WO2000028847A1 - Deforming mask - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a deforming mask characterised in that it consists of a sheet concealing at least part of the face, having a cut out part wherein is placed a transparent sheet (1) forming a Fresnel lens (3).

Description

Wθ ^" θO / 28847 PCT / FR99 / 02748

1

DEFORMAN MASK.

The present invention relates to the field of theater and entertainment accessories.

It relates more precisely to a deforming mask. A mask is generally constituted by a facial sheet concealing at least part of the face, and has cutouts at the level of the user's eyes to allow vision.

The masks of the prior art have an appearance which at least partially covers the face of the user.

The object of the present invention is to propose a mask making it possible to distort the features of the user, while retaining a similarity with the face of the wearer. To this end, the invention relates to a deforming mask constituted by a facial sheet concealing at least a part of the face, having a cut in which is placed a transparent sheet forming one or a mosaic of Fresnel lenses. Fresnel lenses produce an effect magnifying glass, the magnification of which is a function of the distance between a point on the wearer's face and the surface of the lens or lenses. They thus produce a variable deformation effect depending on the areas of the face, retaining the general features of the wearer, while bringing a theatrical and amusing alteration.

Advantageously, the face sheet consists of a plastic foam sheet with a thickness of between 4 and 15 millimeters. Such foam is light enough to provide optimal comfort of use.

According to a semi-rigid variant, it therefore imposes a regular curvature and a relatively large radius, greater than 15 cm, of the Fresnel lens. This avoids excessive deformation of the Fresnel lens, which would produce unsuitable distortion effects.

According to an advantageous variant, the cut has an oblong shape whose width corresponds approximately the width of the face. The height corresponds substantially to the height of the face or the lower part of the face. It thus allows the vision of the wearer, while providing the desired distortion effect. The Fresnel lens or the combinations may have a cutout or a non-deforming area at the level of the user's eyes, to avoid visual discomfort due to the deformation of the vision.

According to a first variant, the sheet has a means of connection with a sheet extending substantially perpendicularly, and having a cutout to form a cap supporting the mask.

According to a second variant, the face sheet has an extension for receiving a support cap. According to another variant, the face sheet has a slot for receiving a support cap.

Preferably, the Fresnel lens has a focal length between 10 and 40 cm. Thus, the image perceived by the spectator is at the location, and not inverted, and has distortions which are maximum for the areas of the face distant from the surface of the lens by a distance corresponding substantially to the focal length, and weak or even zero distortions for the areas closest to the lens, or even in contact with the lens. Thus, the ears and to a lesser degree, the eyebrows and the cheeks, will be seen in a greatly magnified manner. On the other hand, the nose which practically comes into contact with the lens will appear at its normal size.

Advantageously, the face sheet is semi-rigid so as to have a radius of curvature of approximately 20 centimeters, when the mask is worn by a user.

According to an advantageous variant, the transparent sheet can consist of several Frenel lenses arranged so as to create variable distortions according to the desired deformation effects.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, referring to the single appended figure representing a perspective view of a mask according to the invention. The mask is formed by a sheet (1) of PLASTAZOTE (trade name), cardboard, plastic or any other material, the dimensions of which are determined to conceal the face of a user. Its flexibility allows deformations with large radii of curvature, of a few centimeters. The curvature remains relatively regular, and the sheet can take the general shape of a cylinder part.

The facial sheet (1), the size of which is substantially that of the user's face, has a cutout (2) whose dimensions correspond approximately to the size of the face, for example a portion of the eyes, cheeks, eyebrows and the nose.

This cutout (2) is covered by a Fresnel lens (3) made of transparent plastic whose focal length is 20 centimeters.

It is possible to combine several Fresnel lenses with different focal lengths to make the deformation effects more spectacular. The Fresnel lens (3) may also have a small non-deforming or cut area to avoid visual disturbance.

The upper part of the facial sheet (1) has an extension (4) evoking the shape of a hat. A cap (5) has a generally annular shape, and a cutout (6) corresponding to a head circumference, is secured to the facial sheet (1) via a slot (7). The extension (4) slides into the slot (7) or vice versa to ensure the connection at right angles to the cap (5) and the facial sheet (1).

Claims

1 - Deforming mask characterized in that it consists of a sheet concealing at least part of the face, having a cut in which is placed a transparent sheet (1) forming a Fresnel lens (3). 2 - deforming mask according to claim 1 characterized in that it is constituted by a transparent sheet (1) forming a mosaic of Fresnel lenses. 3 - deforming mask according to claim 1 characterized in that the sheet (1) consists of a plastic foam plate with a thickness between 4 and 15 millimeters. 4 - deforming mask according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the cutout (2) has an oblong shape whose width corresponds substantially to the width of the face and whose height corresponds substantially to the height of the face 5 - deforming mask according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the cutout (2) has an oblong shape whose width corresponds substantially to the width of the face and whose height corresponds substantially to the height of the lower part of the face 6 - deforming mask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (1) has a means of connection with a sheet (5) extending substantially perpendicularly, and having a cutout (6) to form a supporting cap The mask. 7 - deforming mask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the facial sheet has an extension (4) to receive a support cap. 8 - deforming mask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the facial sheet has a slot for receiving a support cap. 9 - deforming mask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lens de Fresnel (3) has a focal length between 10 and 40 cm. 10 - deforming mask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the facial sheet (1) is semi-rigid to have a flat face, when the mask is worn by a user.