CN112105423A

CN112105423A - Diving mask capable of equalizing pressure at ears

Info

Publication number: CN112105423A
Application number: CN201880089985.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·格里马尔迪; Q·索瑞格; R·维斯
Original assignee: Decathlon SE
Current assignee: Decathlon SE
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2018-12-21
Publication date: 2020-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-21
Also published as: CA3086061A1; SG11202005803YA; WO2019122786A1; EP3727613A1; FR3075655B1; AU2018390111A1; US20210086882A1; EA202091537A1; MX2020006453A; CN112105423B; EP3727613B1; FR3075655A1

Abstract

A diving mask (1) comprising a body (10) equipped with a panel (20) comprising an upper portion (21), and a flexible skirt having a partition delimiting an upper chamber (45) for viewing and a lower chamber (50) for breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported on the nose. The mask (1) comprises a tube (70) which is arranged in extension of the upper part (10a) of the body (10). The body (10) comprises a flexible and deformable main nose portion (15), the upper edge (15a) of which is fixed in a sealed manner to the lower edge (21a) of the upper portion (21) of the panel (20). The main nose portion (15) further comprises a nose-receiving main recess (16) configured to allow gripping of a user's nose.

Description

Diving mask capable of equalizing pressure at ears

Background

The present invention relates to the field of diving masks, in particular masks for snorkeling.

The floating and diving activity can watch the seabed while swimming on the surface of water. The ventilator must therefore be able to keep its head below the water surface while breathing.

Usually, the ventilation appliance itself is equipped with a mask for viewing, and a ventilation tube for breathing. The ventilation tube consists of a tube having a lower end with a mouth portion which is received in the mouth of the user and an upper end which allows the inhalation of fresh gas and the expulsion of exhaled gas.

It is well known that such a piece of equipment has a number of disadvantages. First, some people experience difficulty in using snorkels for oral breathing because breathing through the mouth is unnatural. Another is the inability to speak underwater with a snorkel in the mouth.

Another drawback associated with the use of masks is that the inner walls of the panels are often easily covered with condensate, which hinders visibility and forces the user to clean his mask regularly. Condensation occurs because the user's nose opens into the observation chamber between the panel and the user's eyes and mainly because the hot gases generated in the observation chamber cannot be refreshed by fresh gases.

Thus, the use of such masks and snorkel devices is not very comfortable.

To remedy this drawback, document FR 3020620B 1 proposes a diving mask that allows breathing through the nose and mouth.

However, this type of improved mask and tubing does not allow the user to compensate for the pressure when diving to a certain depth of water. To perform this operation, the nose must be clamped to close the nares and balance the pressure on each ear (particularly between the concha and middle ear of the designated ear).

Therefore, there is a need for a mask and snorkel that allows it to breathe alternately through the nose and/or mouth and that avoids the formation of condensation in the observation cabin, and that allows it to perform pressure equalization as many times as possible.

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

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to alleviate the aforementioned problems, and provides a diving mask comprising:

a. a body having a panel including an upper portion and a flexible skirt including a partition defining an upper chamber for viewing and a lower chamber for breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported over the nose of a user such that the mouth and nose of the user are located in the lower chamber while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber, the partition including at least one passage arranged to allow fresh gas to circulate between the upper and lower chambers during a phase of inhalation by the user,

b. a breather pipe disposed in the extension part of the upper part of the body, the breather pipe including at least one air duct;

c. a body including an exhaled gas exhaust forming a fluid connection of the lower chamber to an air conduit of the snorkel.

Advantageously, the body comprises a main flexible and deformable nose portion, the upper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to the lower edge of the upper part of the panel, and the main nose portion comprises a main housing, at least partially receiving the nose and configured to allow the nose of a user to be gripped (pinging).

In addition, the rim includes a secondary nose portion in extension of the partition, the secondary nose portion including a secondary shell that receives the nose and is configured to allow for gripping of the nose of the user.

It will be appreciated that the panel is arranged not to cover the user's nose, and optionally the mouth, so that the user can grip his nose by gripping the main housing of the main nose portion.

It will be appreciated that the vent tube is in fluid connection with the upper chamber. With this aim, the body advantageously comprises fresh gas intake means in fluid communication with the ventilation duct and the upper gas chamber.

Preferably, the upper edge of the main nose portion comprises a protrusion having a particularly L-shaped offset (setback) arranged to receive the lower edge of the upper portion of the panel. In this case, the upper edge of the main nose portion catches the upper or lower face, and the face edge of the lower edge of the upper portion of the panel.

The upper edge of the main nose portion may alternatively comprise a U-shaped projection which receives the lower edge of the upper portion of the panel. In this case, the upper edge of the main nose portion engages the face edges of the upper and lower faces and the lower edge of the upper portion of the panel.

Preferably, the flexible skirt is attached to the panel. In addition, the panel is at least partially transparent. Preferably, the panel has a transparent flat portion positioned facing the upper chamber.

Preferably, the flexible rim comprises a sealing lip arranged to be supported by the face of a user.

Preferably, the flexible skirt (and therefore the partition) and the main nose portion, and optionally the auxiliary nose portion, defined below, are each made of a polymeric material, which may be different or identical (their composition, their appearance (shape, colour, etc.), their mechanical properties (mechanical tensile strength, tensile elongation at break, etc.).

The elongation at break, in particular the tensile elongation at break, of the polymeric material is preferably greater than or equal to 100%, still preferably greater than or equal to 300%, preferably greater than or equal to 400%.

Preferably, the polymeric material is made of an elastomer.

Thus, the flexible rim, the main nose portion, and optionally the auxiliary nose portion, are deformable, on the one hand flexibly taking the shape of the user's face, thus improving its comfort, and on the other hand taking the shape of the rigid or semi-rigid portion of the mask, improving the seal.

In a variant, the exhalation gas vent device comprises a first exhalation gas vent channel extending along one of the two lateral edges of the body, in particular a first and a second exhalation gas vent channel extending on either side of the two lateral edges of the panel, the flexible rim having a first lateral portion covering the first exhalation gas vent channel and optionally a second lateral portion covering the second exhalation gas vent channel.

The first exhalation gas vent channel, and optionally the second exhalation gas vent channel, preferably comprises two lateral walls and a rear wall, in particular said walls forming a U-shape in the cross-section of said first channel, and optionally in the cross-section of said second channel.

Thus, the first channel, and optionally the second channel, may each consist of two adjacent ribs projecting from the first lateral edge, and optionally the second lateral edge, respectively, of the panel.

The first exhaled gas exhaust channel, and optionally the second exhaled gas exhaust channel, may form a single part with the panel. Still preferably, two (two sets) of adjacent ribs form a single part with the panel.

Where applicable (where applicable) the first, and second, exhaled gas exhaust passageways may be distinct portions or portions of the panel that are removably or otherwise secured to one (or both) of the two lateral edges of the panel. The portion has a U-shaped cross-section.

Where applicable, the first lateral portion, as well as the second lateral portion of the rim comprise lateral edges in which the first (or second) gas exhaust channel is engaged in order to prevent water from entering the first (or second) gas exhaust channel.

To this end, the lateral edges of the rim comprise an upper wall and at least one lateral wall, preferably two lateral walls. The lateral wall (or walls) flank(s) (a) the rib (or both ribs) of the first (or second) discharge channel, while the upper wall covers the first (or second) discharge channel in order to provide a seal.

Preferably, the lateral edge is located on the outer periphery of the sealing lip of a rim arranged to be supported by the face of a user.

In one embodiment, the body of the mask further comprises a strip, in particular rigid or semi-rigid, surrounding the panel. Preferably, the peripheral edge of the skirt (in particular the first and/or second lateral portions of the skirt) is clamped between the strip and the first (or second) exhaled gas exhaust channel. This has the effect of preventing the peripheral edge of the skirt from disengaging from the first (or second) exhaled gas exhaust channel.

Preferably, the first exhaled gas exhaust channel, and optionally the second exhaled gas exhaust channel, comprises a lower end portion comprising at least one opening to the lower chamber, and optionally an upper end point in fluid connection with the snorkel.

In one embodiment, the exhaled gas exhaust means comprises a second exhaled gas exhaust channel, which is identical to the first exhaled gas exhaust channel. The first and second exhalation gas passages are preferably disposed on either side of a plane of symmetry of the mask.

It is to be understood that in the present context the term "plane of symmetry (S) of the mask" refers to any plane of the mask that substantially passes through the sagittal plane of the face of the user.

In one variant, the panel comprises a lower portion and the main nose portion comprises a lower edge which is secured in a sealed manner to an upper edge of the lower portion of the panel.

Preferably, the lower portion of the panel at least partially covers the chin of the user, and more preferably the mouth.

Advantageously, the main nose portion extends at least partially between a lower edge of the upper portion of the panel and an upper edge of the lower portion of the panel.

Thus, the main nose portion is not flattened against and adheres to the user's face, particularly the mouth or nose, which facilitates breathing.

In one variation, the panel includes a central opening having an upper edge and a lower edge with a main nose portion extending at least partially therebetween.

Preferably, the panel extends around the entire periphery of said central opening.

Preferably, the central opening is configured to cover the nose of a user.

In one variant, the panel, in particular the lower part of the panel, extends in front of the user's mouth.

This arrangement facilitates breathing through the mouth, since the main nasal part is not flattened against the latter.

In one variant, the main nose portion comprises at least one lateral projection, which projects along one side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask, preferably two lateral projections, which project on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask.

Preferably, one or more of said lateral projections extends beneath a housing which at least partially receives the nose.

Preferably, one or more of said lateral projections extend over the outer face of the panel, in particular over the outer face of the lower part of the panel.

In one variant, the lateral projection of the at least one main nose portion comprises a distal end which is secured in a sealed manner along a lateral edge of the panel, in particular which is disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion of the panel.

The lateral end portion may comprise a U-shaped or L-shaped projection as defined above, with reference to the projection being provided along the upper edge and/or the lower edge of the main nose portion.

Preferably, the mask comprises a first lateral projection comprising a first distal end and a second lateral projection comprising a second distal end. The first lateral end is secured in a sealed manner along a first lateral edge of the panel and the second lateral projection is secured in a sealed manner along a second lateral edge of the panel.

More preferably, the first and second lateral edges of the panel are disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask.

Preferably, the first and second lateral edges are disposed between the upper and lower portions of the panel.

In a variant, the main and/or sub-nasal portion defined below comprises an outer face and an inner face oriented so as to face the breathing chamber, and two protuberances projecting from said inner face and disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask.

The outer face portion of the main nose portion is open to the outside of the mask and is therefore accessible to the user when the mask is worn.

The two ridges of the below defined primary and/or secondary nose portion are arranged to delimit between them the below defined secondary and/or primary housing which at least partially receives the nose.

The two protuberances of the main and/or auxiliary nose portion defined below comprise a first and a second lateral wall between which the respective walls of the nose are housed.

The two elevations in their longitudinal cross-section are preferably substantially wing-shaped, in particular triangular.

Preferably, the primary and/or secondary housing that receives the nose as defined below does not include any lower wall that abuts the lower edge of the user's nose, which facilitates breathing.

Preferably, the primary and/or secondary housings defined below are in fluid communication with the lower chamber.

In one variant, at least one of the two protuberances has a thickness that increases from its upper portion towards its base.

Advantageously, the base is thicker than the upper portion, facilitating the gripping of the nose by pressing the two bases of the two ridges against the nostrils.

In one variant, the main and/or secondary nasal portion defined below comprises an outer face and an inner face oriented to face the breathing chamber, and two recesses for the nose along its outer face, provided on either side of the main and/or secondary housing.

This arrangement guides the placement of the user's fingers to grip the nose.

In one variation, the main nose portion is overmolded (overmoulding) on an upper portion of the panel, and optionally on a lower portion of the panel and/or on a lateral edge of the panel.

Advantageously, the upper edge, the lower edge and optionally the lateral ends of the lateral projections are all overmoulded on the respective edges of the panel (thus engaging the latter in a sealed manner).

The term "overmoulded" is understood to mean that the main nose portion is obtained by means of injection moulding (moulding) (or extrusion), in particular arranged on an opening in the panel.

In one variant, the main nose portion comprises a plate portion which protrudes below the main casing and extends against the panel, in particular on an outer face of the panel, in particular between the two lateral protrusions.

Preferably, the plate portion extends below a housing that at least partially receives the nose.

More preferably, the plate portion extends over an outer face of the lower portion of the panel.

In one variation, the lower edge of the main nose portion is disposed between the main housing for the nose and the plate portion.

In one variation, the rim and main nose portion are two separate portions.

This arrangement facilitates manufacture of the mask according to the invention.

In a variant, the secondary nose portion comprises a secondary plate portion extending below a secondary casing which at least partially receives the nose, said plate being fixed to the panel, in particular to the lower portion of the panel.

Preferably, the plate portion extends over an inner face of the lower portion of the panel.

More preferably, the upper edge of the lower portion of the panel is disposed between the plate portion of the primary nose portion and the plate portion of the secondary nose portion.

Preferably, the secondary plate is fixed to the lower portion of the panel using a rigid or semi-rigid attachment portion, in particular snap-fitted or clamped on the lower portion of the panel, the secondary plate being at least partially arranged between said attachment portion and the lower portion of the panel.

Advantageously, the attachment portion makes it possible to fix the secondary nose portion to the panel in a sealed manner. Thus, gas exhaled through the nose and/or mouth does not flow towards the upper viewing chamber.

Preferably, the rigid attachment portion is substantially V-shaped, still preferably with the tip of the V oriented towards the lower portion of the panel.

In one variation, a secondary housing at least partially receiving a secondary nose portion of the nose nests in a primary housing at least partially receiving the nose of the primary nose portion.

This arrangement improves comfort and facilitates nose gripping.

In one variant, the secondary nasal portion comprises an outer face and an inner face oriented to face the breathing chamber, and two protuberances projecting from said inner face and arranged on either side of the symmetry plane S of the mask.

These ridges of the secondary housing may repeat all or part of the features defined above with reference to the ridges of the primary housing.

The secondary shell may also comprise two recesses, arranged on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.

In one variation, the primary nose portion is made of a polymeric material that is different from or the same as the polymeric material of the primary and secondary nose portions.

The polymeric material of the main nose portion may differ from the polymeric material of the main and auxiliary nose portions due to its nature, thickness, appearance (color, pattern (s)), relief marking(s) or otherwise) or also its Shore a hardness (Shore a hardness).

The polymer material may be a silicone polymer or an elastomer of the SEBS type (styrene-butylene-ethylene), or any equivalent polymer.

In one embodiment, the primary nose portion is made of a polymeric material having a shore a hardness that is greater than or equal to the shore a hardness of the primary and secondary nose portions.

In one variant, the main nose portion has a thickness (mm) greater than the thickness of the main and auxiliary nose portions, in particular measured outside the auxiliary and main housings.

In one variant, the upper edge of the lower part of the panel is disposed between the main and secondary nose portions, in particular between the main and secondary plate portions.

In one variant, the rim and the main nose portion are made of one and the same part. Preferably, in this case, the mask does not include any secondary nasal portion.

In a variant, the rim comprises at least a first and a second separate portion, the first portion providing a seal of the first and/or second gas discharge channel and facilitating a seal with the face of the user, the second portion providing a seal with the face of the user, in particular comprising a sealing lip. The second portion includes a secondary nose portion and a partition separating the upper and lower chambers.

In this case, the mask does not include any secondary nasal portion.

In a variant, the exhaled gas exhaust means comprises at least a first check valve arranged to allow the flow of exhaled gas from the lower chamber towards the air conduit of the snorkel during the phase of exhalation by the user, the first check valve being closed during the phase of inhalation by the user.

Preferably, the first check valve is located on the body of the mask.

Preferably, the first check valve is arranged to close the exhaled gas outlet means during the phase of inhalation.

The closing of the first non-return valve during the suction phase has the effect that no fresh gas can flow through the gas discharge. One advantage is that it avoids that freshly exhaled air is inhaled and it is still located in the exhaled air exhaust or in the air duct of the tube.

Advantageously, the first check valve is arranged to seal said at least one opening (of the first exhaled gas exhaust channel) during the inhalation phase of the user.

Preferably, the first check valve includes at least one flexible membrane located within the first exhaled breath exhaust passageway, facing the opening.

According to an embodiment, the at least one flexible membrane is made up of a portion of the flexible rim.

Preferably, the lower end portion of the first or second exhaled gas exhaust channel comprises two adjacent openings which may be closed by the flexible membrane of the one or more first check valves.

In a variant embodiment, the snorkel includes a single air duct in fluid communication with the lower chamber and the upper chamber.

This arrangement makes it possible to simplify the design and manufacture of the vent tube compared to prior art vent tubes comprising a plurality of passages. Advantageously, the entire internal volume of the ventilation tube is available during the inhalation and exhalation phases, which makes it possible to substantially increase the flow rate of the inflowing and outflowing gases, thus improving comfort and facilitating breathing through the mouth and nose.

Thus, the single air conduit is in fluid communication with the exhaled gas exhaust means and also in fluid communication with the fresh gas intake means.

Preferably, a single air conduit is in fluid communication with the first and second exhaled gas exhaust passageways.

Alternatively, the ventilation tube implemented in the mask according to the invention may comprise a plurality of passages, although this is not preferred.

In a variant, the partition comprises at least one check valve arranged to allow fresh gas to flow only from the upper chamber towards the lower chamber during the inhalation phase of the user.

It will be appreciated that the check valve is open during the inhalation phase and closed during the exhalation phase.

Thus, the check valve has the function of preventing the flow of exhaled gas towards the upper chamber, thereby preventing condensation from appearing on the lower face of the upper portion of the panel.

According to one embodiment, the check valve includes a flexible wing portion comprised of a portion of the flexible rim.

Preferably, the flexible wing of the check valve is formed by a portion of the partition.

The flexible wing is preferably delimited between the free edge of the partition and the cut made in the partition.

The cut-out gives the flexible flap mobility, allowing it to flex during the inhalation phase, thus opening the passage and allowing the entry of fresh gas into the lower chamber.

Preferably, during the exhalation phase, the flexible flap bears against the panel so as to close said passage.

According to a second aspect, the invention also aims at a method of manufacturing a diving mask, as defined according to any of the variants defined above with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

The method comprises the following steps:

a) injection molding a face plate comprising a central opening,

b) over-moulding at least one main nose portion as defined with reference to the first aspect of the invention, so as to engage at least the upper and lower edges of the central opening,

c) assembling the rim defined with reference to the first aspect of the invention on the assembly obtained after step b),

d) obtaining the diving mask.

Drawings

The invention and its advantages will be better understood by reading the detailed description of particular embodiments, given by way of entirely non-limiting example, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mask according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mask taken along section IV-IV shown in FIG. 1, which corresponds to the plane of symmetry S of the mask, showing the overlapping portions of the primary and secondary nasal portions;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mask without the faceplate or tube taken along section IV-IV shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows the lower portion of the mask when the flexible rim and panel are assembled;

FIG. 7A is a front view of the main nose portion of the mask of FIG. 1;

fig. 7B is a rear view of the main nose portion of the mask of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a first example of a diving mask 1, comprising a body 10 provided with a panel 20 comprising at least one upper portion 21 and a flexible skirt 30 comprising a partition 40 delimiting an upper chamber 45 for viewing and a lower chamber 50 for breathing, the partition 40 being arranged to be supported above the nose of a user such that the nose of the user and in this particular example the mouth are both located in the lower chamber 50, while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber 45, the partition 40 comprising at least one passage 55 for allowing fresh gas to circulate between the upper chamber 45 and the lower chamber 50 during the phase of inhalation by the user.

The panel 20 is made of a rigid transparent material, such as polycarbonate.

The flexible skirt 30 is made of a flexible material, such as a silicone elastomer.

The body 10 includes a strap 25 shaped to surround the panel 20. The strap 25 can provide or at least improve the attachment of the rim 30 to the panel 20.

The upper portion 21 of the panel 20 covers the upper viewing chamber 45 and includes a transparent flat portion 19 which is intended to be positioned substantially flush with the eyes of the user.

A breather tube 70 is provided in the extension of the upper part 10a of the body, the breather tube 70 comprising at least one air duct 72, in this particular example a single air duct. In this example, the breather tube 70 is removably mounted on the body 10.

The body 10 includes an exhalation gas vent 80 that forms a fluid connection of the lower chamber 50 to the air conduit 72 of the snorkel 70. The body 10 comprises a main flexible and deformable nose portion 15, the upper edge 15a of which is fixed in a sealed manner to the lower edge 21a of the upper portion 21 of the panel 20.

In this example, the upper edge 15a of the main nose portion 15 comprises a projection 8, which is shown in fig. 4 as having a recess, in particular L-shaped, arranged to receive the lower edge 21a of the upper portion 21 of the panel 20.

The main nose portion 15 includes a housing 16 that receives the nose and is configured to allow the user's nose to be gripped.

The main nose portion 15 comprises two

lateral projections

17, 18, which project on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask 1.

The panel 20 comprises a lower portion 22 and the main nose portion 15 comprises a lower edge 15b, which is fixed in a sealed manner to an upper edge 22a of the lower portion 22 of the panel 20.

The

lateral projections

17 and 18 each comprise a

distal end

17a and 18a, respectively, which are fixed in a sealed manner to either side of the panel, along its lateral edges, which comprise a lateral edge 20d, as shown in fig. 3. The lateral edges (including lateral edge 20d) are disposed between upper portion 21 and lower portion 22 of panel 20.

The main nose portion 15 includes an outer face portion 13 and an inner face portion 14, the inner face portion 14 being oriented to face the breathing chamber 50. The main nose portion 15 comprises two protuberances 5 and 6, which protrude from said inner face portion 14 and are arranged on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask 1.

In this particular example, the two protuberances 5 and 6 (see fig. 7A and 7B) have a thickness that increases from their

base portions

5a and 6a towards their upper portions 5B and 6B.

The main nose portion 15 comprises along its outer face 13 two

recesses

31, 32 provided on either side of the main housing 16 for the nose. The main nose portion 15 is overmoulded on the upper portion 21 of the panel 20, and where applicable on the lower portion 22 of the panel 20 and/or on the lateral edges 20d of the panel 20.

The panel 20 thus comprises a central opening 4 having an upper edge 4a and a lower edge 4b, between which the main nose portion 15 extends.

The panel 20 is arranged such that the lower portion 22 covers the chin and mouth of the user.

The main nose portion 15 further comprises a plate portion 35 extending in particular between the two

lateral projections

17 and 18. The rim 30 and the main nose portion 15 are two separate parts.

The rim 30 includes a secondary nose portion 60 which is located in extension of the partition 40. The sub-nose portion 60 includes a sub-housing 62 that receives the nose and is configured to allow for the gripping of the user's nose.

The secondary nose portion 60 comprises a plate portion 65, projecting below the secondary casing 62, said plate portion 65 being fixed to the panel 20, in particular to the lower portion 22 of the panel 20, by means of an attachment portion 66. The attachment portion 66 is fixed, e.g., sandwiched (clipped), to an attachment tab 67 protruding from an inner face portion of the lower portion 22 of the panel 20.

The plate portion 65 comprises two

apertures

68 and 69 which, prior to positioning the attachment portion 66, engage with the attachment tabs 67, and it further comprises two apertures for cooperating with the attachment tabs 67.

Advantageously, the secondary housing 62 is configured to nest within the primary housing 16.

Preferably, the secondary shell also includes two

protuberances

62, 90 and 91 that project above the inner face of the secondary nasal portion 60, facing the lower breathing chamber 50. In this particular example, the

protuberances

90 and 91 each have a thickness that increases from its upper portion toward its base.

Thus, the upper edge 22a of the lower portion 22 of the panel 20 is disposed between the main plate portion 35 overmolded on the outer face portion of the panel 20 and the sub-plate portion 65 attached to the inner face portion of the panel 20 via the attachment portion 66.

The primary nose portion 15 may be made of a different or the same polymeric material as that of the secondary nose portion 60.

Advantageously, the exhaled gas venting means 80 comprises at least a first check valve 43 arranged to allow the flow of exhaled gas from the lower chamber 50 towards the air duct 72 of the breather tube 70 during the phase of exhalation by the user, the first check valve 43 being closed during the phase of inhalation by the user.

Preferably, the first check valve 43 includes a flexible membrane 142, which in this particular example is comprised of a portion of the flexible rim 30. As can be seen in fig. 6, a first lateral portion of the peripheral edge 124 of the rim 30 includes an upper wall 126 and two lateral walls, of which only the lateral wall 128 is clearly visible. The lateral walls (including lateral wall 128) flank the two ribs (including visible rib 105) of the first exhaled gas exhaust channel 81 to provide a seal. The flexible membrane 142 assumes a substantially rectangular shape that protrudes from the inner face of the upper wall 126. In fig. 6, the first check valve 43 is shown in a closed position in solid lines and in an open position in dashed lines.

The exhaled gas exhaust means 80 further comprise a first gas exhaust channel 81 and a second exhaled gas exhaust channel 82, which extend respectively along the first lateral edge 2 and the second lateral edge 3 of the body 10, in particular on either side of the two lateral edges of the panel 20.

The first check valve 43 further comprises a valve seat 144 arranged to cooperate with the flexible membrane 142, the valve seat being incorporated in the panel 20. In the closed position, the pliable membrane 142 is supported by the valve seat 144 to seal the at least one opening disposed in the first exhaled gas exhaust passageway 81.

Furthermore, the exhaled gas exhaust means 80 comprises a second check valve 160, similar to the first check valve 43, arranged to allow exhaled gas to flow from the lower chamber 50 towards the air duct 72 of the breather tube 70 during the user's exhalation phase. The second check valve 160 operates like the first check valve 43.

The flexible skirt 30 has a first lateral portion 51 and a second lateral portion 52 arranged to cover the first and second exhaled

gas exhaust channels

81 and 82 in a sealed manner.

In operation, a user places the mask 1 on his face, which may include an attachment device, such as an adjustable length elastic band. When the user inhales, the fresh gas inhaled passes through the duct 72 of the snorkel 70 and emerges (come out) in the observation chamber 45 and then enters the passage arranged in the partition 40 by means of the check valve 55, emerging in the lower breathing chamber 50 where the nose and mouth of the user are located. The check valve 55 is configured to allow the inhaled gas to travel from the viewing chamber 45 toward the breathing chamber 50 and prevent the exhaled gas from returning in the opposite direction. During the phase of exhalation, the passage of the gas in the partition 40 is sealed, so that the gas is forced through the first and second

gas discharge channels

81 and 82, which are arranged along the

lateral edges

2 and 3 of the body 10, in particular along the lateral edges of the panel 20, and are closed in a sealed manner by the lateral edges of the corresponding flexible rims 30.

The first and second exhaled

gas exhaust passages

81 and 82 are in their upper part in fluid connection with the ventilation tube 70, in particular with the single air duct 72.

Thus, exhaled gas is evacuated towards the vent tube 70 without passing through the upper viewing chamber 45.

To equalize the pressure, the user grips his nose by placing his fingers in the

recesses

31 and 32 of the main housing 16. The secondary housing 62 is nested in the primary housing 16 and pressure applied to the primary housing 16 is transferred to the secondary housing 60, facilitating transfer as the primary housing ridges 5 and 6 press against the secondary housing 60

ridges

90 and 91.

The primary housing 16 and the secondary housing 62 nest together to facilitate gripping of the nose.

In addition, the configuration of the front of the mouth panel 20, together with the over-moulding of the primary nasal portion 15 over the opening 4, and its configuration relative to the secondary nasal portion 60, allows the

nasal portions

15 and 60 to be positioned out of the way against the mouth of the user, which facilitates breathing.

The main nose portion 15 is overmoulded on the one hand on the lower edge 21a of the upper portion 21 of the panel 20 and on the other hand on the upper edge 22a of the lower portion 22 of the panel 20, and is overmoulded where applicable on the lateral edge 20d of the panel 20, without risking its detachment from the panel 20 when it is handled by the user.

Thus, the mask 1 according to the invention can incorporate the advantages of an anti-condensation mask that allows breathing alternately through the nose and mouth, while being able to equalize the pressure on the ears.

Claims

1. A diving mask (1) comprising:

a. a body (10) provided with a panel (20) comprising an upper portion (21) and a pliable rim (30) comprising a partition (40) defining an upper chamber (45) for viewing and a lower chamber (50) for breathing, the partition (40) being arranged to be supported above the nose of the user such that the nose and optionally the mouth of the user are located in the lower chamber (50) while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber (45), the partition (40) comprising at least one passage (55) arranged to allow fresh gas to circulate between the upper chamber (45) and the lower chamber (50) during a phase of inhalation by the user,

b. a breather tube (70) provided in extension of an upper portion (10a) of the body (10), the breather tube (70) comprising at least one air duct (72);

c. -the body (10) comprises an exhalation gas evacuation device (80) forming a fluid connection of the lower chamber (50) to an air duct (72) of the breather tube (70);

characterized in that said body (10) comprises a main flexible and deformable nose portion (15), the upper edge (15a) of which is fixed in a sealed manner to the lower edge (21a) of the upper portion (21) of said panel (20), said nose portion (15) comprising a main housing (16) receiving said nose, said main housing being configured to allow the gripping of the nose of said user, and said skirt (30) comprising a secondary nose portion (60), said secondary nose portion (60) comprising, in extension of said partition (40), a secondary housing (62) receiving said nose, said secondary housing being configured to allow the gripping of the nose of said user.

2. The mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the secondary shell (62) of the secondary nose portion (60) that at least partially receives the nose is nested in the primary shell (16) of the primary nose portion (15) that at least partially receives the nose.

3. The mask (1) according to one or more of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said panel (20) comprises a lower portion (22) and said main nose portion (15) comprises a lower edge (15b) which is fixed in a sealed manner to an upper edge (22a) of the lower portion (22) of said panel (20).

4. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the panel (20) comprises a central opening (4) having an upper edge (4a) and a lower edge (4b), the main nose portion (15) extending at least partially between the upper edge and the lower edge.

5. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the panel (20), in particular a lower portion (22) of the panel (20), extends in front of the user's mouth.

6. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main nose portion (15) comprises at least one lateral projection (17, 18) which projects along one side of a symmetry plane S of the mask (1).

7. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the main nasal portion (15) comprises an outer face portion (13) and an inner face portion (14), the inner face portion (14) being oriented so as to face the breathing chamber (50), and in that the main nasal portion (15) comprises two protuberances (5, 6) which protrude from the inner face portion (14) and are arranged on either side of a plane of symmetry S of the mask (1).

8. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main nose portion (15) comprises an outer face portion (13) and an inner face portion (14), the inner face portion (14) being oriented to face the breathing chamber (50), and the main nose portion (15) comprises two recesses (31, 32) along its outer face portion (13) which are provided on either side of the main housing (16) for the nose of the main nose portion (15).

9. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the main nose portion (15) is overmoulded on an upper portion (21) of the panel (20) and optionally on a lower portion (22) of the panel (20) and/or on a lateral edge of the panel (20).

10. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main nose portion (15) comprises a plate portion (35) that protrudes below the main housing (16) and extends against the panel (20), in particular between the two lateral protrusions (17, 18).

11. A mask (1) according to claim 10, wherein a lower edge (15b) of the main nose portion (15) is provided between the main housing (16) for the nose and the plate portion (35).

12. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the rim (30) and the main nose portion (15) are two separate parts.

13. The mask (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondary nose portion (60) comprises a plate portion (65) protruding below the secondary shell (62), the plate portion (65) being fixed to the panel (20), in particular to the lower portion (22) of the panel (20).

14. The mask (1) according to claim 3, wherein an upper edge (22a) of the lower portion (22) of the panel (20) is disposed between the main nose portion (15) and the secondary nose portion (60), in particular between the main plate portion (35) and the secondary plate portion (65).

15. The mask (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the rim and the main nose portion (15) are made of one and the same part.