Breathable mask

Abstract

To provide a mask allowing a user's nose freely breathing inside the mask as well as separating the fresh air inhaled and the dirty air exhaled.SOLUTION: A breathable mask includes a body and a snorkel, a main frame, lenses fitted to the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt. The waterproof sealing skirt separates inside of the body into an upper chamber covering eyes and a lower chamber covering a nose by a spacer, and arranges independent air intake passages and exhaust passages to separate the fresh air inhaled and the dirty air exhaled. Alternatively, a nasal connecting portion having a drain valve is provided in fluid communication with the lower chamber. It is also possible to provide a three-way pipe 680 having the nasal connecting portion, a mouth portion, and a drain portion in fluid communication with one another, wherein the nasal connecting portion is in fluid communication with the lower chamber, and the mouth connecting portion is adapted to be contained in the user's mouth when the user well wears the breathable mask.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask for water activities, and particularly to a snorkeling mask that can breathe through the nose or both the nose and the mouth.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in FIG. 1, in current snorkeling activities, most people use a mask 1 that covers the eyes and nose, in combination with a snorkel 2. In this case, the user cannot breathe through the nose at all and can only breathe through the mouth through the snorkel 2. Also, since the snorkel 2 extends from one side of the mask 1, it is never well-balanced during use. In addition, the snorkel 2 must be connected to the mask 1, and the connection position generally passes near the headband 3 of the mask 1. However, since hair is likely to get caught in the headband 3, such a snorkeling device increases the trouble when the user wears it. Also, humans still have the habit of breathing through the nose in the air. Therefore, when using such a device, it forces the user to breathe through the mouth, which goes against the natural breathing pattern of the user.

[0003] Based on the above shortcomings, the industry is beginning to consider adapting the snorkel 4, which is fixed to the top of a full-face snorkel mask (FFSM), to a conventional diving mask 5, and connecting it to the inside of the mask 5 to enable nasal breathing for the user. In other words, the conventional mouthpiece-type snorkel 2, as shown in Figure 1, is being modified to the design shown in Figure 2A. Naturally, this is smaller in volume than a full-face snorkel mask (FFSM) and can maintain a good seal with the face. However, in this design, the snorkel 4 communicates with the nasal bag 7 inside the mask 5 through a tunnel 6, allowing breathing through the nose (see also Figure 2B). In this design, the inhaled and exhaled airflows are not separated, so clean air and contaminated air are rapidly mixed in the nasal bag 7 of the mask 5 during breathing, causing a rapid increase in the carbon dioxide concentration inside the mask 5. Therefore, the user is likely to become unaware of oxygen deprivation in a short period of time, which is extremely dangerous. Furthermore, the user cannot switch to mouth breathing even if they feel unwell. In addition, if the shape and material of the nasal mask portion 8 of this design are inappropriate, actual usage tests have shown that the water pressure P "automatically pinches the nose" (see Figure 2C), hindering nasal breathing and increasing the likelihood of danger. Moreover, the water accumulated inside the mask 5 concentrates in the nasal bag 7 inside the nasal mask portion 8, coming very close to the user's nostrils. As a result, this accumulated water causes discomfort to the user and can lead to choking.

[0004] Furthermore, this type of mask (5) only covers the eyes and nose, leaving the wearer's mouth exposed in the water. As a result, the wearer unconsciously tightly closes their mouth to avoid accidentally swallowing water, which is extremely unsettling.

[0005] Therefore, providing a design that partially or completely solves the above-mentioned problems would be a major breakthrough and a goal that the industry is pursuing with all its might. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The problems we aim to solve are that the user's nose cannot breathe freely within the mask, and that the concentration of carbon dioxide inside the mask increases due to the failure to separate the inhaled fresh air from the exhaled polluted air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a first means of solving the above problems, the present invention provides a breathable mask including a main body and a snorkel. The snorkel and the inside of the main body are permeable to fluid. The snorkel includes an intake tube and an exhaust tube adjacent to the intake tube. The main body includes a main frame, a lens fitted into the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt, partly fitted to the main frame and the lens, which can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt has a spacer that divides the inside of the main body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. When the user puts on the breathable mask using a tightening device, the spacer is located at the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber. A feature of the main body is that it further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe and the lower chamber, which is provided with a first check valve, the first check valve being mounted on the spacer, and the first check valve being used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage, and an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe and the lower chamber, which is used solely to discharge dirty air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage. Fluid is isolated between the intake passage and the exhaust passage.

[0008] Furthermore, as a second means of solving the problem, a drain valve is provided at the bottom of the mask, extending outward from the nose passage, thereby accumulating water inside the mask, keeping the water away from the nostrils, and allowing it to be effectively discharged through the drain valve. The present invention mainly provides a breathable mask including a main body and a snorkel. The inside of the snorkel and the main body are permeable to fluid. The snorkel includes an intake tube and an exhaust tube adjacent to the intake tube. The main body includes a main frame, a lens fitted into the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt, partly fitted to the main frame and the lens, which can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt has a spacer that divides the inside of the main body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. When the user puts on the breathable mask using a tightening device, the spacer is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber. The main body further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe and the lower chamber, which is provided with a first check valve, and which is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage; an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe and the lower chamber, which is used solely to discharge dirty air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage; and a nose communication section through which fluid passes between one end and the lower chamber, with a drain valve provided at the other end.

[0009] Furthermore, as a third means of solving the problem, a three-way tube is extended outward from the bottom of the mask. One of the three-way tubes is connected to the nasal mask section, and a drain valve is provided on the other. This allows water to accumulate inside the mask, keep it away from the nostrils, and effectively drain through the drain valve. In addition, a mouthpiece is connected to one of the three-way tubes for the user to hold in their mouth. This improves the stability when wearing the mask and allows the user to breathe not only through their nose but also through their mouth. The breathable mask of the present invention includes a main body and a snorkel. Fluid can pass through the inside of the snorkel and the main body. The snorkel includes an intake tube and an exhaust tube adjacent to the intake tube. The main body includes a main frame, a lens fitted into the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt, part of which fits into the main frame and the lens and can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt has a spacer that divides the inside of the main body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. When the user puts on the breathing mask using the tightening device, the spacer is positioned at the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber. The main body further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe and the lower chamber, which is provided with a first check valve, and which is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage; an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe and the lower chamber, which is used solely to discharge contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage; and a three-way tube having a nasal communication section, a mouth communication section, and a drain section through which fluid passes between the nasal communication section and the lower chamber, and which allows the mouth communication section to be properly held in the user's mouth when the user puts on the breathing mask.

[0010] To achieve the three objectives mentioned above, the nasal mask portion of the present invention may employ a material of a specific hardness or a specific shape. This will also prevent it from being affected by water pressure during use, thus preventing it from interfering with normal nasal breathing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a user wearing conventional snorkeling equipment. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a snorkel mask from another conventional technology. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a partial schematic rear view of Figure 2A, showing the intake and exhaust airflow. [Figure 2C] Figure 2C is a partial schematic front view of Figure 2A, showing the nasal bag deformed by water pressure (P). [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a sagittal cross-sectional view obtained along the line 3B-3B in Figure 3A. [Figure 3C] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the coronal surface obtained along the 3C-3C line in Figure 3A, showing the intake airflow. [Figure 3D] Figure 3D is similar to Figure 3C, but shows the exhaust airflow. [Figure 3E] Figure 3E is a cross-sectional view of the cross-section obtained along the line 3E-3E in Figure 3A, showing the cross-sectional shape of the nose mask portion. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a rear perspective view of Figure 4A. [Figure 4C] Figure 4C is a cross-sectional view of the coronal surface obtained along the line 4C-4C in Figure 4A, showing the intake airflow. [Figure 4D] Figure 4D is similar to Figure 4C, but shows the exhaust airflow. [Figure 4E] Figure 4E is a sagittal plane cross-sectional view obtained along the line 4E-4E in Figure 4A. [Figure 4F] Figure 4F is a cross-sectional view obtained along the line 4F-4F in Figure 4A. [Figure 5A]Figure 5A is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a rear perspective view of Figure 5A. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view of a sagittal plane taken along line 5C-5C in Figure 5A, showing the intake air flow. [Figure 5D] Figure 5D is a cross-sectional view of a coronal plane taken along line 5D-5D in Figure 5A, showing the exhaust air flow. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a modified form of the three-way pipe in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is another modified form of the three-way pipe in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a further extended modified form of the three-way pipe in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a rear perspective view of Figure 8A. [Figure 8C] Figure 8C is a cross-sectional view of a sagittal plane taken along line 8C-8C in Figure 8A, showing the intake air flow. [Figure 8D] Figure 8D is a cross-sectional view of a coronal plane taken along line 8D-8D in Figure 8A, showing the exhaust air flow.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] In the first embodiment of the present invention, mainly, a mask is provided that enables a user's nose to breathe freely inside the mask and allows breathing covering the user's eyes and nose that separates the airflows of the inhaled fresh air and the exhaled dirty air.

[0013] As shown in Figures 3A to 3E, the breathable mask 10 includes a main body 11 and a snorkel 12. Fluid can pass through the inside of the snorkel 12 and the main body 11. The snorkel 12 includes an intake pipe 121 and an exhaust pipe 122 adjacent to the intake pipe 121. Preferably, the snorkel 12 is made of a rigid material. There are two exhaust pipes 122, each located on the left and right sides of the intake pipe 121 and formed together with the intake pipe 121 within the snorkel 12. The main body 11 includes a main frame 13, a lens 14 fitted into the main frame 13, and a waterproof sealing skirt 15, partly fitted to the main frame 13 and the lens 14, which can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt 15 has a spacer 16 that divides the inside of the main body into an upper chamber 17 and a lower chamber 18. When the user wears the breathable mask 10 using a fastening device (i.e., an elastic headband; not shown), the spacer 16 is positioned at the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber 17, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber 18. The main body 11 further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe 121 and the lower chamber 18, which is provided with a first check valve 161, the first check valve 161 being located on the spacer 16, and the first check valve 161 being used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside into the lower chamber 18 through the intake passage; and an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe 122 and the lower chamber 18, which is used solely to discharge contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage. Fluid is isolated between the intake passage and the exhaust passage.

[0014] A second check valve 162 may be provided separately to prevent a small amount of contaminated air in the exhaust passage from flowing back into the lower chamber 18 and mixing with the fresh air inhaled by the user in the next respiratory circulation, thereby preventing the accumulation of a small amount of carbon dioxide in the mask. The intake passage is defined by the upper chamber 17 and the first check valve 161, and the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve 162 and the exhaust tunnel 19. As shown in Figures 3A to 3C, the exhaust tunnel 19 is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt 15 and the periphery 141 of the lens 14. Also, as shown in Figure 3C, the second check valve 162 is provided on the spacer 16 and is located below the first check valve 161. When the user's nose (N) inhales, fresh air can appropriately enter the lower chamber 18 from the intake tube 121, through the upper chamber 17, and through the first check valve 161, thereby allowing the user to inhale. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3D, when the user's nose (N) is exhaled, the contaminated air properly passes through the second check valve 162, through the exhaust tunnel 19, and enters the exhaust pipe 122 for discharge.

[0015] The waterproof sealing skirt 15 further includes a nasal mask portion 151 that defines the lower chamber 18 together with the spacer 16. As shown in Figure 3B, the nasal mask portion 151 has a protruding region 152 and a bottom region 153. The bottom region 153 is appropriately sized to accommodate the user's nostrils. To prevent the nasal mask portion 151 from deforming under water pressure, it is preferably made of a rigid material selected from polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), or a combination thereof, and has a Shore D hardness of 50 to 90. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3B and 3E, the nose mask portion 151 is manufactured from a relatively soft material and may have a Shore A hardness of 30 to 95, and is configured in a specific shape. More specifically, the protruding region 152 gradually rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 13, forming a cross-sectional shape with a single peak. The maximum height (Nh) of the cross-sectional shape of the single peak is between 20 and 35 mm. Alternatively, the maximum degree (Nt) to which the protruding region 152 rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 13 and exceeds the lower outer edge of the main frame 13 is between 5 and 20 mm.

[0016] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment mainly in the following respects. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the fluid further passes through the nasal passage in the lower chamber of the mask. A drain valve is provided in the nasal passage. As a result, the water accumulated inside the mask can have a storage space and can be discharged via the drain valve. In addition, some of the gas exhaled from the nose can also be discharged through the drain valve. Therefore, both drainage and exhaust become even smoother.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in Figures 4A to 4F, the breathable mask 20 includes a main body 21 and a snorkel 22. The snorkel 22 and the inside of the main body 21 are fluid-passable. The snorkel 22 includes an intake pipe 221 and an exhaust pipe 222 adjacent to the intake pipe 221. The main body 21 includes a main frame 23, a lens 24 fitted into the main frame 23, and a waterproof sealing skirt 25, partly fitted to the main frame 23 and the lens 24, which can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt 25 has a spacer 26 that divides the inside of the main body 21 into an upper chamber 27 and a lower chamber 28. When the user puts on the breathable mask 20 using a fastening device (i.e., an elastic headband; not shown), the spacer 26 is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber 27, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber 28. As a feature, the main body 21 further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe 221 and the lower chamber 28, which is provided with a first check valve 261, and the first check valve 261 is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber 28 through the intake passage; an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe 222 and the lower chamber 28, which is used solely to discharge dirty air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage; and a nose communication section 280 through which fluid passes between one end and the lower chamber 28, with a drain valve 284 provided at the other end.

[0018] Preferably, as shown in Figures 4C and 4D, the breathable mask 20 further includes a second check valve 262. The intake passage is defined by the upper chamber 27 and the first check valve 261, and the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve 262 and the exhaust tunnel 29. The exhaust tunnel 29 is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt 25 and the periphery 241 of the lens 24. In this embodiment, the first check valve 261 is provided on the side wall 292 of the inlet 291 of the exhaust tunnel 29, and the second check valve 262 is provided inside the inlet 291 of the exhaust tunnel 29. As shown in Figure 4C, when the user inhales, fresh air is appropriately able to enter the lower chamber 28 from the intake pipe 221 through the upper chamber 27, through the first check valve 261, through the inlet 291 of the exhaust tunnel 29, and thereby be inhaled into the user's nose (N). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4D, when the user's nose (N) is exhaled, some of the contaminated air appropriately passes through the second check valve 262, through the exhaust tunnel 29, and enters the exhaust pipe 222 for discharge.

[0019] See also Figures 4D and 4E. The waterproof sealing skirt 25 further includes a nasal mask portion 251 that defines the lower chamber 28 together with the spacer 26. The nasal mask portion 251 has a protruding region 252 and a bottom region 253. The bottom region 253 is appropriately sized to accommodate the user's nostrils. The nasal communication portion 280 and the lower chamber 28 allow fluid to pass through the bottom region 253. To ensure that contaminated air and accumulated water are retained at the bottom of the nasal communication portion 280 without returning to the lower chamber 28, a third check valve 263 is more preferably provided in the bottom region, allowing fluid to enter the nasal communication portion 280 only from the lower chamber 28 through the third check valve 263. When the user's nose is exhausted, some of the contaminated air is appropriately passed through the third check valve 263 and can be discharged via the drain valve 284 of the nasal communication portion 280.

[0020] The nasal mask portion 251 and the nasal communication portion 280 are both manufactured from a rigid material selected from polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), or a combination thereof, and have a Shore D hardness of 50 to 90. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4F, the nasal mask portion 251 and the nasal communication portion 280 may be manufactured from a flexible material and have a Shore A hardness of 30 to 95. Furthermore, the protruding region 252 gradually rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 23, forming a cross-sectional shape with a single peak. The cross-sectional shape of the single peak has a maximum height (Nh) between 20 and 35 mm. Alternatively, the maximum degree (Nt) to which the protruding region 252 rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 23 and exceeds the lower outer edge of the main frame 23 is between 5 and 20 mm.

[0021] The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment mainly in the following respects. Specifically, in the third embodiment, the fluid further passes through a three-way tube in the lower chamber of the mask. The three-way tube is equipped with a mouthpiece and a drain valve. This allows the user to feel more secure by holding the mouthpiece in their mouth, and also allows the water accumulated inside the mask to have a storage space and be discharged through the drain valve. In addition, some of the gas exhaled from the nose can also be discharged through the drain valve. Thus, both drainage and exhaust become smoother.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5A to 5D, the breathable mask 30 includes a main body 31 and a snorkel 32. The snorkel 32 and the inside of the main body 31 are fluid-passable. The snorkel 32 includes an intake pipe 321 and an exhaust pipe 322 adjacent to the intake pipe 321. The main body 31 includes a main frame 33, a lens 34 fitted into the main frame 33, and a waterproof sealing skirt 35, partly fitted to the main frame 33 and the lens 34, which can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt 35 has a spacer 36 that divides the inside of the main body 31 into an upper chamber 37 and a lower chamber 38. When the user wears the breathable mask using a fastening device (i.e., an elastic headband; not shown), the spacer 36 is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber 37, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber 38. As a feature, the main body 31 further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe 321 and the lower chamber 38, which is provided with a first check valve 361, and the first check valve 361 is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber 38 through the intake passage; an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe 322 and the lower chamber 38, which is used solely to discharge contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage; and a three-way tube 380 having a nasal communication section 381, a mouth communication section 382, ​​and a drainage section 383 through which fluid passes between them, allowing fluid to pass between the nasal communication section 381 and the lower chamber 38, and enabling the user to properly hold the mouthpiece 398 provided in the mouth communication section 382 in their mouth when wearing the mask 30 that allows the user to breathe. In addition, the drainage section 383 drains and exhausts air downward and forward. To more effectively isolate contaminated air, a second check valve 362 may be added in this embodiment. The intake passage is defined by the upper chamber 37 and the first check valve 361, and the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve 362 and the exhaust tunnel 39. The exhaust tunnel 39 is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt 35 and the periphery 341 of the lens 34.

[0023] Preferably, as shown in Figures 5B to 5D, the first check valve 361 is provided on the spacer 36, and the second check valve 362 is provided at the inlet 391 of the exhaust tunnel 39. When the user's nose (N) inhales (Figure 5C), fresh air can be properly drawn from the intake pipe 321 through the upper chamber 37, through the first check valve 361, and into the lower chamber 38, thereby allowing the user's nose to inhale. When the user's nose (N) exhales (Figure 5D), some of the contaminated air can be properly drawn from the second check valve 362 through the exhaust tunnel 39, and into the exhaust pipe 322 for discharge. The waterproof sealing skirt 35 further includes a nose mask portion 351 that defines the lower chamber 38 together with the spacer 36. The nose mask portion 351 has a protruding region 352 and a bottom region 353. The bottom region 353 is appropriately sized to accommodate the user's nostrils. The nasal communication portion 381 and the lower chamber 38 allow fluid to pass through the bottom region 353. More preferably, the nasal mask portion 351 is made of a rigid material selected from polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), or a combination thereof, and has a Shore D hardness of 50 to 90. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5C, the nasal mask portion 351 may be made of a flexible material and have a Shore A hardness of 30 to 95. Furthermore, the protruding region 352 gradually rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 33, forming a cross-sectional shape with a single peak. The cross-sectional shape of the single peak has a maximum height (Nh) between 20 and 35 mm. Alternatively, the maximum degree (Nt) to which the protruding region 352 rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 33 and exceeds the lower outer edge of the main frame 33 is between 5 and 20 mm.

[0024] To further adapt to differences in the user's face shape and to allow for a more comfortable fit, a flexible section 385 is provided between the nose communication section 381 and the bottom region 353 to widen the range of motion of the three-way tube. A third check valve 363 is also provided in the bottom region, allowing fluid to enter the nose communication section 381 only through the third check valve 363 from the lower chamber 38. When the user's mouth (M) inhales (Figure 5C), fresh air is properly supplied to the user by passing through the third check valve 363 and the mouth communication section 382. When the user's nose (N) exhales (Figure 5D), contaminated air is properly supplied by passing through the third check valve 363, the nose communication section 381, and reaching the drain section 383 for discharge. Furthermore, when the user's mouth (M) exhausts air (Figure 5D), the contaminated air is properly directed directly to the drain section 383 and can be discharged from the drain valve 384 together with the accumulated water in the three-way pipe 380 (which is usually concentrated mainly in the drain section 383). Moreover, the contaminated air and accumulated water expelled from the mouth are blocked by the third check valve 363 and are not injected back into the lower chamber 38.

[0025] The design of the flexible section 385 is not limited to the above. As shown in Figure 6, by designing it to be longer and making it an independent flexible joint 485 with a pleated section 486, the range of motion of the three-way pipe 480 can be further expanded. Furthermore, the design of the three-way pipe is not limited to the above. As shown in Figure 7, by expanding the internal space of the drain section 583 within the three-way pipe 580, it may be possible to store more accumulated water that has entered the mask. In this case, the drain section 583 drains and exhausts downwards.

[0026] The third embodiment of the present invention may be extended to modify the design of the three-way tube to the form shown in Figures 8A to 8D. In this case, when the user vents underwater, the direction of the drained water and the bubbles during venting are directed to both sides of the user's face rather than upwards, so that the user's line of sight is not obstructed when viewing underwater scenery.

[0027] As shown in Figures 8A to 8D, the breathable mask 60 includes a main body 61 and a snorkel 62. The snorkel 62 and the inside of the main body 61 are fluid-passable. The snorkel 62 includes an intake pipe 621 and an exhaust pipe 622 adjacent to the intake pipe 621. The main body 61 includes a main frame 63, a lens 64 fitted into the main frame 63, and a waterproof sealing skirt 65, partly fitted to the main frame 63 and the lens 64, which can properly seal to the user's face. The waterproof sealing skirt 65 has a spacer 66 that divides the inside of the main body 61 into an upper chamber 67 and a lower chamber 68. When the user puts on the breathable mask 60 using a fastening device (i.e., an elastic headband; not shown), the spacer 66 is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber 67, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber 68. As a feature, the main body 61 further includes an intake passage formed between the intake pipe 621 and the lower chamber 68, which is provided with a first check valve 661, and the first check valve 661 is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber 68 through the intake passage; an exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe 622 and the lower chamber 68, which is used solely to discharge contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage; and a three-way tube 680 having a nasal communication section 681, a mouth communication section 682, and a drainage section 683 through which fluid passes, with fluid passing between the nasal communication section 681 and the lower chamber 68, and enabling the user to properly hold the mouth communication section 682 in their mouth when wearing the mask 60 that allows breathing. In addition, the drainage section 683 drains and exhausts air downward and forward. The intake passage is defined by the upper chamber 67 and the first check valve 661, and the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve 662 and the exhaust tunnel 69. The exhaust tunnel 69 is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt 65 and the periphery 641 of the lens 64.

[0028] The means described above are substantially the same as those in the embodiments shown in Figures 5A to 5D, except that in this extended third embodiment, only a part of the three-way pipe 680 is modified. Specifically, the drain section 683 of the three-way pipe 680 includes a base 685 extending downward from the nose communication section 681. The base 685 has a first connection section 687 and a second connection section 688 facing the first connection section 687. The first connection section 687 is capable of appropriately accommodating and fixing a drain valve 684 inside. The mouth communication section 682 is jointly defined by the second connection section 688 and the mouthpiece 698. The drain section 683 further includes a shut-off plate 690. The shut-off plate 690, the drain valve 684 and the first connection section 687 jointly define the drain section 683. The shut-off plate 690 extends downward from the nose communication section and faces the drain valve 684. Furthermore, the shut-off plate 690 and the drain valve 684 are connected by a hook 691, forming a gap 692. When the user exhausts, the contaminated air or accumulated water can be discharged from the side through the gap 692. More preferably, guide vanes 695 may be added to both sides of the shut-off plate 690 to assist in draining and exhausting and directing them in the desired direction. This provides a better effect in preventing bubbles from moving directly upward.

[0029] The following is a further explanation of the intake and exhaust flow. The first check valve 661 is provided on the spacer 66. When the user's nose (N) inhales (Figure 8C), fresh air can properly enter the lower chamber 68 from the intake pipe 621, through the upper chamber 67, and through the first check valve 661, thereby allowing the user's nose to inhale. When the user's nose (N) exhales (Figure 8D), some of the contaminated air can properly pass through the second check valve 662 provided at the entrance of the exhaust tunnel 69, through the exhaust tunnel 69, and enter the exhaust pipe 622 for discharge. The waterproof sealing skirt 65 further includes a nose mask portion 651 that defines the lower chamber 68 together with the spacer 66. The nose mask portion 651 has a protruding region 652 and a bottom region 653. The bottom region 653 can appropriately accommodate the user's nostrils. The nasal communication portion 681 and the lower chamber 68 allow fluid to pass through the bottom region 653.

[0030] More preferably, a third check valve 663 is provided in the bottom region, allowing fluid to enter the nose communication section 681 from the lower chamber 68 through the third check valve 663. When the user's mouth (M) inhales (Figure 8C), fresh air is supplied to the user by appropriately passing through the third check valve 663 and the mouth communication section 682. When the user's nose (N) exhales (Figure 8D), contaminated air is supplied to the user by appropriately passing through the third check valve 663 and the nose communication section 681, reaching the drain section 683 for discharge. When the user's mouth (M) exhales (Figure 8D), the contaminated air is supplied to the drain section 683, and together with the accumulated water in the three-way pipe 680 (usually concentrated mainly in the drain section 683), it is discharged from the drain section 683. The air and water discharged from the drain section 683 first collide with the shut-off plate 690, and then are discharged downward and outward along the flow guide vanes 695 on both sides. Furthermore, the contaminated air and water discharged from the opening are blocked by the third check valve 663 and are not injected back into the lower chamber 68.

[0031] The range of material selection and cross-sectional shape of the nose mask portion 651 in this extended third embodiment is similar to that of the above embodiments. Specifically, if the nose mask portion 651 is manufactured from a rigid material and has a Shore D hardness of 50 to 90, it is selected from polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), or a combination thereof. If the nose mask portion 651 is manufactured from a flexible material and has a Shore A hardness of 30 to 95, the protruding region 652 gradually rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 63, forming a cross-sectional shape with a single peak. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the single peak has a maximum height (Nh) between 20 and 35 mm. Alternatively, the maximum degree (Nt) to which the protruding region 652 rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame 63 and exceeds the lower outer edge of the main frame 63 is between 5 and 20 mm.

[0032] In the preferred embodiments described above, the structures and operating mechanisms for realizing the technical means of the present invention have been described in detail. Hereinafter, in order to further clarify the scope of equivalents of the present invention, convertible forms will be listed separately. However, this should not limit the claims made in the final claims.

[0033] For example, the intake and exhaust mechanisms in each of the above embodiments, such as the first check valve, second check valve, intake passage, exhaust passage, exhaust tunnel, and exhaust pipe, are all optimally installed symmetrically within the mask. Therefore, explaining only one of these configurations is for convenience only and not intended to limit the number of configurations.

[0034] The aforementioned snorkel allows for air exchange with the outside through its tip above the water surface, but air exchange with the outside is blocked below the water surface. For example, a dry snorkel is the optimal choice, but there are no particular restrictions on its type or position.

[0035] The aforementioned headbands are all similar to those shown in Figure 2A, but their form is not limited. Furthermore, to avoid hindering the explanation, none of them are shown in the drawings of the present invention.

[0036] The two first check valves are optimally mounted symmetrically on or on both sides of the spacer. The second check valve is installed to allow for more complete separation of intake and exhaust air, preventing the small amount of contaminated air accumulated in the exhaust passage during the user's breathing from mixing with clean air during the next intake circulation, although this is not essential.

[0037] The main frame and lenses are not limited to covering only the user's eyes, but may also be modified to cover both the user's eyes and nose simultaneously. Furthermore, the lenses that cover only the eyes are not limited to a single lens that connects the left and right sides, but may also consist of two separate lenses, one for the left and one for the right.

[0038] The third check valve is not limited to being installed in the bottom region, but may be installed at any position in the nasal communication section, as long as it is a means capable of preventing the fluid in the nasal communication section from flowing back into the lower chamber. Furthermore, the installation of the third check valve is not mandatory.

[0039] The three-way pipe and the shielding plate are not limited to any particular form.

[0040] The first, second, and third check valves are not limited to any particular form and may be mushroom-shaped (circular), pivotal (often square), or any other valve device that allows fluid to pass in only one direction.

[0041] The waterproof sealing skirt does not necessarily have to be molded as a single unit. For example, the protruding and bottom regions of the nose mask portion may be treated as separate components, and the three-way tube and nose mask portion may also be treated as separate components, as long as they have a reasonable degree of waterproofness after assembly.

[0042] The nose mask portion, manufactured from the aforementioned soft material, primarily adds the function of allowing the user to pinch their nose to equalize the pressure in their ears (for example, Frenzel iosizing). [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 masks 2, 4, 12, 22, 32, 62 snorkels 3 Headbands 6 Tunnel 7 Nose bag 8, 151, 251, 351, 651 Nose mask section 11, 21, 31, 61 Main unit 121, 221, 321, 621 Intake pipe 122, 222, 322, 622 exhaust pipes 13, 23, 33, 63 Mainframes 14, 24, 34, 64 lenses 141, 241, 341, 641 Periphery 15, 25, 35, 65 Waterproof Sealed Skirt 152, 252, 352, 652 protruding area 153, 253, 353, 653 bottom area 16, 26, 36, 66 spacers 161, 261, 361, 661 First check valve 162, 262, 362, 662 Second check valve 263, 363, 663 Third check valve 17, 27, 37, 67 Upper room 18, 28, 38, 68 lower chamber 19, 29, 39, 69 Exhaust tunnels 280, 381, 681 Nasal communication area 284, 384, 684 drain valves 291, 391 entrance 292 Side wall 380, 480, 580, 680 three-way tube 382, 682 Port communication part 383, 583, 683 Drainage section 385 Flexible part 485 Flexible joint 486 Pleated section 685 Base 687 First connection section 688 Second connection section 690 Shut-off plate 691 Hook 692 Gap 695 Flow guide vane 398,698 mouthpiece (N) User's nose (nostrils) (M) User's mouth (P) Water pressure

Claims

1. A breathable mask comprising a body and a snorkel, wherein the snorkel and the body are fluid-passable through their interiors, the snorkel comprises an intake tube and an exhaust tube adjacent to the intake tube, the body covers the user's eyes and nose but not the mouth, and comprises a main frame, a lens fitted into the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt, partly fitted to the main frame and the lens, and capable of properly sealing the user's face, the waterproof sealing skirt having a spacer that divides the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and when the user fastens the breathable mask using a tightening device, the spacer is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber, The aforementioned main body further, An intake passage formed between the intake pipe and the lower chamber, wherein a first check valve is provided, and the first check valve is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage, An exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe and the lower chamber, which is used solely for discharging the contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage, A nasal communication section through which fluid passes between one end and the lower chamber, with a drain valve provided at the other end, Including a second check valve, The waterproof sealing skirt further includes a nasal mask portion that defines the lower chamber together with the spacer, the nasal mask portion having a protruding region and a bottom region, the bottom region being appropriately accommodating the user's nostrils, The intake passage is defined by the upper chamber and the first check valve, the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve and the exhaust tunnel, and the exhaust tunnel is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt and the periphery of the lens. A mask that enables breathing, characterized in that the first check valve is provided on the side wall of the inlet of the exhaust tunnel, and the second check valve is provided on the inside of the inlet of the exhaust tunnel, and when the user inhales, fresh air can be properly drawn from the intake pipe through the upper chamber, through the first check valve, through the inlet of the exhaust tunnel, and into the lower chamber, thereby allowing the user to inhale air through their nose, and when the user's nose exhales, some of the contaminated air can be properly drawn through the second check valve, through the exhaust tunnel, and into the exhaust pipe for discharge.

2. A breathable mask comprising a body and a snorkel, wherein the snorkel and the body are fluid-passable through their interiors, the snorkel comprises an intake tube and an exhaust tube adjacent to the intake tube, the body covers the user's eyes and nose but not the mouth, and comprises a main frame, a lens fitted into the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt, partly fitted to the main frame and the lens, and capable of properly sealing the user's face, the waterproof sealing skirt having a spacer that divides the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and when the user fastens the breathable mask using a tightening device, the spacer is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber, The aforementioned main body further, An intake passage formed between the intake pipe and the lower chamber, wherein a first check valve is provided, and the first check valve is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage, An exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe and the lower chamber, which is used solely for discharging the contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage, A nasal communication section is provided at the other end through which a fluid passes between one end and the lower chamber, and through which a drain valve is provided. The waterproof sealing skirt further includes a nasal mask portion that defines the lower chamber together with the spacer, the nasal mask portion having a protruding region and a bottom region, the bottom region being appropriately accommodating the user's nostrils, The nasal communication section and the lower chamber allow fluid to pass through the bottom region. A mask that enables breathing, characterized in that a third check valve is provided in the bottom region, allowing fluid to enter the nasal communication section from the lower chamber through the third check valve, and when the user's nose is exhaled, some of the contaminated air appropriately passes through the third check valve and can be discharged via the drain valve in the nasal communication section.

3. The nasal mask portion and the nasal communication portion are both made of a rigid material selected from polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), or a combination thereof, and have a Shore D hardness of 50 to 90, as described in claim 1 or 2, enabling breathing.

4. The mask that enables breathing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nose mask portion is made of a soft material and has a Shore A hardness of 30 to 95, and the protruding region gradually rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame to form a cross-sectional shape having a single peak.

5. The breathable mask according to claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the single peak has a maximum height (Nh) between 20 and 35 mm.

6. The breathable mask according to claim 4, wherein the maximum degree (Nt) to which the protruding region rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame and exceeds the lower outer edge of the main frame is between 5 and 20 mm.

7. A breathable mask comprising a body and a snorkel, wherein the snorkel and the body are fluid-passable through their interiors, the snorkel comprises an intake tube and an exhaust tube adjacent to the intake tube, the body covers the user's eyes and nose but not the mouth, and comprises a main frame, a lens fitted into the main frame, and a waterproof sealing skirt, partly fitted to the main frame and the lens, and capable of properly sealing the user's face, the waterproof sealing skirt having a spacer that divides the body into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and when the user fastens the breathable mask using a tightening device, the spacer is located on the user's nose, the user's eyes are housed in the upper chamber, and the user's nose is housed in the lower chamber, The aforementioned main body further, An intake passage formed between the intake pipe and the lower chamber, wherein a first check valve is provided, the first check valve is provided on the spacer, and the first check valve is used solely to allow fresh air entering from the outside to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage, An exhaust passage formed between the exhaust pipe and the lower chamber, which is used solely for discharging the contaminated air exhaled by the user to the outside through the exhaust passage, A mask that enables breathing, characterized in that it includes a three-way tube having a nasal communication section, an oral communication section, and a drainage section that allow fluid to pass through each other, the nasal communication section and the lower chamber through which fluid passes, and the oral communication section can be properly placed in the mouth of the user when the user puts on the mask that enables breathing, the waterproof sealing skirt further includes a nasal mask section that defines the lower chamber together with the spacer, the nasal mask section having a protruding region and a bottom region, the bottom region being appropriately sized to fit the user's nostrils.

8. The mask that enables breathing according to claim 7, wherein the drainage section drains and exhausts air downward and forward.

9. Furthermore, the breathable mask according to claim 7, further comprising a second check valve, wherein the intake passage is defined by the upper chamber and the first check valve, the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve and the exhaust tunnel, and the exhaust tunnel is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt and the periphery of the lens.

10. The first check valve is provided on the spacer, and the second check valve is provided at the entrance to the exhaust tunnel, and when the user's nose inhales, fresh air can be properly drawn from the intake pipe through the upper chamber, through the first check valve, and into the lower chamber, thereby allowing the user to inhale air, and when the user's nose exhales, some of the contaminated air can be properly drawn from the second check valve through the exhaust tunnel, enter the exhaust pipe, and be discharged, as described in claim 9.

11. The mask according to claim 7, which allows a fluid to pass through the nasal passage and the lower chamber through the bottom region.

12. A mask that allows breathing according to claim 11, wherein a flexible portion is provided between the nasal communication portion and the bottom region so as to increase the range of motion of the three-way tube.

13. A mask that enables breathing according to claim 12, wherein a third check valve is provided in the bottom region, allowing only fluid to enter the nasal communication section from the lower chamber through the third check valve, so that when the user's mouth inhales, fresh air can be supplied to the user by passing appropriately through the third check valve and the nasal communication section, so that when the user's nose exhales, contaminated air can be discharged by passing appropriately through the third check valve and the nasal communication section, so that when the user's mouth exhales, contaminated air can be discharged by passing appropriately through the third check valve and the nasal communication section, so that when the user's mouth exhales, contaminated air can be discharged by passing appropriately directly to the drainage section and discharged together with the water accumulated in the three-way tube.

14. The drainage section drains and exhausts air downwards, as described in claim 7 for a breathable mask.

15. Furthermore, the breathable mask according to claim 7, further comprising a second check valve, wherein the intake passage is defined by the upper chamber and the first check valve, the exhaust passage is defined by the second check valve and the exhaust tunnel, and the exhaust tunnel is jointly formed by the waterproof sealing skirt and the periphery of the lens.

16. The breathable mask according to claim 14, wherein the drainage portion includes a base extending downward from the nasal communication portion, the base having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion facing the first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being capable of appropriately housing and fixing a drain valve inside, and the mouth communication portion being jointly defined by the second connecting portion and a mouthpiece.

17. The drainage section further includes a blocking plate, and the drainage section is defined jointly by the blocking plate, the drain valve and the first connecting section, the blocking plate extends downward from the nasal communication section and faces the drain valve, and the blocking plate and the drain valve are connected by a hook to form a gap, and when the user exhales, contaminated air or accumulated water can be discharged from the side through the gap, as described in claim 16.

18. The nasal mask portion is made of a rigid material selected from polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), or a combination thereof, and has a Shore D hardness of 50 to 90, as described in claim 7, enabling breathing.

19. The mask for breathing according to claim 7, wherein the nose mask portion is made of a soft material and has a Shore A hardness of 30 to 95, and the protruding region gradually rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame to form a cross-sectional shape having a single peak.

20. The breathable mask according to claim 19, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the single peak has a maximum height (Nh) between 20 and 35 mm.

21. The breathable mask according to claim 19, wherein the maximum degree (Nt) to which the protruding region rises forward from the rear edge of the main frame and exceeds the lower outer edge of the main frame is between 5 and 20 mm.

Images