Underwater hiking or diving face mask

Abstract

Underwater hiking or diving face mask The present invention relates to an underwater hiking or diving face mask (10) comprising a visor (20) and a flexible skirt (30), said flexible skirt (30) comprising a separating partition (40) delimiting an upper chamber for vision (50) from a lower chamber for breathing (60), the separating partition (40) being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are in the lower chamber (60), while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber (60). The visor comprises a through nasal opening (70), and said mask (10) comprises a flexible and deformable nasal insert (80) configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert (80) being mounted on said through nasal opening (70).Advantageously, said mask (10) comprises a thin portion (130) connected to the separating partition (40), said thin portion (130) being secured to the visor (20) in at least one peripheral region (20c, 20d) of said nasal through opening (70). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Face mask for underwater hiking or diving Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of face masks for practicing an aquatic activity, in particular for diving and / or for underwater hiking (in English "snorkeling"). State of the art

[0002] The underwater hiking activity allows you to observe the seabed while swimming on the surface of the water. The underwater hiker must therefore be able to keep his head underwater while breathing.

[0003] Generally, the underwater hiker is equipped with a mask for vision, and a snorkel for breathing. The snorkel consists of a tube whose lower end is equipped with a mouthpiece which fits into the user's mouth, and an upper end allowing both the intake of fresh air and the exhaust of exhaled air.

[0004] It is known that such equipment has many disadvantages. First of all, since breathing through the mouth is not natural, some people have difficulty breathing orally with the help of a snorkel. Another is that it is not possible to talk underwater when you have a snorkel in your mouth.

[0005] Yet another disadvantage associated with the use of the mask is that the inner wall of the visor generally tends to fog up, which impairs good visibility and forces the user to regularly clean his mask. The appearance of fog is due to the user's nose opening into the vision chamber located between the visor and the user's eyes, and generally to any hot air produced in the vision chamber without being renewed by fresh air.

[0006] Also, the use of this mask-snorkel device is not very comfortable.

[0007] To overcome this drawback, document FR 3 020 620 B1 proposes a diving mask allowing breathing through the nose and mouth.

[0008] However, this type of improved snorkel mask does not allow the user to compensate for pressure when descending to depth. To perform this operation, it is necessary to pinch the nose in order to block the nostrils and balance the pressures at the level of each of the ears (in particular between the outer ear and the middle ear of a given ear). This operation is also called the Valsalva maneuver.

[0009] There is thus a need for a snorkel mask that allows breathing indifferently through the nose and / or mouth, preventing fogging in the vision compartment and allowing pressure balancing to be carried out as many times as necessary in each ear for the user.

[0010] There is also a need for such a snorkel mask that is lightweight, easy to position on the user's face, and comfortable.

[0011] WO 2019 / 122786 thus relates to a face mask for diving and / or underwater hiking comprising a flexible external nasal insert engaged with the visor and a flexible internal nasal insert, substantially superimposed with the flexible external nasal insert. The flexible internal nasal insert is connected to a flexible skirt. The user's nose is therefore in two superimposed nasal housings. Depending on the morphology of the user's face, this superposition may reduce the intuitive aspect and the precision of the pinching because the distance between the user's hand to perform the Valsalva maneuver and his nose is greater due to the two superimposed thicknesses of the external and internal inserts. In addition, the user may have less sensitivity to touch.Depending on the morphology of the face, this superposition can hinder breathing if the internal nasal insert comes into contact with the nostrils during inhalation or under the effect of the pressure exerted by the water. Indeed, the pressure exerted by the water can promote the deformation of the external nasal insert, leading to that of the internal nasal insert as well.

[0012] Face masks are also known that include a single flexible nasal insert arranged in a visor. These flexible inserts are not comfortable because, depending on the morphology of the user's face, the user has difficulty pinching their nose. Indeed, the travel required to pinch the nose is too great, which creates proprioception problems, which are particularly troublesome when practicing underwater hiking since pinching the nose must be intuitive. Furthermore, this type of mask has sealing problems between the vision chamber and the breathing chamber, thus increasing the risk of fogging and CO2 accumulation inside the mask.

[0013] There is therefore a need for a face mask allowing the practice of underwater hiking and / or diving, allowing the pressure at the ears to be balanced by pinching the nose, the proprioception of which is improved, adapted to varied face morphologies, comfortable and avoiding the formation of fog or the accumulation of CO2 inside the mask. Statement of the invention

[0014] The present invention overcomes all or part of the aforementioned problems in that it relates to a face mask for underwater hiking or diving comprising: - a visor and a flexible skirt, said flexible skirt comprising a se- partition delimiting an upper chamber for vision from a lower chamber for breathing, the partition being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are in the lower chamber for breathing, while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber for vision, - the visor comprises a through nasal opening, and - said mask comprises a flexible and deformable nasal insert configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert is mounted on said nasal opening.

[0015] Advantageously, the face mask comprises a thin portion connected to the separating partition, said thin portion being secured to the visor in at least one peripheral region of said nasal through-opening.

[0016] Advantageously, the thin portion is secured in an upper part of the visor opposite the viewing chamber.

[0017] Advantageously, the thin portion is secured to the visor in the viewing chamber.

[0018] Advantageously, said thin portion makes it possible to bring the separating partition of the skirt closer to the visor. The space available in the breathing chamber is thus optimized, which makes it possible to improve comfort but also proprioception for pinching the nose.

[0019] In addition, this arrangement makes it possible to improve the seal between the vision chamber and the breathing chamber.

[0020] This arrangement also makes it possible to optimize the volume of air present in the vision chamber and the volume of air present in the breathing chamber, in particular in order to reduce them to a minimum. Indeed, when the mask is used while diving, the volume of air present between the user's face and the mask tends to exert a thrust contrary to the immersion and descent of the user. It is therefore necessary to reduce this dead volume while facilitating access to the nose, so that the immersion of the user's head in the water is facilitated while preserving his comfort. Mask

[0021] Advantageously, the mask is configured to comprise one or more air circulation passage(s), in particular one or more inspired air circulation channels and / or one or more expired air circulation channels.

[0022] Said air circulation passage(s) may be arranged in the frame and / or the visor and / or the flexible skirt as described below in a non-limiting manner.

[0023] For example, said inspired air circulation channel(s) and said channel(s) exhaled air circulation are arranged between the frame and / or visor and the flexible skirt.

[0024] Advantageously, the mask comprises one or more inspired air circulation channels configured to allow the admission of fresh air into the breathing chamber, in particular the inspired air circulates through the vision chamber, or around the periphery of the vision chamber, prior to its admission into the breathing chamber.

[0025] Advantageously, the mask comprises one or more exhaled air circulation channels configured to evacuate exhaled air from the breathing chamber to the outside of the mask.

[0026] Preferably, an exhaled air circulation channel extends between a lower part of the mask, in particular between the flexible skirt and the frame or the visor, and an upper part of the mask or a left or right part of the mask, in particular between the flexible skirt and the frame or the visor.

[0027] Preferably, the mask comprises an exhaled air discharge orifice arranged on a left or right part of the mask, and / or an exhaled air discharge orifice arranged in an upper part of the mask, still preferably in fluid connection with at least one exhaled air circulation channel of the snorkel.

[0028] The mask may also comprise one or more exhaled air outlet(s) connected to one or more exhaled air channel(s), arranged on the left side and / or on the right side of the mask. The exhaled air is thus evacuated on the side(s) of the mask and does not rise up to the snorkel. Visor

[0029] Preferably, by visor is meant the face shield through which the user can see objects outside the mask.

[0030] Advantageously, the visor is made of a transparent hard material so that the user can see through it.

[0031] Advantageously, the visor comprises an internal face, in particular opening directly opposite the user's face when the mask is worn, and an external face, in particular opening outside the mask. Preferably, the internal face and the external face are substantially opposite.

[0032] Advantageously, the visor is configured to extend from a region substantially above the eyes to a region substantially below the mouth, in particular said region being opposite the chin, when the mask is worn. The visor is preferably configured to at least partially cover the user's cheeks.

[0033] Preferably, the visor comprises an upper part facing the vision chamber and a lower part facing the breathing chamber.

[0034] Preferably, the visor is in a single molded piece.

[0035] The visor is preferably molded from a transparent polymeric material, for example polycarbonate.

[0036] The visor preferably comprises a substantially planar upper region, in particular arranged opposite the viewing chamber. Said substantially planar upper visor region passes substantially through a plane Pv, in particular substantially parallel to the frontal section plane PF of the human body in the standing position and when the mask is worn.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one passage for exhaled air is provided in the visor, said passage having an end for discharging exhaled air and a lower end communicating fluidically with the lower chamber for breathing.

[0038] In particular, the visor comprises a peripheral portion which includes a passage for exhaled air. The passage for exhaled air comprises two ribs which extend along at least one of the lateral edges of the visor. To ensure the sealing of the passage, the two ribs are covered by a portion of the flexible skirt.

[0039] In particular, the visor comprises a right, respectively left, exhaled air channel, the lower end of which is arranged in the lower edge of the visor, in particular substantially opposite the chin. More particularly, said exhaled air channel follows the periphery of the visor up to its right, respectively left, part, or up to its upper part, in particular in fluid communication with the snorkel. The exhaled air channel possibly cooperates with the flexible skirt and / or the frame described below. Frame

[0040] Preferably, the mask comprises a frame mounted, fixedly or detachably, or overmolded, on all or part of the perimeter of the visor.

[0041] The frame can also be in two parts, a first part integrated into the visor, and a second part forming a ring surrounding the first part.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame is rigid, and at least one passage for exhaled air is provided in the frame, said passage having an end for discharging exhaled air and a lower end communicating fluidically with the lower chamber for breathing.

[0043] The exhaled air discharge end of said passage may be an upper exhaled air discharge end opening into the exhaled air exhaust channel of the snorkel, or a lateral exhaled air discharge end opening laterally from the body of the mask. Preferably, said passage is a first internal conduit provided in the frame.

[0044] Advantageously, the frame being rigid, it is understood that the first internal conduit cannot be crushed on itself. Advantageously, the frame consolidates the visor and provides a means of air circulation. Preferably, the connection between the frame and the flexible skirt is obtained by a flexible junction between the flexible skirt and the exhaled air discharge end of the first internal conduit. In one embodiment, the frame comprises an upper part and a lower part assembled, for example removably, with the upper part, and the first internal conduit is provided in the upper part. More preferably, the first internal conduit opens at the lower end of the upper part. Soft skirt

[0045] Advantageously, the flexible skirt comprises a main part of substantially oblong shape, and in particular annular, which is configured to be mounted on the periphery of the frame and / or on the periphery of the visor, in particular to fit the periphery of the face of the wearer of the mask.

[0046] The perimeter of the main part of the flexible skirt can thus be partly in sandwich between the visor and the frame.

[0047] The main part of the flexible skirt of substantially oblong shape may comprise several parts or a single part, i.e. for example be in one piece.

[0048] Advantageously, the flexible skirt is configured to come into contact with the user's face, preferably the flexible skirt is arranged between the user's face and the frame and / or the visor.

[0049] Advantageously, the flexible skirt is made of a flexible and deformable material, for example silicone or polyurethane.

[0050] In one embodiment, the flexible skirt further comprises a peripheral sealing lip which is arranged to bear against the user's face, so as to prevent water from penetrating between the user's face and the visor. Partition wall

[0051] Advantageously, the separating partition extends transversely between a right lateral region and a left lateral region of the oblong main part of the flexible skirt.

[0052] Advantageously, the separating partition comprises a left main wing and a right main wing joining at a main apex, preferably said main apex rests on the bridge of the user's nose when the mask is worn by the user.

[0053] Advantageously, the left and right main wings together form a main sealing lip folded back on itself.

[0054] Advantageously, the left main wing comprises a zone for folding the left main wing on itself, and / or the right main wing comprises a zone for folding the right main wing on itself.

[0055] Advantageously, the left main wing folded back on itself has a substantially U-shape open towards the rear face of the mask.

[0056] Advantageously, the straight main wing folded back on itself has a substantially U-shape open towards the rear face of the mask.

[0057] Advantageously, the partition wall is open, and does not include a partition part facing the nostrils and mouth of the wearer.

[0058] Advantageously, the right main wing of the partition wall is substantially folded back on itself and comprises a straight free edge.

[0059] Advantageously, the left main wing of the partition wall is substantially folded back on itself and comprises a left free edge.

[0060] Advantageously, the separating partition rests on the user's nose, and is preferably configured to rest partially on the bridge of the user's nose.

[0061] Advantageously, the separating partition comprises at least one passage arranged to allow circulation of fresh air between the upper chamber for vision and the lower chamber for breathing during a user inspiration phase. Preferably, a self-sealing membrane is mounted on this passage and configured to lift during an inspiration phase, thus opening said passage, and to remain closed during an expiration phase, thus closing said passage.

[0062] Preferably, the flexible skirt and the partition wall are the same molded part, in particular in an elastomer, possibly in a thermoplastic elastomer. For example, the molded part may be made of silicone. Thin portion

[0063] Advantageously, the thin portion is secured to the internal face of the visor.

[0064] Advantageously, the thin portion comprises a straight auxiliary wing and a wing left auxiliary, preferably secured respectively to the right edge and to the left edge of the through nasal opening on the internal face of the visor, in particular corresponding respectively to a right peripheral region and a left peripheral region of the through nasal opening.

[0065] Preferably, the right auxiliary wing and the left auxiliary wing of the thin portion are joined at an auxiliary apex, more preferably said auxiliary apex is arranged above the main apex of the separating partition.

[0066] Said auxiliary peak is preferably secured to the internal face of the visor, more preferably said auxiliary peak is not pressed against the user's nose when the mask is worn.

[0067] Advantageously, the thin portion extends substantially vertically and above the dividing wall.

[0068] Advantageously, the right auxiliary wing of the thin portion projects substantially vertically from the right main wing of the partition wall and / or the left auxiliary wing of the thin portion projects substantially vertically from the left main wing of the partition wall.

[0069] Advantageously, the right auxiliary wing, respectively left, projects substantially vertically from the folding zone of the right main wing, respectively left, on itself.

[0070] Preferably, the thin portion is connected, in particular in a sealed manner, to the separating partition by molding, in particular by molding a polymer material, for example an elastomer.

[0071] Advantageously, the thin portion is in the extension of the separation partition.

[0072] Advantageously, the separating partition and the thin portion are in the same molded part.

[0073] Preferably, said molded part is the flexible skirt.

[0074] Preferably, the thin portion has a thickness less than or equal to 8 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 0.5 mm or 1 mm.

[0075] Preferably, the thin portion has a width greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 15 mm, preferably less than or equal to 10 mm.

[0076] Preferably, the thin portion has a width greater than or equal to 3 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm.

[0077] Preferably, the thin portion is a thin, flexible polymeric strip.

[0078] Preferably, the flexible skirt comprises said thin portion.

[0079] Preferably, the separating partition and / or the substantially oblong part and / or the thin portion is / are made of a flexible and deformable material, in particular elastomer (in particular thermoplastic), for example silicone or polyurethane.

[0080] In one embodiment, the thin portion is a flexible auxiliary sealing lip, in particular said flexible auxiliary sealing lip comprises a right auxiliary wing and a left auxiliary wing, in particular adjoining at an auxiliary apex.

[0081] Advantageously, the thin portion can be secured by mechanical assembly, and / or even gluing and / or welding (ultrasonic, high-frequency), to the visor, preferably as described below with reference to the securing device. Soft and deformable nasal insert

[0082] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a housing configured to receive the user's nose when the mask is worn, i.e. at least the user's nostrils so that the latter can perform the Valsalva maneuver by pinching the left and right nasal walls of the nasal insert. The nasal insert being flexible and deformable, the pinching of the left and right nasal walls of the nasal insert allows the deformation of the insert, and the bringing together of the left and right nasal walls of the nasal insert against the nostrils and thus the pinching of the nose.

[0083] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. Preferably, the inner surface is oriented in operation directly opposite the user's nose. Preferably, the outer surface is oriented directly towards the outside of the mask.

[0084] Advantageously, the housing receiving the nose comprises left and right side walls.

[0085] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises right and left recesses for positioning the user's fingers when pinching the nose, in particular the right and left recesses run along the left and right side walls respectively.

[0086] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a first empty space, in particular a volume of air, between its internal surface and the user's nose when the mask is worn. This arrangement allows the user's nose not to be in direct contact with the internal surface of the nasal insert. There is thus an air gap between the internal surface of the nasal insert and the nose when the mask is worn. This arrangement improves the user's comfort.

[0087] In particular, this first empty space communicates with a second empty space, in particular comprising air. This second empty space is arranged between the flexible skirt and the visor on the one hand (in particular between the separating partition, the oblong main part and the visor on the one hand) and the user's face on the other hand when the mask is worn.

[0088] Advantageously, the first and second empty spaces in fluid communication form the available air volume of the breathing chamber.

[0089] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a flexible and deformable material which is in an elastomer (in particular thermoplastic), for example silicone or polyurethane.

[0090] Advantageously, the nasal insert is overmolded on the edges of the through nasal opening.

[0091] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a right edge and a left edge meeting substantially at a peak.

[0092] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a lower edge, in particular sens- possibly curved, especially towards the upper part of the mask. Preferably, said lower edge of the nasal insert is connected to the left and right edges of the nasal insert, in particular by means of left and right joining portions respectively, in particular projecting posteriorly towards the posterior edge of the visor or the frame.

[0093] Advantageously, the nasal insert has a generally triangular shape.

[0094] Preferably, the left edge, and / or the right edge, and / or the lower edge, and / or the right and left joining portions, of the nasal insert is / are overmolded onto the through nasal opening, in particular respectively onto the right edge, the left edge and the lower edge, and possibly the left and right joining edges, of the through nasal opening.

[0095] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a right recess, in particular arranged on the side of the right edge of the through nasal opening, and / or a left recess, in particular arranged on the side of the left edge of the through nasal opening.

[0096] Advantageously, the right recess and the left recess are configured to receive the user's fingers. This arrangement thus facilitates the placement and reception of the fingers in the recesses for pinching the nose.

[0097] Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a nose receiving housing comprising right and left nasal walls, in particular extending respectively from the right and left recesses. Through nasal opening

[0098] Advantageously, the visor comprises a through nasal opening arranged so as to be opposite the nose, and possibly opposite the mouth although this is not preferred, when the mask is worn.

[0099] Preferably the through nasal opening has a substantially triangular general shape.

[0100] Preferably, the through nasal opening comprises a left edge, in particular substantially rectilinear, and a right edge, in particular substantially rectilinear, meeting at a peak.

[0101] Preferably, the through nasal opening comprises a lower edge, in particular substantially curved.

[0102] Preferably, the through nasal opening comprises a right joining edge ensuring the joining between the lower edge and the right edge of the through nasal opening, and / or a left joining edge ensuring the joining between the lower edge and the right edge of the through nasal opening.

[0103] More preferably, said lower edge is intended in operation to be found substantially between the user's upper lip and the base of the user's nose.

[0104] More preferably, the right, respectively left, joining edge projects towards a rear edge of the visor relative to the right, respectively left edge. Tuba

[0105] The mask preferably comprises a snorkel comprising at least a first air circulation channel for the admission of inspired air, and possibly at least a second air circulation channel (different from the first channel in particular) for the exit of expired air.

[0106] Preferably, the mask comprises a mask body, in particular comprising the flexible skirt, the thin portion, the visor, and possibly the frame.

[0107] The snorkel is preferably connected to an upper part of the mask body.

[0108] The snorkel may be removably or fixedly mounted to the part su upper part of the mask body.

[0109] The snorkel may be alternatively mounted on the upper body so as to be able to pivot into a storage position in which the snorkel is folded towards the inner face of the mask.

[0110] In an alternative embodiment, the thin portion comprises a right auxiliary wing and a left auxiliary wing, in particular secured to the internal face of the visor.

[0111] Advantageously, the thin portion follows the perimeter of the left and right peripheral regions of the through nasal opening, and possibly follows the left and right edges of the nasal insert, in particular secured to the external face of the visor. This arrangement improves the ergonomics of the mask, proprioception, comfort and sealing between the vision and breathing chambers.

[0112] In an alternative embodiment, the through nasal opening comprises a right peripheral region and a left peripheral region, and the right auxiliary wing of the thin portion is secured to said right peripheral region and the left auxiliary wing of the thin portion is secured to said left peripheral region.

[0113] In an alternative embodiment, the face mask comprises a securing device configured to pinch the thin portion against the inner face of the visor.

[0114] Advantageously, the thin portion is pressed against the internal face of the visor by the securing device.

[0115] Advantageously, the securing device is configured to secure the thin portion against the internal face of the visor.

[0116] In an alternative embodiment, the securing device comprises at least one lug (in particular several lugs), in particular projecting from the internal face of the visor, and a pinching piece and the thin portion comprises at least one through opening receiving said lug (in particular several through openings each receiving a lug), said thin portion being arranged between the internal face of the visor and said pinching piece.

[0117] Advantageously, the thin portion is pinched between the internal face of the visor and the pinching piece.

[0118] Preferably, the securing device comprises a first set of lugs projecting into the right peripheral region of the nasal opening passing through the internal face of the visor.

[0119] Preferably, the securing device comprises a second set of lugs projecting into the left peripheral region of the nasal opening passing through the internal face of the visor.

[0120] Preferably, the pinching piece comprises a right wing and a left wing, in particular joining at a peak. The pinching piece may be in two parts or in a single part.

[0121] Preferably, the pinching piece comprises a first set of through openings arranged in the right wing and / or a second set of through openings arranged in the left wing.

[0122] Preferably, the thin portion comprises a first set of through openings arranged in the right auxiliary wing and / or a second set of through openings arranged in the left auxiliary wing.

[0123] Preferably, the first and second sets of lugs are passed respectively through the first and second sets of through-openings of the thin portion, then are passed respectively through the first and second sets of through-openings of the pinching piece. In particular, the through-openings of the pinching piece have smaller sizes than the sizes of the lugs around which they are arranged so that the pinching piece is placed in force and clips the thin portion against the internal face of the visor.

[0124] In an alternative embodiment, the nasal through-opening comprises edges and the flexible nasal insert is overmolded onto said edges of the nasal through-opening.

[0125] In an alternative embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nasal ridge extending between the external face of the visor and the distal nasal end of the nasal insert, said nasal ridge having a length Lin which is greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm, preferentially greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0126] Preferably, the length of the nasal ridge Lin is less than or equal to 30 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 25 mm, preferably less than or equal to 23 mm.

[0127] In a preferred embodiment, the length Lin is greater than or equal to 21 mm and less than or equal to 22.5 mm.

[0128] Preferably, the nasal ridge extends from the substantially flat upper viewing region of the visor.

[0129] Preferably, the upper viewing region is substantially planar, in particular goes through the Pv plan described above.

[0130] This arrangement makes it possible to optimize the size of the chamber for vision, and in particular to reduce the volume of the vision chamber in order to facilitate immersion while preserving comfort.

[0131] Advantageously, the upper vision part of the visor is arranged so as not to hinder access to the nasal insert, and to facilitate proprioception.

[0132] In an alternative embodiment, the visor comprises a substantially planar upper vision region, and the distance (Din) between the external face of the upper vision region and the nasal distal end of the nasal insert is greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm.

[0133] Preferably, the distance Din is less than or equal to 30 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 25 mm.

[0134] This arrangement also makes it possible to optimize the size of the volume of the viewing chamber, to reduce the volume of the viewing chamber and improve proprioception.

[0135] In an alternative embodiment, the separating partition comprises a right main wing, respectively left, in particular substantially folded, comprising a free right edge, respectively a free left edge, having an upper apex, and the distance (Dinc) between the nasal distal end of the housing for receiving the nose of the nasal insert and said upper apex is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 45 mm.

[0136] Preferably, the distance (Dinc) between the distal nasal end of the nose receiving housing and said upper peak is less than or equal to 50 mm, for example of the order of 47 mm.

[0137] In a variant, the separating partition comprises a right, respectively left, main wing, substantially folded and comprising a bottom having an upper apex, and the distance (Dincr) between the upper apex of said bottom of the right, respectively left, main wing and the nasal distal end of the housing receiving the nose of the nasal insert is greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferentially greater than or equal to 33 mm.

[0138] Preferably, the distance (Dincr) is less than or equal to 45 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 40 mm, preferably less than or equal to 38 mm, for example of the order of 35.1 mm.

[0139] Preferably, the distance Dincr is the distance between two vertical planes, substantially parallel to the frontal plane Pf, passing respectively through the nasal distal end of the housing receiving the nose of the nasal insert and the upper peak of the bottom of a substantially folded right or left main wing.

[0140] These provisions make it possible to dimension the volume of the breathing chamber, and in particular to reduce the volume of the breathing chamber in order to facilitate immersion while preserving comfort and sufficient space between the side walls of the nasal insert housing facing the nose and the user's nose.

[0141] In an alternative embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nose receiving housing, and a right recess and a left recess arranged on either side of said nose receiving housing, and the width (Linr) separating the right bottom of the right recess and the left bottom of the left recess is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 35 mm.

[0142] Preferably, the width Linr is less than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 45 mm, preferably less than or equal to 44 mm.

[0143] Advantageously, the width Linr is proportional to the width of the user's nostrils.

[0144] In an alternative embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nose receiving housing having left and right nasal walls, and the distance (LPR) between the point of re-attachment of the left nasal wall to the visor and the point of re-attachment of the right nasal wall to the visor is greater than or equal to 25 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 28 mm.

[0145] In the present text, the term “bonding point” means the upper end of the right or left recess, in particular the upper point from which the right or left recess / housing is connected to the right or left edge of the through-nasal opening arranged in the visor.

[0146] Preferably, the width LPR is less than or equal to 35 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 34 mm.

[0147] Advantageously, the width LPR is proportional to the width of the base of the bridge of the user's nose, i.e. to Linr. In an alternative embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a flexible material having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 90, preferably a Shore A hardness greater than or equal to 50.

[0148] Shore A hardness can be measured for example using ISO 48-4:2018 entitled “Vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber - Determination of hardness - Part 4: Indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness).

[0149] In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of a wall of the nasal insert is less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0150] Preferably, the thickness of a wall of the nasal insert is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm.

[0151] This may be the right or left nasal wall, or the integumentary nasal wall. lower, that is to say arranged opposite the nostrils when the mask is worn, or one of the right or left junction portions.

[0152] In an alternative embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nose receiving housing comprising convex left and right nasal walls, in particular the left and right nasal walls diverge at least in part towards a lower edge of the nasal insert.

[0153] Advantageously, the different embodiment variants defined in the present text can be combined with each other, independently of each other. In particular, the nose receiving housing defined in the present text can combine different embodiment variants as described in the present text independently of each other: Linr and / or Lin and / or Dinc and / or Dincr and / or LPR. Description of the drawings

[0154] The invention will be better understood on reading the description of an embodiment of the invention given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0155] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically represents, seen from the front, a first example of a face mask according to the invention;

[0156] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically represents, seen from the side, the first example of face mask shown in [Fig.l];

[0157] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically represents, seen from above, exploded and sen possibly aside, the first example of mask represented in [Fig.l];

[0158] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically represents, in rear view, the first example of a face mask shown in [Fig.l];

[0159] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically represents, seen from the front and enlarged, the insert nasal mounted on the visor of the face mask shown in [Fig.l];

[0160] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically represents, seen from the front and substantially tilted to one side, the face mask shown in [Fig.l];

[0161] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically represents a part of the face mask re presented in [Fig.l] according to section plane VILVII shown in [Fig.6];

[0162] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] schematically represents a part of the face mask re shown in [Fig.7] enlarged. Description of an embodiment

[0163] The underwater hiking or diving face mask 10 shown in [Fig.l] comprises a visor 20, and a flexible skirt 30 comprising a separating partition 40 delimiting an upper chamber 50 for vision from a lower chamber 60 for breathing, the separating partition 30 being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are are in the lower chamber 60, while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber 50. The visor 20 comprises an upper part 20a and a lower part 20b. The visor 20 comprises a through nasal opening 70 and a flexible and deformable nasal insert 80 configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert 80 is mounted on said nasal opening 70. The mask 10 comprises a body 90 comprising the visor 20, the flexible skirt 30 and a frame 100 mounted, in particular removably, on the periphery of the visor 20 and sandwiching a substantially oblong main part 110 of the flexible skirt 30. The face mask 10 comprises a snorkel 120 mounted on the upper part 92 of the body 90.The snorkel 120 can be mounted fixedly on the upper part 92, or removably so that it can be detached from the upper part 92, or even pivotally mounted on said upper part 92 so that it can pivot towards the rear face 12 of the mask 10. Advantageously, the mask 10 comprises a thin portion 130 in connection with the separating partition 40, said thin portion 130 being secured to the visor 20 in a peripheral region of said nasal through-opening 70, in particular a left peripheral region 20c and a right peripheral region 20d.

[0164] According to an exemplary embodiment, the mask 10 comprises a chin strap 108 clipped onto the body 107 of the frame 100.

[0165] Advantageously, the thin portion 130 is a sealing lip.

[0166] Advantageously, the separating partition 40 extends transversely between a left region 103 of the oblong main part 110 and a right region 105 of the oblong main part 110 as can be seen in [Fig.4]. Advantageously, the separating partition 40 comprises a right main wing 35 and a left main wing 33. In particular, the right main wing 35 is folded back on itself and comprises a free right edge 35a having a top 35b. In particular, the left main wing 33 is folded back on itself and comprises a free left edge 33a having a top 33b, merged with the top 35b in this specific example.

[0167] Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a nose receiving housing 81 comprising right 81c and left 81d nasal walls, in particular meeting at a peak 82. Advantageously, the nasal insert 80 comprises a right recess 83 and a left recess 84 projecting towards the breathing chamber 60. These recesses 83, 84 run along the right 81c and left 81d nasal walls of the nose receiving housing 81.

[0168] Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a right edge 80d and a left edge 80c, in particular substantially rectilinear. Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a lower edge 80b which is substantially curved (see [Fig. 3]) and connects the right 80c and left 80d edges, in particular via joining portions 80e and 80f.

[0169] Advantageously, the thin portion 130 comprises a right auxiliary wing 132 and a left auxiliary wing 134 secured, in particular to the internal face 24 of the visor 20, in particular in the upper part 20a of the visor 20 opposite the vision chamber 50. The right 132 and left 134 auxiliary wings meet at an auxiliary apex 133.

[0170] Advantageously, the visor 20 comprises a right peripheral region 20d bordering the right edge 70d of the nasal through opening 70, and a left peripheral region 20c bordering the left edge 70c of the nasal through opening 70, in particular the left 20c and right 20d peripheral regions meet at a vertex 23. Preferably, the right and left edges 70d and 70c meet at a vertex 72. Advantageously, the nasal through opening 70 comprises a lower edge 70b, in particular slightly curved, and connecting the right 70d and left 70c edges, in particular via the joining portions 70e and 70f. In particular, the lower peripheral region 20e borders the lower edge 70b of the nasal opening 70, in particular the lower peripheral region 20e is slightly curved.

[0171] Advantageously, the right auxiliary wing 132 of the thin portion 130 is secured, in particular in a sealed manner, to said right peripheral region 20d along the internal face 24 of the visor 20, and the left auxiliary wing 134 of the thin portion 130 is secured, in particular in a sealed manner, to said left peripheral region 20c along the internal face 24 of the visor 20 using a securing device 140.

[0172] Advantageously, the mask 10 comprises a securing device 140 configured to pinch and secure the thin portion 130 against the internal face 24 of the visor 20.

[0173] In particular, the securing device 140 comprises a first set of lugs 142 (for example three or four lugs) projecting from the inner face 24 of the visor 20 in the left peripheral region 20c, and a second set of lugs 144 (for example three or four lugs) projecting from the inner face 24 of the visor 20 in the right peripheral region 20d. The securing device 140 also comprises a pinching piece 146 having a general shape corresponding to the shape of the thin portion 130 (or sealing lip). Preferably, the pinching piece 146 comprises first and second sets of through openings 147 and 148.

[0174] The thin portion 130 preferably also comprises a first set of through openings 135 (for example three or four through openings) arranged in the right auxiliary wing 132 and a second set of through openings 136 (for example three or four through openings) arranged in the left auxiliary wing 134.

[0175] Preferably, the first and second sets of lugs 142 and 144 are cylindrical, and have a height of a few millimeters and a diameter of one or two mm.

[0176] Preferably, the thin portion 130 is arranged against the external face 24 of the visor 20 such that the first and second sets of lugs 142 and 144 are passed through the corresponding first and second sets of through-openings 135 and 136 of the thin portion 130, then the first and second sets of through-openings 147 and 148 of the pinching piece 146 are also forced through the first and second sets of lugs 142, 144. Preferably, the diameter of the lugs 142, 144 is slightly greater than the diameters of the through-openings 147 and 148 of the pinching piece 146 such that the pinching piece 146 is forced through the lugs and held in position without any other securing means. This method of assembly has the advantage that it is more resistant to water, particularly salt water, than a method of joining by gluing, for example.

[0177] Advantageously, the nasal insert 80 is overmolded on the right, left and lower edges (70c, 70d and 70b), and possibly the joining portions 70e and 70f, of the through nasal opening 70. As can be seen for example in [Fig.7], the right edge 70d of the nasal opening 70 comprises an L-shaped weld region receiving the corresponding right edge 80d of the nasal insert 80.

[0178] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the visor 20 comprises a substantially flat upper region 28, in particular passing through the plane (Pv). Preferably, the plane (Pv) is substantially parallel to the frontal plane (Pf).

[0179] Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a nasal distal end 86 and the distance Din between the external face 22 of the upper vision region 28 and the nasal distal end 86 is greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm.

[0180] Preferably, the housing receiving the nose 81 comprises a nasal ridge 85 having a length Lin, in particular Lin is greater than or equal to 18 mm and less than or equal to 23 mm, preferably of the order of 21.80 mm.

[0181] Preferably, the distance Dinc shown in [Fig.7] between the nasal distal end 86 and said upper apex 35b of the free right edge 35a of the right main wing 35 is greater than or equal to 30 mm, in particular of the order of 47 mm.

[0182] Preferably, the distance Dincr shown in [Fig.7] between a vertical plane PI passing through the upper apex 37 of the bottom of the folding zone of the right main wing 35 of the separating partition 40 and a vertical plane P20 passing through the nasal distal end 86 of the receiving housing of the nose of the nasal insert 80 ranges from 30 mm to 40 mm, in particular is of the order of 35.1 mm. Said vertical planes are substantially parallel to the frontal plane Pf.

[0183] Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a right recess 83 and a left recess 84 arranged on either side of the nose receiving housing 81, and the width Linr (shown in [Fig.5]) separating the right bottom of the right recess 83 and the left bottom of the left recess 84 is greater than or equal to 35 mm and less than or equal to 45 mm, in particular around 41.5 mm.

[0184] Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a flexible material having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 90, preferably a Shore A hardness greater than or equal to 50.

[0185] Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a wall thickness ep shown in [Fig.7], which is less than or equal to 3 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 3 mm.

[0186] Advantageously, the distance LPR between the point of gluing 160 of the left nasal wall 81c of the housing 81 with the visor 20, in particular with the left edge 70c of the through nasal opening 70, and the point of gluing 170 of the right nasal wall 81d of the housing 81 with the visor 20, in particular with the right edge 70d of the through nasal opening 70, is greater than or equal to 25 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm, preferably of the order of 31.3 mm.

[0187] Advantageously, as can be seen in [Fig. 5], the right and left nasal walls 81d and 81c of the nose receiving housing 81 are convex, in particular they diverge towards the base 81b of the nose receiving housing 81. The face mask 10 may also comprise a removable means for securing said mask to the user's head, for example one or more elastic strap(s) connected to the body 90 by being passed through one or more loops provided in the latter.

[0188] In operation, the user places the face mask 10 on his face, and fixes it using the securing means. The oblong main part 110 follows the contour of the face, the user's eyes are in the vision chamber 50 and the user's nose and mouth are in the breathing chamber 60. The nasal septum 40 rests on the bridge of the nose and the user's nose opens directly opposite the internal surface of the nasal insert 80. The thin portion 130 in sealed connection with the separating partition 40 is secured to the internal face 24 of the visor 20, in particular in a peripheral region (20c, 20d) of the through nasal opening 70 opposite the breathing chamber 50, the seal between the vision chamber 50 and the breathing chamber 60 is thus improved.In addition, the separating partition 40 being brought closer to the visor 20, it is possible to optimize the empty spaces, and therefore the volumes of air, available in the chambers for breathing and vision, in particular to reduce them without harming comfort in order to facilitate immersion.

[0189] In addition, the combination of the dimensions Linr, Lpr, Dinc, Dincr, Lin and Din, makes it possible to obtain improved proprioception, to optimize the volumes in the chambers for vision and breathing (50,60). The nostrils are not pressed against the left and right nasal walls of the housing 81 receiving the nose, a volume of air circulates around the nose placed in the housing 81 and in the breathing chamber 60, thus making it possible to inhale fresh air through the nose coming from the snorkel, crossing the vision chamber 50 then accessing the breathing chamber 60. The air exhaled through the nose joins the air evacuation passages provided in this specific example (and not limiting) along the periphery of the lower part 20b of the visor 20, and cooperating with the flexible skirt 30 for sealing. These air evacuation channels, not shown, extend at least in part on the left and right sides of the body 90 and have their upper ends opening at the level of the upper part 92 of the body 90, and are in fluid connection with an air evacuation conduit of the snorkel 120. It is also possible for the air evacuation channels to open on the left and right sides of the body 90. In this case, the snorkel only allows an arrival of fresh air during an inspiration.

Claims

Claims

1. Underwater hiking or diving face mask (10) comprising: - a visor (20) and a flexible skirt (30), said flexible skirt (30) comprising a separating wall (40) delimiting an upper chamber for vision (50) from a lower chamber for breathing (60), the separating wall (40) being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are in the lower chamber for breathing (60), while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber for vision (60), - the visor (20) comprises a through nasal opening (70), and - said mask (10) comprises a flexible and deformable nasal insert (80) configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert (80) is mounted on said through nasal opening (70),characterized in that said mask (10) comprises a thin portion (130) connected to the separating partition (40), said thin portion (130) being secured to the visor (20) in at least one peripheral region (20c, 20d) of said nasal through-opening (70), in that the thin portion (130) is secured in an upper part (20a) of the visor (20) opposite the vision chamber (50), and in that the thin portion (130) extends substantially vertically and above the separating partition (40), and is in the extension of the separating partition (40).,

2. Face mask (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thin portion (130) comprises a right auxiliary wing (132) and a left auxiliary wing (134), in particular secured to the internal face (24) of the visor (20).

3. Face mask (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the through nasal opening (70) comprises a right peripheral region (70d) and a left peripheral region (70c), in that the right auxiliary wing (132) of the thin portion (130) is secured to said right peripheral region (70d) and in that the left auxiliary wing (70d) of the thin portion (130) is secured to said left peripheral region (70c).

4. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a securing device (140) configured to pinch the thin portion (130) against the inner face (24) of the visor (20).

5. Face mask (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the securing device (140) comprises at least one lug (142,144), in particular projecting from the internal face (24) of the visor (20), and a pinching piece (146), in that the thin portion (130) comprises at least one through opening (135,136) receiving said lug (142,144), said thin portion (130) being arranged between the internal face (24) of the visor (20) and said pinching piece (146).

6. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the nasal through opening (70) comprises edges (70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f) and in that the flexible nasal insert (80) is overmolded on said edges (70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f) of the nasal through opening (80).

7. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nasal ridge (85) extending between the external face (22) of the visor (20) and the nasal distal end (86) of the nasal insert (80), said nasal ridge (85) having a length (Lin) which is greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm.

8. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the visor (20) comprises a substantially planar upper vision region (28), and in that the distance (Din) between the external face of the upper vision region (28) and the nasal distal end (86) of the nasal insert (80) is greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm.

9. A face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a flexible material having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 90, preferably a Shore A hardness greater than or equal to 50.

10. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the thickness of a wall (81b, 81c, 81d, 80e, 80f) of the nasal insert (80) is less than or equal to 3 mm.

11. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the partition wall (40) comprises a right main wing (35), respectively left (33), substantially folded and comprising a bottom having an upper apex (37), and the distance (Dincr) between the upper peak (37) of said bottom of the right main wing (35), respectively left (33), and the nasal distal end (86) of a nose receiving housing (81) of the nasal insert (80) is greater than or equal to 30 mm.

12. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the separating partition (40) comprises a right (35), respectively left (33) main wing, in particular substantially folded, comprising a free right (35a), respectively left (33a) edge having an upper apex (35b, 33b), and in that the distance (Dinc) between the nasal distal end (86) of a nose-receiving housing (81) of the nasal insert (80) and said upper apex (35b, 33b) is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm.

13. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nose receiving housing (81), and a right recess (83) and a left recess (84) arranged on either side of said nose receiving housing (81), and in that the width (Linr) separating the right bottom of the right recess (83) and the left bottom of the left recess (84) is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 35 mm.

14. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nose receiving housing (81) having left (81c) and right (81d) nasal walls, and in that the distance (LPR) between the point of reattachment (160) of the left nasal wall (81c) with the visor (20) and the point of reattachment (170) of the right nasal wall (81d) with the visor (20) is greater than or equal to 25 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 28 mm.

15. A face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nose-receiving housing (81) comprising convex left (81c) and right (81d) nasal walls, in particular the left (81c) and right (81d) nasal walls diverge at least in part towards a lower edge (80b) of the nasal insert (80).

Images