US20260028100A1 - Breathable mask for snorkeling - Google Patents

Abstract

A breathable mask for snorkeling is provided, which includes a body, an intake conduit and an exhaust conduit. An interior of the body is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber having nasal and mouth chambers. An intake one-way valve is provided between the upper and lower chambers. A drain valve is provided at a lower portion of the body. When the user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling, the upper, nasal and mouth chambers are configured to accommodate the user's eyes, nose and mouth, respectively. The exhaust conduit communicates with the lower chamber. Fresh air entering the intake conduit is only allowed to pass through the upper chamber and the intake one-way valve, and then unidirectionally enter the lower chamber. Air exhaled by the user is limited to being unidirectionally discharged only through at least one of the exhaust conduit and the drain valve.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 63/675,874 filed on Jul. 26, 2024, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a mask for water activities (including both surface and underwater activities), particularly a mask for snorkeling that allows the user to breathe through both the nose and the mouth.
Description of the Related Art
• In order to allow the mouth and nose to breathe freely, and to ensure that the user inhales as much clean air as possible while minimizing the mixing of exhaled dirty air with fresh air before the next inhalation cycle, most current full face snorkel masks (FFSMs) are designed with the mask body divided into an upper chamber (covering the eyes) and a lower chamber (covering the mouth and nose), in which the inhaled clean air unidirectionally enters the lower chamber from the upper chamber, and most of the exhaled carbon dioxide is discharged through an independent exhaust passage. However, a portion of the exhaust passage is currently designed to be independently arranged around the periphery of the upper chamber and in communication with the breathing pipe, allowing exhaled air to be directly discharged to the outside through the breathing pipe. This prevents the exhaled air from remaining in the upper chamber and re-entering the lower chamber during the next inhalation, thereby preventing the fresh air from being mixed with carbon dioxide.
• Nevertheless, in actual products, the isolation between the exhaust passage and the interior of the mask cannot be perfect due to tolerance issues such as component fit tolerances. Therefore, during each cycle of inhalation and exhalation, a certain amount of exhaled dirty air rich in carbon dioxide will inevitably remain in the exhaust duct and the lower chamber, which will subsequently be inhaled along with the clean air in the next inhalation cycle. Therefore, although the air intake and exhaust are separated, the air inhaled in each breathing cycle is not sufficiently clean. Over time during snorkeling, a significant amount of carbon dioxide can accumulate inside the mask.
• On the other hand, when the mask is actually used underwater, water will inevitably accumulate in the lower chamber. Since the mouth and nose share the same chamber, when the user exhales heavily through the mouth to discharge the accumulated water via the drain valve, it can be quite strenuous due to the obstruction of external water pressure. Additionally, water can also easily splash upward into the nostrils, causing significant discomfort or even a choking sensation for the user. Therefore, there is still much room for improvement in such masks.
• The inventor of the present application has previously proposed an invention of a snorkel mask (in reference to U.S. Publication No. US2023/0312067A1 for details), in which, to seek improvements, the chamber shared by the mouth and nose is further divided vertically to establish a one-way channel from the nasal chamber to the mouth chamber. In addition, an exhaust conduit is intended to be provided on the outside of the mask body so as to further isolate the intake passage from the exhaust passage. This invention has already achieved good effects. However, there is still room for improvement in the configuration, connection and fastening methods of the exhaust conduit, which leads to a need for further advancement in manufacturing, assembly, usage, and safety.
• In view of this, providing an alternative design of a mask to solve the aforementioned problems would be a goal that manufacturers are extremely eager to achieve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The objective of the present invention is to provide a breathable mask that covers the user's eyes, nose and mouth. In addition to maintaining the shunt efficiency of the intake and exhaust flows, the breathable mask further improves the flexibility of the exhaust conduit and the stability of its connection to the mask body. Also, the exhaust conduit can therefore be designed to be shorter and exhaust passage can be designed to be wider, thereby reducing the exhalation burden of the user. Furthermore, it also allows the user to more easily remove accumulated water inside the mask body.
• To achieve the above objective, the present invention discloses a breathable mask for snorkeling, which includes a body, an intake conduit and an exhaust conduit. The intake conduit is connected with the body and in fluid communication with an interior of the body. The exhaust conduit is disposed on an outer side of the body. The body includes a main frame, at least one viewing window and a waterproof skirt. The at least one viewing window is embedded within the main frame. The waterproof skirt is embedded with the main frame and the at least one viewing window. The waterproof skirt has a rear edge, a partition, a first intake one-way valve, a bridge and a drain valve. The rear edge is configured to fit a face of a user. The partition is formed to divide the interior of the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The first intake one-way valve is provided between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The bridge is disposed across the lower chamber and divides the lower chamber into a nasal chamber and a mouth chamber below the nasal chamber, and the nasal chamber and the mouth chamber are capable of being in fluid communication with each other through the bridge. The drain valve is provided at a lower portion of the waterproof skirt to allow the mouth chamber to be in fluid communication with outside. When the user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling through a fastening device, the partition rests above an outer contour of a nose of the user, allowing the upper chamber, the nasal chamber and the mouth chamber to be configured to accommodate eyes, nose and mouth of the user, respectively. The exhaust conduit has an upper section, a lower section and an exhaust one-way valve. The upper section extends towards a rear of the waterproof skirt. The lower section is flexible and communicates with the lower chamber. Accordingly, fresh air entering the intake conduit from the outside is only allowed to pass through the upper chamber and the first intake one-way valve, and then unidirectionally enter the lower chamber. In addition, air exhaled by the user is limited to being capable of being unidirectionally discharged only through at least one of the exhaust conduit and the drain valve.
• In an example, the first intake one-way valve is disposed on an outer side of the partition.
• In an example, the breathable mask for snorkeling further includes a second intake one-way valve provided on the bridge to allow the fresh air to unidirectionally flow from the nasal chamber into the mouth chamber.
• In an example, the exhaust one-way valve is provided at the upper section of the exhaust conduit.
• In an example, the exhaust conduit has a length ranging from 180 mm to 250 mm, and an inner cross-sectional area ranging from 200 mm² to 350 mm².
• In an example, the upper section of the exhaust conduit is detachably and adjustably connected to the fastening device.
• In an example, the upper section of the exhaust conduit is connected to the fastening device by an elastic retainer.
• In an example, the lower section of the exhaust conduit has a recognizable region for fingers of the user to clearly identify and pinch the lower section to temporarily block exhaust airflow from flowing through the exhaust conduit.
• In an example, the recognizable region comprises two opposing raised buttons.
• In an example, the recognizable region comprises two opposing flattened surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a breathable mask for snorkeling according to an embodiment of the present invention (in which a fastening device is omitted for illustration).
• FIG. 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of the breathable mask for snorkeling shown in FIG. 1 (in which a fastening device is omitted for illustration).
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a user wearing the breathable mask for snorkeling shown in FIG. 1 through a fastening device, wherein the exhaust conduit and the fastening device are detachably and adjustably connected through a retainer.
• FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating a user wearing the breathable mask for snorkeling shown in FIG. 1 through a fastening device, wherein the exhaust conduit has two opposing raised buttons used as a recognizable region.
• FIG. 4B illustrates the recognizable region of the exhaust conduit having flattened smooth surfaces according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 4C illustrates the recognizable region of the exhaust conduit having flattened wavy surfaces according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 , showing the intake airflow during inhaling when a user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling shown in FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 5B is also a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 , showing the drainage flow and exhaust airflow during exhaling when the user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling shown in FIG. 1 .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• It shall be appreciated that the following description of the embodiments is only to explain the contents of the present invention, but not to limit the invention as claimed. Elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the description, and the dimensions as depicted for all elements in the drawings are just for easy understanding and do not intend to limit their actual scales. In addition, the “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” or the like adjectives defined in the descriptions are referred to by the direction of the user himself/herself. They are only relative relationships and are not limitative.
• An embodiment of the present invention involves a breathable mask for snorkeling 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4A. The breathable mask for snorkeling 1 comprises a body 11, an intake conduit 13 and an exhaust conduit 15 disposed on an outer side of the body 11. The intake conduit 13 is provided above the body 11 to be connected to the body 11 and is in fluid communication with the interior of the body 11. The exhaust conduit 15 is disposed on an outer side of the body 11. The intake conduit 13 and the exhaust conduit 15 are each equipped with a dry-top function. The intake conduit 13 may have a float valve (e.g., a common dry-top breathing pipe) or any mechanism that can achieve air-permissible water-isolating.
• The body 11 includes a main frame 11 a, at least one viewing window 11 b and a waterproof skirt 11 c. The at least one viewing window 11 b is embedded within the main frame 11 a. The waterproof skirt 11 c is embedded with the main frame 11 a and at least one viewing window 11 b. The rear edge RP of the waterproof skirt 11 c is configured to suitably fit the face of a user.
• Further referring to FIG. 2 , the waterproof skirt 11 c has a partition PT, a first intake one-way valve V1, a bridge BR and a drain valve DV. The partition PT divides the interior of the body 11 into an upper chamber 102 and a lower chamber 104. The first intake one-way valve V1 is provided between the upper chamber 102 and the lower chamber 104. The bridge BR is disposed across the lower chamber 104 and divides the lower chamber 104 into a nasal chamber N1 and a mouth chamber M1 below the nasal chamber N1. The nasal chamber N1 and the mouth chamber M1 are capable of being in fluid communication with each other through the bridge BR. The drain valve DV is provided at a lower portion LR of the waterproof skirt 11 c to allow the mouth chamber M1 to be in fluid communication with outside.
• As shown in FIG. 3 , when the user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling 1 through a fastening device 17 (e.g., a head strap), the partition PT rests above an outer contour of the user's nose, allowing the upper chamber 102, the nasal chamber N1, and the mouth chamber M1 to be configured to accommodate the user's eyes, nose, and mouth, respectively. At this time, the upper chamber 102 is completely isolated from the nasal chamber N1, and the air can only flow from the upper chamber 102 to the nasal chamber N1 through the first intake one-way valve V1. When the fastening device 17 is a head strap, the head strap is not limited in form, and a two-point fixed head strap, a three-point or a four-point fixed head strap design are all feasible.
• As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the exhaust conduit 15 has an upper section U1, a lower section L1 and an exhaust one-way valve V3. The lower section L1 is flexible and communicates with the lower chamber 104. In such a configuration of the present invention, the intake airflow of fresh air will unidirectionally enter into the nasal chamber N1 through the intake conduit 13, the upper chamber 102 and the first intake one-way valve V1, while the exhaust airflow of dirty air exhaled by the user will be unidirectionally discharged to the outside from the lower chamber 104 (preferably the mouth chamber M1) through at least one of the exhaust conduit 15 and the drain valve DV.
• Preferably, the exhaust one-way valve V3 is disposed at the topmost region of the upper section U1 of the exhaust conduit 15, which can best prevent water from entering the exhaust conduit 15. In addition, the exhaust conduit 15 has a length ranging from 180 mm to 250 mm, and an inner cross-sectional area ranging from 200 mm² to 350 mm². This configuration ensures optimal exhaust efficiency, allowing the user to easily push open the exhaust one-way valve V3 to discharge the exhaled air with normal exhalation effort. Of course, the length and inner cross-sectional area of the exhaust conduit 15 are not limited to this configuration, and various configurations may be provided according to users' age, body size, etc.
• In this embodiment, two first intake one-way valves V1 are provided on two opposite outer sides S1 of the partition PT, respectively, to provide two airflow paths from the upper chamber 102 to the lower chamber 104. However, in other embodiments, it is also possible that only one first intake one-way valve V1 is provided on one outer side S1 of the partition PT. Preferably, the first intake one-way valve V1 is horizontally disposed on the outer side S1 of the partition PT. Of course, the first intake one-way valve V1 may also be positioned elsewhere, e.g., on the partition PT.
• The breathable mask for snorkeling 1 of the present invention further includes a second intake one-way valve V2 provided on the bridge BR to allow the fresh air to unidirectionally flow from the nasal chamber N1 into the mouth chamber M1. At this time, the nasal chamber N1 and the mouth chamber M1 are also completely isolated, and the air will only unidirectionally flow from the nasal chamber N1 to the mouth chamber M1 through the second intake one-way valve V2.
• In addition, preferably, the upper section U1 of the exhaust conduit 15 is detachably and adjustably connected to the fastening device 17 through a retainer R1, as shown in FIG. 3 . Of course, in other embodiments, the upper section U1 of the exhaust conduit 15 and the fastening device 17 may also be simply connected through an elastic retainer (not shown), such as an elastic ring that simply loops them together. With the configuration of the retainer R1, when snorkeling, the exhaust conduit 15 can be fastened to the fastening device 17 to increase the stability during use and prevent the exhaust conduit 15 from being detached from the body 11 due to interference from water flow. Preferably, the upper section U1 of the exhaust conduit 15 extends toward the rear of the waterproof skirt 11 c, preferably to the back of the user's head. This arrangement allows the exhaust conduit 15 and the intake conduit 13 to tend to extend in the same orientation. Therefore, when the user faces forward and downward, the intake conduit 13 and the exhaust conduit 15 become nearly perpendicular to the water surface, allowing the tops of both conduits to more easily extend above the water, making it easier for the user to breathe. In addition, this configuration can make the exhaust conduit 15 shorter, and allow the exhaust passage inside to be designed wider, which not only reduces the user's exhalation effort, but also facilitates convenient and stable assembly between the exhaust conduit 15 and the body 11. During snorkeling, the buoyancy of the water maintains the exhaust conduit 15 to be at the most suitable angle at any time, preventing excessive pulling on the body 11 that would cause user discomfort.
• More preferably, the flexible lower section L1 of the exhaust conduit 15 is formed as a bendable coiled tube with a serrated or wavy tube wall and has a recognizable region GR that allows the user's fingers to clearly identify and pinch the lower section L1 (i.e., accurately locate the appropriate position for pinching) to temporarily block the exhaust airflow through the exhaust conduit 15, thereby transforming the mouth chamber M1 into a closed space. In this way, when the user exhales heavily, the drainage pressure can be greatly increased to make the water accumulated inside the body 11 easily discharged through the drain valve DV. The recognizable region GR may be formed into two opposite raised buttons GR1, as shown in FIG. 4A. However, in other embodiments, two opposite flattened surfaces may be formed on the flexible lower section L1 as the recognizable region GR, such as the flattened smooth surfaces GR2 shown in FIG. 4B and the flattened wavy surfaces GR3 shown in FIG. 4C. These can facilitate the user to locate the position before pressing.
• The following describes the intake airflow and exhaust airflow when the user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling 1 and breathes. The intake airflow is indicated by solid arrow lines in FIG. 5A. When the user breathes through the nose, only the inhaled fresh air will pass through the chamber where the viewing window is located (i.e., the upper chamber 102) and enter the chamber where the nose is located (i.e., the nasal chamber N1 in the lower chamber 104) for inhalation by the nose. In addition, when the user breathes through the mouth, only the inhaled fresh air will pass through the upper chamber 102, then unidirectionally enter the nasal chamber N1, and then enter the mouth chamber M1 for inhalation through the mouth.
• On the other hand, the exhaust airflow is indicated by the dashed arrow lines in FIG. 5B. The carbon dioxide exhaled from the user's nose is blocked by the first intake one-way valve V1 and will only pass through the second intake one-way valve V2 unidirectionally to enter the chamber where the mouth is located (i.e., the mouth chamber M1 in the lower chamber 104). Then, the exhaled air is discharged upward through the exhaust conduit 15 externally disposed on the side of the body 11, or through the drain valve DV in communication with the mouth chamber M1. As a result, the exhaled air will not flow back upward to the nasal chamber N1. As for the carbon dioxide exhaled from the user's mouth, it is blocked by the second intake one-way valve V2 and can only be discharged upward through the exhaust conduit 15, which is externally disposed on the side of the body 11, or through the drain valve DV in communication with the mouth chamber M1, without flowing back upward to the nasal chamber N1. Therefore, under such a design of the present invention, the possibility of the air exhaled from the nose and mouth (i.e., carbon dioxide) entering the upper chamber 102 and causing the viewing window 11 b to fog up is completely eliminated. In addition, because snorkeling is an underwater activity, very shallow from the water surface, the user only needs to exhale with normal force to overcome the water pressure and discharge the gas from the drain valve DV. A slightly stronger exhalation force can also discharge the accumulated water. Accordingly, the breathable mask for snorkeling 1 as a whole achieves a mask structure that enables free breathing and easy drainage of water.
• The intake components mentioned above, such as the intake conduit 13, the first intake one-way valve V1, and the second intake one-way valve V2, are not limited in number or position. In various configurations, providing one intake conduit 13 and one second intake one-way valve V2 constitutes the basic requirement, while providing two first intake one-way valves V1 symmetrically disposed on the partition PT or the outer sides S1 represents the best mode. For convenience, only one arrangement of them has been selectively described above, and is not intended to be limited thereto. Furthermore, the shape of the one-way valve can be mushroom-type (circular or rectangular), pivot-type (often rectangular), or other possible types of valve device, provided that it can provide one-way fluid communication.
• In addition, regarding the exhaust components, such as the exhaust one-way valve V3 or the drain valve DV, there is no limitation on the number or position thereof. The exhaust one-way valve V3 may be provided in the upper section U1 of the exhaust conduit 15 to enhance the watertight effect, or it can be further provided in the lower section L1 and/or the position connected to the mouth chamber M1 to further block residual carbon dioxide that may accumulate inside the conduit and achieve multiple layers of water isolation.
• The main frame 11 a and the viewing window 11 b are not limited to covering only the user's eyes, and it is also feasible to cover the user's eyes, nose at the same time, or cover the user's eyes, nose, and mouth at the same time. Furthermore, the viewing window 11 b, which only covers the eyes, is not limited to a single viewing window connected to the left and right. Two independent viewing windows arranged on the left and right are also feasible.
• The waterproof skirt 11 c is not necessarily integrally formed into one piece. For example, the bridge BR between the mouth chamber M1 and the nasal chamber N1 can be a separate component and assembled to the partition PT.
• In the embodiment where the main frame 11 a and the viewing window 11 b cover the user's eyes only, the nasal chamber N1 may be formed of a soft material (e.g., silicone rubber) and integrally formed with the waterproof skirt 11 c. This structure can provide a nose pinchable portion P1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A, for the user to pinch the nose to perform the function of equalizing onto the nose (such as an operation called “Frenzel equalization”).
• The core technology of the present invention lies in providing an intake conduit 13, which is only used for intake, at the top of the breathable mask for snorkeling 1, with no exhaust passage running along the upper chamber 102 inside the snorkeling breathable mask 1. The user's nose and/or mouth exhalation is only exhausted through the drain valve DV and the exhaust conduit 15 disposed on the outer side of the body 11. How other parts of the mask are designed, or for what purpose the mask is used in other similar water activities (e.g., swimming training or activities that may involve contact with shallow water), is not the focus of this invention, though.
• Any modifications based on the above core technology of the present invention are intended to be protected. Consequently, the above embodiments are used only to illustrate the implementations of the present invention and to explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily accomplished by those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be limited by the claims of the patent application.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1. A breathable mask for snorkeling, comprising:

a body;

an intake conduit connected with the body and being in fluid communication with an interior of the body; and

an exhaust conduit, disposed on an outer side of the body;

wherein the body comprises:

a main frame;

at least one viewing window embedded within the main frame; and

a waterproof skirt embedded with the main frame and the at least one viewing window;

wherein the waterproof skirt has:

a rear edge being configured to fit a face of a user;

a partition formed to divide the interior of the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

a first intake one-way valve provided between the upper chamber and the lower chamber;

a bridge disposed across the lower chamber and dividing the lower chamber into a nasal chamber and a mouth chamber below the nasal chamber, the nasal chamber and the mouth chamber capable of being in fluid communication with each other through the bridge; and

a drain valve provided at a lower portion of the waterproof skirt to allow the mouth chamber to be in fluid communication with outside;

wherein when the user wears the breathable mask for snorkeling through a fastening device, the partition rests above an outer contour of a nose of the user, allowing the upper chamber, the nasal chamber and the mouth chamber to be configured to accommodate eyes, nose and mouth of the user, respectively;

characterized in that the exhaust conduit has an upper section, a lower section and an exhaust one-way valve, the upper section extends towards a rear of the waterproof skirt, and the lower section is flexible and communicates with the lower chamber, such that:

fresh air entering the intake conduit from the outside is only allowed to pass through the upper chamber and the first intake one-way valve, and then unidirectionally enter the lower chamber; and

air exhaled by the user is limited to being capable of being unidirectionally discharged only through at least one of the exhaust conduit and the drain valve.

2. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 1, wherein the first intake one-way valve is disposed on an outer side of the partition.

3. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 2, further comprising a second intake one-way valve provided on the bridge to allow the fresh air to unidirectionally flow from the nasal chamber into the mouth chamber.

4. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 3, wherein the exhaust one-way valve is provided at the upper section of the exhaust conduit.

5. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 4, wherein the exhaust conduit has a length ranging from 180 mm to 250 mm, and an inner cross-sectional area ranging from 200 mm² to 350 mm².

6. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 4, wherein the upper section of the exhaust conduit is detachably and adjustably connected to the fastening device.

7. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 4, wherein the upper section of the exhaust conduit is connected to the fastening device by an elastic retainer.

8. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 4, wherein the lower section of the exhaust conduit has a recognizable region for fingers of the user to clearly identify and pinch the lower section to temporarily block exhaust airflow from flowing through the exhaust conduit.

9. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 8, wherein the recognizable region comprises two opposing raised buttons.

10. The breathable mask for snorkeling of claim 8, wherein the recognizable region comprises two opposing flattened surfaces.

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