Costume Face Mask Component

Abstract

A face mask component for ears, mouth and chin area and eye area, are formed by three dimensional graphic printing using natural skin tones, shadows and shading, die cut from card stock, with mechanisms formed also of the card stock for holding the same onto a wearer's head. In the embodiment for disguising the ears, a downwardly open slot is formed for sliding over the cartilage holding the actual wearer's ear to his/her head; in the embodiment for a mouth and chin disguise component, a pair of inwardly directed tips, also formed from the card stock holds the same to the nose of the wearer; and in the embodiment for disguising the eye segment of the head, the component is provided with a pair of arms, like the arms of glasses, for holding the same to the temples of the head and over the ears.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims priority upon UK Design Application filed Mar. 31, 2017, under Design No. 6009809, for a Printed Cardboard Party Accessories, made in the name of the same assignee as the owner of the present application; upon Design No. 6009810, filed in the UK on Mar. 31, 2017 also for Party Accessories to the same assignee, upon Design No. 6021241, filed in the UK on Nov. 7, 2017 for Printed Party Accessories, and upon Design No. 6021240, filed in the UK on Nov. 7, 2017, for Printed Party Accessories, the priority of all of which is claimed for the present application. The specifications and descriptions and teachings of those applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to face mask components to be worn by an adult or child to present an amusing vision to another. These components are secured to the face of the wearer without any adhesive, elastic, string, etc., but rather, are held to the components of the face by use of clever mechanisms which interact with the face. More specifically, the present invention represents one or more thin, preferably cardboard, printed upon with graphics, preferably three dimensional, appendages for attachment to the face of a wearer to allow the same to masquerade, be disguised, to present a novelty image while not impacting on the ability of the wearer to see his/her surroundings. The pieces, with the graphics, are held onto one or more ears of the wearer, clipped around and to the nostrils of the wearer so as to suspend from the nose, and/or secured over the eyes of the wearer by eyeglass-like temple pieces which extend rearwardly along the temples of the head of the wearer and then extend over the ears. Each of the components or pieces are preferably printed with or imaged with graphics which present three dimensional images superimposed over or extending beyond the ears, the chin and/or mouth of the wearer, and/or the eyes of the wearer. In the case of the ear face mask components, preferably, large and oversized ear pieces are provided, which extend far beyond the ears of a standard or “normal” person's ears. This presents a very novel and disguise/masquerade effect. The ear pieces are provided with a downwardly open slot for extending the ear of the wearer slidingly therein with a small and thin component behind the ear and the bulk of the graphic image extending outwardly, beyond the slot, so that the graphic image extends far outwardly from the side of the wearer's head. This presents a novel look to the disguised wearer.

In the case of the chin piece, the three dimensional graphics on the otherwise flat component depict all or part of the fulcrum of the nose, the lips and mouth, with something visible therein, e.g., candy, a pucker, teeth, to simulate a mouth, in a novelty and intended humorous manner, with the further downwardly extending chin piece then extending below the mouth to present a three dimensional chin which is distinct from the actual chin of the wearer. The chin piece is preferably easily and temporarily secured to the wearer by the provision of two inwardly directed tips which extend above a central opening for securement at the fulcrum of the nose, about the nostrils of the wearer's nose. Thus, the chin piece is secured to and around the wearer's nose, extending downwardly over the wearer's mouth and chin. A very novel graphic presentation is provided which is held there without the aid of adhesive, elastic, or any separable mechanism.

In the embodiment of the eye face mask component, a thin cardboard sheet is graphically printed with eye makeup, around the top and bottom of the eyes, including eye liner and eye lashes, in a three dimensional manner, with, preferably, eye brows, too, with small apertures provided only for the “whites” and pupils of the wearer's eyes. This eye face mask component is printed primarily, as are the other face mask components, in natural body tones so that, when worn, the mask component blends into the natural skin tone of the wearer. This eye face mask component is provided with a pair of secured, rearwardly extending temple pieces which extend around and upon the temples of the wearer and then preferably have a pair of small ear holding curved sections so that the temple pieces wrap over and sit upon the wearer's ears. In this manner, the wearer's eyes can see through the apertures and the mask's front portion, with the eye graphics facing forwardly, present a very disguising/masquerading and novel look.

Key to the presentations and embodiments disclosed herein are the graphics—preferably using natural skin tones to blend into the skin of the wearer and realistic facial features, eye makeup, ears, and mouth and chin, printed to appear three dimensional, and then the component is maintained simple and inexpensive and easy to place on and remove in that no adhesive, no string, elastic, etc. is used to hold the same to the wearer's head/face but, rather, the components are provided with integrated mechanisms for interacting with the actual components of the wearer so that the components are held to the head/mask in a very simple and yet realistic manner.

According to the present invention, in any or all of the embodiments, a novel face mask component is provided which is very inexpensive to manufacture and requires only a die cut of cardboard after the three dimensional printing thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It is well known for Halloween, Masquerade Parties and general dress up and “pretend” for adults and children to use face paint to create a clever and amusing image for their face. Various cultures have been using face paint in a variety of ways for millennia. In addition, it is well known, with respect to ears, for wearer's to secure earrings and ear muffs, to change the appearance of the ears. However, these are generally expensive to make and to buy and require some time and effort to attach to the ears and for removal, when the visual effect is finished. Headbands and headpieces are well known, wigs, too, to disguise the wearer and present a novel and creative masquerade image. However, prior to the present invention, there has been, to inventor's knowledge, no simple, flat, preferably die cut from paper or cardboard, ear decorations which present enlarged or fanciful ears, in a seemingly three dimensional visual, where the ear pieces are held to ears by a simple downwardly opened slot, integrated with the rest of the graphics of the ear, where the slot slides over the part of the human ear which attaches the same to the side of the head. This slot presents a rear-of-the-ear short appendage or finger which is behind the ear and thus the balance of the component, the preferably enlarged ear, is on the other side of the slot. This, when worn, presents a very clever, novel, and simple to make, face mask component.

It is also well known to have nose coverings, e.g., clown noses which are foam-like balls with a slit which is held to the tip of the nose. These are inexpensive and visually pleasing. There are not, however, flat (good for storage and for ease of manufacturing) nor do those nose coverings/clown noses, present any change to the mouth, lips, anything in the mouth, and chin/cheeks of the wearer. Of course, make up has been used before on faces to disguise and masquerade the same but the application of make-up is difficult, time-intensive, and messy. The present invention, on the other hand, presents a simple, flat, face mask component, intended to be secured to the front face of the wearer, by having the same secured to the nostrils of the wearer, gripping the same on their sides, with the flat, graphically printed component, then handing down from the nose to present a visually distinct set of cheeks, fulcrum (below the nose), lips, mouth, food or something else in the mouth, e.g., orthodontic braces, and chin. The use of a simple flat sheet or cardboard, die cut to the size and shape as shown herein, with an aperture to surround the bottom of the nose, with inwardly directed tips to hold the same to the nose, wherein the graphics presented are intended to present the fulcrum, lips, mouth, interior of the mouth, and cheeks and chin, in a three dimensional manner, distinguish the same form the simple makeup of the prior art.

In addition, available in the prior art, are plastic spectacles, with three dimensional lenses (like the eye of a bee), or drooping eyes held the frames by springs, to create a pleasing and novel effect. These are expensive to make and have limitations to the variety of the display presented. Groucho Marx-type costume spectacles, with bushy eyebrows and a moustache have been made, too, and sold to commercial success. These are plastic, molded and are generally black frames with black facial hair. Other novelty spectacles have been made and sold, too.

The present invention, in the eye face mask component embodiment, presents a pair of flat, think, lightweight, preferably cardboard, die cut, presentation which is not a pair of spectacles at all, but, rather, is a three dimensionally graphically printed eye mask portion with natural skin tones around the eyes, with three dimensional recessed eye sockets, with eye lashes, eye liner, eye make-up, even eye brows, to present masquerade eyes, with substantially only the whites and pupils of the eyes of the wearer showing through the apertures of the eye component. These face costume components are preferably held to the face of the wearer by a pair of thin, die cut (preferably with the same die cut as the mask component itself) rearwardly extending frame pieces or temple pieces, which extend rearwardly and have cut outs for extending over the ears of the wearer. Those temple pieces are foldable so that the eye face mask component can be flat, until worn, when the temple pieces are unfolded to deploy them for holding the same on the ears of the wearer, with the eye portion facing forwardly, over the eyes of the wearer.

So, as background, the prior art has many articles of face paint, make up, pieces which are attached to the face to disguise the same. And, the prior art is replete with actual face masks which are plastic, paper, rubber, latex, etc. which significantly cover the face of the wearer. Generally, those face masks are over the head face masks or, in some smaller material embodiments, cover the front of the wearer's head, with an elastic cord extending behind the head, to hold the same to the head. The present invention, as will be described and shown in the drawings, and understood by those of skill in the art, is distinct and represents a novel and unobvious advance over the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to face mask components which are held onto the wearer's head without the aid of any ancillary material. Stated differently, the present invention is held onto the wearer, about their ears, suspended from the base of the nose to cover the mouth and chin, and over the eyes of the wearer, without the use of adhesive, strings, elastic bands, etc. The face mask components are graphically printed, preferably in three dimensional presentation, onto thin, lightweight card stock, and then die cut. Each of the embodiments, the ears, the mouth and chin, and the eye covering face mask component, are printed to present a visual yet somewhat facially realistic presentation of the ears, fulcrum, lips, mouth and cheeks and chin, and the sunken eyes, with eyelashes, and eyebrows, of the person wearing the same. Each of the embodiments presents a face mask component which is primarily of normal skin tones, with shadowing, with the graphics presenting the component somewhat realistic to a normal component of the wearer (although the same can be distorted, too, e.g., oversized ears or eyes, or mouth, for example). However, the skin tones graphically printed onto the card stock, and the printing is realistic in that curvatures, shadows, etc. appear to have the same somewhat, at least, blend in to the person who is wearing the mask (or in direct contrast to that skin tone). In any event, a simple, inexpensive, without ancillary holding means, is provided from simple card stock, three dimensional printed-looking graphics which, when worn, provides a very clever, visually pleasing (or repelling) but at least fanciful, face mask component.

The ears, the mouth and chin/cheeks, and the eye mask components set forth herein are each held to and on the face of the wearer without ancillary means. Stated differently, there is no need for an elastic string, a ribbon, for an over the head, device, to hold the same to the wearer. Rather, the ear face mask component is secured over the connection of the ear of the wearer by a slot formed in the die cut out, with a small appendage of the face mask component being placed behind the ear and the ear showing component extending in front and outwardly form the head. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ear face mask component has an oversized ear visual graphic for novel effect. The slot formed by the appendage and the ear of this embodiment slides over and down upon the part of the actual ear of the wearer where the same connects to the head. In this manner, the ear face mask component is held onto the head (and easily removed, as desired).

In the embodiment of the present invention where a graphic is presented of the lips, upper mouth area, fulcrum of the nose, and the cheeks and chin of a graphic, again, natural skin tones are used for the printing of the image and shadowing is also used for an integrated and realistic effect. Here, however, the mouth face mask component is held to the wearer's face by the use of a pair of inwardly, opposed, holding tips which extend around the base of the nose. Between the holding tips is an aperture, an oval cut out, which extends below and around the nostrils of the nose so that the graphics of the mouth face mask component suspend downwardly and cover the fulcrum, the lips, the mouth, cheeks and chin of the wearer. The mouth can be creatively designed, too, with teeth shown, something being chewed, with orthodontic braces, mis-colored teeth, etc. The use of realistic skin tones, shadowing coloration, and three dimensionality to the graphics, all on a flat, thin die cut card stock makes for a simple, creative, inexpensive, yet realistic face mask component, held to the face of a wearer but without any ancillary holding mechanism other than that provided by the die-cut face mask component.

In the embodiment of the invention relating to the eye portion of the wearer, an eye face mask component is provided. According to the preferred embodiment, three dimensional, natural skin tones are printed onto the eye face mask component to show the socket of the eyes, the eyelashes, the eye liner, the shadows of a face in that area, and even eyebrows. The printing extends across the face mask component and has apertures for the wearer's whites of his/her eyes and the pupils so that, when worn, the wearer can actually see through the component and, yet, the eye area of the wearer is creatively costumed and “made up.” To hold this eye face mask component to the head, without any ancillary mechanism, i.e., without elastic, string, adhesive, etc., the extremities or sides of the eye mask component are provided with a pair of fold out temple pieces. These extend rearwardly and along the side or temples of the wearer and then over the ears so that the eye face mask component is like a pair of thin, card stock pair of spectacles held to the face of the wearer. However, this pair of spectacles is made of thin, die cut card stock, is printed to present a three dimensional eye mask component, for example, the eyes, eyelashes, eye sockets, and eye brows, along with the facial regions beneath the eyes, between the eyes and above and to the sides of the eyes. All are presented, graphically, so that when worn an overall three dimensional and quite realistic set of eyes are presented. Of course, the variety of the presentation is quite wide as an artist can present the same in many, many ways. Make up and eye make-up can be quite varied and this can be presented on the eye face mask component.

Important to the presentation and embodiments set forth herein is the use of natural coloration or skin tones for the graphical printing, using shadowing and coloration to look quite realistic, beneath, for example, the lower lip, on the cheeks, in the ears, the use of thin, preferably card stock and flat pieces which are die cut, after printing, and the use of natural skin tones extending around the eyes, around the nose and mouth, and around the ears. These components are all realistic and, yet, present novel and creative face components, as if the wearer actually used make up or other items to decorate or masquerade his/her own eyes, nose and mouth area, and ears. Shadows are printed onto the cardstock so that the same present a three dimensional looking component of the face. All items are held to the face without the aid of another mechanism but, rather, the face mask component is held to the face of the wearer by being supported by the natural components of the face, e.g., the mouth and chin piece is suspended from the nostrils of the nose, the ear component is looped over the connection of the actual ears to the head, and the eye component is held to the front of the face by the use of rearwardly extending arms or temple pieces which extend over the ears of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown for use as an ear face mask component;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown for use as a lips, mouth with cheeks and chin face mask component;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown for use as an eye section face mask component, with rearwardly extending temple pieces (only one is shown);

FIG. 4 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown for use as an eye section face mask component as shown in FIG. 3 (the pair of temple pieces extend rearwardly and thus are not seen from this front on view);

FIG. 5 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown for use as an eye section face mask component (a single temple piece is shown as is the side of the flat front section;

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of an example of the three dimensional looking graphics which can be printed on a flat piece of card stock, for subsequent die cutting and then use as the ear face mask component of the present invention as shown in Figure;

FIG. 6B is a front view of an example of the three dimensional looking graphics which can be printed on a flat piece of card stock, for subsequent die cutting and then use as the mouth, chin, fulcrum, cheeks of the mouth and chin face mask component of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2 (notice the mouth is open and teeth with orthodontics thereto shown, in realistic detail, along with shadow lines for realistic graphics of the face contours and chin;

FIG. 6C is a front view of an example of the three dimensional looking graphics which can be printed on a flat piece of card stock, for subsequent die cutting and then use as the eye area for an eye face mask component as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the temple pieces shown outwardly extending and flat, prior to creasing or bending along a vertical fold line for having the temple pieces behind the face mask for packaging (natural skin tone of the eye area, the printing of eyelashes, mascara, eye sockets, eye brows, and shadows can be printed onto the card stock, to present a realistic set of eyes and a face mask for a costume and disguise component (holes or apertures provided for the whites and pupils of the wearer);

FIG. 7A is a front view of another example of the three dimensional looking graphics for the invention shown in FIG. 1 which can be printed on a flat piece of card stock, for subsequent die cutting and then use as the ear face mask component of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a front view of an example of the three dimensional looking graphics which can be printed on a flat piece of card stock, for subsequent die cutting and then use as the mouth, chin, fulcrum, cheeks of the mouth and chin face mask component of the present invention (notice the mouth is open, with a cherry gripped between the teeth, in realistic detail, along with shadows for realistic graphics of the face contours and chin;

FIG. 7C is a front view of an example of the three dimensional looking graphics which can be printed on a flat piece of card stock, similar to that shown in FIG. 6C, for subsequent die cutting and then use as the eye area for an eye face mask component, with the temple pieces partially shown outwardly extending and flat, prior to creasing or bending along a vertical fold line for having the temple pieces behind the face mask for packaging (a natural skin tone of the eye area, the printing of eyelashes, minimal mascara, natural tone in the eye sockets, eye brows, and shadows, can be used to present a realistic set of eyes and a face mask for a costume and disguise component (holes or apertures provided for the whites and pupils of the wearer);

FIG. 8A is a rear perspective view of a wearer about to don the face mask component embodiment for ears, slowing the downward slide of the component shown in FIG. 1, with the finger behind the ear of the wearer;

FIG. 8B is a front view of a wearer with two face mask components held onto the ears of the wearer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a front, side perspective view of a wearer of the face mask component of the present invention in the mouth and chin embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, showing the same supported by the nostrils of the nose of the wearer; and

FIG. 8D is a front perspective view of a wearer of the face mask component shown in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 34, and 5, in the form of an eye covering component, and showing the wearer donning the same as a pair of cardboard or die cut card stock in the shape of novelty spectacles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As seen in the Figures of the drawings, face mask components 10 are provided for selective wear by a child or adult on their face. FIGS. 1, 6a and 7a show the face mask component 10 as would appear in the preferred embodiment for an ear face mask component 12. FIGS. 2, 6B and 6C show the face mask component 10 as would appear in the preferred embodiment for a mouth and chin component 14. FIGS. 3-5, 6C and 7C show the face mask component 10 as would appear in the preferred embodiment for the eye face mask component 16. Certain characteristics are common to all of the face mask components 12, 14, and 16. For example, all are preferably formed of a flat piece of card stock, thin card board, or even flat plastic. The card stock (in the preferred embodiment) is printed with graphics specifically related to the part of the human head (ears for component 12; mouth, cheeks, lips, chin, and fulcrum for component 14; and surrounding eye areas, eyelashes, eye sockets, eye brows, for component 16). Preferably the printing presents a realistic, three dimensional presentation of the anatomy with shadows, changes of color, etc. In alternate embodiments, of course, the use of non-natural skin tones may be used, as in FIG. 7A, where green is the primary hue as the ears are intended to simulate peas in a pod. However, the use of tones, shadows, and graphic printing onto the card stock is meant to present a realistic component of the human head, the ear, the mouth and chin area and the eye area.

Focusing on the embodiment of the invention set forth in FIG. 1, the ear face mask component 12, there is a large ear component 20 and a small downwardly extending appendage or finger 22, separated from the large ear component 20 by a vertical, open-down slot 24. The open-down slot 24 is meant to slide over the wearer's ear connection i.e., that part of the wearer's ear where the same connects his or her ear to the head. There is some resilience or flexibility to the finger 22 (about a vertical axis aligned with the axis of the finger) and the large ear component 20 so that the wearer can easily manipulate the finger 22 behind the wearer's actual ear with the large ear component 20 extending over the outside of the wearer's actual ear. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8b, the top 26 of the open-down slot 24 has a fold line 28 (see FIGS. 1, 6A and 7A) to allow the large ear component 20 to be folded outwardly so as to present itself substantially perpendicularly to the head of the wearer (as seen in FIG. 8b). FIG. 1 shows the outside edge of the large ear component 20 in dotted lines to emphasize that the configuration and shape is variable, depending upon the imagination of the designer. So, the large ear component 20 can be oversized in comparison to the actual ear size of the wearer, and/or, as seen in FIG. 7A, can have a point at the top, like a Star Trek® figure. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates that the outside edge 30 of the large ear component be similar in shape to that of a human ear but oversized for dramatic and masquerade/novelty effect.

To apply the face mask component 12, in the form of an enlarged ear, shown in FIGS. 1 and 6A, to a wearer, one holds the large ear component 20 (see FIG. 8A) and slides the open down slot 24 over the cartilage which holds the wearer's ear to the head. The finger 22 will be placed behind the ear of the wearer and the large ear component 20 will, when the same is folded about the fold line 28, either overlap the actual ear of the wearer or extend substantially perpendicularly to the head, as shown in FIG. 8B (with a pair of the face mask components 12 being shown). Stated differently, the wearer will hold the ear perpendicularly to the head and using, his/her index finger, push the finger 22 backwardly, as the same is slid down close to the side of the wearer's head. The user then slides the same down over the ear so the front of the large ear component sits in front of the actual ear. This presents a very amusing look to the wearer.

As mentioned, the ear is formed of thin card stock, printed with realistic skin tones, shadowing, etc. to give the same a look of a real ear. The same is easily die cut and provided in a package, preferably two, to the consumer for purchase. Donning and removal are easy and accomplished without the use of adhesive, elastic, string, etc. The realism of the effect is primarily accomplished by the use of natural skin tones, shading, shadowing, etc. to have the graphics on the large ear component look like a real ear. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a, an ear plug is provided, by printed graphics, as a further comical or amusing look to the oversized ear. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the large ear component is graphically printed in green, to give an alien effect and the tip of the ear is pointed, as at 32, also to emphasize the alien “look” of the face mask component.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 6B, and 7B, a face mask component 14, in the form of a mouth and chin covering is provided. It, too, is formed of thin card stock, printed with realistic skin tones, shadows and shading to simulate the fulcrum beneath the nose, the upper and lower lips, a mouth, teeth (if desired), something in association with the mouth, e.g., a cherry, a set of gnarled teeth, a set of orthodontic braces on teeth, etc.) and a chin and set of opposed cheeks. Representative graphics are shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B. After printing, the card stock is simply die cut for presentation to the consumer. One or both sides can be provided with the same or a distinct graphic image of the mouth and chin.

As seen in the Figures, the face mask component in the form of a mouth and chin covering 14 is basically a large downward, somewhat circular, extension 40 with a pair of inwardly directed, opposed holding tips 42, defining an opening 44, with a curved wall 46. The outside edge 48 is shown in dotted lines as the same may be varied according to the desire and imagination of the designer. In this preferred embodiment, the outside edge 48 defines a somewhat roundish shape, defined on the side edges by a pair of cheek edges, as graphically printed on the component, see FIGS. 6B and 7B. The face mask component for the mouth and chin is graphically printed with a fulcrum section, a pair of opposed cheeks, upper and lower lips, teeth (if desired and the inside of a mouth), any other associated with the mouth design (cherry, piece of candy, teeth with orthodontics attached, etc.), and a chin beneath the mouth. The device is first graphically printed, with skin tones, shading and shadows, in the preferred embodiment to be somewhat realistic to a human face portion, and then die cut. The face mask component in the form of a mouth and chin section 14 is flat, or preferably flat, but because of the realistic printing appears three dimensional, especially when worn.

FIGS. 6B and 7B show the face mask component in the form of a mouth and chin 14 with an open mouth, with teeth and with orthodontic braces on the teeth, along with lips, and a chin and cheeks, as the same would appear when the mouth of a human smiles to display their teeth.

The face mask component in the form of a mouth and chin component 14, shown in FIG. 7B, is a graphic of a woman's mouth and chin, and shows her natural (in this case Caucasian) skin tones, red, lipstick lips, white teeth, grasping a strawberry there between, open mouth, cheek lines and a chin. Yet, it will be appreciated that while the graphics are distinct from that shown in FIG. 6B, the die cut shape of both FIGS. 6B and 7B are quite similar if not identical. There is a large downward, somewhat circular, extension 40 with a pair of inwardly directed, opposed holding tips 42, defining an opening 44, with a curved wall 46. The holding tips 42 and curved wall 46 are the mechanism for holding this face mask component 14 onto the wearer's face, as seen in FIG. 8C. The holding tips 4 extend around and just above the bulbous part of the nostrils and the curved wall 46 extends below the nose of the wearer. The holding tips are meant to slightly pinch against the nostrils and will thus hold the mouth and chin face mask component onto the wearer's face, with the mouth of the component, the cheeks, lips, the chin, basically superimposed over and held over the actual mouth (open or closed), the cheeks, lips and the chin of the wearer, to present a novel and visually amusing look.

As best seen in FIG. 8C, the face mask component for a mouth and chin 14 is selectively installed onto a wearer's face by placing the holding tips over the outside and slightly pinching the nostrils of the wearer's nose. In this manner, the mouth and chin component 14 will hang from the nose and present the desired three dimensional graphic effect, a masquerading or disguise, comprised of fulcrum, lips, mouth, cheeks, and chin.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6C, 7C and 8D show the face mask component in the embodiment for presenting a novel eye portion 16. This component is also intended to be made from thin, flat card stock, then printed on with skin tones and make up, for presenting the eye mask portion of a person's head, with makeup, eye lashes (top and bottom), mascara, eye liner, other attractive eye effects, and eye brows. The use of skin tones, shadows and shading in graphic printing onto the card stock is intended to present a realistic yet stylized forehead area, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other features to the eye mask area. In this embodiment, after the graphics are printed, to present a three dimensional looking and realistic upper face segment for the eyes 16, the goggle like shape 50 is die cut along with a pair of outwardly extending holding arms 52. These arms 52 are integrated extensions of the goggle like shape 50 and serve to provide a mechanism to hold the face mask component for the eyes 16 onto the wearer's face.

Holes 54 are die cut, too, to allow for the wearer's “whites” of the eyes and pupils to be seen. As can be appreciated, the graphics printed onto the card stock is intended, in the preferred embodiment, to present a visually pleasing upper face segment for the eyes. The use of skin tones, mascara, eyeliner, eyeliner, other attractive features to the eyes, shadows and shading, adds to the overall effect.

The arms 52 extend from the sides of the goggle like shape 50 and can, but aren't required, to have ear cut outs 56 and ear overlap ends 58. These cut outs 56 and overlap ends 58 serve to more securely hold the arms 52 to the side of the head of the wearer with the cut outs going over the ears of the wearer and the overlap ends ending behind the ears of the wearer, much the same way that temple pieces of eyeglasses or spectacles hold onto the ears and head of a wearer. These arms 52 can be folded backwardly about vertical fold lines 60, after the face mask component for the eye segment 16 is die cut.

To don the component 16, the arms 52 are first unfolded so that they extend perpendicularly to the front face of the goggle like shape 50, as seen in FIG. 8D, and then, the ear cut outs and arms are slid such that the cut outs wrap over the ears of the wearer. Then, the overlap ends will extend behind the wearer's ears. The component 16 is worn just like a pair of glasses, but the visual presentation is highly distinct. This is a face mask component, an upper face or eye mask which allows the wearer to see through the same. And, the present invention, is presented with realistic, three dimensional printed graphics on a very inexpensive card stock which is die cut after printing.

Claims

1. A face mask component comprised of: a. A thin, flat, piece of die-cut card stock;b. Graphical and realistic-like elements printed thereon using natural skin tones, shading and shadowing for presenting a three dimensional visual effect of a face segment; andc. An integrated mechanism for holding the same to a segment of a face without ancillary means.

2. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said component is selected from one or more of an ear; a mouth; and an eye segment of a face.

3. A face mask component as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mouth comprises lips and a chin section.

4. A face mask component as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an additional object in association with said mouth which is also printed onto said die-cut card stock.

5. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integrated mechanism is not adhesive, elastic, or string.

6. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integrated mechanism for holding is a downward open slot which slides over the cartilage extending an actual ear of the wearer from his/her head.

7. A face mask component as claimed in claim 6 wherein said downward open slot has a vertical axis and said open slot is provided with an associated fold line extending along said vertical axis.

8. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integrated mechanism for holding the same is a pair of opposed holding tips defining a curved opening which allows said component to be suspended from the nostrils of the nose of the wearer.

9. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said die cut card stock presents an oversized ear.

10. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said die cut card stock is in the shape of a large round extension with a pair of opposed tips which hold the same to the nostrils of a nose of a wearer.

11. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said die cut card stock has graphic printing thereon of a natural face of a fulcrum, lips, mouth, chin and cheeks.

12. A face mask component as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a non-facial element also printed onto said card stock in association with the mouth.

13. A face mask component as claimed in claim 12 wherein said non-facial element is selected from: a cherry, a strawberry, a piece of food, and orthodontic braces.

14. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integrated mechanism for holding the same is a pair of temple pieces, also die cut from said thin, flat card stock.

15. A face mask component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said graphical and realistic-like elements printed thereon are one or more of eyebrows, a forehead segment, eyelashes, eye liner, and other stylistic eye make-up.

16. A face mask component as claimed in claim 16 wherein said integrated mechanism for holding the same is a pair of temple pieces held to said card stock by fold lines.

17. A method of making a face mask component for disguise purposes for any one of the ears, the mouth and chin and the eyes, comprising the steps of: a. Printing graphics onto thin card stock which present a realistic ear, mouth and chin, or eyes;b. Die cutting the same;c. And providing a mechanism to the card stock, which is a continuation of the card stock, for holding the same to a face segment of a wearer.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said mechanism is a downwardly open slot which slides over the cartilage holding a real ear to the head of a wearer.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said mechanism is a pair of opposed tips which hold said card stock to the nostrils of the nose of the wearer.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said mechanism is a pair of temple pieces having ear-engaging surfaces.