Designers: Albert Ko and Ian Wong, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, SAR
Manufacturer: INNOrigin Limited, Jardine's Lookout, Hong Kong, SAR
About 30% of deaf people use lipreading to communicatein their daily life.Opaquesurgical masks hinder communication with and among deaf people.To all of us, whenfacialcues are hidden behind standardopaquemasks,drasticmiscommunications can occur.Doctors explaining unexpecteddiagnostic results to patients, counsellors assisting students with special education needs, law enforcers handling disputes, and social workers stabilizing vulnerable victims-these are some of the hundreds of circumstances wherepeople’s well-beingisdependent on preciseverbal and facialcommunications.
The 12° Mask is a transparent air filtration mask designed tomake visiblehuman facial expressions while safeguardingindividual and collectivehealth.The design isoptimised forcomfort and clarity for professionals who must wear masksduring long duty hourswhen serving thepublic, including our hearing-impaired community.
Ad hocSolutions
There are two types ofso-called“transparent masks”available in the market.Onetype is commonly made of transparent materials(e.g. acrylic and PET) but has noair filteringfunction.Wearers ofsuch masks gain no protectionfromviruses.The other type is made by cuttinga hole in the middle of standardsurgical masksandthen coveringtheholewith transparent plastic.These masks havesmall see-through windows andreducedbreathability.
Protection
12° Masks use H13 HEPA filters to achieveASTM level 3filtration efficiencyandhigh breathability.
The pleated H13 filter allows 30 times more airflow within the same compact ventdesign.The filter fitted under the chincan be replaced daily.RenewableAntiviral Coatingis applied to both surfaces of the 12° Mask to provide additional protection to the user.
Visibility–Simple Geometric Magic
The 12° Mask (patent-pending) is the first to address the trickiest challengesoftransparent mask design–reflections.For lip readers, lightreflection and fogging are the primary obstacles to accurate lip reading.Inspired by the geometry of stealth jet fighters,thefaceshield of the 12° mask combines flat polygonal panes and low protrusion surfaces to minimize reflection.Ultra-Low Reflectionpaired with unobstructed side panesproducesapanoramic view of the wearer’s face and lip movements.The12° Mask integrates anultra-durable thin filmto prevent fogging.
Comfort
A flexible siliconesealensuresacomfortablefit and accommodates enthusiastic facial expressions. Theelasticity bandsenablemicrotia users and headscarfwearerstoreconfigurethe ear loops tosuit their needs.
Functionally Fashionable
The 12° Mask,made of 100% recyclable PET,comes in7 frame colours and 12 more for the bands.
