WO2023169970A1

WO2023169970A1 - Face mask for snorkelling or diving

Info

Publication number: WO2023169970A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/055536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Quentin ALLINNE; Raphael Vis; Armand MACE
Original assignee: Decathlon
Priority date: 2022-03-07
Filing date: 2023-03-06
Publication date: 2023-09-14
Also published as: FR3133170A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a face mask for snorkelling or diving (10), the mask comprising a visor (20) and a flexible skirt (30), the flexible skirt (30) comprising a separating partition (40) delimiting an upper viewing chamber (50) from a lower breathing chamber (60), the separating partition (40) being arranged to bear against the nose of the user such that the nose and mouth of the user are located in the lower chamber (60) while the eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber (60). The visor comprises a nasal through-opening (70) and the mask (10) comprises a flexible and deformable nasal insert (80) that is configured to pinch the nose of the user, the nasal insert (80) being mounted on the nasal through-opening (70). Advantageously, the mask (10) comprises a thin portion (130) associated with the separating partition (40), the thin portion (130) being rigidly attached to the visor (20) in at least one peripheral region (20c, 20d) of the nasal through-opening (70).

Description

Underwater hiking or diving face mask

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of facial masks for practicing an aquatic activity, in particular for diving and/or for underwater hiking (in English “snorkeling”).

State of the art

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

Generally, the underwater hiker equips himself with a mask for vision, and a snorkel for breathing. The snorkel consists of a tube whose lower end is provided with a mouth portion which is housed in the user's mouth, and with an upper end allowing both the admission of fresh air and the escape of expired air.

It is known that such material has numerous disadvantages. First, because breathing through the mouth is unnatural, some people have difficulty breathing orally using a snorkel. Another is that it is not possible to talk underwater when you have a snorkel in your mouth.

Yet another disadvantage, linked to the use of the mask, is that the interior wall of the visor generally tends to fog up, which harms good visibility, and which forces the user to regularly clean their mask. The appearance of fogging is due to the fact that the user's nose opens into the vision chamber located between the visor and the user's eyes, and generally to any hot air produced in the vision chamber without being renewed by fresh air.

Also, using this mask-snorkel device is not very comfortable.

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

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

There is thus a need for a snorkel mask allowing you to breathe indifferently through the nose and/or mouth, preventing fogging in the vision compartment and allowing you to carry out a snorkel as many times as necessary. pressure balancing operation at each ear for the user.

There is also a need for such a snorkel mask which is light, easy to position on the user's face, and comfortable.

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

Facial masks comprising a single flexible nasal insert provided in a visor are also known. These flexible inserts are not comfortable because depending on the morphology of the user's face, the latter has difficulty pinching their nose. In fact, the distance required to pinch the nose is too great, which creates proprioception problems, which are particularly annoying when hiking underwater since pinching the nose must be intuitive. Furthermore, this type of mask presents sealing problems between the vision chamber and the breathing chamber, thus increasing the risk of fogging and accumulation of CO2 inside the mask.

There is therefore a need for a face mask allowing the practice of underwater hiking and/or diving, making it possible to balance the pressure at the level of the ears by pinching the nose, whose proprioception is improved, adapted to facial morphologies varied, comfortable and avoiding fogging or accumulation of CO2 inside the mask.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention overcomes all or part of the aforementioned problems in that its subject is a facial mask for underwater hiking or diving comprising:

- a visor and a flexible skirt, said flexible skirt comprising a partition of separation delimiting an upper chamber for vision from a lower chamber for breathing, the separation partition being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are located in the lower chamber for breathing, while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber for vision, the visor includes a through nasal opening, and

- said mask comprises a flexible and deformable nasal insert configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert is mounted on said nasal opening.

Advantageously, the facial mask comprises a thin portion in connection with the partition wall, said thin portion being secured to the visor in at least one peripheral region of said nasal through opening.

Advantageously, the thin portion is secured in an upper part of the visor facing the vision chamber.

Advantageously, the thin portion is secured to the visor in the vision chamber.

Advantageously, said thin portion makes it possible to bring the partition wall closer to the skirt and the visor. The space available in the breathing chamber is thus optimized, which improves comfort but also proprioception for pinching the nose.

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

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

Mask

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

Said air circulation passage(s) may be arranged in the frame and/or the visor and/or the flexible skirt as described below in a non-limiting manner. For example, said inspired air circulation channel(s) and said exhaled air circulation channel(s) are arranged between the frame and/or the visor and the flexible skirt.

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

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

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

Preferably, the mask comprises an exhaled air evacuation orifice disposed on a left or right part of the mask, and/or an exhaled air evacuation orifice disposed in an upper part of the mask, more preferably in fluid connection with at least one circulation channel for the air exhaled from the snorkel.

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

Visor

Preferably, by visor we mean the facial screen through which the user can see objects outside the mask.

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

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

Advantageously, the visor is configured to extend from a region substantially above the eyes towards a region substantially under the mouth, in particular said region being opposite the chin, when the mask is worn. The visor is preferably configured to at least partially cover the user's cheeks. Preferably, the visor comprises an upper part facing the vision chamber and a lower part facing the breathing chamber.

Preferably, the visor is in a single molded piece.

The visor is preferably molded in a transparent polymeric material, for example polycarbonate.

The visor preferably comprises a substantially flat upper region, in particular arranged opposite the vision chamber. Said substantially flat upper visor region passes substantially through a plane Pv, in particular substantially parallel to the frontal section plane P _F of the human body in the standing position and when the mask is worn.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one passage for exhaled air is provided in the visor, said passage has an end for evacuating exhaled air and a lower end communicating fluidly with the lower chamber for breathing.

In particular, the visor has a peripheral part which includes a passage for exhaled air. The passage for exhaled air has two ribs which extend along at least one of the side edges of the visor. To ensure the sealing of the passage, the two ribs are covered by part of the flexible skirt.

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

Frame

Preferably, the mask comprises a frame mounted, in a fixed or detachable manner, or overmolded, on all or part of the periphery of the visor.

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

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

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

Advantageously, the frame being rigid, we understand that the first internal conduit cannot be crushed on itself.

Advantageously, the frame consolidates the visor and constitutes a means of air circulation.

Preferably, the connection between the frame and the flexible skirt is obtained by a flexible junction between the flexible skirt and the exhaled air evacuation end of the first internal conduit.

In one embodiment, the frame comprises an upper part and a lower part assembled, for example in a removable manner, with the upper part, and the first internal conduit is provided in the upper part. More preferably, the first internal conduit opens at the lower end of the upper part.

Soft skirt

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

The periphery of the main part of the flexible skirt can thus be partly sandwiched between the visor and the frame.

The main part of the flexible skirt of substantially oblong shape may comprise several parts or a single part, that is to say for example be in one piece.

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

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

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

Partition wall

Advantageously, the dividing wall extends transversely between a right lateral region and a left lateral region of the oblong main part of the flexible skirt. Advantageously, the dividing wall comprises a left main wing and a right main wing joining at a main vertex, preferably said main vertex rests on the bridge of the user's nose when the mask is worn by the user .

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

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

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

Advantageously, the right main wing folded on itself has a substantially U shape open towards the rear face of the mask.

Advantageously, the partition wall is open, and does not include any part of the partition facing the nostrils and the mouth of the wearer.

Advantageously, the right main wing of the partition wall is substantially folded on itself and includes a straight free edge.

Advantageously, the left main wing of the partition wall is substantially folded on itself and includes a free left edge.

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

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

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

Thin portion

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

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

Preferably, the right auxiliary wing and the left auxiliary wing of the thin portion are joined at an auxiliary vertex, more preferably said auxiliary vertex is arranged above the main vertex of the partition wall.

Said auxiliary vertex is preferably secured to the internal face of the visor, more preferably said auxiliary vertex does not rest on the user's nose when the mask is worn.

Advantageously, the thin portion extends substantially vertically and above the partition wall.

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

Advantageously, the right or left auxiliary wing projects substantially vertically from the folding zone of the right or left main wing on itself.

Preferably, the thin portion is connected, in particular in a sealed manner, with the partition wall by molding, in particular by molding a polymer material, for example an elastomer.

Advantageously, the thin portion is in the extension of the partition wall.

Advantageously, the separation wall and the thin portion are in the same molded part.

Preferably, said molded part is the flexible skirt.

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

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

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

Preferably, the thin portion is a thin and flexible polymeric strip.

Preferably, the flexible skirt comprises said thin portion.

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

In one embodiment, the thin portion is a flexible auxiliary sealing lip, in particular said flexible auxiliary sealing lip comprises a right auxiliary wing and a left auxiliary wing, in particular contiguous at an auxiliary vertex.

Advantageously, the thin portion can be secured by mechanical assembly, and/or even bonding and/or welding (ultrasonic, high-frequency), to the visor, preferably as described below with reference to the securing device.

Soft and deformable nasal insert

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

Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises an internal surface and an external surface. Preferably, the internal surface is oriented in operation directly facing the user's nose. Preferably, the external surface is oriented directly towards the exterior of the mask.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a right edge and a left edge meeting substantially at a vertex.

Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a lower edge, in particular substantially curved, in particular towards the upper part of the mask. Preferably, said lower edge of the nasal insert is connected with the left and right edges of the nasal insert, in particular via respectively left and right junction portions, in particular projecting posteriorly towards the posterior edge of the visor or frame.

Advantageously, the nasal insert has a generally triangular shape.

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

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

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

Advantageously, the nasal insert comprises a housing for receiving the nose comprising right and left nasal walls, in particular extending respectively from the right and left recesses.

Through nasal opening

Advantageously, the visor comprises a through nasal opening arranged so as to end up facing the nose, and possibly facing the mouth although this is not preferred, when the mask is worn. Preferably the through nasal opening has a generally substantially triangular shape.

Preferably, the through nasal opening comprises a left edge, in particular substantially rectilinear, and a right edge, in particular substantially rectilinear, meeting at a vertex.

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

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

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

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

Tuba

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

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

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

The snorkel can be removably or fixedly mounted to the upper part of the mask body.

The snorkel can be mounted alternatively on the upper part of the body so as to be able to pivot into a storage position in which the snorkel is folded towards the interior face of the mask.

In a variant embodiment, the thin portion comprises a right auxiliary wing and a left auxiliary wing, in particular secured to the internal face of the visor.

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

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

In a variant embodiment, the facial mask comprises a securing device configured to pinch the thin portion against the internal face of the visor.

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

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

In a variant embodiment, the securing device comprises at least one lug (in particular several lugs), in particular projecting from the internal face of the visor, and a pinching part and the thin portion comprises at least one through opening receiving said lug (in particular several through openings each receiving a lug), said thin portion being disposed between the internal face of the visor and said pinching part.

Advantageously, the thin portion is pinched between the internal face of the visor and the pinching part.

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

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

Preferably, the pinch piece comprises a right wing and a left wing, in particular meeting at a vertex. The pinch piece may be in two parts or in a single part.

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

Preferably, the thin portion comprises a first set of through openings arranged in the right auxiliary wing and/or a second set of through openings arranged in the left auxiliary wing. Preferably, the first and second sets of lugs are passed respectively through the first and second sets of through openings of the thin portion, then are passed respectively through the first and second sets of through openings of the pinching part . In particular, the through openings of the pinching piece have sizes smaller than the sizes of the lugs around which they are arranged so that the pinching piece is placed forcefully and clips the thin portion against the internal face of the visor.

In a variant embodiment, the nasal through opening comprises edges and the flexible nasal insert is overmolded on said edges of the nasal through opening.

In a variant embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nasal bridge extending between the external face of the visor and the nasal distal end of the nasal insert, said nasal bridge having a length Lin which is greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm.

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

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

Preferably, the nasal bridge extends from the substantially flat upper vision region of the visor.

Preferably, the upper vision region is substantially plane, in particular passes through the plane Pv described above.

This arrangement makes it possible to dimension the volume of the vision chamber in an optimized manner, and in particular to reduce the volume of the vision chamber in order to facilitate immersion while preserving comfort.

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

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

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

This arrangement also makes it possible to dimension the volume of the vision chamber in an optimized manner, to reduce the volume of the vision chamber and improves proprioception. In a variant embodiment, the separation wall comprises a right or left main wing, in particular substantially folded, comprising a free right edge, respectively a free left edge, having an upper apex, and the distance (Dinc) between the end nasal distal of the nose receiving housing of the nasal insert and said upper vertex is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm preferably greater than or equal to 45 mm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Preferably, the width Linr is less than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 45 mm, preferably less than or equal to 44 mm. Advantageously, the width Linr is proportional to the width of the user's nostrils.

In a variant embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nose receiving housing having left and right nasal walls, and the distance (L _PR ) between the point of reattachment of the left nasal wall with the visor and the point of reattachment of the right nasal wall with the visor is greater than or equal to 25 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 28 mm.

In this text we understand by joining point, the upper end of the right recess, respectively left, in particular the upper point from which the right recess/housing, respectively the left recess/housing, is in connection with the right edge , respectively left, of the through nasal opening arranged in the visor.

Preferably, the width L _PR is less than or equal to 35 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 34 mm.

Advantageously, the width L _PR is proportional to the width of the base of the bridge of the user's nose, that is to say to Linr.

In a variant embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a flexible material having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 90, preferably a Shore A hardness greater than or equal to 50.

Shore A hardness can be measured as an example using ISO 48-4:2018 entitled “Vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber - Determination of hardness - Part 4: Penetration hardness by the durometer method (hardness Shore).

In a variant embodiment, the thickness of a wall of the nasal insert is less than or equal to 3 mm.

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

It can be the right or left nasal wall, or the lower nasal wall, that is to say placed opposite the nostrils when the mask is worn, or even one of the right junction portions or left.

In a variant embodiment, the nasal insert comprises a nose receiving housing comprising convex left and right nasal walls, in particular the left and right nasal walls diverge at least partly towards a lower edge of the nasal insert.

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

Description of the designs

The invention will be better understood on reading the description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[Fig. 1] Figure 1 schematically represents, front view, a first example of a facial mask according to the invention;

[Fig. 2] Figure 2 shows schematically, side view, the first example of facial mask shown in Figure 1;

[Fig. 3] Figure 3 shows schematically, top view, exploded and substantially from the side, the first example of mask shown in Figure 1;

[Fig. 4] Figure 4 schematically represents, in rear view, the first example of facial mask shown in Figure 1;

[Fig.5] Figure 5 shows schematically, front view and enlarged, the nasal insert mounted on the visor of the facial mask shown in Figure 1;

[Fig.6] Figure 6 shows schematically, front view and substantially inclined sideways, the facial mask shown in Figure 1;

[Fig.7] Figure 7 schematically represents part of the facial mask shown in Figure 1 according to the section plane VII-VII shown in Figure 6;

[Fig.8] Figure 8 schematically represents part of the facial mask shown in Figure 7 enlarged.

Description of an embodiment

The facial mask 10 for underwater hiking or diving shown in Figure 1 comprises a visor 20, and a flexible skirt 30 comprising a dividing wall 40 delimiting an upper chamber 50 for vision of a lower chamber 60 for breathing, partition wall 30 being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are in the lower chamber 60, while the user's eyes are in the upper chamber 50. The visor 20 comprises an upper part 20a and a lower part 20b. The visor 20 comprises a through nasal opening 70 and a flexible and deformable nasal insert 80 configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert 80 is mounted on said nasal opening 70. The mask 10 comprises a body 90 comprising the visor 20, the flexible skirt 30 and a frame 100 mounted, in particular in a removable manner, on the periphery of the visor 20 and sandwiching a main part 110 of substantially oblong shape of the flexible skirt 30. The facial mask 10 comprises a snorkel 120 mounted on the upper part 92 of the body 90. The snorkel 120 can be fixedly mounted on the upper part 92, or removably so as to be able to be detached from the upper part 92, or even pivotally mounted on said upper part 92 in so as to be able to pivot towards the rear face 12 of the mask 10. Advantageously, the mask 10 comprises a thin portion 130 in connection with the partition wall 40, said thin portion 130 being secured to the visor 20 in a peripheral region of said through opening nasal 70, in particular a left peripheral region 20c and a right peripheral region 20d.

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

Advantageously, the thin portion 130 is a sealing lip.

Advantageously, the partition wall 40 extends transversely between a left region 103 of the main oblong part 110 and a right region 105 of the main oblong part 110 as is visible in Figure 4. Advantageously, the partition wall 40 comprises a right main wing 35 and a left main wing 33. In particular, the right main wing 35 is folded on itself and comprises a free right edge 35a having a vertex 35b. In particular, the left main wing 33 is folded on itself and includes a free left edge 33a having a vertex 33b, merging with the vertex 35b in this specific example.

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

Preferably the nasal insert 80 comprises a right edge 80d and a left edge 80c, in particular substantially rectilinear. Preferably, the nasal insert 80 comprises a substantially curved lower edge 80b (see Figure 3) and connecting the right edges 80c and left edges 80d, in particular via junction portions 80e and 80f.

Advantageously, the thin portion 130 comprises a right auxiliary wing 132 and a left auxiliary wing 134 secured, in particular to the internal face 24 of the visor 20, in particular in the upper part 20a of the visor 20 facing the vision chamber 50. The right auxiliary wings 132 and left 134 meet at an auxiliary vertex 133. Advantageously, the visor 20 comprises a right peripheral region 20d bordering the right edge 70d of the through nasal opening 70, and a left peripheral region 20c bordering the left edge 70c of the through nasal opening 70, in particular the left peripheral regions 20c and right 20d meet at a vertex 23. Preferably, the right and left edges 70d and 70c meet at a vertex 72. Advantageously, the nasal through opening 70 comprises a lower edge 70b, in particular slightly curved, and connecting the edges right 70d and left 70c, in particular via the junction portions 70e and 70f. In particular, the lower peripheral region 20e borders the lower edge 70b of the nasal opening 70, in particular the lower peripheral region 20e is slightly curved.

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

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

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

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

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

Preferably, the thin portion 130 is arranged against the external face 24 of the visor 20 so that the first and second sets of lugs 142 and 144 are passed through the first and second sets of corresponding through openings 135 and 136 of the thin portion 130, then the first and second sets of through openings 147 and 148 of the pinching part 146 are also passed by force through the first and second sets of lugs 142,144. Preferably, the diameter of the lugs 142,144 is slightly greater than the diameters of the through openings 147 and 148 of the pinching part 146 so that the pinching part 146 is placed by force through the lugs and remains in position without any other means of solidarity. This method of assembly has the advantage that it is more resistant to water, in particular to salt water, than a means of joining by gluing for example.

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

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

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

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

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

Preferably, the Diner distance shown in Figure 7 between a vertical plane PI passing through the upper vertex 37 of the bottom of the folding zone of the right main wing 35 of the separation wall 40 and a vertical plane P20 passing through the The distal nasal end 86 of the nose receiving housing of the nasal insert 80 ranges from 30 mm to 40 mm, in particular is of the order of 35.1 mm. Said vertical planes are substantially parallel to the frontal plane Pf.

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

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

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

Advantageously, the distance L _PR between the joining point 160 of the left nasal wall 81c of the housing 81 with the visor 20, in particular with the left edge 70c of the through nasal opening 70, and the joining point 170 of the wall right nasal 81d of the housing 81 with the visor 20, in particular with the straight edge 70d of the through nasal opening 70, is greater than or equal to 25 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm, preferably of the order of 31, 3mm.

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

In operation, the user places the facial mask 10 on his face, and fixes it using the securing means. The oblong main part 110 follows the contour of the face, the user's eyes are in the vision chamber 50 and the user's nose and mouth are in the breathing chamber 60. The nasal septum 40 rests on the bridge of the nose and the user's nose opens directly opposite the internal surface of the nasal insert 80. The thin portion 130 in tight connection with the dividing wall 40 is secured to the internal face 24 of the visor 20, in particular in a peripheral region (20c, 20d) of the through nasal opening 70 facing the breathing chamber 50, the seal between the vision chamber 50 and the breathing chamber 60 is thus improved. In addition, the separation partition 40 being brought closer to the visor 20, it is possible to optimize the empty spaces, and therefore the volumes of air, available in the rooms for breathing and vision, in particular to reduce them without harming comfort in order to facilitate immersion. In addition, the combination of the dimensions Linr, Lpr, Dine, Diner, Lin and Din, makes it possible to obtain improved proprioception, to optimize the volumes in the chambers for vision and breathing (50,60). The nostrils are not pressed against the left and right nasal walls of the housing 81 receiving the nose, a volume of air circulates around the nose placed in the housing 81 and in the breathing chamber 60, thus making it possible to inhale air. fresh air through the nose coming from the snorkel, crossing the chamber for vision 50 then accessing the chamber for breathing 60. The air exhaled through the nose joins the air evacuation passages provided in this specific example (and non-limiting) along the periphery of the lower part 20b of the visor 20, and cooperating with the flexible skirt 30 for sealing. These air evacuation channels, not shown, extending at least partly on the left and right sides of the body 90 and have their upper ends opening at the level of the upper part 92 of the body 90, and are connected fluidic with an air evacuation conduit from the snorkel 120. It is also possible that the air evacuation channels open onto the left and right sides of the body 90. In this case, the snorkel only allows an arrival fresh air when inhaling.

Claims

1. Face mask for underwater hiking or diving (10) comprising:

- a visor (20) and a flexible skirt (30), said flexible skirt (30) comprising a dividing wall (40) delimiting an upper chamber for vision (50) from a lower chamber for breathing (60), the partition wall (40) being arranged to rest above the user's nose so that the user's nose and mouth are in the lower breathing chamber (60), while the the user's eyes are in the upper vision chamber (60),

- the visor (20) comprises a through nasal opening (70), and

- said mask (10) comprises a flexible and deformable nasal insert (80) configured to allow the user's nose to be pinched, said nasal insert (80) is mounted on said through nasal opening (70), characterized in that said mask (10) comprises a thin portion (130) in connection with the partition (40), said thin portion (130) being secured to the visor (20) in at least one peripheral region (20c, 20d) of said opening nasal crossing (70).

2. Face mask (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thin portion (130) is secured in an upper part (20a) of the visor (20) facing the vision chamber (50).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the separation partition (40) comprises a right main wing (35), respectively left (33), in particular substantially folded, comprising a right edge (35a), respectively left (33a), free having an upper vertex (35b, 33b), and in that the distance (Dinc) between the nasal distal end (86) of a nose receiving housing ( 81) of the nasal insert (80) and said upper vertex (35b, 33b) is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm.

14. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nose receiving housing (81), and a straight recess (83) and a recess left (84) arranged on either side of said nose receiving housing (81), and in that the width (Linr) separating the right bottom of the right recess (83) and the left bottom of the left recess (84) is greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 35 mm.

15. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nose receiving housing (81) having left (81c) and right (81c) nasal walls ( 81d), and in that the distance (L _PR ) between the point of connection (160) of the left nasal wall (81c) with the visor (20) and the point of connection (170) of the right nasal wall (81d) ) with the visor (20) is greater than or equal to 25 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 28 mm.

16. Face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the nasal insert (80) comprises a nose receiving housing (81) comprising left (81c) and right (81c) nasal walls ( 81d) convex, in particular the left (81c) and right (81d) nasal walls diverge at least partly towards a lower edge (80b) of the nasal insert (80).