Abstract:
A costume safety mask housing chemiluminescent reagents. Upon activation, the reagents illuminate the mask or features thereon for purposes of novelty illumination and safety of the wearer. The mask may include liquid, viscous liquid, or solid chemiluminescent reagents that are held in cavities. Liquid components of the instant invention may be transported through passageways in the mask to provide a flowing appearance.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of chemiluminescent novelty items and, in particular, to costume masks that provide safety illumination to the wearer by use of chemiluminescent illumination.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Costume masks are commonly found at parties, celebrations and the like events. Masks are designed to have a decorative appearance, often enhanced by the use of color, texture and shape. Masks may further utilize foils, sequins, fluorescent paints, or like mechanisms capable of enhancing the visual appearance of the mask.  
           [0003]    “All Saints Day” commonly referred to as Halloween, is one such celebration practiced in numerous countries wherein people dress up in costume outfits. This event is enjoyed particularly by young children who visit the neighboring homes after dark where candy gifts are presented. It is well known that masks restrict visibility of the wearer and when the mask is worn when lighting is poor, the combination is most dangerous since safety is then dependant upon someone else, such as an automobile driver.  
           [0004]    For instance, the mask disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,522 fits over the face of a person and employs an inflatable sack that causes a feature of the mask, such as the eyeball, to protrude. Slots within the forehead of the mask allow the wearer to see, however, the limitation placed upon the viewable area is severe making the wearer dependant upon others for their safety.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,508 discloses yet another decorative mask that is inflated to create a three dimensional format. Again, apertures placed in the mask will also cause a restriction in visibility.  
           [0006]    Thus, a need presents itself to make the mask wearer visible to others so as to provide the wearer with a heightened level of safety to compensate for the loss of visibility.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,447 discloses a mask that includes a flashing LED for enhanced safety. The inventor recognized the need for integrating a safety item into the theme of the mask for safety purposes. However, the inventor did not recognize how the entire mask could be enhanced for safety purposes without loss of the costume theme.  
           [0008]    While the Applicant is known for producing many self-illumination safety products, it is also known that if a safety item distracts from the costume, it will not be worn. Thus, even if a parent demands that a child wear illumination items while venturing out in the evening, it is not uncommon for the child to remove or conceal the safety materials as soon as they are out of the parent&#39;s sight.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,109 discloses a personal marker device that is a well established safety item used by boaters, hikers, bike riders, joggers and so forth. However, such a device will distract from a costume theme making the use of the device obvious for safety only. By use of a passive or active chemiluminescently illuminated costume safety mask, the visibility and safety of the wearer is greatly enhanced and while safety is maintained, it does not appear to be the obvious reason. A passive chemiluminescent light may be derived from an immobilized chemiluminescent material such as thixotropic reactant composition, or from conventional chemiluminescent reactant compositions that employ a liquid oxalate and liquid activator.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,475 employs a flowing liquid to enhance the mask. However, the liquid is simply colored and is used to simulate blood, thereby requiring the presence of reflected light to be transmitted to the observer by reflection from a transparent area of the mask. This limits the effectiveness of such a mask to areas having sufficient lighting for viewing, and limits materials of construction to transparent plastic in order for the blood effect to be visible, and is only for use as a horror mask.  
           [0011]    Thus, what is lacking in the art is a chemiluminescent costume mask that becomes the focal point of a costume. The enhanced visual appearance increasing the likelihood that the mask be an essential aspect of the costume and will be worn at all times, thereby increasing the safety of the wearer.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The instant invention consists of a mask that can be shaped to simulate a human, robot, alien, animal or other feature such as a face, heart, kidney, spine, limb, veins, appendages, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment, the mask consists of two pieces of plastic that are sealed together to create at least one cavity or passageway therebetween. The cavity houses chemiluminescent reagents that, when activated, provide self-illumination for safety as well as novelty use.  
           [0013]    By way of example, a face mask employing a white chemiluminescent reagent may provide the wearer with the appearance of a ghost. Such a mask could be viewed without any ambient light providing both novelty and safety should it be worn by a child while trick or treating. Other examples would be a face mask having cheeks that glow pink to enhance a young child&#39;s appearance, a glowing green forehead to depict an alien, a red nose to depict Rudolph the fictitious reindeer, and so forth.  
           [0014]    The cavities or passageways are used to house various chemiluminescent reagents for use in enhancing a particular feature of the mask. Such passageways may be separated to house different reagents. For instance, a face mask may have all of the above features and more such as red lips, yellow ears, blue teeth and so forth. The passageways can further include various sized apertures to allow liquid to flow from one cavity to another.  
           [0015]    The flow of fluid can be through the use of gravity or by use a pump to cause circulation. A pump may be located external the mask, or formed integral thereto. Each such embodiment requires the activator and oxalate of the chemiluminescent reagents to be maintained in separate areas until use. The chemiluminescent reagents may be liquid, viscous liquid, or solid such as a thixotropic component.  
           [0016]    Accordingly, an objective of the instant invention is to disclose the distribution of light in a costume mask to provide augmented illumination from chemiluminescent reagents providing high visibility to the wearer.  
           [0017]    Another objective of the instant invention is to provide a safety mask that creates a costume focal point that will be worn throughout a celebration thereby maintaining the safety aspects of illumination at night.  
           [0018]    Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a costume mask that employs gravity to cause flowing movement of chemiluminescent reagents.  
           [0019]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide a costume mask that employs a fluid pump to circulate chemiluminescent reagents.  
           [0020]    Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide a costume safety mask wherein at least a portion of the chemiluminescent reagents is solid, such as that provided through a thixotropic component.  
           [0021]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a chemiluminescent face mask of the instant invention depicting a young girl with pigtails;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional side view of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a horror face mask having a translucent shell for light diffusion of liquid chemiluminescent reagents;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a horror face mask having a transparent shell with solid chemiluminescent reagents; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a horror face mask having a transparent shell with recirculated liquid chemiluminescent reagents;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a child&#39;s face mask having lumination qualities;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an elder&#39;s face mask having rumination qualities which mask is the same mask shown in FIG. 6, turned upside down.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]    Now referring to the Figures, set forth are illustrative costume safety masks illuminated through the use of a chemiluminescent light. The face masks are constructed from a lightweight moldable plastic material having a first side surface  12  that is sealed  13  to a second side surface  14  forming a cavity  16  therebetween. The seal  13  may be defined as a continuous weldment between the first and second side surfaces, partial weldments around isolated areas, or consist of a conventional sealant material such as silicone. Openings  18  and  20 , located at either end of the cavity  16 , can be used to permit liquids to enter and exit the mask should a recirculation of a fluid be desired.  
         [0030]    The chemiluminescent chemical employed is well known. Devices able to emit light by the mixing of two liquid chemicals are well known, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,539,794, 3,576,987, 4,193,109, 4,682,544, 4,751,616, 4,814,949 and 5,121,302. Such lighting devices generally involve the use of two chambers, one chamber containing a first liquid chemical referred to as an oxalate solution, and the second chamber containing a second liquid chemical referred to as an activator solution. These two chambers must have a barrier to maintain separation of the oxalate and activator until use since the oxalate solution is sensitive to any contamination. Therefore, in practice, the oxalate solution is typically enclosed in a breakable glass ampule. Typically the chemical light is produced by mixing an oxalate ester and hydrogen peroxide together in the presence of a catalyst and a fluorescer.  
         [0031]    The face mask illustrated in FIG. 1 is that of a young girl having normal facial features including a forehead  22 , eyebrows  24 , eyes  26 , ears  28 , nose  30 , cheeks  32 , lips  34 , chin  36 , and hair  38 . The mask depicted-would be worn over the face and in this embodiment has chemiluminescent reagents placed in the eyebrows  24 , cheeks  32 , and lips  34 . The purpose of such a design is to make the costume mask a focal point for a costume which would then be worn throughout an evening thereby providing a level of safety. For instance, the face mask may include lips  34 , that are filled with the chemiluminescent chemical of a bright red color. The cheeks  32  may be formed of a chemiluminescent reagent providing a pink color, the eyebrows  24  may be formed of a highlighting color such as blue. Further items may include placement of chemiluminescent reagents in neck, temple, eyeball, eye socket, veins, brain, skull, tongue, bone, or appendage.  
         [0032]    Ribbons  33  in the pigtails  35  may include yet another color. The color may be from a chemiluminescent package located in the pigtail. For instance, a chemiluminescent package may consist of an inner pouch made of aluminum foil sealed along a periphery to form a cavity therein for containing the oxalate solution. An outer pouch that encompasses the inner pouch can be made of a polymer, film such as polyolefin, polyethylene or polypropylene which is also sealed along its periphery for containing an activator liquid.  
         [0033]    The package would include a steel ball or the like hard particle on which the user will push in order to pierce the aluminum pouch, and so induce the mixing process. It can also be conceived, that this ball or particle be not used, and that the pouch will be bursted by pressure. In that case, it is suitable to foresee an area of weakened resistance, for instance a welding line.  
         [0034]    Such a package may also, optionally, include a woven or nonwoven material of which the fibers are preferably from the same polymer as the films of the outer pouch. During the storage of the lighting element before use, this felt will have time to absorb the whole of the activator liquid and spread it uniformly in the pouch. The result will be a good uniformity in emitted light after the liberation of the oxalate solution, because the two chemical liquids are miscible into each other within a short time.  
         [0035]    The side surfaces  12  and  14  may also be constructed so as to provide cavities only in areas that the chemiluminescent reagents would be placed. Alternatively the previously mentioned packets such as those shown on FIG. 2 may be placed in strategic points such as the eyebrows  24 , the cheek area  32 , and lips  34 . A solid such as that derived from a thixotropic component may be substituted for the liquid. Packet  40  is depicted behind the eyebrow in the mask. Packet  42  is shown in the location for the cheek while packets  44  are located in the lip section  34  of the mask. The face mask eliminates the need for placing make up on a young child yet affords the child an appearance of a character which they wish to depict such as Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and Jill, and so forth. The face mask may be made from a clear or transparent material depending upon the type of chemiluminescent reagent to be employed. Thus, the lips  34  may include a chemiluminescent chemical having a red fluorescer for striking clarity. Alternatively, the lip area may be made of a colored translucent material wherein the rumination viewed outside the mask would be that of the substrate coloring. Further, the mask may include opaque areas where illumination is not desired.  
         [0036]    For purposes of this disclosure, the term “chemiluminescent reactant” is interpreted to mean a mixture or component thereof which will result in chemiluminescent light production when reacted with other necessary reactants in the processes as disclosed herein.  
         [0037]    The term “fluorescent compound” is interpreted to mean a compound which fluoresces in a chemiluminescent reaction.  
         [0038]    The term “chemiluminescent composition” is interpreted to mean a mixture which will result in chemiluminescence.  
         [0039]    The term “thixotropic composition” is interpreted to mean an admixture which behaves as a pseudo fluid when force is applied to it, but has properties of a solid when at rest.  
         [0040]    Chemiluminescent light production generally utilizes a two-component system to chemically generate light. Chemiluminescent light is produced by combining the two components, which are usually in the form of chemical solutions referred to as the “oxalate” component and the “activator” component. All suitable oxalate and activator compositions, inclusive of the various additional fluorescers, catalysts and the like, known to be useful in the prior art, are contemplated for use within the present invention.  
         [0041]    When chemiluminescent materials are stored, the two components are kept physically separated prior to activation by a variety of means. Often, a sealed, frangible, glass vial containing one component is housed within an outer flexible container containing the other component. This outer container is sealed to contain both the second component and the filled, frangible vial. Forces created by intimate contact with the internal vial, e.g. by flexing, cause the vial to rupture, thereby releasing the first component, allowing the first and second components to mix and produce light. Since the objective of this type of device is to produce usable light output, the outer vessel is usually composed of a clear or translucent material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, which permits the light produced by the chemiluminescent system to be transmitted through the vessel walls. These devices may be designed so as to transmit a variety of colors by either the addition of a dye or fluorescent compound to one or both of the chemiluminescent reactant compositions or to the vessel. Furthermore, the device may be modified so as to only transmit light from particularly chosen portions thereof.  
         [0042]    In its most basic form the two-component, liquid phase oxalate ester chemical light system must comprise an “oxalate component” comprising an oxalic acid ester and a solvent, and a “peroxide component” comprising hydrogen peroxide and a solvent or mixture of solvents. Typically, an efficient fluorescer must be contained in one of the components. An efficient catalyst, necessary for maximizing intensity and lifetime control, may be contained in one of the components.  
         [0043]    The oxalate component provides an oxalate ester-solvent combination which permits suitable ester solubility and storage stability. The peroxide component provides a hydrogen peroxide-solvent combination which permits suitable hydrogen peroxide solubility and storage stability. The solvents for the two components may be different but should be miscible. At least one solvent solubilizes the efficient fluorescer and at least one solvent solubilizes the efficient catalyst. The fluorescer and catalyst are normally placed as to permit both solubility and storage stability in the final components.  
         [0044]    Typical suitable fluorescent compounds for use in the present invention are those which have spectral emission falling between 300 and 1200 nanometers and which are at least partially soluble in the diluent employed. Among these are the conjugated polycyclic aromatic compounds having at least 3 fused rings, such as: anthracene, substituted anthracene, benzanthracene, phenanthrene, substituted anthracene, benzanthracene, phenanthrene, substituted phenanthrene, naphthacene, substituted naphthacene, pentacene, substituted pentacene, perylene, substituted perylene, violanthrone, substituted violanthrone, and the like. Typical substituents for all of these are phenyl, lower alkyl (C 1 -C 6 ), chloro, bromo, ucyano, alkoxy (C 1- C 16 ), and other like substituents which do not interfere with the light-generating reaction contemplated herein.  
         [0045]    Illustrative, albeit non-limiting examples of preferred fluorescers are 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl) anthracene, 1-methoxy-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, perylene, 1,5-dichloro 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, rubrene, monochloro and dichloro substituted 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl) anthracene, 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl) tetracene, 9,10-diphenyl anthracene, and 16,17-dihexyloxyviolanthrone.  
         [0046]    The term “peroxide component,” as used herein, means a solution of a hydrogen peroxide compound, a hydroperoxide compound, or a peroxide compound in a suitable diluent.  
         [0047]    The term “hydrogen peroxide compound” includes (1) hydrogen peroxide and (2) hydrogen peroxide-producing compounds.  
         [0048]    Hydrogen peroxide is the preferred hydroperoxide and may be employed as a solution of hydrogen peroxide in a solvent or as an anhydrous hydrogen peroxide compound such as sodium perborate, sodium peroxide, and the like. Whenever hydrogen peroxide is contemplated to be employed, any suitable compound may be substituted which will produce hydrogen peroxide.  
         [0049]    The lifetime and intensity of the chemiluminescent light emitted can be regulated by the use of certain regulators such as:  
         [0050]    (1) by the addition of a catalyst which changes the rate of reaction of hydroperoxide. Catalysts which accomplish that objective include those described in M. L. Bender, “Chem. Revs.,” Vol. 60, p. 53 (1960). Also, catalysts which alter the rate of reaction or the rate of chemiluminescence include those accelerators of U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,366, and decelerators of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,691,085 and 3,704,231, or  
         [0051]    (2) by the variation of hydroperoxide. Both the type and the concentration of hydroperoxide are critical for the purposes of regulation.  
         [0052]    Of the catalysts tried, sodium salicylate and various tetraalkylammonium salicylates have been the most widely used. Lithium carboxylic acid salts, especially lithium salicylate, lithium 5-t-butyl salicylate and lithium 2-chlorobenzoate are excellent catalysts for low temperature hydrogen peroxide/oxalate ester/fluorescer chemiluminescent systems.  
         [0053]    Referring now to FIG. 3 set forth is an embodiment wherein the mask body includes transparent cavities  50 , with a majority of the mask being made of transparent material. In this embodiment the transparent cavities would be used to house the chemiluminescent chemical which provides sufficient illumination to cause transparent sections of the mask to become illuminated. In any event, the safety of the wearer is enhanced as the illumination can be detected by drivers at night and as previously stated the mask becomes a focal point of the Halloween costume lessening the desire of removal by the wearer. The activator and oxalate ampules are sealed within the two layer mask. The effect is to provide a gravity “flowing liquid” mask with a return of the flowing liquid by inverting of the mask. The mask could be attached via a pivot point to a sub mask, not shown, which is attached to the wearer allowing inversion without removal. Further, a two face mask wherein one face can be viewed upright or inverted might be used. For instance, in one view a pretty woman could be shown, in the inverted view a witch woman may be shown.  
         [0054]    In a basic embodiment a two layer mask may employ a chin located cavity that collects fluid as it drips and flows by gravity. The wearer may apply pressure from the inside or outside of the chin area to reduce the cavity volume and force fluid into the full area of the mask thus returning fluid to all areas of the mask. The mask forms could define pockets where fluid is collected after pressure is applied. The reduction of the cavity may also be accomplished by use of an air pump.  
         [0055]    In another embodiment, a three layer mask may employ a semi-rigid inner and outer shell, with a flexible layer placed therebetween. The flexible layer may be sandwiched between the inner and outer layer wherein the squeezing of either layer would cause the flexible layer to cause fluid transfer, yet the flexible layer remains protected by the semi-rigid shells. The squeezing of a layer may be the result of manually applied pressure or differential air pressure between the layers. For instance, fluid drainage may cause the chin area of a face mask to become the storage area for the mask. Squeezing of the chin area may cause displacement of fluid. Further, blowing air into a chamber between one of the outer layers and the inner layer may provide the necessary fluid transfer.  
         [0056]    Referring now to FIG. 4, set forth is yet another embodiment wherein a face mask  60  is provided with a solid oxalate and liquid activator. In this embodiment forehead  62 , and mouth area  64 , is illuminated with the chemiluminescent chemical allowing multicolor glowing body parts to define glowing shapes. Opaque areas  66 , are employed to provide the appearance of veins. Eye sockets  68 , and nose  70 , may include a different chemiluminescent reagent providing contrasting colors. Similarly teeth  72 , are depicted in blue which in this embodiment provide a Halloween fright safety mask as the colors are abnormal to a living person.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 5 depicts a fright mask wherein a chemiluminescent reagent is directed through an opening  82 , into the cavity  84 . In this embodiment, the cavity is formed into a series of passageways that are strategically positioned throughout the mask leading to a collection cavity in the chin area  86 . A second opening  88  can be used to drain the collection cavity wherein the reagent can be recirculated to opening  82  by use of a recirculation pump  90 . Manual manipulation of the pump  90  allows the chemiluminescent reagent to be recirculated providing the appearance of fluid flowing throughout the mask. For instance, a green reagent may be recirculated to simulate make-believe alien blood. A red reagent would provide a make-believe human blood appearance.  
         [0058]    In this embodiment, the recirculation pump may be remotely located from the mask wherein fluid transfer can be obtained by manual manipulation of the pump. The mask and pump could be considered disposable after use.  
         [0059]    Alternatively, quick disconnects  92 , and  94  are provided at the first and second openings to allow for the discoupling of the pump and transfer tubes  96 ,  98 . Upon reagent exhaustion the reagents can be drained from the mask and disposed off in a proper manner. In this manner, a replacement pump with new reagents and interconnecting tubes can be used thereby allowing the mask to be reused. In addition, by changing of the reagents, different color combinations can be provided. For instance, a red mask for one occasion may be a blue mask for another occasion, and so forth.  
         [0060]    In operation, tube  96  having quick disconnect  92  is inserted into opening  82 , which is in fluid communication with the cavity  85 . The cavity  85  may further consist of a series of passage ways  84  which extend throughout the mask. Cavity locations may include the ears  91 , eyebrows  93 , cheeks  95 , nose  97  and lips  99 . The passage ways branch from the opening and/or cavity to form the appearance of veins depicted by numeral  84 .  
         [0061]    The tube  96  is preferably made of a flexible material such as opaque plastic. The pump includes a first chamber containing either the chemiluminescent oxalate component or chemiluminescent activator, and a chamber filled with the second chemiluminescent oxalate component or chemiluminescent activator. The chambers are separated by a frangible or movable partition such that the device is available for activation upon fracturing or moving of the partition thereby allowing admixture of the oxalate and activator.  
         [0062]    Upon activation of the reagents, the pump is operated thereby creating pressure and causing fluid to be injected into the mask cavity. Because the reagents glow, they are visible through transparent or translucent shell. Should a red color be chosen, the appearance would be that of a flowing lava stream trickling down the skull of a person, although not realistic, the color could also be interpreted as blood.  
         [0063]    After the liquid flows down through the mask, the reagents drain into the bottom of mask and exit the opening to reenter the pump. Once the reagents return to the pump, the pump may be used again to recreate the circulation effect. Alternatively, the mask may have a cavity at the top and bottom section of the mask wherein refilling of the top cavity is performed by inverting the mask allowing the liquid to flow back to the top section. The top section cavity would then have an aperture allowing for the controlled draining back to the chin.  
         [0064]    Although the costume safety mask made in accordance with the present invention can be shaped to form a human face, the shape can be made to simulate most any item. For instance, the mask may be formed into the shape of a valentines heart wherein the red chemiluminescent material results in a glowing heart. Similarly, veins, brain, skull, tongue, bone, or appendages can be simulated.  
         [0065]    Unique to the use of chemiluminescent reagents is that the shell may include light transferring formations that lessen the need for chemical reagents by taking advantage of light enhancing formations. Shaped housings include those found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,851 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,544 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In this embodiment, the side surfaces are formed to provide an augmented illumination surface.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 6 depicts a mask  100  that simulates a young girl wherein the liquid-liquid chemiluminescent reagents or liquid-dry chemiluminescent reagents can be used to highlight aspects of the mask. The safety mask may include cavities to highlight the cheek  102 , chin  104 , forehead  106 , eyebrow  108 , lip  110 , eyeball  112 , nose  114 , hair  116  and so forth. The mask can be rotatably attached to a human head by the use of a hook and loop (VELCRO) strap and rotated so that the representation of the mask would change, for example, to that of an elderly woman, as shown in FIG. 7. Portions of the mask may be opaque to conceal fluids and other fluids may relocate to cause enhanced aged features. For example, the chin  124  may contain fluid that flowed from the young girl&#39;s hair  116 . The eyeball  112  fluid may flow to the eyeball socket  126 . The lips  110  having a concentrated fluid may flow to the general forehead area  128 , and so forth. The result is a dual function mask having illumination for novelty as well as safety purposes.  
         [0067]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.