Breathable face mask for snorkeling
By designing independent air intake and exhaust channels in the snorkeling mask and installing a detachable exhaust pipe on the outside of the mask, the problems of carbon dioxide residue and water accumulation in full-face snorkeling masks are solved, resulting in cleaner breathing and a more comfortable user experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QBAS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
Smart Images
Figure CN224311963U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a mask for activities in water (including above and below water), and in particular a mask for snorkeling that allows breathing through both the nose and mouth. 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, most 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 most exhaled carbon dioxide is expelled through a separate exhaust duct. However, a portion of this exhaust duct is currently designed to be independently located around the perimeter of the upper chamber and connected to the snorkel, allowing exhaled air to be directly expelled through the snorkel to the outside without lingering in the upper chamber and being re-inhaled into the lower chamber during the next inhalation, thus preventing the fresh air from containing carbon dioxide.
[0003] Nevertheless, due to inherent limitations in the isolation between the exhaust duct and the mask's interior, as well as tolerances related to component fit, the actual product cannot achieve perfect isolation. Therefore, with each inhalation and exhalation cycle, a certain amount of carbon dioxide-rich, dirty air will inevitably remain in the exhaust duct and lower chamber. This air will inevitably be inhaled along with clean air in the next inhalation cycle. Thus, even with a separate intake and exhaust system, the air inhaled in each breathing cycle is still not entirely clean, and over extended snorkeling sessions, a considerable amount of carbon dioxide will accumulate in the mask.
[0004] On the other hand, when the mask is actually used in water, water inevitably accumulates in the lower chamber. Since the mouth and nose share the same chamber, when the user tries to exhale forcefully through their mouth to expel the water through the drain valve, the external water pressure makes it quite difficult, and water can easily splash upwards into the nostrils, causing the user great discomfort and even a feeling of choking. Therefore, there is still significant room for improvement in this type of mask.
[0005] In the previous invention proposed by the inventor of this utility model (i.e., U.S. Patent No. US2023 / 0312067A1), in order to seek improvement, in addition to separating the chambers shared by the mouth and nose to create a one-way passage from the nasal chamber to the oral chamber, an attempt was also made to install the exhaust pipe outside the mask body to further isolate the intake and exhaust passages, which has achieved good results. However, there is still some room for improvement in the shape, connection and fixing method of the exhaust pipe, which leads to a greater need for advancements in manufacturing, assembly, use and safety.
[0006] In view of this, proposing a mask design that solves the above problems is a goal that industry players are eager to achieve. Utility Model Content
[0007] One objective of this invention is to provide a breathable mask that covers the user's eyes, nose, and mouth. In addition to maintaining the efficiency of separate intake and exhaust flow, it significantly improves the freedom of extension of the exhaust pipe and the stability of its connection with the mask body. Furthermore, it allows for a shorter exhaust pipe and a wider exhaust channel, increasing exhaust volume and reducing the user's breathing burden. Additionally, it allows the user to more easily remove water from inside the mask body.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a snorkeling breathable mask, comprising a main body, an air inlet pipe, and an exhaust pipe. The air inlet pipe is connected to the main body and is in fluid communication with an interior of the main body. The exhaust pipe is located on the outside of the main body. The main body includes a main frame, at least one viewing window, and a waterproof sealing skirt. The at least one viewing window is fitted within the main frame. The waterproof sealing skirt is fitted with the main frame and the at least one viewing window. The waterproof sealing skirt has a rear edge, a spacer, a first one-way air inlet valve, a bridging member, and a drain valve. The rear edge is adapted to fit against a user's face. The spacer divides the interior of the main body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The first one-way air inlet valve is located between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The bridging member spans across the lower chamber, dividing the lower chamber into a nasal chamber and a mouth chamber located below the nasal chamber, and the nasal chamber and the mouth chamber are in fluid communication through the bridging member. The drain valve is located in a lower region of the waterproof sealing skirt, allowing the mouth chamber to be in fluid communication with the outside. When the user puts on the snorkeling mask through a fastening device, the spacer is positioned around the outer periphery of the user's nose, and the upper chamber, nasal chamber, and mouth chamber are respectively designed to accommodate the user's eyes, nose, and mouth. The exhaust pipe has an upper section, a lower section, and an exhaust one-way valve. The upper section extends rearward toward the waterproof sealing skirt. The lower section is flexible and communicates with the lower chamber. Accordingly, fresh air entering the intake pipe from the outside can enter the lower chamber unidirectionally only through the upper chamber and the first intake one-way valve, while the air exhaled by the user can be restricted to exiting unidirectionally only through the exhaust pipe and the drain valve.
[0009] In one example, the first intake check valve is located on one side of the spacer.
[0010] In one example, the snorkeling mask further includes a second one-way air inlet valve located on the bridging member, which allows fresh air to enter the mouth chamber only from the nasal chamber.
[0011] In one example, the exhaust check valve is located in the upper section of the exhaust pipe.
[0012] In one example, the exhaust pipe has a length between 180 mm and 250 mm and an inner cross-sectional area between 200 mm². 2 Up to 350 mm 2 between.
[0013] In one example, the upper section of the exhaust pipe is detachably and adjustablely connected to the fastening device.
[0014] In one example, the upper section of the exhaust pipe is connected to the fastening device by a resilient fastener.
[0015] In one example, the lower section of the exhaust pipe has an identifiable area that allows the user's fingers to clearly identify and pinch the lower section, temporarily blocking the exhaust flow through the exhaust pipe.
[0016] In one example, the identifiable area is composed of two opposing raised buttons.
[0017] In one example, the identifiable region is composed of two opposing flattened surfaces. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a snorkeling breathable mask according to an embodiment of the present invention (the fastening device is omitted).
[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A rear three-dimensional diagram of a snorkeling breathable mask (the fastening device is omitted).
[0020] Figure 3 To illustrate when a user puts on a fastening device Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a snorkeling mask, in which the exhaust pipe and the fastening device are detachably and adjustable through a fastener.
[0021] Figure 4A To illustrate when a user puts on a fastening device Figure 1 Another illustration of a snorkeling mask with a breathable ventilator, where the exhaust pipe has two opposing raised buttons as identifiable areas.
[0022] Figure 4B An embodiment illustrating an exhaust pipe with a flattened, smooth surface as the identifiable area.
[0023] Figure 4C An example illustrating an exhaust pipe with a flattened wavy surface as the identifiable area.
[0024] Figure 5AFor along Figure 2 The cross-sectional diagram obtained from line 5-5 shows the user wearing... Figure 1 The airflow when snorkeling is controlled by a breathable mask.
[0025] Figure 5B Also along Figure 2 The cross-sectional diagram obtained from line 5-5 shows the user wearing... Figure 1 The snorkeling mask is used to exhale and release water and air.
[0026] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:
[0027] 1: Breathable snorkeling mask
[0028] 11: Ontology
[0029] 11a: Main frame
[0030] 11b: Viewing window
[0031] 11c: Waterproof sealing skirt
[0032] 13: Intake pipe
[0033] 15: Exhaust pipe
[0034] RP: trailing edge
[0035] P1: Pinch the nose
[0036] DV: Drain valve
[0037] U1: upper section
[0038] L1: lower section
[0039] V1: First intake check valve
[0040] V2: Second intake check valve
[0041] V3: Exhaust check valve
[0042] S1: Outer side
[0043] PT: Spacer
[0044] BR: Bridge
[0045] N1: Nasal cavity
[0046] M1: Oral chamber
[0047] 102: Upper room
[0048] 104: Lower Room
[0049] 17: Fastening device
[0050] LR: Lower area
[0051] R1: Fixation device
[0052] GR: Identifiable Area
[0053] GR1: Raised button
[0054] GR2: Planarized smooth surface
[0055] GR3: Flattened wave surface Detailed Implementation
[0056] The following description of the embodiments is only for illustrating the content of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model. Components not directly related to this utility model are not shown, and the dimensional relationships between the components in the drawings are only for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit the actual scale. In addition, the terms up, down, front, back, left, right, inside, outside, etc. in the various descriptions are defined based on the user's direction and are only relative relationships, not limitations.
[0057] An embodiment of this utility model is as follows: Figures 1 to 4A The image shows a snorkeling mask 1. The snorkeling mask 1 includes a main body 11, an air inlet pipe 13, and an exhaust pipe 15 located on the outside of the main body 11. The air inlet pipe 13 is located above the main body 11, connected to the main body 11, and fluidly communicates with the interior of the main body 11. The exhaust pipe 15 is located on the outside of the main body 11. Both the air inlet pipe 13 and the exhaust pipe 15 are waterproof. The air inlet pipe 13 may have a float valve (e.g., a common dry snorkel) or any mechanism that allows for watertight ventilation.
[0058] The main body 11 includes a main frame 11a, at least one viewing window 11b, and a waterproof sealing skirt 11c. The at least one viewing window 11b is fitted within the main frame 11a. The waterproof sealing skirt 11c is fitted with the main frame 11a and the at least one viewing window 11b. The rear edge RP of the waterproof sealing skirt 11c is adapted to fit against a user's face.
[0059] Continued reference Figure 2 The waterproof sealing skirt 11c includes a spacer PT, a first air inlet check valve V1, a bridging member BR, and a drain valve DV. The spacer PT divides the interior of the body 11 into an upper chamber 102 and a lower chamber 104. The first air inlet check valve V1 is located between the upper chamber 102 and the lower chamber 104. The bridging member BR spans across the lower chamber 104, dividing the lower chamber 104 into a nasal chamber N1 and an oral chamber M1 located below the nasal chamber N1. The nasal chamber N1 and the oral chamber M1 are in fluid communication through the bridging member BR. The drain valve DV is located in the lower region LR of the waterproof sealing skirt 11c, allowing the oral chamber M1 to be in fluid communication with the outside.
[0060] like Figure 3As shown, when a user wears the snorkeling mask 1 through a fastening device 17 (e.g., a headband), the spacer PT can be positioned around the outer periphery of the user's nose, and the upper chamber 102, nasal chamber N1, and oral chamber M1 can respectively accommodate the user's eyes, nose, and mouth. At this time, the upper chamber 102 is completely isolated from the nasal chamber N1, and air can only flow unidirectionally from the upper chamber 102 through the first one-way air inlet valve V1 to the nasal chamber N1. When the fastening device 17 is a headband, the headband is not limited to any particular form; a two-point headband, a three-point headband, or a four-point headband design are all feasible.
[0061] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the exhaust pipe 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 this configuration of the present invention, the intake airflow can enter the nasal chamber N1 unidirectionally through the intake pipe 13, the upper chamber 102, and the first intake one-way valve V1, while the exhaust air of the user's exhaled dirty air can be discharged unidirectionally to the outside from the lower chamber 104 (preferably the oral chamber M1) through at least one of the exhaust pipe 15 and the drain valve DV.
[0062] Preferably, the exhaust check valve V3 is located at the very top of the upper section U1 of the exhaust pipe 15, which best prevents water from entering the exhaust pipe 15. Furthermore, the exhaust pipe 15 has a length between 180 mm and 250 mm and an inner cross-sectional area between 200 mm². 2 Up to 350 mm 2 The optimal ventilation configuration ensures excellent exhaust performance, allowing users to easily exhale by pushing open the one-way exhaust valve V3 with normal lung capacity. Of course, the length and internal cross-sectional area of the exhaust pipe 15 are not limited to these; different specifications can be provided based on the user's age, body type, etc.
[0063] In this embodiment, two first intake check valves V1 are respectively disposed on the two opposite outer sides S1 of the spacer PT to provide two airflow paths from the upper chamber 102 to the lower chamber 104. However, in other embodiments, it is also feasible to provide a first intake check valve V1 only on a single outer side S1 of the spacer PT. Preferably, the first intake check valve V1 is horizontally disposed on the outer side S1 of the spacer PT. Of course, the first intake check valve V1 can also be disposed in other locations, such as on the spacer PT.
[0064] The snorkeling mask 1 of this invention further includes a second one-way air inlet valve V2, which is disposed on the bridging member BR, allowing fresh air to enter the mouth chamber M1 unidirectionally only from the nasal chamber N1. At this time, the nasal chamber N1 and the mouth chamber M1 are also completely isolated, and gas can only flow unidirectionally from the nasal chamber N1 to the mouth chamber M1 through the second one-way air inlet valve V2.
[0065] Furthermore, preferably, the upper section U1 of the exhaust pipe 15 and the fastening device 17 can be detachably and adjustably connected via a retainer R1, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Of course, in other embodiments, the upper section U1 of the exhaust pipe 15 and the fastening device 17 can also be simply connected by an elastic retainer (not shown), for example, by simply looping the two together with an elastic ring. With the retainer R1 configured, the exhaust pipe 15 can be connected to the fastening device 17 during snorkeling to increase stability and prevent it from being separated from the body 11 due to water flow interference. Preferably, the upper section U1 of the exhaust pipe 15 is recommended to extend behind the waterproof sealing skirt 11c, preferably to the back of the user's head. This arrangement makes the extension directions of the exhaust pipe 15 and the air intake pipe 13 more consistent. When the user is snorkeling with their face forward and downward, both the air intake pipe 13 and the exhaust pipe 15 can be inclined to a state perpendicular to the water surface, making it easier for their tops to emerge from the water and making it easier for the user to breathe. At the same time, this configuration allows the exhaust pipe 15 to be shorter and the internal exhaust channel to be designed to be wider, which not only reduces the burden on the user's exhalation, but also provides convenience and stability in the assembly of the exhaust pipe 15 and the main body 11. During snorkeling, the buoyancy of the water allows the exhaust pipe 15 to be at the most suitable angle at all times, without excessively pulling on the main body 11 and causing discomfort to the user.
[0066] Even better, the flexible lower section L1 of the exhaust pipe 15 is made into a bendable snake-like pipe with a serrated or wavy wall, and has a recognizable area GR, allowing the user's fingers to clearly identify and pinch the lower section L1 (i.e., accurately locate the appropriate position for pinching), temporarily blocking the exhaust flow of the exhaust pipe 15, making the inlet chamber M1 a sealed space. In this way, when the user exhales forcefully, the drainage pressure can be greatly increased, allowing water accumulated in the body 11 to be easily discharged through the drain valve DV. The recognizable area GR can be made into two opposing raised buttons GR1, such as... Figure 4A As shown. However, in other embodiments, two opposing planarized surfaces may also be formed on the flexible lower segment L1 as an identifiable region GR, for example, Figure 4B The planarized smooth surface GR2 shown and Figure 4C The flattened wave surface GR3 shown is designed to help users identify the location before pressing.
[0067] The following explains the inhalation and exhalation airflow when a user puts on a snorkeling breathable mask 1. Figure 5ASolid arrows indicate inhalation airflow. When the user breathes through the nose, only the inhaled fresh air sweeps through the chamber containing the viewing window (i.e., upper chamber 102) and enters the chamber containing the nose (i.e., nasal chamber N1 in lower chamber 104) for inhalation through the nose. Conversely, when the user breathes through the mouth, only the inhaled fresh air sweeps through upper chamber 102, then enters unidirectionally into nasal chamber N1 before entering oral chamber M1 for inhalation through the mouth.
[0068] on the other hand, Figure 5B The exhaust flow is indicated by a dashed arrow. Carbon dioxide exhaled from the user's nose, blocked by the first one-way intake valve V1, can only enter the cavity containing the mouth (i.e., the oral chamber M1 in the lower chamber 104) through the second one-way intake valve V2. It then exits upwards via the exhaust pipe 15 externally located on the side of the main body 11, or via the drain valve DV connected to the oral chamber M1, without returning upwards to the nasal chamber N1. Similarly, carbon dioxide exhaled from the user's mouth, blocked by the second one-way intake valve V2, can only exit upwards via the exhaust pipe 15 externally located on the side of the main body 11, or via the drain valve connected to the oral chamber M1, without returning upwards to the nasal chamber N1. Therefore, with this design, the possibility of air (i.e., carbon dioxide) exhaled from the nose and mouth entering the upper chamber 102 and causing fogging of the viewing window 11b is completely eliminated. Furthermore, because snorkeling involves underwater activities at a very shallow depth, a moderate exhale is sufficient to overcome water pressure and expel air through the drain valve (DV). A slightly stronger exhale can also expel accumulated water. Therefore, the snorkeling breathable mask 1 is designed to allow for free breathing and easy drainage.
[0069] The intake components described above, such as the intake pipe 13, the first intake check valve V1, and the second intake check valve V2, are not limited in number or position. Providing one intake pipe 13 and one second intake check valve V2 is the most concise, while providing two first intake check valves V1 symmetrically arranged on the spacer PT or on the outer side S1 is the optimal mode. The above description is only one of these options and is for convenience, not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the check valve can be mushroom-shaped (round or square), pivot-shaped (mostly square), or any other valve device that only provides one-way fluid communication; all are feasible.
[0070] Furthermore, regarding exhaust components, such as the exhaust check valve V3 or the drain valve DV, there are no restrictions on their number or location. The exhaust check valve V3 can be installed in the upper section U1 of the exhaust pipe 15 to enhance the waterproof effect, or it can be added to the lower section L1 and / or at the position connected to the inlet chamber M1 to further prevent residual carbon dioxide from accumulating in the pipe body and achieve multiple waterproofing effects.
[0071] The main frame 11a and the viewing window 11b are not limited to the form that only covers the user's eyes; covering the user's eyes, nose, or other variations of the eyes, nose, and mouth are also feasible solutions. Furthermore, the viewing window 11b that only covers the eyes is not limited to a single viewing window connected on the left and right; two separate viewing windows on the left and right are also feasible.
[0072] The waterproof sealing skirt 11c is not necessarily integrally formed. For example, the bridging component BR between the oral chamber M1 and the nasal chamber N1 can be a separate component and assembled onto the spacer PT.
[0073] In embodiments where the main frame 11a and viewing window 11b only obscure the user's eyes, the nasal chamber N1 can be molded from a soft material (e.g., silicone) and integrally formed with the waterproof sealing skirt 11c. This structure can then provide a pinched nose section P1, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 4A As shown, this allows the user to pinch the nose to stabilize the pressure (e.g., perform Franz pressure stabilization).
[0074] The core technology of this invention lies in setting an air intake pipe 13, which is solely for air intake, above the snorkeling mask 1. The snorkeling mask 1 does not have an exhaust channel passing through the upper chamber 102; the user's breath through the nose and / or mouth is achieved solely through the drain valve DV and the exhaust pipe 15 externally located on the side of the main body 11. The design of other parts, or their use in other similar snorkeling water activities (e.g., swimming training, or activities that may involve contact with shallow water), is not the focus.
[0075] Any technology based on the aforementioned core technologies of this utility model is intended to be protected by this utility model. Therefore, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the implementation of this utility model and explain its technical features, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any changes or equivalent arrangements that can be easily made by a person skilled in the art are within the scope of this utility model, and the scope of protection of this utility model shall be determined by the claims.
Claims
1. A snorkeling breathable mask, comprising: an entity; An air intake pipe is connected to the body and is in fluid communication with an interior of the body; and An exhaust pipe is located on the outside of the main body; in, This ontology contains: One main frame; At least one viewing window, fitted within the main frame; and A waterproof sealing skirt is fitted into the main frame and the at least one viewing window; The waterproof sealing skirt has the following features: One rear edge is designed to fit snugly against a user's face; A spacer divides the interior of the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; A first air intake check valve is located between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; A bridging member spans the lower chamber, dividing it into a nasal chamber and an oral chamber located below the nasal chamber, wherein the nasal chamber and the oral chamber are fluidly connected via the bridging member; and A drain valve is located in the area below the waterproof sealing skirt to allow fluid communication between the chamber and the outside. When the user puts on the snorkeling mask through a fastening device, the spacer is positioned around the outer edge of the user's nose, and the upper chamber, the nasal chamber, and the oral chamber are respectively designed to accommodate the user's eyes, nose, and mouth. The exhaust pipe is characterized by having an upper section, a lower section, and an exhaust check valve. The upper section extends behind the waterproof sealing skirt, and the lower section is flexible and communicates with the lower chamber, thereby: Fresh air entering the intake manifold from the outside can enter the lower chamber unidirectionally only through the upper chamber and the first intake check valve; and The air exhaled by the user may be restricted to one-way discharge only through at least one of the exhaust pipe and the drain valve.
2. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first intake check valve is located on one side of the spacer.
3. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a second one-way air intake valve, which is located on the bridge and allows fresh air to enter the oral chamber only from the nasal chamber.
4. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The exhaust check valve is located in the upper section of the exhaust pipe.
5. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The exhaust pipe has a length between 180mm and 250mm and an inner cross-sectional area between 200mm². 2 Up to 350mm 2 between.
6. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The upper section of the exhaust pipe is detachably and adjustable from the fastening device.
7. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The upper section of the exhaust pipe is connected to the fastening device by a flexible fastener.
8. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The lower section of the exhaust pipe has an identifiable area that allows the user's fingers to clearly identify and pinch the lower section, temporarily blocking the exhaust flow through the exhaust pipe.
9. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The identifiable area consists of two opposing raised buttons.
10. The snorkeling breathable mask as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The identifiable region consists of two opposing flattened surfaces.