Breathable face mask and integrally formed lens module

Abstract

A respirator and integrally formed lens module are disclosed. The respirator includes a body and a breathing tube. The breathing tube is in fluid communication with an interior of the body. The body includes a main frame, a lens module, and a waterproof sealing skirt. The lens module has a lens portion and a support device integrally formed with the lens portion at a distance inward from an outermost edge of the lens portion and connected to a portion of the waterproof sealing skirt to increase rigidity of an area near the portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a full-face mask, and more particularly to a breathable mask for snorkeling. Background Technology

[0002] To allow for free breathing through the mouth and nose, and to ensure that users inhale as much clean air as possible while minimizing the mixing of exhaled dirty air with clean air before re-entering the next inhalation cycle, many current full-face snorkel masks (FFSMs) are divided into an upper chamber covering the eyes and a lower chamber covering the mouth and nose. This allows inhaled clean air to flow unidirectionally from the upper chamber to the lower chamber, while exhaled dirty air is partially discharged through a drain valve in the lower chamber and partially through a separate exhaust duct. These exhaust ducts are independently installed around the perimeter of the upper chamber and connected to the snorkel, allowing exhaled air to directly pass through the snorkel to the outside without lingering in the upper chamber and being re-inhaled into the lower chamber for the next inhalation. While this separate intake and exhaust structure is feasible, it is clearly insufficient in terms of product cost and reliability.

[0003] Firstly, regarding air intake, a one-way valve is required to allow air to flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. These valves are typically mushroom-shaped (i.e., a rigid, round drum-shaped valve seat paired with a flexible, round valve disc), mounted on the flexible partition separating the upper and lower chambers. When a user wears a mask, the partition can deform due to different face shapes, excessive tightness, or stretching, causing the one-way valve to misalign and leak air, or malfunction. Wearing it too loosely, while not causing this problem, can easily lead to water leakage. Furthermore, this structure involves numerous assembly parts and a complex process.

[0004] Furthermore, regarding ventilation, while using a flexible material for the ventilation channel, molded together with a waterproof sealing skirt, is certainly more convenient, flexible channels are frequently subjected to pulling from different users during wear (especially when worn too tightly). This can lead to deformation due to wear or prolonged use, obstructing the ventilation path. Therefore, most ventilation channels are primarily constructed from a rigid main frame, lens section, or both. This structure still requires the fitting of a waterproof sealing skirt, increasing costs and making effective waterproofing more difficult to control. Additionally, rigid ventilation channels are easily broken upon impact, resulting in insufficient product reliability. For the disadvantages of using flexible ventilation channels, see U.S. Patent No. 10,793,239B2; while for the disadvantages of using the main frame as a rigid ventilation channel, see U.S. Patent No. 10,556,654B2.

[0005] In view of this, solving the above problems simultaneously or partially, so that the intake and exhaust operations are smooth and the manufacturing and assembly costs can be effectively controlled, has become the common goal of the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main objective of this invention is to provide a breathable face mask in which a support device is integrally provided in a suitable area on the rigid lens section. During assembly, this support device reinforces the rigidity of flexible functional components, such as a one-way air intake valve, an exhaust channel, or both, ensuring precise and reliable operation. Thus, multiple functional components can still be made from low-cost, less complex flexible waterproof materials (e.g., silicone), and can even be molded together during the fabrication of the silicone waterproof sealing skirt, significantly reducing manufacturing and assembly costs. More specifically, because the rigid lens section and the flexible waterproof sealing skirt need to be assembled together, this invention envisions integrally adding reinforcing components to the lens section. These reinforcing components can be additional necessary components (e.g., a baffle supporting the flexible exhaust channel, or rigid ribs stabilizing the one-way valve structure), or they can be components that are already necessary (e.g., a rigid valve seat for the one-way valve). In this way, when assembling the lens section with the waterproof sealing skirt, no additional parts are needed, significantly reducing costs, simplifying assembly, and improving strength.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention specifically provides a breathable face mask comprising a body and a breathing tube, the breathing tube being fluidly connected to an interior portion of the body; the body comprising: a main frame; a lens module fitted within the main frame; and a waterproof sealing skirt, at least partially fitted with the main frame and the lens module, the waterproof sealing skirt being adaptable to fit a user's face; characterized in that: the lens module has a lens portion and a supporting device, the supporting device being integrally formed with the lens portion at a distance inward from the outermost edge of the lens portion, and interconnected with a portion of the waterproof sealing skirt to enhance the rigidity of the area near that portion. The supporting device may be a rigid valve seat of a one-way intake valve, a reinforcing rib in the area near the one-way intake valve, or a baffle supporting the exhaust channel.

[0008] A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a lens module having the aforementioned support device for use in a breathable mask, wherein the lens may be in a style that only covers the user's eyes, or in a style that covers the user's eyes, nose and mouth. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1A This is an image of a traditional full-face snorkeling mask.

[0010] Figure 1B A diagram illustrating a user wearing traditional snorkeling gear.

[0011] Figure 2AThis is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2B for Figure 2A 3D exploded view.

[0013] Figure 2C for Figure 2A Rear view, headband omitted.

[0014] Figure 2D For along Figure 2C 2D-2D cross-sectional view of the line.

[0015] Figure 2E for Figure 2A 3D exploded view of the lens module and waterproof sealing skirt.

[0016] Figure 3A This is a perspective view of a lens module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3B For the corresponding Figure 3A The perspective view of the embodiment omits the headband and breathing tube.

[0018] Figure 3C For along Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of line 3C-3C.

[0019] Figure 4A This is a perspective view of a lens module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4B For the corresponding Figure 4A The perspective view of the embodiment omits the headband and breathing tube.

[0021] Figure 4C For along Figure 4B A cross-sectional view along line 4C-4C.

[0022] Figure 5A This is a perspective view of a lens module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5B For the corresponding Figure 5A The perspective view of the embodiment omits the headband and breathing tube.

[0024] Figure 5C For along Figure 5B A cross-sectional view of line 5C-5C.

[0025] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1 Full-face snorkeling mask 2. Lens section 3. Diving mask 10 Breathable face masks 20 body 21 Main Frame 22 Lens Modules 221 Connector 222 Intake pipe 223 Exhaust pipe 224 Lens Section 225 valve seat 23 Waterproof Sealing Skirt 231 Eye Area 232 Exhaust passage 233 Inner wall 234 Exhaust passage inlet 235 spacer 236 Air Inlet 237 Oscillating diaphragm 238 Retaining Wall 239 Negative Fastener 240 positive buckle 25 upper room 26. Lower Room 27 Drain valve 30 breathing tubes 31. Frame 322 intake pipe 323 Exhaust Pipe 40 headband 41 Chin band 42 Lens Module 424 Lens Section 425 valve seat 43 Waterproof Sealing Skirt 432 Exhaust passage 435 spacer 436 air intake 437 Oscillating Diaphragm 438 Retaining Wall 45 upper room 46. ​​Lower room 50 One-way intake valve 51 First Rib 52 Second rib 53 Waterproof Sealing Skirt 55 upper room 56. Lower Room 532 Exhaust passage 533 Inner wall 534 Exhaust passage inlet 535 spacer 536 air intake 537 Oscillating Diaphragm 625 valve seat 63 Waterproof Sealing Skirt 632 Exhaust passage 633 Inner wall 634 Exhaust passage inlet 636 air intake 637 membrane 638 Retaining Wall 639 Negative Fastener 640 Positive Fastener 65 upper room 66. Lower Room Detailed Implementation

[0026] The main technical feature claimed in this invention lies in the modification of the mask's lens structure. A support component (preferably integrally formed) is added to the mirror surface to serve as part of an existing component on the waterproof sealing skirt and / or to supplement insufficient strength in the waterproof sealing skirt. After the mirror surface and the waterproof sealing skirt are assembled, the support component can be interconnected with the waterproof sealing skirt, thereby increasing the rigidity of areas requiring stronger support. This technology can be applied to all masks with a rigid mirror surface and a soft waterproof sealing skirt, including existing "Full-face Snorkel Mask (FFSM)1" (e.g., Figure 1A ), that is, a mask with lenses 2 that covers the user's eyes, nose, and mouth; it can also be used for another type of "diving mask 3" that only covers the eyes and nose (such as Figure 1B ); or other extended methods. Alternatively, it can be used with the "breathable mask 10" newly created by the inventor in this case (such as...). Figure 2A This refers to a snorkeling mask where the lens only covers the user's eyes, while the nose and mouth are covered by the frame and waterproof sealing skirt. Because the structures can be interchanged, the following explanation focuses on the "breathable mask 10" as the framework, and describes various variations in sequence.

[0027] like Figure 2A and 2BA breathable face mask 10 includes a body 20 and a breathing tube 30, which is fluidly connected to an interior of the body 20. The body 20 includes a main frame 21, a lens module 22, and a waterproof sealing skirt 23. The lens module 22 is fitted into the main frame 21. The waterproof sealing skirt 23 is at least partially fitted into the main frame 21 and the lens module 22. In this embodiment, only the front eye area 231 of the waterproof sealing skirt 23 is fitted into the main frame 21 and the lens module 22. The rear of the waterproof sealing skirt 23 is adapted to fit the face of a user (not shown). In addition, when the user wears the face mask 10, the headband 40 connected to two opposite sides of the main frame 21 can be fitted tightly around the user's head, and the chin strap 41 located below the waterproof sealing skirt 23 can be fitted tightly around the user's chin, and is fixed at three points with the two sides of the headband 40.

[0028] Preferably, a connector 221 is integrally provided on the upper part of the lens module 22, the upper end of which is coupled to the breathing tube 30 to serve as a bridge for airflow transmission between the breathing tube 30 and the interior of the body 20. In this embodiment, the connector 221 is divided into an independent central air intake pipe 222 and two side exhaust pipes 223. The interior of the breathing tube 30 is also divided into an independent central air intake pipe 322 and two side exhaust pipes 323, which communicate with the central air intake pipe 222 and the exhaust pipes 223 respectively. However, this centralized function of the breathing tube 30 for both intake and exhaust is only one embodiment and is not limited to this. For example, the breathing tube 30 may only be responsible for intake, while exhaust is arranged in other ways, which is also a suitable architecture for this invention.

[0029] Then refer to Figure 2C The waterproof sealing skirt 23 has a spacer 235 that divides the interior of the body 20 into an upper chamber 25 and a lower chamber 26. When the user wears the breathable mask, the spacer 235 is located in the user's nose, the user's eyes are contained in the upper chamber 25, and the user's nose, or nose and mouth, are contained in the lower chamber 26. Figure 2C In the illustrated embodiment, the user's nose and mouth are simultaneously housed in the lower chamber 26, while the lens module 22 is correspondingly located in the upper chamber 25. The drain valve 27 corresponds to the lower chamber 26 and is sandwiched between the rigid mouth frame 31 and the waterproof sealing skirt 23, allowing the user to drain water and also serving a partial function of venting.

[0030] Continue to consider Figure 2DRegarding air intake, the upper chamber 25 and lower chamber 26 are connected in a one-way flow, allowing only fresh air from the upper chamber 25 to enter the lower chamber 26 via a one-way intake valve 50. Stale air from the lower chamber 26 does not return to the upper chamber 25 through any conduit. Regarding exhaust, the waterproof sealing skirt 23 typically forms an exhaust channel 232 extending along the outer periphery of the upper chamber 25, allowing only stale air from the lower chamber 26 to be exhausted to the outside via this exhaust channel 232. Furthermore, when the user inhales, fresh air enters the upper chamber 25 from the intake pipe 322 of the breathing tube 30, passes through the intake pipe 222 of the connector 221, clears any fogging from the lens module 22, and then enters the lower chamber 26 via the one-way intake valve 50 for the user to inhale. Figure 2D As shown by the hollow dashed line. When the user exhales through their mouth or nose, the dirty air is discharged to the outside through the exhaust channel 232, the exhaust pipe 223 of the connector 221, and the exhaust pipe 323 of the breathing tube 30, as... Figure 2D As shown by the solid and dashed lines, this forms a separate intake and exhaust flow architecture.

[0031] Since the lens module 22 needs to be assembled with the waterproof sealing skirt 23 regardless of the method, the present invention envisions adding or integrally forming some reinforcing components to the lens module 22 to support the soft waterproof sealing skirt 23. This not only simplifies the number of parts and reduces part costs, but also saves a lot on assembly costs. Therefore, this forms the technical feature of the present invention. Specifically, the lens module 22 has a lens portion 224 and a support device. The support device is integrally formed with the lens portion 224 at a distance inward from the outermost edge of the lens portion 224 and is interconnected with a part of the waterproof sealing skirt 23 to improve the rigidity of the area near that part. The support device may include, but is not limited to, a valve seat of a one-way air intake valve provided on the waterproof sealing skirt 23, reinforcing ribs on both sides of the one-way air intake valve, and / or a baffle wall for the exhaust passage to lean against, which will be described in sequence below.

[0032] like Figure 2C , 2Dand shown in 2E, the one-way intake valve 50 is a pivoting one-way valve; the support device has a valve seat 225, the exhaust passage 232 has an exhaust passage inlet 234 and an inner side wall 233, the inner side wall 233 is provided with an air inlet 236 and a swinging diaphragm 237 covering the air inlet 236 at a position close to the exhaust passage inlet 234, the valve seat 225 and the diaphragm 237 are respectively arranged on two sides of the air inlet 236 to jointly form the pivoting one-way valve, for fresh air to enter the lower chamber 26 from the upper chamber 25. Preferably, one side of the swinging diaphragm 237 (preferably the side close to the partition portion 235, to ensure that the one-way intake valve 50 can be reliably closed during exhalation) is integrally formed on the inner side wall 233 at a position close to the exhaust passage inlet 234, and the valve seat 225 is integrally formed on the lens portion 224, Figure 2E discloses a clear structural relationship.

[0033] Then from Figure 2B , 2D and shown in 2E, the support device further comprises a baffle wall 238, and the exhaust passage 232 is located between the main frame 21 and the baffle wall 238. The baffle wall 238 is at least partially continuous, and is at least partially disposed in close contact with the inner side wall 233 of the exhaust passage 232. More preferably, the baffle wall 238 comprises a plurality of female buckles 239, and the outer side of the inner side wall 233 of the exhaust passage 232 is provided with a plurality of male buckles 240, which can be correspondingly buckled with the plurality of female buckles 239, so that the baffle wall 238 will not separate from the exhaust passage 232.

[0034] Refer to Figure 3A , 3B and 3C, which is also a pivoting one-way valve. The lens module 42 has a lens portion 424 and a support device, and the support device is integrally formed with the lens portion 424. In this embodiment, the intake pivoting one-way valve that provides communication from the upper chamber 45 to the lower chamber 46 is only rearranged on the spacer 435, and the other parts that are the same as the previous embodiment will not be repeated. In this embodiment, the support device has a valve seat 425, the waterproof sealing skirt 43 is provided with an air inlet 436 and a swinging diaphragm 437 covering the air inlet 436 on the spacer 435, the valve seat 425 and the diaphragm 437 are respectively arranged on two sides of the air inlet 436 to jointly form the pivoting one-way valve. The support device may additionally have a baffle wall 438 for the exhaust passage 432 to lean against or be fixed thereto. The diaphragm 437 in this embodiment is a separate component from the spacer 435, and is not integrally formed.

[0035] Figure 4A , 4B4C is another embodiment. Although it also features a pivoting check valve, the support device is not necessarily the valve seat of the check valve, but rather a reinforcing rib that supports the check valve. Specifically, the waterproof sealing skirt 53 has an air inlet 536 and a swing-type diaphragm 537 that shields the air inlet 536 on the spacer 535. The diaphragm 537 is located on the inner side of the air inlet 536, forming the pivoting check valve together with the air inlet 536. The waterproof sealing skirt 53 also forms an exhaust channel 532 that extends along the outer periphery of the upper chamber 55, allowing only the lower chamber 56 to be in fluid communication with the outside through the exhaust channel 532 for the user to exhale and release air. Similarly, the exhaust passage 532 has an exhaust passage inlet 534 and an inner sidewall 533. The support device has a first rib 51 and a second rib 52. The first rib 51 and the waterproof sealing skirt 53 are embedded above the pivoting check valve, while the second rib 52 and the waterproof sealing skirt 53 are embedded in the inner sidewall 533 near the exhaust passage inlet 534 to strengthen the pivoting check valve and prevent its structure from collapsing.

[0036] and Figures 2A to 2E The embodiments are similar, Figure 5A , 5B 5C is another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the intake one-way valve is not a pivoting one-way valve, but a mushroom-shaped one-way valve, and the support device is also pre-equipped with an integrally formed valve seat for ease and stability in assembly with the waterproof sealing skirt. Specifically, in this embodiment, the one-way intake valve is a mushroom-shaped one-way valve; the waterproof sealing skirt 63 forms an exhaust passage 632, extending along the outer periphery of the upper chamber 65, allowing only the lower chamber 66 to be in fluid communication with the outside through the exhaust passage 632 for the user to exhale air. The support device has a valve seat 625, an exhaust passage 632 with an exhaust passage inlet 634 and an inner wall 633. The inner wall 633 has an air inlet 636 near the exhaust passage inlet 634. The valve seat 625 is mounted on the air inlet 636, and a diaphragm 637 is fixedly provided at the lower center of the valve seat 625 to shield the air inlet 636, thus forming a mushroom-shaped one-way valve to allow fresh air to flow only from the upper chamber 65 to the lower chamber 66. Figures 2A to 2E Similar to the embodiment, the support device further includes a retaining wall 638, and the exhaust channel 634 is located between the main frame 21 and the retaining wall 638; the retaining wall 638 is at least partially continuous and is at least partially disposed close to the inner sidewall 633 of the exhaust channel 632. Preferably, the retaining wall 638 includes a plurality of female fasteners 639, and a plurality of male fasteners 640 are provided on the outer side of the inner sidewall 633 of the exhaust channel 632, which can be correspondingly fastened to the plurality of female fasteners 639 so that the retaining wall 638 will not separate from the exhaust channel 632.

[0037] In addition to the above preferred embodiments which have described in detail the structure and operation of the present invention, any variations based on the concept of the present invention, such as the intake one-way valve being a pivot type, mushroom type or other form, the position and number of intake one-way valves, the type of baffle and the connection method between the baffle and the exhaust channel, etc., shall not be limited, but shall fall within the equivalent scope of the present invention, and shall not limit the wording claimed in the final claims.

Claims

1. A breathable face mask comprising a body and a breathing tube, the breathing tube being in fluid communication with an interior of the body; characterized in that, This ontology contains: One main frame; A lens module is fitted into the main frame; A waterproof sealing skirt, at least partially fitted with the main frame and the lens module, is adapted to fit a user's face; Wherein: the waterproof sealing skirt has a spacer that divides the interior of the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. When the user wears the breathable mask, the spacer is located in the user's nose, the user's eyes are contained in the upper chamber, and the user's nose, or nose and mouth, are contained in the lower chamber. The upper and lower chambers are connected by a one-way fluid connection, allowing only the gas in the upper chamber to enter the lower chamber through a one-way inlet valve; The waterproof sealing skirt forms an exhaust channel that extends along the outer periphery of the upper chamber, allowing only the lower chamber to be in fluid communication with the outside through the exhaust channel for the user to exhale air. The lens module has a lens portion and a support device. The support device is integrally formed with the lens portion at a distance inward from the outermost edge of the lens portion and is connected to a part of the waterproof sealing skirt to improve the rigidity of the area near that part. The support device includes a valve seat of the one-way air intake valve provided on the waterproof sealing skirt, reinforcing ribs on both sides of the one-way air intake valve, and / or a baffle wall that allows the exhaust passage to lean against a fixed wall.

2. The breathable face mask as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lens module is located in the upper chamber.

3. The breathable face mask as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way intake valve is a pivoting one-way valve; wherein when the support device has the valve seat, the exhaust passage has an exhaust passage inlet and an inner side wall, and the inner side wall is provided with an air inlet and a swing-type diaphragm that covers the air inlet near the exhaust passage inlet, and the valve seat and the diaphragm are respectively disposed on two sides of the air inlet to jointly form the pivoting one-way valve.

4. The breathable face mask as described in claim 3, characterized in that, When the support device also includes the retaining wall, the exhaust channel is located between the main frame and the retaining wall; the retaining wall is at least partially continuous and is at least partially located close to the inner sidewall of the exhaust channel.

5. The breathable face mask as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The barrier includes multiple female latches, and the outer side of the inner wall of the exhaust channel is provided with multiple male latches, which can be fastened to the corresponding female latches so that the barrier will not separate from the exhaust channel.

6. The breathable face mask as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The breathing tube has an inlet pipe and an exhaust pipe that is independently configured with the inlet pipe. The exhaust passage extends along the outer periphery of the upper chamber and communicates with the exhaust pipe of the breathing tube, so as to allow the lower chamber to be in fluid communication with the outside through the exhaust passage and the exhaust pipe.

7. The breathable face mask as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way air intake valve is a pivoting one-way valve; when the support device has the valve seat, the waterproof sealing skirt on the spacer is provided with an air inlet and a swing-type diaphragm that covers the air inlet. The valve seat and the diaphragm are respectively located on both sides of the air inlet to jointly form the pivoting one-way valve.

8. The breathable face mask as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way air intake valve is a pivoting one-way valve. The waterproof sealing skirt on the spacer has an air inlet and a swing-type diaphragm that covers the air inlet. The diaphragm is located on the inner side of the air inlet to form the pivoting one-way valve together with the swing-type diaphragm. The waterproof sealing skirt also forms an exhaust channel that extends along the outer periphery of the upper chamber, allowing the lower chamber to be in fluid communication with the outside through the exhaust channel for the user to exhale air. The exhaust channel has an exhaust channel inlet and an inner sidewall. The support device has a first rib and a second rib. The first rib and the waterproof sealing skirt are embedded above the pivoting one-way valve, while the second rib and the waterproof sealing skirt are embedded in the inner sidewall near the exhaust channel inlet to reinforce the pivoting one-way valve.

9. The breathable face mask as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way air intake valve is a mushroom-shaped one-way valve; the waterproof sealing skirt forms an exhaust channel that extends along the outer periphery of the upper chamber, allowing only the lower chamber to be in fluid communication with the outside through the exhaust channel for the user to exhale air; when the support device has the valve seat, the exhaust channel has an exhaust channel inlet and an inner side wall, and the inner side wall has an air inlet near the exhaust channel inlet, the valve seat is installed on the air inlet, and a diaphragm is fixedly provided at the lower center of the valve seat to shield the air inlet, thus forming the mushroom-shaped one-way valve.

10. The breathable face mask as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When the support device also includes the retaining wall, the exhaust channel is located between the main frame and the retaining wall; the retaining wall is at least partially continuous and is at least partially located close to the inner sidewall of the exhaust channel.

11. The breathable face mask as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The barrier includes multiple female latches, and the outer side of the inner wall of the exhaust channel is provided with multiple male latches, which can be fastened to the corresponding female latches so that the barrier will not separate from the exhaust channel.

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