Diving mask with anti-fog properties

Abstract

A diving mask (1) comprising a rigid frame (101), at least one lens (102, 103) and a mask (104) made of a soft and elastically deformable material fixed to the rigid frame (101), wherein the mask (104) has at least one opening (106, 107) for positioning the at least one lens (102, 103), a front hollow protrusion (112) for accommodating the nose of the diver and a rear peripheral contour (105) sealingly suitable for the face of the diver so as to delimit an internal space (113) between said mask (1) and the face of the diver suitable for accommodating the nose and the eyes of the diver, wherein the mask (104) has means for cooling the humid gases exhaled from the nose of the diver before they reach the at least one lens (102, 103) to dehumidify them.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a diving mask with anti-fog properties. Background Technology

[0002] Diving masks have been on the market for some time and consist of a pair of lenses (or a single lens) supported by a rigid frame. The so-called mask is fixed to the outline of the rigid frame. The mask is formed by a cap-shaped piece made of a soft and elastically deformable material, equipped with openings for the lenses, and the rear outline of the mask is applied to the diver's face in an airtight manner by means of straps around the diver's head.

[0003] However, an internal space is maintained between the diver's face and the mask, which is increased by a cavity that protrudes to accommodate the diver's nose.

[0004] Therefore, the diver's eyes and nose are covered by the aforementioned mask, while his / her mouth remains outside the mask and can be connected to the air cylinder via a mouthpiece.

[0005] The mask can also be used for freediving.

[0006] It is known that in any situation, although the nose is not used for breathing, a small amount of moist air inevitably leaves the diver's nose, and this moist air can cause the lenses to fog up, thereby reducing the diver's visual ability.

[0007] As is well known, various attempts have been made to reduce lens fogging, mainly through special treatments on the inner surface of the lens. However, the effects of these special treatments are not always lasting or satisfactory.

[0008] EP 3269629 A1 shows a diving mask with an anti-fog system.

[0009] Therefore, it is believed that the structure of known diving masks equipped with anti-fog systems needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical objective of this invention is to provide a diving mask that eliminates the fogging defect that has been complained about in the prior art.

[0011] Based on this technical task, the purpose of this invention is to provide a diving mask with anti-fog properties, which is simple in construction and production method and low in cost.

[0012] According to the invention, this technical task and these and other objectives are achieved by providing a diving mask comprising a rigid frame, at least one lens, and a mask made of a soft and elastically deformable material fixed to the rigid frame, the mask having: at least one opening for positioning the at least one lens; a front hollow protrusion for receiving a diver's nose; and a rear peripheral profile that is sealingly adapted to the diver's face to define an internal space between the mask and the diver's face, the internal space being adapted to receive the diver's nose and eyes, characterized in that the mask has means for cooling and dehumidifying humid gas exhaled from the diver's nose before it reaches the at least one lens.

[0013] Advantageously, the cooling device includes the inner fin surface and / or the outer fin surface of the mask.

[0014] Advantageously, the surface of the internal fins defines channels for humid gas exhaled from the diver's nose along a tortuous path with a progressively cooling surface, wherein the humid gas deposits moisture before reaching the at least one lens.

[0015] Advantageously, the channel separates the anterior hollow protrusion for accommodating the diver's nose from the at least one positioning opening of the at least one lens.

[0016] The surface of the internal fins may be formed by a flexible sealing lip, the flexible sealing lip having: a base attachment end for connection to the inner rear surface of the mask; and a free tip.

[0017] The surface of the outer fin may be defined by a plurality of fins arranged in an orderly manner in a parallel plane.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the plurality of fins are substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the at least one lens.

[0019] Advantageously, the fin surface and the mask are formed as a single molded component. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the diving mask according to the invention, which is illustrated by non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 An external perspective view of the diving mask according to the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An internal perspective view of the mask is shown, and Figure 3The dehumidification path for the humid gas is highlighted with pointing arrows;

[0023] Figure 4 An internal rear view of the mask is shown, in which the dehumidification path of the humid gas is highlighted with pointing arrows;

[0024] Figure 5 An internal perspective view taken at a horizontal cross-section is shown;

[0025] Figure 6 A top view of the mask is shown;

[0026] Figure 7 A side view of the face mask is shown;

[0027] Figure 8 An enlarged cross-section of some of the extended fins of the mask is shown, highlighting their appropriate proportions. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a diving mask, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, is shown.

[0029] The diving mask 1 includes: a rigid frame 101; a single lens, or, in the case shown, a separate right lens 103 and a left lens 102; and a mask 104 made of a soft and elastically deformable material fixed to the frame 101, the mask 104 having a rear peripheral profile 105 that is sealed to fit the diver's face so as to define an internal space 113 between the mask 1 and the diver's face, the internal space being particularly suitable for accommodating the diver's nose and eyes rather than the mouth.

[0030] The mask 104 also has a side buckle 200 for attaching an adjustable fastening strap to the diver’s head to hold the mask 1 on the face (a known type of strap, and not shown in the figure for the sake of simplicity of illustration).

[0031] The mask 104 has a front hollow protrusion 112 for accommodating the diver's nose, and corresponding positioning openings 106 and 107 at the front of each lens 102 and 103.

[0032] Advantageously, the mask 104 has a cooling device for cooling and dehumidifying the humid gas exhaled from the diver's nose before it reaches one or more lenses 102, 103.

[0033] The cooling device includes the inner fin surface and / or outer fin surface of the shroud 104.

[0034] The surface of the internal fins defines channels for humid gas exhaled from the diver's nose along a tortuous path with a progressively cooling surface, wherein the humid gas deposits moisture before reaching one or more lenses 102, 103.

[0035] The internal fin surface is specifically formed by flexible sealing lips 115, 302, and 303.

[0036] A flexible sealing lip 115 surrounds the front hollow shell protrusion 112 of the nose.

[0037] The flexible sealing lip 115 is configured such that the internal space 113 between the mask 1 and the diver's face is divided into a first region 116 behind the lenses 102, 103 and a second region 117 including a front hollow protrusion 112 for accommodating the nose.

[0038] The flexible sealing lip 115 is advantageously formed into a single piece together with the face mask 104 during the molding process.

[0039] The flexible sealing lip 115 has a base end 118 for attaching to the rear surface of the mask 104, and a free tip 119.

[0040] The free tip 119 is folded, advantageously but not necessarily toward the interior of the second region 117, in order to form a full seal of contact with the diver's face.

[0041] The flexible sealing lip 115 has a height, which is the distance between the base end 118 and the top end 119 of the flexible sealing lip, and the height gradually increases in the direction from the lower edge to the upper edge of the mask 104.

[0042] Specifically, the flexible sealing lip 115 extends at least partially along the peripheral edge of the anterior hollow protrusion 112 for receiving the nose.

[0043] The mask 1 shown with reference to two separate lenses 102 and 103 is provided with a flexible sealing lip 115 having two converging side sections 120, 121 connected by a transverse upper section 122.

[0044] Advantageously, according to the invention, the inner surface of the mask 104 also has at least one pair of flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 that are symmetrical with respect to the vertical central axis Y of the mask, the at least one pair of flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 being partially externally connected to the positioning openings 106 and 107 of the corresponding lenses 102 and 103, respectively.

[0045] Flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 are configured to partially separate the internal space 116 behind lenses 102 and 103 between the mask 1 and the diver's face.

[0046] In the symmetrical flexible sealing lips 302 and 303, at least three segments, which are usually curved, can be identified as 302A, 302B, 302C and 303A, 303B, 303C, which are partially external to the corresponding lenses 102 and 103.

[0047] The central sections 302A and 303A define the periphery of lenses 102 and 103 in the section adjacent to the vertical axis of symmetry Y of the mask, and thus in the section closest to the flexible sealing lip 115 that defines the front hollow protrusion 112 for accommodating the nose.

[0048] Upper sections 302B and 303B define the periphery of lenses 102 and 103 in the upper section, while lower sections 302C and 303C define the periphery of lenses 102 and 103 in the lower section.

[0049] The symmetrical flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 are absent in the closed sections around the lenses 102 and 103, which are farther from the vertical axis of symmetry Y of the mask, and therefore closer to the sidewall 150 of the mask 104.

[0050] Flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 are advantageously formed into a single piece together with the face mask 104 during the molding process.

[0051] Flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 have base ends 312 and 313 for attaching to the rear surface of the mask 104 and the free tips 322 and 323, respectively.

[0052] The free tips 322 and 323 are folded, advantageously but not necessarily toward the interior of the interior space 116, so as to form a full seal of contact with the diver's face.

[0053] The flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 have a height in sections 302A and 303A, namely the distance between the corresponding base ends 312 and 313 and the top ends 322 and 323, which matches and is consistent with the height of the flexible sealing lip 115, and gradually increases in the vertical direction from the lower edge to the upper edge of the mask 104 according to the axis of symmetry Y.

[0054] Such heights in sections 302B, 303B and sections 302C, 303C gradually decrease from the corresponding upper and lower ends of sections 302A and 303A until they are offset in and near the sidewall 150 of the mask 104.

[0055] Appropriately, the central section 302A of the symmetrical flexible sealing lip 302 together with the opposite and identical section 120 of the flexible sealing lip 115 defines a first channel 332; symmetrically, the central section 303A of the symmetrical flexible sealing lip 303 together with the opposite and identical section 121 of the flexible sealing lip 115 defines a first channel 333.

[0056] Such a pair of first symmetrical channels 332 and 333 have a substantially vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis of symmetry Y of the mask 1.

[0057] Appropriately, the upper section 302B of the symmetrical flexible sealing lip 302, together with the inner upper surface 151 of the mask 104, defines a second channel 342; symmetrically, the upper section 303B of the symmetrical flexible sealing lip 303, together with the inner upper surface 151 of the mask 104, defines a second channel 343.

[0058] Such a pair of second symmetrical channels 342 and 343 have a substantially horizontal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis of symmetry Y of the mask 1.

[0059] Conversely, the fin surface is formed by at least one fin group 400 of a plurality of parallel fins 400i disposed on the sidewall 150 and the upper wall of the shroud 104.

[0060] Preferably, the parallel fins 400i protrude from the base layer 500 of the mask 104 and have a maximum protrusion length L and a maximum thickness T. The maximum protrusion length is between 5 and 20 times the thickness S presented by the base layer 500 at the root R of the fins 400i, and the maximum thickness is between 2 and 5 times the thickness S presented by the base layer 500 at the root R of the fins 400i. This ratio optimizes the cooling effect on the moist gas exhaled from the diver's nose.

[0061] Typically, the fins 400i are arranged in an orderly manner in a parallel plane and may be substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of at least one lens 102 or 103, and the fin assembly 400 is positioned relative to the front of the mask 1 at the rear of at least one positioning opening 106 or 107 of at least one lens 102 or 103.

[0062] Advantageously, the fin group 400 of the multiple fins 400i is formed into a single piece together with the mask 104 during the molding step.

[0063] The operation of the diving mask according to the invention can be clearly seen from the description and examples, and is specifically as follows.

[0064] When the mask 1 is worn by the diver, the two converging sections 120, 121 of the flexible sealing lip 115 are arranged along the sidewall of the nose, while the transverse section 122 is arranged around the root of the nose.

[0065] A flexible sealing lip 115 rests against the user's face, separating a first region 116 and a second region 117 of the internal space 113 between the mask 100 and the face.

[0066] The first region 116 of the internal space 113 between the mask 100 and the diver's face is formed by a single air chamber that extends continuously from the region behind the right lens 102 to the region behind the left lens 103, passing through the region of the lateral segment 122 covering the flexible sealing lip 115.

[0067] Symmetrical flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 are arranged to define most of the diver's eye on the right and left sides, respectively.

[0068] Flexible sealing lip 115 and symmetrical flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 define at least a pair of first channels 332 and 333 with substantially vertical axes within region 116, and at least a pair of second channels 342 and 343 with substantially horizontal axes.

[0069] Under the operating conditions of the diver facing the mask 1, the symmetrical sequence of the first channels 332 and 333 and the corresponding second channels 342 and 343 constitutes a device for guiding the humid gas exhaled from the diver's nose into region 117 but drawn into region 116, wherein the flexible sealing lip 115 does not completely seal the diver's face with its lower part.

[0070] Moist gas is guided along tortuous paths A1 and A2 with progressively cooled surfaces, where moisture is deposited near the inner surface of the side surface 150 of the mask 104 before reaching lenses 102 and 103.

[0071] The fin assembly 400, located outside the side surface 150 and the top surface and immersed in water at a temperature lower than the diver's body temperature, keeps the entire side surface 150 and the top surface of the mask 104 at a lower temperature, further cooling the moist internal gases reaching the ends of the tortuous paths A1 and A2, and further depositing moisture.

[0072] When the gas reaches lenses 102 and 103 and the moisture naturally decreases along the tortuous paths A1 and A2, the gas contains a small amount of moisture, which can condense on the surface of the lens, thus preventing fogging.

[0073] The flexible sealing lips 302 and 303 are preferably only partially external to the positioning openings 106 and 107 of the corresponding lenses 102 and 103, in order to facilitate compensation for the pressure inside the mask generated by the diver, thereby preventing it from pressing against the face.

[0074] It has been noted that the diving mask according to the invention has particularly advantageous anti-fog properties, and its construction and manufacturing method are simple and inexpensive.

[0075] The diving mask thus conceived is easily modified and varied, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims; furthermore, all details can be replaced with technical equivalents.

[0076] In practice, the materials and dimensions used can be determined according to needs and existing technology.

Claims

1. A mask (104) made of a soft and elastically deformable material for a diving mask (1) comprising a rigid frame (101) and at least one lens (102, 103), the mask (104) having a vertical axis of symmetry (Y) and an orthogonal horizontal axis (X) and having at least one opening (106, 107) for positioning the at least one lens (102, 103), a front hollow protrusion (112) for accommodating the nose of a diver, and a rear peripheral profile (105) sealingly applicable to the face of the diver, the mask (104) having a cooling device for dehumidifying the humid gas exhaled from the nose of the diver before it reaches the at least one lens (102, 103), the cooling device comprising an internal finned surface and / or an external finned surface of the mask (104), the internal finned surface delimiting a channel for the humid gas exhaled from the nose of the diver along a tortuous path (Al, A2) having a progressive cooling surface, wherein the humid gas deposits moisture before reaching the at least one lens (102, 103), the tortuous path (Al, A2) comprising in cascade: A first section configured to convey a humidifying gas in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of symmetry (Y) of the mask (104) and a second section relative to the first section for conveying the humidifying gas in a direction substantially parallel to the orthogonal horizontal axis (X) of the mask (104), characterized in that the inner finned surface is formed by at least a first flexible sealing lip (115) configured to lean around at least most of the nose of the diver and at least a pair of second symmetric flexible sealing lips (302, 303) configured to lean around at least most of the eyes of the diver, the flexible sealing lips having a base attachment end for connection to the inner rear surface of the mask and a free top end; the outer finned surface is defined by a plurality of parallel fins (400i) protruding from a base layer (500) of the mask, wherein the fins (400i) have a maximum protruding length (L) comprised between 5 and 20 times the thickness (S) presented by the base layer (500) at the root (R) of the fins (400i) and a maximum thickness (T) comprised between 2 and 5 times the thickness (S) presented by the base layer (500) at the root (R) of the fins (400i).

2. The mask (104) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first section of the tortuous path (A1, A2) extends between the nose and the eyes of the diver in use and the second section of the tortuous path (A1, A2) protrudes above the eyes of the diver in use.

3. The mask (104) according to the preceding claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The channel separates the front hollow protrusion (112) for accommodating the nose of the diver from the at least one positioning opening (106, 107) of the at least one lens (102, 103).

4. The mask (104) according to the preceding claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The inner finned surface and the outer finned surface are made in a single molded part with the mask (104).

5. A diving mask (1) comprising a rigid frame (101), at least one lens (102, 103) and a mask (104) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 fixed to the rigid frame (101).

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