GB2171320A

GB2171320A - Masks

Info

Publication number: GB2171320A
Application number: GB08505025A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nancy Slonims; Clare Waterstone
Original assignee: Waterstone & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Waterstone & Co Ltd
Priority date: 1985-02-27
Filing date: 1985-02-27
Publication date: 1986-08-28
Also published as: GB8505025D0

Abstract

A greetings card 10 embodies a blank for a face mask 11. The card is generally rectangular and has a centre fold line 12. The mask 11 is located in relation to the card 10 so that the card centre fold line 12 extends down the vertical centre line of the face. The card also bears lines indicating where further folds are to be made to complete the mask, at least one of which 21 extending perpendicular to the centre card fold 12 for three-dimensional structural stability. The folds 12, 21, 17, 18 preferably extend in at least three directions and include forward and away folds to form triangular dispositions of folds to enhance structural stability and to improve the effectiveness of the mask itself as a mask with movement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Masks This invention relates to the construction of face masks.

A very simple mask can comprise a two-dimensional piece of card or other fairly stiff sheet material bearing a face or other pattern and having tabs or holes at each side for securing a string, preferably an elastic string or rubber band, to hold the mask in position over the face of a wearer. Masks can be much more effective if they are three-dimensional structures and many such are sold, for example molded from plastics material. A disadvantage of three-dimensional structures is that they are more bulky to store and to transport.

According to the present invention there is provided a blank for a mask comprising a generally rectangular piece of card or other fairly stiff sheet material having a fold line extending between the centres of a pair of opposed edges of the rectangle, the card having a mask outlined thereon, the mask representing a face and being located in relation to the card so that said card fold line extends down the vertical centre line of the face representation, said outlined mask further bearing lines indicating where further folds are to be made to complete the mask, at least one said further fold extending generally perpendicular to said centre card fold to provide a degree of three-dimensional structural stability to the completed mask.

The centre card fold and the further folds are preferably arranged to extend in at least three directions on the blank, and preferably include both away and forward folds, whereby to improve the degree of three-dimensional structural stability.

The folds may thus include one or more triangular dispositions of folds arranged so that attempted further folding of the mask on said centre card fold back beyond a certain fold angle tends to meet growing resistance from a number of superposed layers of the card attempting to fold together, the thickness of the sheet material itself contributing to the growing resistance in the immediate neighbourhood of such a superposed fold.

The triangular disposition of folds may further be arranged so that flexing of the two major mask portions about the centre card fold exerts a leverage effect on minor portions of the mask separated by said triangular disposition of folds from the major portions, so that the minor portions tend to move through a greater range of angular movement about a further fold when the major portions are flexed through a relatively small range of angular movement about the centre card fold. This can aid structural stability and can simultaneously improve the effectiveness of the mask itself as a mask.

The mask blank is conveniently presented and sold in the form of a greetings card.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the single figure of the accompanying drawing.

The drawing shows a greetings card 10 embodying in two-dimensional form a blank for a face mask 11, in this case a pig face mask. The card is generally rectangular and has a centre fold line 12, referred to herein as an away fold in that it is intended to fold each side of the card away from viewer of the drawing about the fold line 12. This, provides a useful step towards eventual three-dimensional structural stability in that faces are generally symmetrical about a vertical axis and the mask 11 is outlined or located in relation to the card 10 so that the card centre fold line 12 extends down the vertical centre line of the face.

The outlined mask 11 also bears lines indicating where further folds are to be made to complete the mask. The further fold lines are shown as dashed lines for away folds and as dotted lines for forward folds. There are symmetrical pairs of lines 13, 14 and 15, 16 for the ears, and 17, 18 and 19, 20 for the snout, as well as transverse lines 21, 22 bounding the snout. The mask is further provided with tabs 23 for attaching a rubber band or elasticated string for holding the mask in position over a wearer's face.

It will be noted that fold lines 12, 17, 18 and 22 are away lines and that fold line 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, and 21 are forward lines. It will further be noted that the fold lines extend in several different directions, for example lines 12 and 21 cross at right angles, and lines 17 and 18 extend to different, but symmetrical, inclinations to line 21. These features enhance the degree of three-dimensional stability in the bent up mask.

It will also be seen that folds 12, 21, 17 and 18 define two adjacent triangular dispositions of folds.

When bent up it will be found that portion 23 lies on top of triangular portion 24 which in turn lies on top of portion 25. In consequence the snout extends forwardly, but also the triple layer of card at the base of the snout in the centre of the mask provides considerable structural stability. In particular, attempted further folding of the mask about line 12 beyond a natural fold angle tends to meet growing resistance from the superposed layers 23, 24, 25 in the area of the folds 12, 17, 18 and 21.

Furthermore, the double triangular disposition 23, 24 and 25 has the effect that flexing of the two major sides of the mask about the centre fold line 12 exerts a leverage effect on the whole snout forward of the triangles bounded by the lines 17, 18, and 21, so that the snout tends to move up and down through a greater range of angular movement when the two major sides of the mask are flexed through a relatively small range of angular movement about the fold line 12.

The fold arrangements 19, 20, and 22 in cooperation with fold line 12 also provide a certain degree of three-dimensional structural stability at the forward end of the snout. The fold lines 13, 14, 15, and 16 provide a similar amount of stability at the appropriate ear corners of the mask.

It will thus be appreciated that in a broad aspect the invention has provided a greetings card adapted to be made up into a mask having a considerable degree of three-dimensional structural stability.

Claims

1. A blank for a mask comprising a generally rectangular piece of card or other fairly stiff sheet material having a fold line extending between the centres of a pair of opposed edges of the rectangle, the card having a mask outlined thereon, the mask representing a face and being located in relation to the card so that said card fold line extends down the vertical centre line of the face representation, said outlined mask further bearing lines indicating where further folds are to be made to complete the mask, at least one said further fold extending generally perpendicular to said centre card fold to provide a degree of three-dimensional structural stability to the completed mask.

2. A blank according to claim 1 wherein the centre card fold and the further folds are arranged to extend in at least three directions on the blank.

3. A blank according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the centre card fold and the further folds include both away and forward folds, whereby to improve the degree of three-dimensional structural stability of the completed mask.

4. A blank according to claim 3 wherein said folds include one or more triangular dispositions of folds arranged so that attempted further folding of the mask on said centre card fold back beyond a certain fold angle tends to meet growing resistance from a number for superposed layers of the card attempting to fold together, the thickness of the sheet material itself contributing to the growing resistance in the immediate neighbourhood of such a superposed fold.

5. A blank according to claim 4 wherein said triangular disposition of folds may further be arranged so that flexing of two major mask portions about the centre card fold exerts a leverage effect on minor portions of the mask separated by said triangular disposition of folds from the major portions, so that the minor portions tend to move through a greater range of angular movement about a said further fold when the major portions are flexed through a relatively small range of angular movement about the centre card fold.

6. A blank according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in the form of a greetings card.

7. A blank for a mask, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.