Respiratory mask

Abstract

To provide a respiratory mask for separating air flow of inhaled fresh air and air flow of contaminated air from breathing so that carbon dioxide concentration in a mask body is not raised.SOLUTION: A respiratory mask includes a body and a respiratory tube in fluid communication with its interior, the body includes a main frame, lens, a waterproof skirt, a multi-channel connector, and intake air / exhaust air passages, the waterproof skirt is provided with a partition for partitioning the inside of the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a user's eyes and nose are respectively accommodated in the upper chamber and the lower chamber, the multi-channel connector has a top end in fluid communication with the lower chamber, the intake air passage is formed in between a lower end part of the respiratory tube and the lower chamber, the exhaust air passage is arranged above along the periphery of the body, and thus the contaminated air breathed out by the user flows toward outside in one direction in the exhaust passage, and the exhaust air passage includes an exhaust tube having a bottom unit coupled and communicating with the multi-channel connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 480,932, filed January 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to masks for water activities, and in particular to snorkeling masks that allow the user to breathe through the nose and / or mouth. [Background technology]

[0003] Most snorkeling equipment currently used for snorkeling consists of a mask that covers the eyes and nose and has a separate breathing tube attached to it. However, humans are accustomed to breathing through their noses when inhaling and exhaling. When using such a snorkeling mask, the user is forced to breathe only through the breathing tube placed in the mouth, preventing breathing through the nose and going against the user's natural breathing habits. Furthermore, the mask body and breathing tube are separate components, and the connection between the head strap and the center of the breathing tube is not strong enough, resulting in an insufficiently secure connection. When the breathing tube is exposed to strong water currents during use, the user must firmly hold the mouthpiece in their mouth to stabilize the swinging breathing tube, which not only causes pain in the mouth muscles but also drains the user's energy and reduces the enjoyment of snorkeling.

[0004] Due to the above drawbacks, some manufacturers are replacing these snorkeling masks with full-face snorkeling masks (FFSMs). FFSMs mainly consist of a mask body and a breathing tube attached to the top of the mask body. The breathing tube is in fluid communication with the inside of the mask body. The mask body covers the user's eyes and nose, or eyes, nose, and mouth.

[0005] However, with this design, both inhalation and exhalation occur through the breathing tube, and the airflows are often not separated. As a result, clean and dirty air tend to mix rapidly within the mask body during breathing, causing a sudden rise in carbon dioxide concentration within the mask body. In this situation, the user is likely to experience unconscious oxygen deficiency within a short period of time, potentially posing a serious risk. Furthermore, if the FFSM mask body only covers the eyes and nose, the user's mouth comes into contact with water, forcing them to close their mouth tightly to prevent accidental ingestion. This can cause some anxiety for the user. Furthermore, for users accustomed to snorkeling with a mouthpiece in their mouth, the lack of mouthpiece support can be uncomfortable. If the FFSM mask body is a full-lens type that covers the user's eyes, nose, and mouth, the exhalation space inside the mouth and nose is often too large, resulting in insufficient pressure to push water out of the drain valve. As a result, the user must exhale more deeply to expel the accumulated water, and then inhale more deeply in the next breathing cycle, negatively impacting the snorkeler's physical fitness.

[0006] In light of this, the industry strives to design snorkeling equipment that can solve some or all of the above problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a respiratory mask that covers the user's eyes and nose, allows the user's nose to breathe freely within the mask body, and separates the inhaled fresh air stream from the exhaled dirty air stream to prevent an increase in carbon dioxide concentration within the mask body. The multi-channel connector is arranged to extend downward and outward from the mask body. One channel of the multi-channel connector is connected to a lower chamber of the mask body that covers the nose. Another channel of the multi-channel connector is provided with a drain valve to collect water that leaks into the mask body. This channel directs water away from the nostrils and allows the accumulated water to be discharged through the drain valve. The other channel of the multi-channel connector is connected to a mouthpiece that accommodates the user's mouth, improving the stability of wearing the respiratory mask and allowing the user to inhale and exhale through both the nose and the mouth. Furthermore, the multi-channel connector has a limited internal volume and is separated from the lower chamber that covers the nose, which increases the exhaled air pressure when the user exhales deeply through the mouth. This is beneficial in allowing trapped water to drain more easily, reducing the chances of trapped water splashing into the lower chamber and entering the nostrils.

[0008] Based on the above design, the present invention further provides two symmetrical exhaust pipes on either side of the multi-channel connector, directly communicating with the multi-channel connector. The two exhaust pipes form at least a portion of the exhaust path of the respirator, allowing dirty air exhaled by the user to be discharged to the outside through the two exhaust pipes, improving exhaust reliability. In one form, the two exhaust pipes are completely independent of the breathing tube and are assembled to the two outsides of the mask body, eliminating the need for the breathing tube to provide space for the exhaust pipes (i.e., the diameter of the breathing tube can be reduced or the volume of the air intake provided by the internal intake pipe can be increased). This further reduces manufacturing and assembly costs and improves intake efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention discloses a breathing mask. The breathing mask includes a breathing tube having an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end, with an inhalation conduit formed therein, the upper end preventing external water from entering underwater and allowing fresh air inhaled by the user to flow along the inhalation conduit to the lower end, and a body connected to the lower end of the breathing tube and having an interior in fluid communication with the breathing tube. The body includes a main frame, lenses embedded in the main frame, and a waterproof skirt having a front portion embedded in the main frame and lenses and a rear portion configured to fit comfortably to the user's face. The waterproof scarf has a partition dividing the interior of the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. When the user wears the breathing mask using a fixing device, the partition is placed over the user's nose, and the user's eyes and nose are accommodated in the upper and lower chambers, respectively. The main body further comprises a multi-channel connector having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being in fluid communication with the lower chamber and the lower end being equipped with a drain valve, an inhalation path formed between the lower end of the breathing tube and the lower chamber, the inhalation path being equipped with an inhalation one-way valve for allowing inhaled air flowing in one direction through the inhalation path to flow into the lower chamber, and an exhaust path disposed above and around the main body for allowing dirty air exhaled by the user to flow in one direction to the outside. The exhaust path comprises an exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe being coupled to the outside of the multi-channel connector and having a bottom communicating with the multi-channel connector.

[0010] In one embodiment, an exhaust pipe line independent of the intake pipe line is further formed inside the breathing tube, and the exhaust path further includes an exhaust tunnel formed between the exhaust pipe line and the exhaust pipe, so that dirty air exhaled by the user is discharged to the outside from the multi-channel connector via the exhaust pipe, the exhaust tunnel, and the exhaust pipe line in that order. The exhaust tunnel extending along the periphery of the main body is jointly defined by the waterproof skirt and the inner surface of the lens. The exhaust pipe has a top communicating with the exhaust tunnel.

[0011] In one example, the intake one-way valve is disposed on the partition, and the intake path is defined by the upper chamber and the intake one-way valve.

[0012] In one example, the main body further comprises a bottom exhaust one-way valve, the bottom exhaust one-way valve being positioned within an area where the exhaust pipe is coupled to the multi-channel connector, and an exhaust path being defined by the bottom exhaust one-way valve, the exhaust pipe, and the exhaust tunnel.

[0013] In one example, the exhaust tube extends up around the outside of the breathing tube and the body.

[0014] In another aspect, the body further comprises a top exhaust one-way valve disposed at the top of the exhaust pipe, and the intake one-way valve is disposed on the partition, wherein the intake path is defined by the upper chamber and the intake one-way valve, and the exhaust path is defined by the top exhaust one-way valve and the exhaust pipe.

[0015] In one example, the main body further comprises a bottom exhaust one-way valve, the bottom exhaust one-way valve being positioned within an area where the exhaust tube is coupled to the multi-channel connector, and an exhaust path being defined by the top exhaust one-way valve, the exhaust tube, and the bottom exhaust one-way valve.

[0016] In one example, the respiratory mask further comprises a fastener that supports the exhaust tube along the breathing tube.

[0017] In any of the above aspects, the multi-channel connector comprises a nose connection portion, a mouth connection portion, and a drain portion, each of which is fluidically connected to one another, the nose connection portion being fluidically connected to the lower chamber, the mouth connection portion comprising a mouthpiece to be placed in the user's oral cavity, and the drain portion being provided with a drain valve for draining water accumulated within the main body.

[0018] In any of the above aspects, the main body further comprises a nasal-oral one-way valve, the nasal-oral one-way valve being positioned within the region where the nasal connection is in fluid communication with the lower chamber, thereby allowing fluid to enter only in one direction from the lower chamber through the nasal-oral one-way valve towards the nasal connection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a breathing mask according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a rear exploded view of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 1A, showing the inhaled flow of fresh air as the user inhales. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of FIG. 1C, showing the exhaust airflow of dirty air as the user exhales. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of a breathing mask according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a rear exploded view of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a rear perspective view taken along line 2C-2C of FIG. 2A, showing the inhalation airflow of fresh air as the user inhales. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a front perspective view of FIG. 2C, showing the exhaust airflow of dirty air as the user exhales. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments merely explains the contents of the present invention and does not limit the present invention to the scope of the claims. Elements not directly related to the present invention, such as a head strap for fastening a mask to a user's head, will not be described, and the dimensions of all elements in the drawings are for ease of understanding and do not limit the actual scale.

[0021] The respiratory mask of the present invention mainly includes a multi-channel connector extending outward from the bottom of the mask body, which covers the user's eyes and nose. One of the channels of the multi-channel connector is connected to the lower chamber of the mask body, which covers the nose. Another of the channels of the multi-channel connector is provided with a drain valve. Yet another of the channels of the multi-channel connector is connected to a mouthpiece that is placed in the user's mouth. Furthermore, the multi-channel connector preferably further includes two symmetrical exhaust pipes on both sides thereof, and these two symmetrical exhaust pipes directly communicate with the multi-channel connector. The two exhaust pipes form at least a portion of the exhaust path of the respiratory mask, allowing dirty air exhaled by the user to be discharged to the outside through the two exhaust pipes, improving exhaust reliability. The present invention will be described through two different embodiments below.

[0022] A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1A to 1D. Figure 1A is a schematic front view of a respiratory mask 1 of the present invention. Figure 1B is an exploded rear view of the respiratory mask 1. The respiratory mask 1 mainly comprises a breathing tube 11 and a main body 13. Figure 1C shows a rear view of the respiratory mask 1, and Figure 1D shows a front view of the respiratory mask 1, both of which show a cross section of the breathing tube 11.

[0023] The breathing tube 11 has an upper end 11a and a lower end 11b opposite the upper end 11a. The breathing tube 11 further has an interior longitudinally defined by an intake pipe 112 and two exhaust pipes 114. In various embodiments, only one exhaust pipe may be formed inside the breathing tube, with the intake pipe and the exhaust pipes longitudinally partitioned into a left-right or front-back arrangement. The upper end 11a has an intake port 102 that allows fresh air to flow in from the upper end 11a when the user inhales and flow along the intake pipe 112 to the lower end 11b.

[0024] Preferably, the breathing tube of the present invention is a dry-top type breathing tube (i.e., breathing tube 11 as shown in FIG. 1A) whose upper end allows air exchange with the outside above the water surface but blocks air exchange with the outside below the water surface. However, in practice, the breathing tube is not limited to this shape or its position relative to the body.

[0025] The main body 13 is connected to the lower end 11b of the breathing tube 11 so that the interior of the main body 13 is in fluid communication with the breathing tube 11. The main body 13 mainly includes a main frame 13a, a lens 13b, a waterproof skirt 13c, and a multi-channel connector 13d. The lens 13b is embedded in the main frame 13a. The lens 13b is not limited to a single lens connected to the left and right. It can also be realized as two independent lenses arranged left and right.

[0026] The waterproof skirt 13c has a front portion 13cf embedded in the main frame 13a and the lens 13b, and a rear portion 13cr configured to fit comfortably to the user's face. The waterproof skirt 13c has a partition 13c1. The partition 13c1 is provided to divide the interior of the main body 13 into an upper chamber 202 and a lower chamber 204. When a user wears the respiratory mask 1 via a fastening device (e.g., an elastic head strap, not shown), the partition 13c1 is placed over the user's nose, and the user's eyes and nose are comfortably accommodated in the upper chamber 202 and the lower chamber 204, respectively. In practice, the area of ​​the waterproof skirt 13c covering the nose may be made of a soft material so that the user can pinch the nose to evenly place it on the nose (such as in a maneuver known as "pressure equalization using the Frenzel method").

[0027] The multi-channel connector 13d has an upper end 13d1 and a lower end 13d2. The upper end 13d1 is coupled to the waterproof skirt 13c and is fluidly connected to the lower chamber 204. The multi-channel connector 13d and the waterproof skirt 13c may be integrally formed, or may be formed as separate components as long as they are substantially watertight after assembly. The main body 13 may further include a drain valve 13f disposed at the lower end 13d2 of the multi-channel connector 13d. The internal volume of the multi-channel connector 13d is sufficiently small that the pressure generated when the user exhales deeply through their mouth is sufficient to more easily drain water accumulated in the mask main body 13 through the drain valve 13f.

[0028] The main body 13 further includes an inhalation path and an exhaust path. The inhalation path is formed between the lower end 11b of the breathing tube 11 and the lower chamber 204. Preferably, two one-way inhalation valves 13e are provided symmetrically on the partition 13c1 so that inhaled air can pass through the inhalation path in one direction and enter the lower chamber 204. In this embodiment, the inhalation path is defined by the upper chamber 202 and the one-way inhalation valve 13e. When the user inhales through their nose, fresh air enters the upper chamber 202 from the inhalation conduit 112 of the breathing tube 11, then passes through the one-way inhalation valve 13e into the lower chamber 204, and is supplied to the user's nose for inhalation. The inhalation path is indicated by the airflow indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1C. The one-way inhalation valve 13e is provided to ensure complete exchange of inhalation and exhaust, preventing dirty air exhaled by the user from flowing back from the lower chamber 204 to the upper chamber 202. This prevents fogging of the lens 13b positioned against the upper chamber 202. However, the intake one-way valve 13e is optional.

[0029] Meanwhile, the exhaust path mainly includes two exhaust pipes 13g and two exhaust tunnels 132, respectively disposed between the two exhaust pipe lines 114 and the two exhaust pipes 13g. The two exhaust pipes 13g are symmetrically disposed on both the left and right sides of the main body 13. The tops 13gt of the exhaust pipes 13g on both sides are connected to the exhaust tunnels 132 on each side. The bottoms 13gb of the exhaust pipes 13g on both sides are coupled to the outside of the multi-channel connector 13d and connected to the multi-channel connector 13d. Each exhaust tunnel 132 extending along the periphery of the main body 13 may be jointly defined by the waterproof skirt 13c and the inner surface of the lens 13b. In this way, dirty air exhaled by the user passes from the multi-channel connector 13d in one direction along the periphery of the main body 13, specifically through the exhaust pipes 13g and the exhaust tunnels 132 in sequence, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust pipe line 114. The exhaust path is referenced by the airflow shown as a dotted line in FIG. 1D.

[0030] Similarly, according to various configurations, the exhaust path may include only a single exhaust pipe and a single exhaust tunnel, i.e., the number and arrangement of exhaust pipes and tunnels are not limited to the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-1D.

[0031] The multi-channel connector 13d has a nose connection portion 13dn, a mouth connection portion 13dm, and a drain portion 13dw, which are fluidly connected to each other. The nose connection portion 13dn is fluidly connected to the lower chamber 204. The nose connection portion 13dn may be flexible and bendable or deformable, allowing the respiratory mask 1 to adapt to various facial shapes when worn by a user. In addition, the main body 13 may further include a nose-mouth one-way valve 13i disposed in a region where the nose connection portion 13dn is fluidly connected to the lower chamber 204 (e.g., it may be disposed in a region above the nose connection portion 13dn). This allows fluid to enter the nose connection portion 13dn through the nose-mouth one-way valve 13i, which allows fluid to flow only in one direction from the lower chamber 204, preventing exhaled dirty air from flowing back into the lower chamber 204. Note that the nose-mouth one-way valve 13i is not limited to being placed above the nose connection portion 13dn, and can be placed in any position so long as the nose-mouth one-way valve 13i is placed in a position that prevents the fluid in the nose connection portion 13dn from flowing back into the lower chamber 204. Similarly, the placement of the nose-mouth one-way valve 13i is arbitrary.

[0032] Furthermore, the mouth connection portion 13dm is provided with a mouthpiece 13dp that fits into the user's mouth. Because the mouthpiece 13dp can be stored in the user's mouth when snorkeling, the breathing mask is more securely worn and allows the user to breathe in and out through their mouth as well as their nose. For example, when the user breathes in through their mouth, fresh air passes from the lower chamber 204 through the nose-mouth one-way valve 13i and enters the multi-channel connector 13d, then passes through the mouth connection portion 13dm and is supplied to the user's mouth via the mouthpiece 13dp.

[0033] The main body 13 may further include a bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h to prevent contaminated air remaining in the exhaust path from flowing back into the multi-channel connector 13d and contaminating the fresh air inhaled in the next breathing cycle. The bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h is located in the area where each exhaust tube 13g is connected to the multi-channel connector 13d. In this embodiment, the exhaust path is defined by the bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h, the exhaust tube 13g, and the exhaust tunnel 132. The bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h is preferably located in the area where the exhaust tube 13g is connected to the multi-channel connector 13d, but this is not a limitation. Any position for the bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h is possible as long as it prevents contaminated air in the exhaust path from flowing back into the multi-channel connector 13d. Similarly, the location of the bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h is optional.

[0034] The drain portion 13dw is provided with a drain valve 13f for draining water accumulated in the main body 13. The internal volume of the multi-channel connector 13d is limited and is isolated from the lower chamber 204 that covers the nose. Therefore, this arrangement allows pressure to be increased, and accumulated water can be easily expelled when the user exhales deeply through the mouth.

[0035] Furthermore, when the user exhales through his nose, some of the polluted air first passes through the nose-mouth one-way valve 13i, enters the multi-channel connector 13d, passes through the lower exhaust one-way valve 13h, enters the exhaust pipe 13g, runs upward through the exhaust tunnel 132, and enters the exhaust pipe 114 of the breathing tube 11. It is then discharged to the outside. Furthermore, some of the polluted air can pass downward through the drain valve 13f of the drain section 13dw and is discharged to the outside together with the water accumulated in the multi-channel connector 13d.

[0036] Similarly, when the user exhales through the mouth, some of the polluted air enters the multi-channel connector 13d, passes through the bottom exhaust one-way valve 13h, enters the exhaust pipe 13g, travels upward through the exhaust tunnel 132, and enters the exhaust pipe line 114 of the breathing tube 11. It is then discharged to the outside. Similarly, some of the polluted air passes downward through the drain valve 13f of the drain section 13dw and is discharged to the outside together with the water accumulated in the multi-channel connector 13d.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the multi-channel connector 13d may not have the port connection portion 13dm. That is, the multi-channel connector 13d serves as a so-called two-way connector, connecting the lower chamber 204 and the exhaust pipe 13g. This allows the polluted air exhaled from the user's nose to pass through the exhaust pipe 13g and the exhaust tunnel 132, and then be discharged to the outside through the exhaust pipe line 114 of the breathing tube 11. When the user exhales deeply through their nose, a certain amount of polluted air can be discharged together with the drainage water through the drain valve 13f of the drain portion 13dw. Alternatively, the drain portion 13dw can be branched into two channels. That is, the number of channels of the multi-channel connector 13d is not limited. It can be designed and adjusted according to various needs, such as weight reduction, manufacturing costs, and the addition or elimination of functions.

[0038] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 2A to 2D. Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a respiratory mask 3 of the present invention. Figure 2B is an exploded rear view of the respiratory mask 3. The respiratory mask 3 mainly comprises a breathing tube 31 and a main body 33. Figure 2C shows a rear view of the respiratory mask 3, and Figure 2D shows a front view of the respiratory mask 3, both of which show a cross section of the breathing tube 31.

[0039] The breathing tube 31 has an upper end 31a and a lower end 31b opposite the upper end 31a. In this embodiment, the breathing tube 31 only needs to have a single air intake conduit 112 therein. The upper end 31a has an air intake port 302 that allows fresh air inhaled by the user to flow along the air intake conduit 312 to the lower end 31b.

[0040] The main body 33 is connected to the lower end 31b of the breathing tube 31 so that the interior of the main body 33 is in fluid communication with the breathing tube 31. The main body 33 mainly includes a main frame 33a, a lens 33b, a waterproof skirt 33c, and a multi-channel connector 33d. The lens 33b is embedded in the main frame 33a. The lens 33b is not limited to being a single lens connected to the left and right. It can also be realized as two independent lenses, one on the left and one on the right.

[0041] The waterproof skirt 33c has a front portion 33cf embedded in the main frame 33a and the lens 33b, and a rear portion 33cr configured to fit comfortably to the user's face. The waterproof skirt 33c has a partition 33c1. The partition 33c1 is provided to divide the interior of the main body 33 into an upper chamber 402 and a lower chamber 404. When a user wears the respiratory mask 3 via a fixing device (e.g., an elastic head strap, not shown), the partition 33c1 is placed over the user's nose, and the user's eyes and nose are comfortably accommodated in the upper chamber 402 and the lower chamber 404, respectively. In practice, the area of ​​the waterproof skirt 33c covering the nose may be made of a soft material so that the user can pinch the nose to evenly place it on the nose (such as in a maneuver known as "pressure equalization using the Frenzel method").

[0042] The multi-channel connector 33d has an upper end 33d1 and a lower end 33d2. The upper end 33d1 is coupled to the waterproof skirt 33c and is fluidly connected to the lower chamber 404. The multi-channel connector 33d and the waterproof skirt 33c may be integrally formed, or may be formed as separate components as long as they are substantially watertight after assembly. The main body 33 may further include a drain valve 33f disposed at the lower end 33d2 of the multi-channel connector 33d. The internal volume of the multi-channel connector 33d is sufficiently small that the pressure generated when the user exhales deeply through the mouth is sufficient to more easily drain water accumulated in the mask main body 33 through the drain valve 33f.

[0043] The main body 33 further includes an inhalation path and an exhaust path. The inhalation path is formed between the lower end 31b of the breathing tube 31 and the lower chamber 404. Preferably, two one-way inhalation valves 33e are provided symmetrically on the partition 33c1 so that inhaled air can pass through the inhalation path in one direction and enter the lower chamber 404. In this embodiment, the inhalation path is defined by the upper chamber 402 and the one-way inhalation valve 33e. When the user inhales through their nose, fresh air enters the upper chamber 402 from the inhalation conduit 312 of the breathing tube 31, then passes through the one-way inhalation valve 33e into the lower chamber 404, and is supplied to the user's nose for inhalation. The inhalation path is indicated by the airflow indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2C. The one-way inhalation valve 33e is provided to ensure complete exchange of inhalation and exhaust, preventing dirty air exhaled by the user from flowing back from the lower chamber 404 to the upper chamber 402. This prevents fogging of lens 33b positioned against upper chamber 402. However, intake one-way valve 33e is optional.

[0044] Unlike the respiratory mask 1 of the first embodiment, the exhaust path of the respiratory mask 3 of this embodiment is mainly composed of two exhaust pipes 33g. The exhaust pipes 33g are symmetrically arranged on both the left and right sides of the main body 33 and extend upward along the periphery of the main body 33 and the outside of the breathing tube 31. The breathing mask 3 can be equipped with any type of fastener to support the exhaust pipes 33g along the breathing tube 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the exhaust pipes 33g can be supported on the outside of the breathing tube 31 by fasteners 37 (e.g., symmetrical snaps).

[0045] 2A, a portion of each exhaust pipe 33g extending from the periphery of the main body 33 can also be supported by the main frame 33a, allowing the exhaust pipes 33g to be conveniently attached to both sides of the main body 33. Therefore, the fasteners 37 are used to further provide an external connection between the exhaust pipes 33g and the breathing tube 31, making the exhaust pipes 33g more stable and preventing discomfort to the user caused by shaking due to water currents while snorkeling. However, the fasteners 37 are optional and do not need to be located in the positions shown in FIG. 2A, and may be located in other positions.

[0046] The bottoms 33gb of the exhaust pipes 33g on both sides are connected to the outside of the multi-channel connector 33d and communicate with the multi-channel connector 33d. The main body 33 further includes a top exhaust one-way valve 33h1 disposed at the top 33gt of each exhaust pipe 33g. The top 33gt may also have a sheet 35 that serves as a cover for each exhaust pipe 33g and secures the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1. In this embodiment, the exhaust path is defined by the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1 and the exhaust pipe 33g. In this manner, dirty air exhaled by the user passes upward from the multi-channel connector 33d through the exhaust pipe 33g and is directly discharged to the outside via the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1. The exhaust path is indicated by the airflow indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2D.

[0047] The method of intake of the breathing tube 31 in this embodiment is unchanged from that of the breathing tube 11 in the first embodiment, and the breathing tube 31 only performs the intake function and no longer plays the role of housing the exhaust mechanism. In this way, the breathing tube 31 becomes a pure intake tube, which naturally increases the intake air volume and can be designed to be thinner than conventional breathing tubes, thereby making the entire breathing mask lighter.

[0048] Similarly, depending on various implementations, the exhaust path may include only a single exhaust pipe, i.e., the number and arrangement of exhaust pipes are not limited to the embodiments shown in Figures 2A-2D.

[0049] The multi-channel connector 33d has a nose connection portion 33dn, a mouth connection portion 33dm, and a drain portion 33dw, which are fluidly connected to each other. The nose connection portion 33dn is fluidly connected to the lower chamber 404. The nose connection portion 33dn may be flexible and bendable or deformable, allowing the respiratory mask 3 to adapt to various facial shapes when worn by a user. In addition, the main body 33 may further include a nose-mouth one-way valve 33i disposed in a region where the nose connection portion 33dn is fluidly connected to the lower chamber 404 (e.g., it may be disposed in a region above the nose connection portion 33dn). This allows fluid to enter the nose connection portion 33dn via the nose-mouth one-way valve 33i, which allows fluid to flow only in one direction from the lower chamber 404, preventing exhaled dirty air from flowing back into the lower chamber 404. Note that the nose-mouth one-way valve 33i is not limited to being disposed above the nose connection portion 33dn, and can be disposed in any position as long as the nose-mouth one-way valve 33i is disposed in such a way that the fluid in the nose connection portion 33dn does not flow back into the lower chamber 404. Similarly, the placement of the nose-mouth one-way valve 33i is arbitrary.

[0050] Furthermore, the mouth connection portion 33dm is provided with a mouthpiece 33dp that fits into the user's mouth. Because the mouthpiece 33dp can be fitted into the user's mouth when snorkeling, the breathing mask is more securely worn and allows the user to breathe in and out through their mouth as well as their nose. For example, when the user breathes in through their mouth, fresh air passes from the lower chamber 404 through the nose-mouth one-way valve 33i and enters the multi-channel connector 33d, then passes through the mouth connection portion 33dm and is supplied to the user's mouth via the mouthpiece 33dp.

[0051] The main body 33 may further include a bottom exhaust one-way valve 33h2 to prevent contaminated air remaining in the exhaust path from flowing back into the multi-channel connector 33d and contaminating the fresh air inhaled in the next breathing cycle. The bottom exhaust one-way valve 33h2 is located in the area where each exhaust tube 33g is connected to the multi-channel connector 33d. In this embodiment, the exhaust path is defined by the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1, the exhaust tube 33g, and the bottom exhaust one-way valve 33h2. The bottom exhaust one-way valve 33h2 is preferably located in the area where the exhaust tube 33g is connected to the multi-channel connector 33d, but this is not a limitation. Any position for the bottom exhaust one-way valve 33h2 is possible as long as it prevents contaminated air in the exhaust path from flowing back into the multi-channel connector 33d. Similarly, the location of the bottom exhaust one-way valve 33h2 is optional.

[0052] The drain portion 33dw is provided with a drain valve 33f for draining water accumulated in the main body 33. The internal volume of the multi-channel connector 33d is limited and isolated from the lower chamber 404 that covers the nose, so that pressure can be increased and accumulated water can be easily expelled when the user exhales deeply through the mouth.

[0053] Furthermore, when the user exhales through the nose, some of the polluted air first passes through the nose-mouth one-way valve 33i, enters the multi-channel connector 33d, passes through the lower exhaust one-way valve 33h2, enters the exhaust pipe 33g, travels upward, and is directly discharged to the outside via the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1. Furthermore, some of the polluted air passes downward through the drain valve 33f of the drain section 33dw, and is discharged to the outside together with the water accumulated in the multi-channel connector 33d.

[0054] Similarly, when the user exhales through the mouth, some of the polluted air enters the multi-channel connector 33d, passes through the lower exhaust one-way valve 33h2 into the exhaust pipe 33g, travels upward, and is directly discharged to the outside via the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1. Similarly, some of the polluted air passes downward through the drain valve 33f of the drain section 33dw and is discharged to the outside together with the water accumulated in the multi-channel connector 33d.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the multi-channel connector 33d may not have the port connection portion 33dm. That is, the multi-channel connector 33d serves as a so-called two-way connector, connecting the lower chamber 404 to the exhaust pipe 33g, allowing the polluted air exhaled from the user's nose to pass through the exhaust pipe 33g and be directly discharged to the outside via the top exhaust one-way valve 33h1. When the user exhales deeply through their nose, a certain amount of polluted air can be discharged along with the drainage water through the drain valve 33f of the drain portion 33dw. Alternatively, the drain portion 33dw can be branched into two channels. That is, the number of channels in the multi-channel connector 33d is not limited. The connector can be designed and adjusted to meet various needs, such as weight reduction, manufacturing costs, and the addition or reduction of functions.

[0056] The various one-way valves described above (i.e., intake check valves, exhaust one-way valves, and nose-to-mouth one-way valves) may be mushroom-shaped (circular), pivot-shaped (often rectangular), or other shaped valve devices, and are not limited to any particular shape, provided they are capable of providing one-way fluid communication.

[0057] That is, the present invention provides a breathing mask that covers the user's eyes and nose. Here, the multi-channel connector is provided below the mask body and communicates with the lower chamber of the mask body that covers the nose. The multi-channel connector can be made of the same material (e.g., silicone rubber) as the waterproof skirt. Therefore, the multi-channel connector and the waterproof skirt can be separate or integrated. The main frame, lens, and waterproof skirt are structured to fit tightly together and maintain excellent watertightness, and the placement of the multi-channel connector does not affect this original structure.

[0058] One of the channels of the multi-channel connector may also be provided with a drain valve for accumulating water within the mask, directing the water away from the nostrils, and effectively draining the accumulated water via the drain valve. Another channel of the multi-channel connector may be connected to a mouthpiece for receiving the user's mouth, thereby improving the stability of the respiratory mask and allowing the user to breathe through their mouth as well as their nose.

[0059] The multi-channel connector may have two symmetrical exhaust pipes on each side, and these two symmetrical exhaust pipes communicate directly with the multi-channel connector. The two exhaust pipes form at least a portion of the respiratory mask's exhaust path, allowing the user's exhaled polluted air to be discharged to the outside through the two exhaust pipes, improving exhaust reliability. In one form, the two exhaust pipes are completely independent of the breathing tube and are assembled on the outside of the mask body. In this way, the breathing tube becomes a pure inhalation tube, serving only as an inhalation path and not as an exhaust path. Because there is no need to accommodate an exhaust mechanism, the breathing tube can be designed to increase inhalation volume or be thinner than conventional breathing tubes, thereby reducing the overall weight of the respirator and allowing for more flexible and variable design of the upper part of the breathing tube.

[0060] The above-described embodiments are used only to illustrate examples of the present invention and explain its technical features, and are not intended to limit its scope. Modifications or equivalent arrangements (e.g., the number of intake paths, the number of exhaust paths, etc.) that can be easily realized by those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be limited by the claims of the patent application. For example, the number of intake valves included in the intake path or the number of exhaust valves, exhaust pipes, exhaust tunnels, etc. included in the exhaust path should not be limited to the quantity of "one" as set forth in the claims for clarity.

Claims

1. 1. A respiratory mask comprising: a breathing tube having an upper end and a lower end opposite to the upper end, an intake pipe formed therein, the upper end preventing external water from entering underwater and allowing fresh air inhaled by a user to flow along the intake pipe to the lower end; a lower end of the breathing tube, the lower end having an interior in fluid communication with the breathing tube; The mainframe and a lens embedded within the main frame; a main body having a front portion embedded in the main frame and the lens, and a rear portion configured to fit comfortably to a user's face, and a partition dividing the interior of the main body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, wherein when a user wears the respiratory mask using a fixing device, the partition is placed over the user's nose, and the user's eyes and nose are accommodated in the upper chamber and the lower chamber, respectively; and a waterproof skirt; The body further has an upper end and a lower end; a multi-channel connector, the upper end of which is in fluid communication with the lower chamber and the lower end of which is equipped with a drain valve; an intake path formed between the lower end of the breathing tube and the lower chamber, the intake path having an intake one-way valve for allowing intake air flowing in one direction through the intake path to flow into the lower chamber; an exhaust path disposed above and around the body to allow dirty air exhaled by the user to flow to the outside in one direction; the multi-channel connector comprises a nose connection section, a mouth connection section, and a drain section, each of which is fluidly connected to one another, the nose connection section being fluidly connected to the lower chamber, the mouth connection section comprising a mouthpiece to be placed in the oral cavity of a user, and the drain section being provided with a drain valve for draining water accumulated in the main body; The respiratory mask, wherein the exhaust path includes an exhaust tube, the exhaust tube being coupled to an outside of the multi-channel connector and having a bottom that communicates with the multi-channel connector.

2. an exhaust pipe line independent of the intake pipe line is further formed inside the breathing pipe, and the exhaust path further includes an exhaust tunnel formed between the exhaust pipe line and the exhaust pipe, and dirty air exhaled by a user is discharged to the outside from the multi-channel connector through the exhaust pipe, the exhaust tunnel, and the exhaust pipe line in this order; an exhaust tunnel extending along the periphery of the body is jointly defined by the waterproof skirt and the inner surface of the lens; 2. The respiratory mask of claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe has a top that communicates with the exhaust tunnel.

3. 3. The respiratory mask of claim 2, wherein the one-way inhalation valve is disposed on the partition, and the inhalation path is defined by the upper chamber and the one-way inhalation valve.

4. 4. The respiratory mask of claim 3, wherein the body further comprises a bottom exhaust one-way valve, the bottom exhaust one-way valve being located in a region where the exhaust tube is coupled to the multi-channel connector, and the exhaust path being defined by the bottom exhaust one-way valve, the exhaust tube, and the exhaust tunnel.

5. 2. The respiratory mask of claim 1, wherein the exhaust tube extends upwardly around the outside of the breathing tube and the body.

6. the main body further comprises a top exhaust one-way valve disposed at a top of the exhaust pipe, and the intake one-way valve is disposed on the partition; 6. The respiratory mask of claim 5, wherein the inhalation path is defined by the upper chamber and the inhalation one-way valve, and the exhaust path is defined by the top exhaust one-way valve and the exhaust tube.

7. the main body further comprises a bottom exhaust one-way valve, the bottom exhaust one-way valve being disposed in a region where the exhaust pipe is coupled to the multi-channel connector, and the exhaust path being defined by the top exhaust one-way valve, the exhaust pipe, and the bottom exhaust one-way valve.

7. A respiratory mask as described in 6.

8. 6. The respiratory mask of claim 5, further comprising a fastener for supporting the exhaust tube along the breathing tube.

9. 2. The respiratory mask of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a nose-to-mouth one-way valve, the nose-to-mouth one-way valve being disposed in a region where the nasal connection is in fluid communication with the lower chamber and allowing fluid to enter only in one direction from the lower chamber through the nose-to-mouth one-way valve toward the nasal connection.

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