13 of the mask 1 corresponding to the position of the mouth of the user, and the sealing device 7 made from reusable adhesive material sealed therein. The user can choose to remove the sealing device 7 and dispose the curled tongue shaped blow toy 5 into the through hole 130.
It is understood that, in order to take into consideration simplifying the manufacture working procedure and saving on cost expenditure when actually producing a specific style of mask, the upper beak 14 and the lower beak 15 can be directly joined to an external portion of a single conventional mask (a single mask not having the upper and lower masks 11, 12 (not shown in the drawings)) using a connecting method similar to that disclosed above or additionally join the adjoining decoration 4 or the blow toy 5 to the exterior of the single conventional mask, thereby achieving a configuration that realizes an identical visual simulation of, for example, an animal.
Referring to FIG. 8, using the fashioned mask 1 as a basis, the present invention can separately use a nose mask 16 and a mouth mask 17 configured below thereof to independently cover the nose and mouth of the user respectively. A joint portion 18 between the nose mask 16 and the mouth mask 17 joins them together. The blow toy 5 can be similarly disposed in the mouth mask 17 to correspond to the mouth of the user, thereby enabling the user to operate the bow toy 5 with his mouth. The mask holding members 2 connect between the nose mask 16 and the mouth mask 17, thereby achieving a basis for fitting the mask on the ears or head of the user. Moreover, the adjoining decoration 4 can be similarly joined to the nose mask 16 and the mouth mask 17 using the joining portion 3.
Referring to FIG. 9, the mask 1 of the present invention adopts a slightly center-ward arc-shape form, and a rectangular slot 52 defined center of the mask 1 functions in coordinative joining a mask decoration 10 externally to the mask 1, which enables forming a variety of different exterior styles. The mask decoration 10 comprises an upper mask decoration 141, a lower mask decoration 151 and the bi-part portion 13. The bi-part portion 13 is formed so as to assume a concave piece, edges 131 and 132 of which connect to the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 respectively, whereafter the partitioning formed by the rectangular slot 52 center of the mask 1 enables the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 to be attached to appropriate portions on upper and lower portions of the rectangular slot 52 on an outer side of the mask 1, thereby positioning the bi-part portion 13 between the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 so as to correspond to the rectangular slot 52 defined center of the mask 1. Because the bi-part portion 13 assumes the form of a concave piece, and because area of the concave piece is greater than area of the rectangular slot 52, thus, when in a split state, the concave piece formed by the bi-part portion 13 is fixed to a central position of an inner side of the mask by way of the rectangular slot (see FIG. 13).
Referring to FIG. 10, which shows upper securing members 66 and lower securing members 67 configured on an inner side of the mask 1. Moreover, a replaceable padding 68 is disposed between the upper securing members 66 and the lower securing members 67. The upper securing members 66 are attached to an upper edge of the inner side of the mask 1, thereby securing an upper edge of the padding 68, and the lower securing members 67 are attached to left and right sides of a lower portion of the inner side of the mask 1, thereby securing left and right side positions of a lower portion of the padding 68. The padding 68 is made from sterilized non-woven material, which can be replaced when seen to be dirty by the user.
Referring to FIG. 11, in order to enhance the opening and closing effect of the upper mask 141 and the lower mask 151 externally attached to the mask 1, an upper press fit member 63 and a lower press fit member 64 are attached to the inner side of the mask 1. The upper press fit member 63 is attached to an upper portion of the inner side of the mask 1, thereby enabling the upper press fit member 63 to press down on the nose of the user and fix position of the mask 1 thereon. The lower press fit member 64 is attached to a lower portion of the inner side of the mask 1, thereby enabling the lower press fit member 64 to press down on the lower jaws of the user and fix position of the mask 1 thereon. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, when the user opens and closes his mouth, the upper press fit member 63 presses down on the nose of the user, while the lower press fit member 64 press down on the lower jaws of the user, thereby fixing position of the mask 1 on the face of the user. Hence, opening and closing of the mouth of the user effectively synchronously actuates the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 connected to the outer side of the mask 1, thereby causing a synchronized opening and closing simulation effect of, for example, an animal. Moreover, because area of the concave piece formed in the bi-part portion 13 is greater than the area of the rectangular slot 52, thus, when in a split state, the concave piece can be fixed to an inner side of the mask 1 by way of the rectangular slot 52, thereby providing an adequate degree of opening that facilitates an opening and closing movement. When the mouth of the user is closed (see FIG. 12), the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 configured on the outer side of the mask 1 present a composite state, wherein the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 cover the bi-part portion 13 fixed to the inner side of the mask 1 and positioned at the rectangular slot 52. When the mouth of the user is open (see FIG. 13), the upper and lower jaws of the user respectively actuate the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 partitioned by the rectangular slot 52 of the mask 1, and a securing effect is realized by means of the upper press fit member 63 and the lower press fit member 64 attached to the inner side of the mask 1, thereby effectuating an open state. The bi-part portion 13 positioned between the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 presents the concave piece form, which provides for an adequate degree of opening when the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 open, thereby displaying an exposed form.
In addition, in order to accommodate different head or face sizes of the user, each of the mask holding members 2 attached to the mask 1 further comprise an adjusting device 22, which is provided with an adjusting base 221 and a switch member 222. When using the adjusting devices 22, the mask holding members 2 are first fitted round the two ears of the user, and length of the mask holding members 2 are then adjusted using the adjusting devices 22 to accord with face shape or head size dimensions of the user. A switch action of the switch member 222 configured on the adjusting base 221 is used to achieve adjusting length of the mask holding members 2. Because switch structure of the adjusting devices 22 comprises a variety of conventional methods, thus, it is not further disclosed hereinafter.
Referring to FIG. 14, which shows another embodiment of the present invention, wherein exterior appearance of the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151 can be designed in a variety of forms to represent the mouth or face of a variety of animals. The joining portion 3 of the mask 1 further comprises an upper joining portion 31 and a lower joining portion 32, which are adjoined to an upper edge and a lower edge of the mask 1 respectively, thereby enabling the externally connected adjoining decoration 4 to be adjoined thereto. Moreover, the externally connected adjoining decoration 4 can further comprise a head decoration portion 41 and a neck decoration portion 42, wherein the head decoration portion 41 is joined to the upper joining portion 31 and the neck decoration portion 42 is joined to the lower joining portion 32. Because a reusable adhesive felt strip or a male-female clasp method is adopted as the upper joining method to achieve a movable structural connection, thus, the user can match style of the upper mask decoration 141 with the lower mask decoration 151 or replace with the different styled head decoration portion 41 and neck decoration portion 42, thereby achieving a variety of visual effects by flexibly interchanging the different styled upper and lower mask decorations 141, 151, and providing the present invention with even greater dynamically diversified amusement when worn by the user.
Furthermore, referring again to FIG. 14 and together with FIG. 15, which show a tongue member 133 configured in the bi-part portion 13 between the upper mask decoration 141 and the lower mask decoration 151. The tongue member 133 is a hollow sleeve-like body, an opening of which inwardly joins to the bi-part portion 13 and forms a connection between the slot 52 and inner sides of the mask 1. The user is then able to insert the curled tongue-like blow toy 5 within the tongue member 133 and cause the curled tongue portion of the blow toy 5 to actuate the tongue member 133 by blowing air through the blow hole 51, thereby achieving a realistic simulation effect of dynamic sticking out of a tongue by the tongue member 133.
It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An amusing mask having composite formative variability function, comprising at least one mask and mask holding member, wherein the mask connects backward to the mask holding member and the mask externally forms at least one joining portion, by which is further connected to at least one adjoining decoration.

2. An amusing mask having composite formative variability function, comprising at least one mask and mask holding member, the mask connects backward to the mask holding member, wherein the mask further comprises an upper mask and a lower mask, between which a joint portion is used to join them.

3. An amusing mask having composite formative variability function, comprising at least one mask and mask holding member, wherein a slot is defined center of the mask; the mask holding member is attached to two sides of the mask.

4. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 2, wherein the mask is externally configured with at least one joining portion, by which is further connected to at least one adjoining decoration.

5. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 3, wherein the mask is externally configured with at least one joining portion, by which is further connected to at least one adjoining decoration.

6. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 1, wherein a pull cord is configured center of the mask, a separating portion is formed by pulling the pull cord, and the pull cord further comprises adjusting portions, which are used to adjust length of the pull cord.

7. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 1, wherein an outer side of the mask is configured with at least one mask decoration.

8. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 2, wherein an outer side of the mask is configured with at least one mask decoration.

9. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 3, wherein an outer side of the mask is configured with at least one mask decoration.

10. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 8, wherein the mask decoration further comprises an upper mask decoration and a lower mask decoration.

11. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 9, wherein the mask decoration further comprises an upper mask decoration and a lower mask decoration;

the upper mask decoration and the lower mask decoration are disposed at positions separated into the upper portion and the lower portion of outer sides by the slot of the mask respectively.

12. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 3, wherein a bi-part portion is configured corresponding to position of the slot.

13. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 12, wherein the bi-part portion is a piece that assumes a concave form, and the piece is disposed on an inner side of the mask by way of the slot.

14. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 2, wherein at least one press fit member is attached to the inner side of the mask.

15. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 3, wherein at least one press fit member is attached to the inner side of the mask.

16. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 14, wherein the press fit member comprises an upper press fit member and a lower press fit member.

17. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 15, wherein the press fit member comprises an upper press fit member and a lower press fit member.

18. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 1, wherein at least one securing member is attached to the inner side of the mask and at least one replaceable padding is secured by the securing member.

19. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 2, wherein at least one securing member is attached to the inner side of the mask; and at least one replaceable padding is secured by the securing member.

20. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 3, wherein at least one securing member is attached to the inner side of the mask; and at least one replaceable padding is secured by the securing member.

21. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 3, wherein the mask holding member is configured with an adjusting device to adjust length of the mask holding member.

22. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 1, wherein a through hole is defined in the mask corresponding to position of the mouth of a user; an externally connected blow toy or a flexible toy is disposed at position of the through hole.

23. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 2, wherein a through hole is defined in the mask corresponding to position of the joint portion; an externally connected blow toy or a flexible toy is disposed at position of the through hole.

24. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 12, wherein a through hole is defined in the mask corresponding to position of the bi-part portion; an externally connected blow toy or a flexible toy is disposed at position of the through hole.

25. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 1, wherein the mask is configured with a tongue member corresponding to position of the mouth of a user; the tongue member is a hollow sleeve-like body, an opening of which inwardly joins to the mask and forms a passageway with the slot.

26. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 2, wherein the joint portion is configured with a tongue member; the tongue member is a hollow sleeve-like body, an opening of which inwardly joins to the joint portion and forms a passageway with the slot.

27. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 12, wherein the bi-part portion is configured with a tongue member; the tongue member is a hollow sleeve-like body, an opening of which inwardly joins to the bi-part portion and forms a passageway with the slot.

28. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 25, wherein an externally connected blow toy or a flexible toy can be inserted into the tongue member.

29. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 26, wherein an externally connected blow toy or a flexible toy can be inserted into the tongue member.

30. The amusing mask having composite formative variability function according to claim 27, wherein an externally connected blow toy or a flexible toy can be inserted into the tongue member.