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:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/249,363 filed on Oct. 14, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     (a) Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     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 combines a conventional respiratory mask with air filtration functionality and also an external adjoining decoration or toy. A user can choose whether or not using the combined respiratory mask and external adjoining decorations or toy.  
         [0004]     (b) Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     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  
       [0006]     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a mask having interesting and amusing functionality that entices children to relish wearing it by combining the option of a conventional respiratory mask and an amusing mask, 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.  
         [0007]     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.  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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.  
         [0010]     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.  
         [0011]     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. Moreover, in order to further enhance the opening and closing effect of the upper mask and the lower mask externally attached to the mask, at least two slot members are respectively formed on each lateral side of the mask. The upper press fit member and the lower press fit member are made connected to each other which shows an oval in shape, which are penetrated through the corresponding slot members formed on two lateral side of the mask and are further positioned to the inner side of the mask by using at least one upper positioning portion and lower positioning portion respectively. When putting on the mask with the two lateral end portion of the upper press fit member and the lower press fit member on the user&#39;s ears respectively, the central portions of upper press fit member and the lower press fit member become more tightly pressed down on the nose and the lower jaws of the user, thereby fixing position of the mask on the face of the user because the upper press fit member and the lower press fit member are made connected to each other by penetrating through the corresponding slot members on two lateral side of the mask.  
         [0012]     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.  
         [0013]     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.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     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  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of the embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a structural side view of the embodiment configured with a blow toy according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      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.  
         [0020]      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.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a side view depicting an externally connected upper beak and lower beak according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a side view depicting the externally connected upper beak and lower beak including a blow toy according to the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a side view depicting structural assembly of a nose mask and a mouth mask according to the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  shows an exploded front view of another embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a rear schematic view of another embodiment depicting an assembled padding according to the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  shows a rear schematic view of another embodiment depicting press fit members configured according to the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic view of the present invention in a closed state.  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  shows a schematic view of the present invention in an open state.  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a rear schematic view of another embodiment depicting the structure before the upper press fit member and the lower press fit member are not yet being pulled with their two lateral end portions according to the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  shows a rear schematic view of another embodiment depicting the structure after the upper press fit member and the lower press fit member are being pulled with their two lateral end portions according to the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  shows a schematic view of another embodiment when using in an open state after the upper press fit member and the lower press fit member are being pulled with their two lateral end portions according to the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 17  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.  
         [0033]      FIG. 18  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  
       [0034]     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.  
         [0035]     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 an adjoining decoration that resembles, for example, the face of an animal.  
         [0036]     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.  
         [0037]     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 .  
         [0038]     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.  
         [0039]     Furthermore, length of the pull cord  61  can be determined by 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 .  
         [0040]     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  11 ,  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.  
         [0041]     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.  
         [0042]     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 .  
         [0043]     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.  
         [0044]     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 .  
         [0045]     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 ).  
         [0046]     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 respiratory mask applied by 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.  
         [0047]     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.  
         [0048]     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.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , in order to further enhance the opening and closing effect of the upper mask  141  and the lower mask  151  externally attached to the mask  1 , at least two slot members  65  are respectively formed on each lateral side of the mask  1 . The upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  are made connected to each other which shows an oval in overall shape, wherein, two lateral end portion of the upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  are penetrated through the corresponding slot members  65  on two lateral side of the mask  1 . The upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  are positioned to the inner side of the mask  1  by using at least one upper positioning portion  631  and lower positioning portion  641  respectively. The upper positioning portion  631  and lower positioning portion  641  can be applied by way of directly sewing on the upper and lower side of the mask  1  or by attaching loop holding members (not shown in the drawings) to the inner side of the mask  1  thereby allowing the upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  to be held and positioned therein respectively (not shown in the drawings).  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 14, 15  and  16 , when putting on the mask  1  with the two lateral end portion of the upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  with the user&#39;s ears respectively, the central portions of upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  become more tightly pressed down on the nose and the lower jaws of the user, thereby fixing position of the mask  1  on the face of the user because the upper press fit member  63  and the lower press fit member  64  are made connected to each other by penetrating through the corresponding slot members  65  on two lateral side of the mask  1 . 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 open (see  FIG. 16 ), 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.  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIG. 17 , 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.  
         [0052]     Furthermore, referring again to  FIG. 17  and together with  FIG. 18 , 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 .  
         [0053]     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.