Printable facial mask and printable facial mask system with enhanced peripheral visibility

Abstract

A facial mask and related methods of manufacture wherein the facial mask include an image printed on a flexible substrate. A plurality of individual void spaces are defined within a perimeter of the image. These void spaces can be defined by the intentional absence of ink left during the printing process or by individual perforations through the flexible substrate that allow a wearer of the facial mask to see through the printed image without obscuring the user's field of view including peripheral vision. The plurality of void spaces are generally sized and spaced so as to minimize their effect on the aesthetic appearance of the image to observers while providing a user with the maximum possible visibility. The disclosed methods of manufacture can be used with conventional masks or accessories so as to reduce the visual impact of eye and mouth openings that detract from their overall appearance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61 / 407,096, filed Oct. 27, 2010 and entitled “TRICKSTICKMAXMASK,” and 61 / 483,793, filed May 9, 2011 and entitled “PRINTABLE FACIAL MASK AND PRINTABLE FACIAL MASK SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED PERIPHERAL VISIBILITY”, by the present inventor and both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In addition, this application is related to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13 / 282,168, entitled “PRINTABLE FACIAL MASK AND PRINTABLE FACIAL MASK SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED PERIPHERAL VISIBILITY”, by the present inventor and filed concurrently with the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present invention relates to a facial mask and related methods of manufacturing. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a facial mask providing enhanced visibility to a wearer while simultaneously displ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A facial mask according to the present invention generally comprises a facial mask printed on a transparent substrate such that the image comprises a patterned plurality of transparent spots or orifices allowing the user to see through the printed image. The pattern of transparent spots or orifices can be sized and spaced to minimize the effect on the aesthetic appearance of the image while providing a user with the maximum visibility. For example, a plu

Problems solved by technology

While eye holes are necessary for both convenience and safety, the appearance of eye holes often detract from the overall aesthetic appearance of the mask and may result in observers being unable to recognize an otherwise well known character or person.

Unfortunately, decreasing the size of the eye holes has the added drawback of limiting the field of vision of the wearer by essentially creating a tunnel vision effect.

In particular, the wearer's peripheral vision is often sacrificed creating a safety risk and general discomfort for the wearer.

One drawback to this approach is that the stretchable openings requires that the entire mask to be constructed of a fl

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