Patent Publication Number: US-6662376-B2

Title: Segmented FACE mask and screen

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/260,834, filed on Jan. 10, 2001, for “Segmented Face Mask and Screen” by Daniel G. Cook. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Decorating one&#39;s face by applying paint, make-up or a mask is well known to the young and old alike. For example, on Halloween, a significant number of children dress in costumes to go about their neighborhoods from door-to-door trick-or-treating. Adults participate in masquerade balls with lesser or greater involvement, but almost always involving some sort of disguise, usually in the form of a mask. Soldiers, hunters, or paint gun enthusiasts also decorate or camouflage themselves to disguise or hide their presence. 
     The styles of disguise and methods of achieving disguise vary widely. Some methods use paints or cosmetics in the form of colorful pigments suspended in a suitable base. These pigments are spread on a person&#39;s face to create the disguise or the chosen effect. This method requires eventual removal of the pigments, which can be time consuming and messy. 
     Traditional masks are useful if a person wishes to decorate or disguise his or her face while avoiding the disadvantages of applying pigments. However, masks may be cumbersome and difficult to manage, especially for young children. Moreover, masks frequently interfere with a wearer&#39;s vision, usually because of the distance the mask must be offset from the wearer&#39;s face, creating a tunnel vision effect. Another difficulty encountered, particularly with a full face mask, is interference with breathing, either from air obstruction or, more subtly, from poor air exchange caused by inadvertently trapping air behind the mask and forcing the wearer to rebreathe his or her exhaled breath. Depending on the size of the mask, the mask might interfere with motion of the head or become uncomfortable to wear because of a build up of heat that may cause sweating or other unwanted conditions. 
     More recently, decals have been developed whereby a decoration is applied to the surface of a small piece of thin, adhesive, plastic film. These decals are small because of the difficulty encountered in handling the plastic film. The film has a tendency to fold over on itself and render the decal useless. Consequently, only a very small surface area of skin is covered by a decal. The decals have also proven to be difficult to remove because of the thinness of the film. Often, the decals do not come off directly; rather, they are removed through the natural turnover of the skin as the skin surface sloughs off over time. These decals may become quite unsightly over time while they slowly disintegrate. 
     One solution to this problem is the use of a segmental face mask, taught by Leonard et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,231. However, a drawback of this mask is that relatively large areas of the face are still left exposed, most notably the area around the eyes. In some instances, it is important for a wearer to cover or camouflage the entire face, including the eyes. For example, wild turkey hunters must fully camouflage themselves due to turkeys&#39; keen eyesight. 
     Thus, there is a need for a facial decorating or disguising mask that is easy to apply, will cover as much or as little of the face as is desired, is easily and cleanly removed, is non-irritating, and does not significantly interfere with the wearer&#39;s vision, breathing, or motion of the head or face. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a face mask suitable for application to a person&#39;s skin. The mask comprises a mask segment of flexible sheet material and a screen element. The mask segment is conformable to at least a portion of the surface of the person&#39;s skin. The mask segment has a first surface, a second surface, and a shaped peripheral margin. The screen element also has a first surface. A decoration embellishes the first surface of the mask segment and the first surface of the screen element. A first fastener on the second surface of the mask segment attaches the segment to the person&#39;s skin. A second fastener attaches the screen element to the mask segment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relationship of the present invention to a person drawn in phantom. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a single mask segment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of segmented facial mask  10  of the present invention, showing the relationship of mask  10  to a person drawn in phantom. Segmented facial mask  10  comprises pan-forehead segment  12  and screen element  14 . Screen  14  is attached to segment  12  at attachment area  16 . Segment  12  comprises surface  18  and shaped peripheral margin  20 . Screen  14  similarly comprises surface  22  and shaped peripheral margin  24 . 
     Segment surface  18  and screen surface  22  display decoration  25  thereon. In FIG. 1, decoration  25  depicts a camouflage pattern. It is contemplated that decoration  25  may embody any color, pattern, picture, or other design. Decoration  25  may be affixed to surfaces  18  and  22  by any means known in the art, such as by printing, painting, inking, dyeing, silk-screening, or adhering a design-bearing decal thereon. 
     Segment  12  is conformable to at least a portion of the surface of the person&#39;s skin. Screen  14  is preferably made of a material that is flexible so that it does not cause discomfort. Preferably, screen  14  is a mesh screen made of a suitable size mesh which is sufficiently closed so that decoration  25  on surface  22  can be easily discerned, and also sufficiently open so as to not significantly interfere with the vision or breathing of the user. Screen  14  may be made of any suitable screen or mesh material, such as textiles, nylon, fiberglass, plastic, or even metal. 
     Screen  14  is attached to segment  12  at attachment area  16  by any fastener known in the art, such as by adhesives, buttons, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or other devices and methods. Preferably, the attachment means allows for reuse of screen  14 . 
     Retainer  26  is optionally incorporated with screen  14  to keep screen  14  in place. Retainer  26  is shown as a draw string. It is contemplated that retainer  26  may instead comprise a piece of elastic, a snap or button, or any other device or technique known in the art. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of segmented facial mask  10  which comprises multiple mask segments and multiple screen elements. It is contemplated that mask  10  can comprise any number and combination of segments and screen elements. FIG. 2 shows right forehead segment  28 , left forehead segment  30 , right malar segment  32 , left malar segment  34 , chin segment  36 , and a nasal segment  38 . A surface decoration such as decoration  25  of FIG. 1 is not shown for clarity of the illustration. However, it is to be understood that a decoration may similarly embellish the surfaces of mask  10  of FIG.  2 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the number of mask segments  28 - 38  is six. This number and arrangement of segments has been found to provide comfort and good coverage of the face in conjunction with adaptability to many different facial sizes and contours. Other numbers and arrangements of segments are contemplated, with a range from one to ten segments being preferable. As an example, different segments may be formed that will cover different regions or areas of the face. Right and left forehead segments  28  and  30  may be formed as a single pan-forehead segment  12  as illustrated in FIG.  1 . Right and left malar segments  32  and  34  may be combined with nasal segment  38  as a single piece. Moreover, if the user does not have a mustache, additional segments (not shown) may be used to cover the skin above the lip and below the nose. Similarly, if the user has a goatee or beard, the use of chin segment  36  may be eliminated. 
     Many different combinations and numbers of segments may be used to provide for a versatile application of the present invention to accommodate many different decorations and designs to many different faces. The ability to change the numbers and arrangements of segments is an advantage of the present invention because the segments are able to act independently of each other. Even though a segment may mask a portion of a person&#39;s face, the person may enhance the visual experience of the mask by moving various facial muscles which move the various segments. Thus, a segment may be caused to move independently from another, adding more expression to the effect of the facial mask. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is the ability to contour mask segments  12  and  28 - 38 . Each mask segment  12  and  28 - 38  is manufactured with a specific shaped peripheral margin  20  and  40 - 50 , respectively, corresponding to the intended position on the person&#39;s face, and this shape is modifiable depending on the number of segments to be manufactured. The present invention also anticipates the usefulness of further modification of each mask segment at the time of application of the mask to the person&#39;s face. For example, each segment  12  and  28 - 38  may be customized to fit a particular user by trimming with a pair of household scissors. 
     Each mask segment  12  and  28 - 38  is arranged about the face so as to substantially cover the person&#39;s face. Each mask segment  12  and  28 - 38  is flexible and resilient so as to conform to the surface contours of the person&#39;s face without significantly interfering with vision, breathing or motion of the face or head. 
     Because it is difficult to comfortably cover the eye area with mask segments, right eye screen element  52  with surface  54  and left eye screen element  56  with surface  58  may be attached to right forehead segment  28  and left forehead segment  30  at right attachment area  60  and left attachment area  62 , respectively. Imposing a decoration on screen surfaces  54  and  56  helps to hide otherwise exposed portions of the user&#39;s face. For example, use of a camouflage pattern on segments  28 - 38  as well as eye screen surfaces  54  and  58  may be especially helpful for hunters. In the case of a costume mask, eye screen surfaces  54  and  58  may be imprinted with fanciful eyes which complement the decoration of segments  28 - 38 , resulting in a complete image perceived by viewers. 
     Because of the small size of each eye screen  52  and  56 , the eye screens  52  and  56  are adequately held in place by their attachment at attachment areas  60  and  62  and the effect of gravity, without the need for a separate retainer. Alternatively, a second attachment area along the portions of eye screens  52  and  56  that overlap the right and left malar segments  32  and  34 , respectively, is incorporated. This would be advantageous, for example, to prevent movement as a result of wind. Additionally, further screens may also be incorporated and attached to other mask segments to cover alternative portions of the user&#39;s face. For example, if a user has a beard or mustache which prevents adhesion of a mask segment, a screen element may instead be used to cover the user&#39;s mouth and chin area. Together, segments  28 - 38  and eye screens  52  and  56  cover substantially all of a person&#39;s exposed facial skin. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a single mask segment  12 , which is also representative of mask segments  28 - 38 . Segment  12  has first surface  18  suitable for bearing a decoration, second surface  66  for attachment of segment  12  to a user&#39;s skin, and shaped peripheral margin  20 . The means of attachment may be any known fastener, such as the use of adhesive  68 . 
     Segment  12  is preferably made from a flexible and resilient sheet material, such as paper, fabric, or polymeric sheeting materials which exhibit minimal to no skin reaction. A preferred material is polymeric foam, such as a poly-vinyl-chloride foam sold under the name Microfoam by 3M, St. Paul, Minn. Microfoam is hypo-allergenic and is often used in medical applications. Examples of other polymeric foams suitable for use in the present invention are those derived from polymers such as polyurethane, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene and polystyrene. Other suitable materials are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     The polymeric foam may be either open cell or closed cell in its construction. Preferably the polymeric foam is of a closed cell construction throughout for enhanced durability. However, an open cell construction with a closed cell “skin” is also acceptable. Mask segment  12  has first surface  18  that is suitable to receive a decoration. Depending on the means of decoration, surface  18  may be expected to receive paints, inks, and other dyes suitable for use on devices to be worn on a human. Preferably, such paints, inks, and dyes are also hypo-allergenic and non-toxic. Different polymeric foams will exhibit differences in lubricity, hydrophilia, hydrophobia and ionic moieties, which will affect acceptance of the chosen decoration onto surface  18 . 
     Alternatively, a polymeric foam may be selected so as to have a surface suitable for receiving a decal decoration comprised of a decorative design carried on a thin film that is then layered onto surface  18 . Another aspect of surface  18  is that it need not always be flat, but may be textured or contoured so as to enhance a given design or decoration applied to surface  18 . 
     One method of forming different segments  12  and  28 - 38  uses sheets of polymeric foam material. The sheets may be passed through a machine capable of cutting the sheeting into appropriate shapes. This system is much like a collection of “cookie” cutters, each cutting die shaped to produce a corresponding mask segment. If appropriately backed, the polymeric foam may be passed through the machine as a long web. Appropriate backing may be chosen that incorporates a thin layer of pressure sensitive adhesive  68  combined with a removable release liner  70 . Preferably, segments  12  and  28 - 38  may be cut by the cutting dies, which are set up to only cut the polymeric foam and not release liner  70 . Release liner  70  then doubles as a backing layer upon which to carry the various mask segments  12  and  28 - 38  and from which each segment  12  and  28 - 38  is then peeled just prior to attachment to a person&#39;s face. One such pressure sensitive adhesive  68  is an iso-octo-acrylate and acrylic acid adhesive, also available from 3M. Adhesive  68  is preferably chosen for its non-irritating, hypo-allergenic and non-toxic characteristics, and a number of such pressure sensitive adhesives  68  for use on a skin are well known in the art. 
     Other attachment means will be obvious to those skilled in the art of applying decorations to skin. Examples of other fasteners are spirit gum and related liquid adhesives that may be coated onto mask segments  12  and  28 - 38  prior to application of mask segments  12  and  28 - 38  on the user&#39;s skin. Preferably, segments  12  and  28 - 38  and screens  14 ,  52 , and  56  are attached by adhesives or other means which allow for removal and reuse of segments  12  and  28 - 38  and screens  14 ,  52 , and  56 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.