US20210086882A1

US20210086882A1 - Diving mask enabling pressure equalisation at the ears

Info

Publication number: US20210086882A1
Application number: US16/955,999
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Grimaldi; Quentin Sorigue; Raphaël VIS
Original assignee: Decathlon SE
Current assignee: Decathlon SE
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2018-12-21
Publication date: 2021-03-25
Also published as: FR3075655A1; CA3086061A1; MX2020006453A; AU2018390111A1; EA202091537A1; WO2019122786A1; CN112105423B; FR3075655B1; CN112105423A; EP3727613A1; SG11202005803YA; EP3727613B1

Abstract

A diving mask comprising a body provided with a faceplate comprising an upper part, and a flexible skirt including a partition delimiting an upper chamber, for viewing, from a lower chamber, for breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported above the nose. The mask comprises a snorkel disposed in the extension of an upper part of the body. The body comprises a flexible and deformable main nasal part, the upper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate. The main nasal part further comprises a main housing for receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of diving masks, and in particular masks used for snorkeling.
This activity of snorkeling makes it possible to observe the seabed while swimming at the surface of the water. The snorkeler must thus be able to keep his head under water while breathing.
Generally, the snorkeler equips himself with a mask for viewing, and a snorkel for breathing. The snorkel is composed of a tube, the lower end of which is provided with a mouth portion which is housed in the mouth of the user, and an upper end allowing both the intake of fresh air and the expelling of exhaled air.
It is known that such an item of equipment has many drawbacks. Firstly, since the fact of breathing through the mouth is not natural, some people experience difficulty in breathing orally using a snorkel. Another is that it is not possible to speak underwater with a snorkel in one's mouth.
Yet another drawback, related to the use of the mask, is that the inner wall of the faceplate generally tends to become covered in condensation, which impedes visibility, and which obliges the user to clean his mask regularly. The appearance of condensation is due to the fact that the nose of the user opens onto the viewing chamber located between the faceplate and the eyes of the user, and in general to any hot air produced in the viewing chamber without being renewed by fresh air.
Thus, the use of this mask-and-snorkel device is not very comfortable.
To remedy this drawback, the document FR 3 020 620 B1 proposes a diving mask making it possible to breathe through the nose and the mouth.
However, this type of improved mask and tube does not allow the user to compensate for the pressure when he descends into the depths of the water. To perform this operation, it is necessary to pinch the nose in order to close the nostrils and balance the pressures on each of the ears (in particular between the outer ear and the middle ear of a given ear).
There is thus a need for a mask and snorkel making it possible to breathe interchangeably through the nose and/or the mouth and to avoid the formation of condensation in the viewing compartment, and making it possible to perform a pressure balancing operation as many times as necessary.
There is also a need for such a mask and snorkel that is light, easy to position on the face of the user, and comfortable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure palliates the aforementioned problems in that it has for object a diving mask comprising:

- a. a body provided with a faceplate comprising an upper part, and a flexible skirt including a partition delimiting an upper chamber for viewing from a lower chamber for breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported above the nose of the user in such a way that the nose of the user is located in the lower chamber, while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber, the partition including at least one passage arranged to allow the circulation of fresh air between the upper chamber and the lower chamber during a phase of inhalation of the user,
- b. a snorkel disposed to extend from an upper part of the body, the snorkel comprising at least one air duct;
- c. the body including an exhaled air expelling device which fluidly connects the lower chamber to the air duct of the snorkel.
- The body may comprise a flexible and deformable main nasal part, the upper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate, and the main nasal part may comprise a main housing for at least partly receiving the nose, and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.
- In addition, the skirt may comprise an auxiliary nasal part, extending from the partition, said auxiliary nasal part comprises an auxiliary housing for at least partly receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.

As a non-limiting example, the partition may be arranged to be supported above the nose of a user in such a way that the nose and mouth of the user are located in the lower chamber, while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber.
It will be understood that the faceplate is arranged so as to not cover the nose, and optionally the mouth of the user, so that the user can pinch his nose, by pinching the main housing of the main nasal part.
It will be understood that the snorkel is in fluid connection with the upper chamber. In this aim, the body may include a fresh air intake device which is in fluid communication with the snorkel and with the upper air chamber.
The upper edge of the main nasal part may comprise a projection having a setback, arranged such as to receive the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate. In this case, the upper edge of the main nasal part grips the upper or lower face, and the face edge of the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate. The setback may be L-shaped.
The upper edge of the main nasal part can alternatively comprise a U-shaped projection receiving the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate. In this case, the upper edge of the main nasal part may be engaged with the upper and lower faces, and the face edge of the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate.
The flexible skirt may be attached to the faceplate. In addition, the faceplate may be at least partly transparent. The faceplate may have a transparent flat portion which is located facing the upper chamber.
The flexible skirt may comprise a sealing lip arranged to be supported by the face of the user.
The flexible skirt (and therefore said partition) and the main nasal part, and optionally the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may each be made of a polymer material, which materials can be different or identical (in their composition, their appearance (shapes, colors etc.), their mechanical properties (mechanical tensile strength, tensile elongation at break etc.)).
Said polymer material may have an elongation at break, for example tensile, greater than or equal to 100%, or for example greater than or equal to 300%, or for example greater than or equal to 400%.
The polymer material may be made of an elastomer.
The flexible skirt, the main nasal part, and optionally the auxiliary nasal part, may thus be deformable and flexibly take the shape, on the one hand, of the face of the user, thus possibly improving his comfort, and on the other hand, of the rigid or semi-rigid parts of the mask which may improve the sealing.
In a variant, the exhaled air expelling device may include a first exhaled air expelling channel which extends along one of the two lateral edges of the body, the flexible skirt having a first lateral part which covers the first exhaled air expelling channel. The first and second exhaled air channels may extend on either side of the two lateral edges of the faceplate. The exhaled air expelling device may include a second lateral part which covers the second exhaled air expelling channel.
The first exhaled air expelling channel, and optionally the second exhaled air expelling channel, may (each) comprise two lateral walls and one back wall. Said walls may form a U shape in the cross section of said first channel, and optionally of said second channel.
The first channel, and optionally the second channel, can thus be each composed of two adjacent ribs, which project from a first lateral edge of the faceplate, and optionally from a second lateral edge of the faceplate respectively.
The first exhaled air expelling channel, and optionally the second exhaled air expelling channel, can form a single part with the faceplate. Still preferably, both (sets of two) adjacent ribs form a single part with the faceplate.
The first exhaled air expelling channel, and where applicable the second exhaled air expelling channel, can be a different part or parts of the faceplate, secured, removably or otherwise, to one of the two lateral edges (or to the two edges) of the faceplate. Said part may have a U-shaped cross-section.
The first lateral part, and where applicable the second lateral part, of the skirt may include a lateral edge in which is engaged the first (or second) air expelling channel in order to prevent the water from entering the first (or second) air expelling channel.
To do so, the lateral edge of the skirt may include an upper wall and at least one lateral wall. As a non-limiting example the skirt may include, two lateral walls. Said lateral wall (or walls) may flank the rib (or two ribs) of the first (or second) expelling channel while the upper wall may cover the first (or second) expelling channel in order to provide sealing.
Said lateral edge may be located on the outer periphery of the sealing lip of the skirt which is arranged to be supported by the face of the user.
In an embodiment, the body of the mask may include a band that surrounds the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the band may be rigid or semi-rigid. The peripheral edge of the skirt may be clamped between the band and the first (or second) exhaled air expelling channel. As a non-limiting example, the first lateral part and/or the second lateral part of the skirt may be clamped between the band and the first (or second) exhaled air expelling channel. This may have the effect of preventing the peripheral edge of the skirt from uncoupling from the first (or second) exhaled air expelling channel.
The first exhaled air expelling channel, and optionally the second exhaled air expelling channel, may comprise a lower end portion including at least one opening into the lower chamber, and optionally an upper end point in fluid connection with the snorkel.
In an embodiment, the exhaled air expelling device may comprise a second exhaled air expelling channel equivalent to the first exhaled air expelling channel. The first and second exhaled air channels may be disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.
It will be understood that in this text the term “plane of symmetry of the mask” refers to any plane of the mask passing substantially through the sagittal section plane of the face of the user.
In a variant, the faceplate may comprise a lower part, and the main nasal part may comprise a lower edge secured in a sealed manner to the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate.
The lower part of the faceplate may cover the chin of the user. As a non-limiting example, the lower part of the faceplate may at least partly cover the mouth.
The main nasal part may extend, at least partly, between the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate, and the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate.
The main nasal part is therefore not pressed flat against, and stuck to the face of the user, in particular on the mouth or nose, which may facilitate breathing.
In a variant, the faceplate may comprise a central opening having an upper edge and a lower edge between which the main nasal part extends at least partly.
The faceplate may extend around the whole circumference of said central opening.
The central opening may be configured so as to cover the nose of the user.
In a variant, the faceplate may extend in front of the mouth of the user. As a non-limiting example, the lower part of the faceplate may extend in front of the mouth of the user.
This disposition may facilitate breathing through the mouth since the main nasal part is not pressed flat against the latter.
In a variant, the main nasal part may comprise at least one lateral projection projecting along one side of the plane of symmetry of the mask. As a non-limiting example, the main nasal part may comprise two lateral projections projecting on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.
Said lateral projection(s) may extend under the housing at least partly receiving the nose.
Said lateral projection(s) may extend over the outer face of the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, said lateral projection(s) may extend over the outer face of the lower part of the faceplate.
In a variant, said at least one lateral projection of the main nasal part may comprise a distal end secured in a sealed manner along a lateral edge of the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, said lateral edge may be disposed between the upper and lower parts of the faceplate.
The lateral end can comprise a U-shaped or L-shaped projection as defined above with reference to the projection disposed along the upper edge and/or the lower edge of the main nasal part.
The mask may comprise a first lateral projection comprising a first distal end, and a second lateral projection comprising a second distal end. The first lateral end may be secured in a sealed manner along a first lateral edge of the faceplate, and the second lateral projection may be secured in a sealed manner along a second lateral edge of the faceplate.
The first and second lateral edges of the faceplate may be disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.
The first and second lateral edges may be disposed between the upper and lower parts of the faceplate.
In a variant, the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise an outer face and an inner face, the inner face being oriented facing the lower chamber, and the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise two protuberances projecting from said inner face and disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.
The outer face of the main nasal part may open into the outside of the mask and may therefore be accessible to the user when the mask is worn.
The two protuberances of the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may be arranged to delimit between them said main housing, and/or said auxiliary housing defined below, at least partly receiving the nose.
The two protuberances of the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise first and second lateral walls between which the corresponding walls of the nose may be housed.
The two protuberances may be substantially wing-shaped. As a non-limiting example, the two protuberances may be triangle-shaped in their longitudinal section plane.
The main housing, and/or the auxiliary housing defined below, receiving the nose may lack any lower wall abutting the lower edge of the nose of the user, which may facilitate breathing.
The main housing, and/or the auxiliary housing defined below, may be in fluid communication with the lower chamber.
In a variant, at least one of the two protuberances may have a thickness increasing from its upper portion toward its base.
The base being thicker than the upper part, the pinching of the nose may be facilitated by pressing the two bases of the two protuberances against the nostrils.
In a variant, the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise an outer face and an inner face, the inner face being oriented facing the lower chamber, and the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise, along its outer face, two recesses disposed on either side of the main, and/or auxiliary housing(s), for the nose.
This disposition may guide the placing of the fingers of the user for pinching the nose.
In a variant, the main nasal part may be overmolded on the upper part of the faceplate, and optionally on the lower part of the faceplate and/or on the lateral edges of the faceplate.
The upper edge, lower edge and optionally the lateral end(s) of the lateral projection(s), may be overmolded on the corresponding edges of the faceplate (and therefore may engage with this latter in a sealed manner).
The term “overmolding” is understood to mean that the main nasal part is obtained by a method of injection (molding) (or extrusion molding), in particular on an opening arranged in the faceplate.
In a variant, the main nasal part may comprise a plate portion projecting under the main housing and extending against the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the plate portion may be on the outer face of the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the plate portion may extend between said two lateral projections.
Said plate portion may extend under the housing at least partly receiving the nose.
The plate portion may extend over the outer face of the lower part of the faceplate.
In a variant, the lower edge of the main nasal part may be disposed between the main housing for the nose and the plate portion.
In a variant, the skirt and the main nasal part may be two separate parts.
This disposition may facilitate the manufacturing of the mask according to the disclosure.
In a variant, the auxiliary nasal part may comprise a plate portion extending under the auxiliary housing at least partly receiving the nose, said plate portion being secured to the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the plate portion may be secured to the lower part of the faceplate.
The plate portion may extend over the inner face of the lower part of the faceplate.
The upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate may be disposed between the plate portion of the main nasal part and the plate portion of the auxiliary nasal part.
The plate portion may be secured to the lower part of the faceplate using a rigid or semi-rigid attaching part secured onto the lower part of the faceplate, the plate portion being disposed at least partly between said attaching part and the lower part of the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the attaching part may be snap-fitted or clipped onto the lower part of the faceplate.
The attaching part may make it possible to secure the auxiliary nasal part to the faceplate in a sealed manner. Thus, the flow of air exhaled by the nose and/or the mouth toward the upper viewing chamber may be prevented.
The rigid attaching part may be substantially V-shaped. As a non-limiting example, the tip of the V may be oriented toward the lower part of the faceplate.
In a variant, the auxiliary housing of the auxiliary nasal part may be nested into the main housing of the main nasal part.
This disposition may improve comfort and may facilitate the pinching of the nose.
In a variant, the auxiliary nasal part may comprise an outer face and an inner face, the inner face being oriented facing the breathing chamber, and the auxiliary nasal part comprises two protuberances projecting from said inner face and disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.
These protuberances of the auxiliary housing can repeat all or part of the features defined above with reference to the protuberances of the main housing.
The auxiliary housing can also comprise two recesses arranged on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.
In a variant, the main nasal part may be made of a polymer material different from or identical to the polymer material of the auxiliary nasal part.
The polymer material of the main nasal part can be different from the polymer material of the auxiliary nasal part by virtue of its nature, its thickness, its appearance (color(s), pattern(s), relief marking(s) or otherwise) or else its Shore A hardness.
The polymer material can be a silicone polymer or an elastomer of SEBS type (styrene-butylene-ethylene) or of any equivalent polymer.
In an embodiment, the main nasal part may be made of a polymer material having a Shore A hardness greater than or equal to the Shore A hardness of the auxiliary nasal part.
In a variant, the main nasal part may have a thickness (mm) greater than the thickness of the auxiliary nasal part. As a non-limiting example, said thicknesses may be measured outside the auxiliary and main housings.
In a variant, the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate may be disposed between the main nasal part and the auxiliary nasal part. As a non-limiting example, the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate may be disposed between the main plate portion (the plate portion of the main nasal part) and the auxiliary plate portion (the plate portion of the auxiliary nasal part).
In a variant, the skirt and the main nasal part may be made of one and the same part. As a non-limiting example, in this case, the mask may lack any auxiliary nasal part.
In a variant, the skirt may comprise at least first and second separate parts, a first part providing the sealing of the first and/or second air expelling channel(s) and contributing to the sealing with the face of the user, and a second part providing the sealing with the face of the user. As a non-non-limiting example, the second part may comprise a sealing lip. The second part may comprise the auxiliary nasal part and the partition separating the upper and lower chambers.
In this case, the mask may lack any auxiliary nasal part.
In a variant, the exhaled air expelling device may include at least a first check valve arranged to permit a flow of exhaled air directed from the lower chamber toward the air duct of the snorkel during a phase of exhalation of the user, the first check valve being closed during a phase of inhalation of the user.
The first check valve may be located on the body of the mask.
The first check valve may be arranged to close off the exhaled air expelling device during an inhalation phase.
During an inhalation phase, the closing of the first check valve may have the effect of the fresh air not flowing via the air expelling device. One advantage may be to avoid the inhalation of the air that has just been exhaled and which is still located in the exhaled air expelling device or in the air duct of the tube.
The first check valve may be arranged to seal said at least one opening (of the first exhaled air expelling channel) during a phase of inhalation of the user.
The first check valve may comprise at least one flexible membrane located inside the first exhaled air expelling channel, facing said opening.
According to an embodiment, said at least one flexible membrane may be composed of a part of the flexible skirt.
The lower end portion of the first or second exhaled air expelling channel may comprise two adjacent openings which can be closed off by one or more flexible membranes of the first check valve.
In a variant embodiment, the snorkel may include a single air duct which is in fluid communication with the lower chamber and the upper chamber.
This disposition may make it possible to simplify the design and manufacturing of the snorkel by comparison with snorkels of the prior art including several channels. The entire inner volume of the snorkel may be available during the inhalation and exhalation phases which may make it possible to substantially increase the incoming and outgoing air flow rate, thus possibly improving comfort and possibly facilitating breathing through the mouth and nose.
The single air duct may therefore be in fluid communication with the exhaled air expelling device, and also with the fresh air intake device.
The single air duct may be in fluid communication with the first and second exhaled air expelling channels.
Alternatively, the snorkel implemented in the mask according to the disclosure can comprise several channels.
In a variant, the partition may include at least one check valve, arranged to permit only a flow of fresh air directed from the upper chamber toward the lower chamber during a phase of inhalation of the user.
It will be understood that the check valve opens during a phase of inhalation and closes during a phase of exhalation.
The check valve may thus have the function of preventing the exhaled air from flowing toward the upper chamber, thus possibly preventing the appearance of condensation on the lower face of the upper part of the faceplate.
According to an embodiment, the check valve may include a flexible flap composed of a part of the flexible skirt.
The flexible flap of the check valve may be formed by a portion of the partition.
The flexible flap may be delimited between a free edge of the partition and a cut made in the partition.
This cut may give the flexible flap mobility, possibly allowing it to bend during an inhalation phase in such a way as to open the passage and to allow the fresh air to enter into the lower chamber.
During an exhalation phase, the flexible flap may bear against the faceplate in order to close said passage.
The present disclosure also has for object, according to a second aspect, a method for manufacturing a diving mask, as defined according to any of the variants defined above with reference to a first aspect of the disclosure.
Said method comprises the following steps:

- a) injecting a faceplate comprising a central opening,
- b) overmolding at least one main nasal part as defined with reference to a first aspect of the disclosure, engaging at least with the upper and lower edges of the central opening,
- c) assembling a skirt as defined with reference to a first aspect of the disclosure, on the assembly obtained after step b),
- d) obtaining a diving mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure and its advantages will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a particular embodiment, given by way of example entirely without limitation, and illustrated by the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the mask according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the mask along the section plane IV-IV shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to the plane of symmetry S of the mask, illustrating the superimposition of the main nasal part and the auxiliary nasal part;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the mask along the section plane IV-IV shown in FIG. 1, without faceplate or tube;

FIG. 6 shows the lower part of the mask once the flexible skirt and the faceplate are assembled;

FIG. 7A is a front view of the main nasal part of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B is a rear view of the main nasal part of the mask of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of a diving mask 1 comprising a body 10 provided with a faceplate 20 comprising at least one upper part 21, and a flexible skirt 30 including a partition 40 delimiting an upper chamber 45 for viewing from a lower chamber 50 for breathing, the partition 40 being arranged to be supported above the nose of the user in such a way that the nose, and in this specific example also the mouth, of the user are located in the lower chamber 50, while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber 45, the partition 40 including at least one passage 55 to allow the circulation of fresh air between the upper chamber 45 and the lower chamber 50 during an phase of inhalation of the user.
The faceplate 20 is made of a rigid and transparent material, for example polycarbonate.
The flexible skirt 30 is made of a flexible material, for example silicone elastomer.
The body 10 includes a band 25 which is shaped to surround the faceplate 20. This band 25 has the function of providing, or at least improving, the attachment of the skirt 30 to the faceplate 20.
The upper part 21 of the faceplate 20 covers the upper viewing chamber 45 and comprises a transparent flat portion 19 intended to be located substantially level with the eyes of the user.
A snorkel 70 is disposed in the extension of an upper part 10 a of the body, the snorkel 70 comprising at least one air duct 72, in this specific example a single air duct. In this example, the snorkel 70 is mounted on the body 10 removably.
The body 10 includes an exhaled air expelling device 80 which forms a fluid connection of the lower chamber 50 to the air duct 72 of the snorkel 70. The body 10 comprises a flexible and deformable main nasal part 15 the upper edge 15 a of which is secured in a sealed manner to the lower edge 21 a of the upper part 21 of the faceplate 20.
In this example, the upper edge 15 a of the main nasal part 15 comprises a projection 8 shown in FIG. 4 having a recess, particularly L-shaped, arranged so as to receive the lower edge 21 a of the upper part 21 of the faceplate 20.
The main nasal part 15 comprises a housing 16 receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.
The main nasal part 15 comprises two lateral projections 17,18 projecting on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask 1.
The faceplate 20 comprises a lower part 22, and the main nasal part 15 comprises a lower edge 15 b secured in a sealed manner to the upper edge 22 a of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20.
The lateral projections 17 and 18 each comprise a distal end respectively 17 a and 18 a secured in a sealed manner to either side of the faceplate, along its lateral edges including the lateral edge 20 d shown in FIG. 3. Said lateral edges (including the lateral edge 20 d) are disposed between the upper 21 and lower 22 parts of the faceplate 20.
The main nasal part 15 comprises an outer face 13 and an inner face 14, the inner face 14 being oriented facing the breathing chamber 50. The main nasal part 15 comprises two protuberances 5 and 6 projecting from said inner face 14 and disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask 1.
In this specific example, the two protuberances 5 and 6 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) have a thickness increasing from their bases 5 a and 6 a toward their upper portions 5 b and 6 b.
The main nasal part 15 comprises, along its outer face 13, two recesses 31, 32 disposed on either side of the main housing 16 for the nose. The main nasal part 15 is overmolded on the upper part 21 of the faceplate 20, and where applicable on the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 and/or the lateral edges 20 d of the faceplate 20.
The faceplate 20 thus comprises a central opening 4 having an upper edge 4 a and a lower edge 4 b between which the main nasal part 15 extends.
The faceplate 20 is arranged so that the lower part 22 covers the chin and the mouth of the user.
The main nasal part 15 further comprises a plate portion 35, in particular extending between said two lateral projections 17 and 18. The skirt 30 and the main nasal part 15 are two separate parts.
The skirt 30 comprises an auxiliary nasal part 60, in the extension of the partition 40. Said auxiliary nasal part 60 comprises an auxiliary housing 62 receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.
The auxiliary nasal part 60 comprises a plate portion 65 projecting under the auxiliary housing 62, said plate portion 65 being secured to the faceplate 20, in particular to the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 by an attaching part 66. The attaching part 66 is secured, for example clipped, to attaching tabs 67 projecting from the inner face of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20.
The plate portion 65 comprises two orifices 68 and 69 which engage with the attaching tabs 67 before the positioning of the attaching part 66, which also comprises two orifices for cooperating with the attaching tabs 67.
Advantageously, the auxiliary housing 62 is configured to be nested into the main housing 16.
Preferably, the auxiliary housing also comprises two protuberances 62 90 and 91 projecting over the inner face of the auxiliary nasal part 60, facing the lower breathing chamber 50. In this specific example, the protuberances 90 and 91 each have a thickness increasing from its upper part toward its base.
The upper edge 22 a of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 is thus disposed between the main plate portion 35 overmolded on the outer face of the faceplate 20, and the auxiliary plate portion 65 attached to the inner face of the faceplate 20 by way of the attaching part 66.
The main nasal part 15 can be made of a polymer material different from or identical to the polymer material of the auxiliary nasal part 60.
Advantageously, the exhaled air expelling device 80 includes at least a first check valve 43 arranged to permit a flow of exhaled air directed from the lower chamber 50 toward the air duct 72 of the snorkel 70 during a phase of exhalation of the user, the first check valve 43 being closed during a phase of inhalation of the user.
Preferably, the first check valve 43 comprises a flexible membrane 142 which, in this specific example, is composed of a portion of the flexible skirt 30. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first lateral part of the peripheral edge 124 of the skirt 30 includes an upper wall 126 and two lateral walls, of which only the lateral wall 128 is clearly visible. The lateral walls, including the lateral wall 128, flank the two ribs, including the visible rib 105, of the first exhaled air expelling channel 81 in order to provide the sealing. The flexible membrane 142 appears in the form of a substantially rectangular shape which protrudes from an inner face of the upper wall 126. In FIG. 6, the first check valve 43 is illustrated in solid lines in the closed position, and in dotted lines in the open position.
The exhaled air expelling device 80 also includes a first air expelling channel 81 and a second exhaled air expelling channel 82 which extend respectively along a first lateral edge 2 and a second lateral edge 3 of the body 10, in particular on either side of the two lateral edges of the faceplate 20.
The first check valve 43 also includes a valve seat 144 arranged to cooperate with the flexible membrane 142, the valve seat being incorporated into the faceplate 20. In the closed position, the flexible membrane 142 is supported by the valve seat 144 to seal said at least one opening arranged in the first exhaled air expelling channel 81.
The exhaled air expelling device 80 moreover comprises a second check valve 160, similar to the first check valve 43, which is arranged to permit a flow of exhaled directed from the lower chamber 50 toward the air duct 72 of the snorkel 70 during a phase of exhalation of the user. The second check valve 160 operates like the first check valve 43.
The flexible skirt 30 has first 51 and second 52 lateral parts arranged so as to cover in a sealed manner the first and second exhaled air expelling channels 81 and 82.
In operation, the user disposes the mask 1 on his face, which mask can comprise attaching means such as elastic straps of adjustable length. When the user inhales, the inhaled fresh air crosses the duct 72 of the snorkel 70 and comes out in the upper viewing chamber 45 then passes into the passage arranged by means of the check valve 55 in the partition 40 to come out in the lower breathing chamber 50 in which the nose and the mouth of the user are located. The check valve 55 is configured to allow the inhaled air to travel from the viewing chamber 45 toward the breathing chamber 50 and prevent any return of exhaled air in the opposite direction. During an exhalation phase, the passage of air in the partition 40 is sealed so that the air is forced through the first and second air expelling channels 81 and 82 disposed along the lateral edges 2 and 3 of the body 10, in particular disposed along the lateral edges of the faceplate 20 and closed in a sealed manner by the corresponding lateral edges of the flexible skirt 30.
The first and second exhaled air expelling channels 81 and 82 are in fluid connection in their upper parts with the snorkel 70, in particular with the single air duct 72.
The exhaled air is therefore evacuated toward the snorkel 70 without passing through the upper viewing chamber 45.
In order to balance the pressures, the user pinches his nose, by lodging his fingers in the recesses 31 and 32 of the main housing 16. The auxiliary housing 62 being nested into the main housing 16, the pressure exerted on the main housing 16 is transmitted to the auxiliary housing 60, which transmission is facilitated due to the protuberances 5 and 6 of the main housing pressing against the protuberances 90 and 91 of the auxiliary housing 60.
The nesting together of the main 16 and auxiliary 62 housings facilitates the pinching of the nose.
In addition, the arrangement of the faceplate 20 in front of the mouth, along with the overmolding of the main nasal part 15 on the opening 4, and its arrangement with respect to the auxiliary nasal part 60 allow the nasal parts 15 and 60 not to be located against the mouth of the user which facilitates breathing.
The main nasal part 15 being overmolded on the lower edge 21 a of the upper part 21 of the faceplate 20 on the one hand, and on the upper edge 22 a of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 on the other hand, and where applicable on the lateral edges 20 d of the faceplate 20, there is no risk when the user handles it that it will detach from the faceplate 20.
The mask 1 according to the disclosure thus makes it possible to combine the advantages of an anti-condensation mask allowing breathing interchangeably through the nose and mouth, while being able to balance the pressures on the ears.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A diving mask comprising:

a. a body provided with a faceplate comprising an upper part, and a flexible skirt including a partition delimiting an upper chamber for viewing from a lower chamber for breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported above a nose of a user in such a way that the nose of the user is located in the lower chamber, while eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber, the partition including at least one passage arranged to allow circulation of fresh air between the upper chamber and the lower chamber during a phase of inhalation of the user,

b. a snorkel disposed to extend from an upper part of the body, the snorkel comprising at least one air duct;

c. the body including an exhaled air expelling device which fluidly connects the lower chamber to the air duct of the snorkel;

wherein the body comprises a flexible and deformable main nasal part, an upper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to a lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate, wherein the main nasal part comprises a main housing for at least partly receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user, and wherein the skirt comprises an auxiliary nasal part, extending from the partition, said auxiliary nasal part comprises an auxiliary housing for at least partly receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.

17. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary housing is nested into the main housing.

18. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the faceplate comprises a lower part, and wherein the main nasal part comprises a lower edge secured in a sealed manner to an upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate.

19. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the faceplate comprises a central opening having an upper edge and a lower edge between which the main nasal part extends at least partly.

20. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the faceplate extends in front of a mouth of the user.

21. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part comprises at least one lateral projection projecting along one side of a plane of symmetry of the mask.

22. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part comprises an outer face and an inner face, the inner face being oriented facing the lower chamber, and wherein the main nasal part comprises two protuberances projecting from said inner face and disposed on either side of a plane of symmetry of the mask.

23. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part comprises an outer face and an inner face, the inner face being oriented facing the lower chamber , and wherein the main nasal part comprises, along its outer face, two recesses disposed on either side of the main housing of the main nasal part.

24. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part is overmolded on the upper part of the faceplate.

25. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part comprises a plate portion projecting under the main housing and extending against the faceplate.

26. The mask according to claim 25, wherein a lower edge of the main nasal part is disposed between the main housing for the nose and the plate portion.

27. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the skirt and the main nasal part are two separate parts.

28. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary nasal part comprises a plate portion projecting under the auxiliary housing, said plate portion being secured to the faceplate.

29. The mask according to claim 18, wherein the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate is disposed between the main nasal part and the auxiliary nasal part.

30. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the skirt and the main nasal part are made of one and the same part.

31. The mask according to claim 20, wherein a lower part of the faceplate extends in front of the mouth of the user.

32. The mask according to claim 24, wherein the main nasal part is overmolded on a lower part of the faceplate and on lateral edges of the faceplate.

33. The mask according to claim 25, wherein the plate portion of the main nasal part extends between said two lateral projections.

34. The mask according to claim 28, wherein the plate portion of the auxiliary nasal part is secured to a lower part of the faceplate.

35. The mask according to claim 29, wherein the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate is disposed between a plate portion of the main nasal part and a plate portion of the auxiliary nasal part.

36. The mask according to claim 15, wherein the partition is arranged to be supported above the nose of a user in such a way that the nose and mouth of the user are located in the lower chamber, while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber.