CN117682025A - Nose pressure stabilizing device for underwater mask - Google Patents

Abstract

A nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask comprising two bladders. Each pouch has an opening and a bottom region corresponding to the opening, each bottom region being preformed into a first shape having a plurality of continuous folds and being positioned at a first location remote from a user's nasal wings. When the two fingers of the user apply force inwards from the openings of the two sacks to the bottom regions, the bottom regions can be stretched and deformed into a second shape and are positioned at a second position close to the nose wings of the user. When the force is released, each bottom area can automatically recover or return to the first position by outward pushing force and return to the first shape.

Description

Nose pressure stabilizing device for underwater mask

Technical Field

The invention relates to a nose pressure stabilizing device, in particular to a nose pressure stabilizing device of an underwater mask.

Background

Underwater activities (e.g., diving) are one of the popular recreational activities of modern times. When performing underwater activities, users often wear a mask to facilitate underwater movement and enjoyment of underwater sceneries.

To balance the pressure inside and outside the user's ears, as well as the pressure inside and outside the mask, this is usually accomplished by a flange-type pressure stabilization (Frensel Equalization) or valve-type pressure stabilization operation. However, to perform the pressure stabilizing operation under water, the mask needs to be designed with a soft nose pressure stabilizing mechanism, and the mask is sufficiently close to the nose of the user when worn, so that the nose is pinched up by the fingers (typically thumb and index finger/middle finger) of the user through the nose pressure stabilizing mechanism, and the nostrils are closed. In this case, the position of the finger pinching nose is preferably closer to the root of the nasal wing, so that the pinching nose can be easily and truly achieved, and the nostril is closed.

Unfortunately, full-face floating diving masks (FFSM) currently in the market place are clearly difficult to provide a useful nose voltage stabilizing mechanism on a basic structure. Further, FFSM mainly uses a large hard lens module as a base structure to cover the eyes, nose and mouth of the user. In the inherent design of FFSM, the lens module projects a distance forward relative to the user's face, and if a nose stabilization mechanism is added, the nose stabilization mechanism will be positioned a further distance forward. Conceivably, when the FFSM is worn, the face of the user would abut against the waterproof seal skirt behind the frame portion, and therefore, even if the nose pressure stabilizing mechanism is additionally provided, the distance between the nose and the pressure stabilizing mechanism would be so far that it is difficult for the user's finger to surely touch the nose (up to the position of the tip of the nose) at all through the pressure stabilizing mechanism, let alone to perform pressure stabilizing operation of closing the entire nostril. This is why FFSM has almost no voltage stabilizing function at present; even if some operators want to try, the nose pressure stabilizing device cannot bear the underwater pressure to collapse, so that the nose pressure stabilizing device is uncomfortable in friction with the face or has unexpected nose pinching effect, and finally fails.

In view of this, it is a consistent goal in the industry how to solve the above problems.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask. The nasal manostat of the present invention has two bladders. The bottom area of each bag is preformed with a continuous bending part (i.e. reverse bending or bending shape) when the mould is opened, so that the bottom area of each bag can be allowed to be stressed inwards to stretch and deform, and the depth of each bag can extend a distance to the face of a user and be closer to the nose wings. Therefore, when the nose stabilizing operation is needed, a user can stretch two fingers into the two bags, and push the bottom areas of the two bags inwards to deepen the depth of the bags and extend towards the root of the nose wing of the user, so that the fingers of the user can cover the outer side of the whole nostril conveniently, and the nose pinching action is ensured. When the nose pressure stabilizing operation is completed, the user only needs to loosen the fingers to stretch back, and the two bags can automatically return to the original shape and the far position when not extending (i.e. being preformed) outwards through the soft and elastic material properties and the structural characteristics of the continuous bending part, so that the uncomfortable feeling of improper contact with the user is avoided. Therefore, the nose pressure stabilizing mechanism is additionally arranged on the underwater mask, the nose pressure stabilizing device is designed to be suitable for any type of underwater mask, and the front-end flat pressing action of pinching the nose to close the nostrils can be truly achieved.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the invention discloses a nose pressure stabilizing device for an underwater mask. The nose pressure stabilizing device comprises two sachets, each of which is provided with an opening and a bottom area corresponding to the opening. Each of the base regions is preformed into a first shape having a plurality of continuous bends and is positioned at a first location remote from a user's nose wing. When two fingers of the user apply force inwards from the openings of the two sacks to the bottom areas respectively, each bottom area can be stretched and deformed into a second shape and is positioned at a second position approaching to the opposite nose wings of the user; and when the force is released, each bottom area can automatically recover or return to the first position by outward pushing force and return to the first shape.

In one example, the nasal pressure regulator further comprises a frame and a septum, wherein the septum spans an upper portion and a lower portion of the frame to form the two pockets independent of each other.

In one example, the frame and the septum are integrally formed with a frame portion or a lens portion of the underwater mask.

In one example, the two bladders are integrally formed with a waterproof sealing skirt of the underwater mask.

In one example, the frame, the septum, and the two bladders are integrally formed with a waterproof sealing skirt of the underwater mask.

In one example, the two bags are made of a soft material having a shore a hardness of 10-90 and selected from the group consisting of silicone, thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or a combination thereof.

In one example, the soft material has a shore a hardness of 70-90.

In one example, the continuous bending portions are formed with at least two adjacent side walls, which are parallel to each other or have an included angle smaller than 90 degrees.

In one example, each of the plurality of continuous bends has a thickness between 0.3 millimeters (mm) and 4 mm.

In one example, the plurality of continuous bends each have a height between 2 millimeters (mm) and 18 mm.

In one example, the underwater mask is a floating mask having a body and a mouthpiece-type breathing tube separated from the body, and the nose pressure stabilizer is disposed in a nasal chamber defined by at least one of a frame portion, a lens portion, and a waterproof sealing skirt of the body.

In one example, the underwater mask is a breathable mask having a breathing tube, a body and a three-way connector, the body concealing the eyes and nose of the user, the breathing tube and the three-way connector being disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the body, respectively, in fluid communication with an interior of the body.

In one example, the three-way connector has a nasal passage portion, a drain valve portion and a mouthpiece portion in communication with each other, the nasal pressure regulator is disposed in a nasal chamber defined by the body, and the three-way connector is in fluid communication with the body through the nasal passage portion and the nasal chamber.

In one example, the underwater mask is a full-face type respiratory mask, the full-face type respiratory mask comprises a body and a respiratory tube communicated with the body, the body shields eyes, noses and mouths of the user, and the nose pressure stabilizing device is arranged in an oronasal chamber defined by the body.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a front view of a nose pressure regulator for an underwater mask in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is a rear view of fig. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A showing a plurality of continuous folds preformed in the bottom regions of two bladders of a nose cone voltage regulator.

Fig. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a nose pressure stabilizer of the present invention mounted on a mask.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, showing the relationship of the mask of FIG. 2A to the face of a user.

FIG. 2C is another cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, showing the user's finger applying an inward force to the nose cone voltage regulator.

FIG. 2D is another cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, showing the nose-mounted pressure regulator returning to its original position when the user releases the finger force.

Fig. 3A to 3E are schematic cross-sectional views of different modes of the continuous bending portion of the nose voltage stabilizer of the present invention.

Fig. 4A and 4B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, showing the nose pressure stabilizer installed on a diving mask according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5A and 5B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of another embodiment of the present invention, showing the nose pressure stabilizer installed on a respiratory mask with a three-way connector.

Fig. 6A and 6B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a nose pressure stabilizing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is shown installed on a full-face type respiratory mask.

The reference numerals are as follows:

1: nose pressure stabilizing device

11: an opening

12: bottom region

121: continuous bending part

121a: continuous bending part

121b: continuous bending part

121c: continuous bending part

121d: continuous bending part

121e: continuous bending part

P1: pouch bag

P2: pouch bag

1R: frame

1RL: lower part

1RU: upper part

1P: middle partition

S1: first shape

S2: second shape

T1: thickness of (L)

H1: height of (1)

A1: included angle

SW: side wall

M0: underwater mask

UR: user' s

NW: nose wing

FP: first position

SP: second position

M1: floating mask

M11: body

F1: frame part

L1: lens part

W1: waterproof sealing skirt

N1: nasal chamber

M2: breathable mask

M21: body

M23: breathing tube

M25: three-way connector

F2: frame part

L2: lens part

W2: waterproof sealing skirt

N2: nasal chamber

NP: nose-connecting part

DP: drain valve part

MP: bite portion

M3: full face type breathing mask

M31: body

M33: breathing tube

F3: frame part

L3: lens part

W3: waterproof sealing skirt

And N3: nasal chamber

UP: upper part

LP: lower part

Detailed Description

The following examples are presented to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular environment, application, or particular manner in which it may be practiced. Accordingly, the description of the embodiments is merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, in the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings, elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted and not shown, and dimensional relationships among the elements in the drawings are only for easy understanding, and are not intended to limit the actual scale.

An embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 1A to 1C and fig. 2A to 2D. Fig. 1A and 1B show a front view and a rear view, respectively, of the nose voltage regulator 1 of the present invention. Fig. 1C is a cross-sectional view of fig. 1A, and fig. 2A-2D are schematic views of the nose voltage regulator 1 of the present invention at various stages during use.

The nasal stabilization device 1 may be adapted to any form of underwater mask M0 (e.g., a floating mask, a breathable mask with a three-way connector, or a full-face breathable mask, as will be further described below) to provide a front-facing flat-pressing action for pinching the nose to close the nostrils of a user wearing the underwater mask M0.

The nasal manostat 1 comprises two sachets P1, P2. Each pocket P1, P2 has an opening 11 and a bottom region 12 corresponding to the opening 11. The pockets P1, P2 may be made of a soft material. For example, the soft material may have a Shore A hardness of 10-90 and may be selected from silicone rubber (TPR), thermoplastic rubber (thermoplastic rubber, TPR) (e.g., elastic thermoplastic elastomer (thermoplastic elastomer, TPE)), thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or combinations thereof.

Each bottom region 12 is preformed into a first shape S1 having a plurality of continuous bent portions 121 (for example, is preformed into a reverse-folded or bent shape by injection molding). As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the bottom section 12 will be in a first position FP away from the nose wings NW of a user UR when not being stressed. When the bottom region 12 is in the first position FP, it does not substantially contact the face of the user UR, and thus does not cause discomfort in rubbing against the face.

When the pressure stabilizing operation is to be performed, as shown in fig. 2C, the user UR can insert two fingers into the two pockets P1 and P2 from the openings 11, respectively, and apply force inwards toward the bottom region 12. By applying an inward force by a finger, the bottom portion 12 is stretched and deformed to take a second shape S2 (i.e., the plurality of continuous bending portions 121 are unfolded). At this time, the bottom region 12 is in a second position SP approaching the opposite nose wings NW of the user UR. When the bottom region 12 is at the second position SP, the fingers of the user UR can make the bottom region 12 cover the entire nostril outside, so that the pinching action is ensured to perform the voltage stabilizing operation.

When the user UR releases the force, each bottom region 12 is adapted to return to the first position FP and return to the first shape S1 by being pushed outward, as shown in fig. 2D. Ideally, the bottom region 12 is adapted to automatically return to the first shape S1 to return to the first position FP. However, in practical use, if the bottom region 12 cannot achieve the automatic resetting function due to environmental variables (excessive water pressure or elastic fatigue of the bags P1 and P2 after long-term use), the user can push the underwater mask M0 against the face, and at this time, the bags P1 and P2 in a stretched state will touch or abut against the nose side and the vicinity of the cheekbones of the user's face, and an outward reaction force is generated to assist in resetting the bottom region 12 to the first position FP.

The nose manostat 1 may comprise a frame 1R and a septum 1P. The septum 1P spans an upper portion 1RU and a lower portion 1RL of the frame 1R to form two pockets P1, P2 that are independent of each other left and right. The frame 1R and the septum 1P may be made of hard materials to assist as a support. The nose pressure stabilizing device 1 as a whole (the frame 1R, the middle partition 1P and the two bags P1 and P2) can be selectively made of soft materials with shore a hardness of 70-90 so as to provide a support with considerable strength and avoid collapse due to underwater pressure.

It is understood that, since the frame 1R and the middle septum 1P may be made of hard materials, in practice, the frame 1R and the middle septum 1P may be integrally formed with the frame or the lens portion of the underwater mask M0. In addition, the bags P1 and P2 can be made of soft materials, so that in practice, the bags P1 and P2 can be integrally formed with the waterproof sealing skirt of the underwater mask M0 (for example, integrally formed by silica gel materials). Of course, by designing the thickness of the soft material and the shore a hardness, the frame 1R, the middle partition 1P, and the bags P1, P2 may be integrally formed with the waterproof sealing skirt of the underwater mask M0.

In addition, in an embodiment, the thickness T1 of each continuous bending portion 121 may be between 0.3 millimeters (mm) and 4 millimeters (mm), so as to achieve the purpose of easily applying force to stretch and deform into the second shape S2 and returning to the first shape S1 after the application of force is released. In one embodiment, the height H1 of each continuous bending portion 121 may be between 2 millimeters (mm) and 18 mm, which may be designed correspondingly according to different facial types of users, so as to achieve the purpose of covering the entire nostril outside when the bottom portion 12 is at the second position SP.

The plurality of continuous bends 121 of the nose stabilization device 1 of the present disclosure may have a variety of ways. The plurality of continuous bent portions 121 may be formed with at least two adjacent sidewalls SW. In fig. 3A, two adjacent sidewalls SW of the continuous bending portions 121a are parallel to each other, and in fig. 3B, two adjacent sidewalls SW of the continuous bending portions 121B have an included angle A1 smaller than 90 degrees.

On the other hand, the bending number of the continuous bending portions 121 belongs to the design parameter, and is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, fig. 3C shows a manner of having a continuous bending portion 121C with a large number of bending, and fig. 3D shows a manner of having a continuous bending portion 121D with a small number of bending. In addition, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3E, a plurality of continuous bends 121E are formed in the bottom region 12 proximate to the septum 1P. In other words, the number and position of the continuous bending portions 121 can be adjusted based on practical applications (e.g., users for various ages, sexes, and facial types), and various changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the nose pressure stabilizer 1 is a module in which the frame 1R, the septum 1P, and the pockets P1, P2 are integrally formed. However, in other embodiments, the frame 1R, septum 1P and pouches P1, P2 may be separated from each other and formed by assembly. In this case, the bags P1 and P2 are replaceable, so that the bags P1 and P2 of different modes shown in fig. 3A to 3E can be provided for replacement to conform to users with different facial types, so as to increase the comfort of use.

In addition, the overall shape of the nose cone 1 (particularly the frame 1R and the septum 1P) may also vary from one type of underwater mask to another. In other words, any shape that is changed based on the concept of the present invention (for example, a nose bag defined by a waterproof sealing skirt of an underwater mask is used as the middle partition 1P of the nose pressure stabilizing device 1) should not be limited, as long as the nose pressure stabilizing device 1 can be defined with two bags P1, P2 and the bottom area 12 of each bag P1, P2 is preformed to have a plurality of continuous bent portions 121, and it is within the scope of the present invention regardless of the change of the overall shape of the nose pressure stabilizing device 1. Furthermore, the two sachets are only used to illustrate the number of two fingers of the user to be inserted respectively, but the number should not be limited, and any equivalent scheme, such as two sachets which are communicated with each other are considered as a space of one sachet, etc., are all possible schemes.

Fig. 4A and 4B show a schematic view of a nose voltage regulator 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention for a diving mask M1. The diving mask M1 has a body M11 and a mouthpiece-type breathing tube (not shown) separate from the body M11. The body M11 includes a frame F1, a lens L1 (which may include a lens or a separate lens), and a waterproof sealing skirt W1. In fig. 4A and 4B, the nose pressure regulator 1 is integrally formed with the waterproof sealing skirt W1 and is disposed in a nose chamber N1 defined by the waterproof sealing skirt W1. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the nose bag defined by the waterproof sealing skirt W1 also serves as the middle partition 1P of the nose stabilizer 1. However, in other embodiments, the nose stabilization device 1 may be disposed in a nasal chamber defined by a frame portion or lens portion of the body of the float mask.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate another embodiment of the nose-stabilizing device 1 of the present invention for a respiratory mask M2. The respiratory mask M2 has a body M21, a breathing tube M23 and a three-way connector M25. The body M21 shields eyes and nose of a user. The body M21 may include a frame portion F2, a lens portion L2, and a waterproof sealing skirt W2. The breathing tube M23 and the three-way connector M25 are disposed on an upper portion UP and a lower portion LP of the body M21, respectively, in fluid communication with an interior of the body M21.

The three-way connector M25 may, for example, have a nasal portion NP, a drain valve portion DP and a mouthpiece portion MP in communication with each other. In the present embodiment, the nose pressure stabilizer 1 is disposed in a nose chamber N2 defined by a body M21 (e.g., waterproof sealing skirt W2), and the three-way connector M25 is in fluid communication with the body M21 through the nose through portion NP and the nose chamber N2.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of the nose voltage regulator 1 of the present invention for a full-face type respiratory mask M3. The full-face type breathing mask M3 has a body M31 and a breathing tube M33 communicated with the body M31. The body M31 shields eyes, nose and mouth of a user. The body M31 may include a frame portion F3, a lens portion L3, and a waterproof sealing skirt W3. The nose pressure stabilizer 1 is integrally formed with the waterproof sealing skirt W3 and is disposed in an oral-nasal chamber N3 defined by the body M31 (e.g., the waterproof sealing skirt W3).

In summary, the nose pressure stabilizing device of the present invention may be applied to any type of underwater mask. When the nose pressure stabilizing operation is needed, a user only needs to operate through two bags of the nose pressure stabilizing device which are stretched in by two fingers, and the continuous bending part of the nose pressure stabilizing device is unfolded by applying force to pinch the nose. Then, the user can release the stretching fingers, and the two bags automatically or manually recover to the original shape and position. Accordingly, the nose pressure stabilizing device of the invention makes the underwater pressure stabilizing operation easy and feasible. Thus, the opening 11 defined by each pocket P1, P2 provides for the passage of a user's finger to reach and push the bottom region 12 to deform it, as is not required during operation, by the finger touching the bottom region 12 and then the opening 11, or by the opening 11 and then the bottom region 12; in other words, the bottom region 12 of the pouch P1, P2 protrudes out of the opening 11, is flush with the opening 11, or is recessed within the opening 11 before being deformed under no force, all of which are possible designs.

The above examples are only for illustrating the embodiments of the present invention and illustrate the technical features of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Modifications and equivalents of the invention as described herein will readily occur to those skilled in the art and are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A nose pressure regulator for an underwater mask, comprising:

two sachets each having an opening and a bottom region corresponding to the opening;

the method is characterized in that:

each of the base regions is preformed into a first shape having a plurality of continuous bends and is positioned at a first location away from a user's nose wings;

when two fingers of the user apply force inwards from the openings of the two sacks to the bottom areas respectively, each bottom area can be stretched and deformed into a second shape and is positioned at a second position approaching to the opposite nose wings of the user; and

when the force is released, each bottom region is adapted to return to the first position and return to the first shape either automatically or by an outward pushing force.

2. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 1, further comprising a frame and a septum, wherein the septum spans an upper portion and a lower portion of the frame to form the two pockets independent of each other left and right.

3. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 2, wherein the frame and the septum are integrally formed with a frame portion or a lens portion of the underwater mask.

4. A nose-stabilizing system for an underwater mask as claimed in claim 2 wherein the two bladders are integrally formed with a waterproof sealing skirt of the underwater mask.

5. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 2, wherein the frame, the septum and the two bladders are integrally formed with a waterproof sealing skirt of the underwater mask.

6. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 1, wherein the two sachets are made of a soft material having a shore a hardness of 10-90 and selected from the group consisting of silicone, thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or combinations thereof.

7. A nose-stabilizing device for an underwater mask as claimed in claim 6 wherein the soft material has a shore a hardness of 70-90.

8. A nose-stabilizing system for an underwater mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of continuous bends are formed with at least two adjacent side walls which are parallel to each other or have an included angle of less than 90 degrees.

9. The nose-stabilizing apparatus for an underwater mask of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of continuous bends has a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

10. The nose-stabilizing apparatus for an underwater mask of claim 1, wherein the height of each of the plurality of continuous bends is between 2 mm and 18 mm.

11. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 1, wherein the underwater mask is a floating mask having a body and a mouthpiece-type breathing tube separate from the body, and the nasal pressure regulator is disposed in a nasal chamber defined by at least one of a frame portion, a lens portion, and a waterproof sealing skirt of the body.

12. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 1, wherein the underwater mask is a respirable mask having a breathing tube, a body and a three-way connector, the body shielding the eyes and nose of the user, the breathing tube and the three-way connector being disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the body, respectively, in fluid communication with an interior of the body.

13. A nose cone pressure regulator for an underwater mask as in claim 12 wherein the three-way connector has a nasal passage portion, a drain valve portion and a bite portion in communication with one another, the nose cone pressure regulator being disposed in a nasal chamber defined by the body, and the three-way connector being in fluid communication with the body through the nasal passage portion and the nasal chamber.

14. The nasal pressure regulator for an underwater mask of claim 1, wherein the underwater mask is a full-face type respiratory mask having a body and a breathing tube in communication with the body, the body shielding eyes, nose and mouth of the user, and the nasal pressure regulator is disposed in a mouth-nose chamber defined by the body.