Underwater mask

Abstract

A diving mask includes a facial body and at least one transparent element which enables viewing and is adapted to overlap the eye area, made by co-molding at least two different thermoplastic elastomers, the transparent element being made from a thermoplastic elastomer provided with a relatively greater degree of hardness, the facial body being made from a thermoplastic elastomer provided with a relatively lower degree of hardness.

Claims

1. A diving mask, comprising: a facial body; and at least one transparent element through which vision by a user takes place, made by co-molding at least two different thermoplastic elastomers, the at least one transparent element being made from a thermoplastic elastomer provided with a relatively greater degree of hardness, and the facial body being made from a thermoplastic elastomer provided with a relatively lower degree of hardness with respect to that of the at least one transparent element.

2. The diving mask according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer forming the at least one transparent element has a Shore A hardness between 75 and 95, and wherein the thermoplastic elastomer forming the facial body of the mask has a Shore A hardness between 35 and 55.

3. The diving mask according to claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer of the at least one transparent element has a Shore A hardness of 85, and the thermoplastic elastomer of the facial body has a Shore A hardness of 45.

4. The diving mask according to claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic elastomers are both styrene copolymers.

5. The diving mask according to claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic elastomers are both styrene/ethene-butene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/butyl/styrene copolymers.

6. The diving mask according claim 1, further comprising a relatively stiffer frame also co-molded with the at least one transparent element and/or with the at least two transparent elements and the facial body, the frame being made from a thermoplastic elastomer with a Shore D hardness between 50 and 70.

7. The diving mask according claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer of the frame has a Shore D hardness of 60.

8. The diving mask according to claim 6, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer of the frame is olefinic, a co-polymer of ethylene/propylene/propylene polypropylene, or a combination of polymers and polyolefin copolymers, or wherein the thermoplastic elastomer of the frame is polycarbonate or nylon or combinations of these materials when compatible with each other.

9. The diving mask according to claim 6, wherein the frame is produced between the at least one transparent element and the facial body.

10. The diving mask according to claim 6, wherein the frame is co-molded on both the facial body and the at least one transparent element that are directly coupled to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further advantages and characteristics of the diving mask according to the present invention will become clearer in the following description of some embodiments thereof, made by way of example and without limitations, with reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the diving mask according to the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view with parts in longitudinal section of the mask of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view with parts in cross section of the mask of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the diving mask according to the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view with parts in longitudinal section of the mask of FIG. 4;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view with parts in cross section of the mask of FIG. 4;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view with parts in cross section of an embodiment variant of the mask according to the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view with parts in longitudinal section of the mask of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] A first embodiment of the diving mask according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1; 1 denotes the facial body of the mask, whereas 2 denotes a unique transparent element, formed by the two lobes 102 and by the bridge 202 and which extends such as to overlap with the area of the two eyes of the user. In FIG. 2, the mask is shown with parts in longitudinal section, and it is possible to distinguish the lip 101 of the facial body 1, intended to exert the seal on the face of the user, as well as the contact surfaces between the peripheral edge 201 of the body 1 and the peripheral edge 212 of the bridge 202 of the transparent element 2 can be seen. In FIG. 3, where equal parts correspond to equal numbers, the contact surfaces between the peripheral edge 201 of the body 1 and the peripheral edge 112 of the lobes 102 of the transparent element 2 are also shown.

[0030] A second embodiment of the mask of the invention is shown in FIG. 4; 1 denotes the facial body of the mask again, which has, in this case, the frame 3 and a couple of transparent elements 4 independent of one another and essentially coincident with the area of respectively one of the two eyes. The mask with parts in longitudinal section is shown in FIG. 5, and the contact surfaces between the peripheral edge 201 of the body 1 and the peripheral edge 103 of the frame 3 are shown in addition to the lip 101 of the body 1. In FIG. 6, in which equal parts correspond to equal numbers, the contact surfaces between the inner edge 203 of the frame 3 and the peripheral edge 104 of the transparent elements 4 are also shown.

[0031] In the variant shown in FIG. 7, the crystal glasses 6 have the contact surfaces 106 with the peripheral edge 201 of the body 1, in addition to the contact surfaces 206 with the inner edge 105 of the frame 5. Said edge 105 of the frame 5 is further in contact with the surface 301 of the facial body 1; the contact between the surface 301 of the facial body 1 and the edge 105 of the frame 5 in the area between the two transparent elements 6 is highlighted in FIG. 8.

[0032] The structure of the mask according to the present invention will become clearer hereunder. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, a mask made by co-molding two thermoplastic elastomer materials, suitable for this type of process and which are easily coupled to each other, is shown. The thermoplastic elastomer used to make the unique transparent element 2 is preferably provided with a Shore A stiffness degree between 75 and 95, and more preferably in the order of 85. This way, the unique transparent element 2 is able to impart sufficient stiffness to the structure of the mask so that to prevent deformations in the sight of the user or problems related to the wearability thereof. The facial body 1 is made with a thermoplastic elastomer provided with a decidedly lower Shore A stiffness degree, between 35 and 55, and preferably 45, so that to allow the facial body itself, and especially the lip 101, to better adhere to the face of the user. Among the thermoplastic elastomers, there can preferably be the copolymers of styrene, and in particular the so-named SEBS, i.e. styrene/ethene-butene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/butyl/styrene copolymers.

[0033] By using only two materials, it is substantially necessary to select the unique transparent element for both eyes.

[0034] By using two transparent elements, such as in the case of biocular mask of FIGS. 4 to 6, in combination with the aforesaid only two materials for the transparent elements and the mask body, the difference between the stiffness of the transparent element and that of the facial body would tend to make the two transparent elements diverge, especially when exerting strain on the strap. In order to avoid this drawback, a mask was conceived, in which there is provided a further component, also co-molded, using an even stiffer thermoplastic elastomer with respect to the one of the glasses.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a frame 3, which accommodates the transparent elements 4 inside it, is used, whereas it cooperates with the facial body 1 on the outside. This way, the two transparent elements are adequately supported, and their focal plane, as well as the facial body of the mask, do not suffer deformations, also when subjected to the pulling of the strap. The thermoplastic elastomer used for the frame has a Shore D stiffness degree between 50 and 70, and preferably in the order of 60; among the thermoplastic elastomers, the olefinic ones are preferred, and especially the co-polymers, for example ethylene/propylene/propylene terpolymers.

[0036] In the embodiment variant of FIGS. 7 and 8, in this case, the frame 5, which can be made of the same material as the one described for the frame 3, does not act as a link for the connection between the transparent elements 6 and the facial body 1, but provides its stiffening support outside of the aforesaid body of transparent elements.

[0037] In general, the use of different thermoplastic materials allows to better regulate the characteristics of the different areas of the mask with respect to the needs of the user; with the solution adopted according to the present invention, the sealing lip 101 is able, thanks to the intrinsic properties of the thermoplastic elastomer used, to better adhere to the face of the user, whereas the transparent elements are instead sufficiently stiff to provide an effective view; the frame provides further stiffness to the assembly.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the frame made of the further third thermoplastic elastomer can also possibly be provided in the case of the mask according to FIGS. 1 to 3, in which the transparent element is made in one piece and unique for both eyes.

[0039] Moreover, the thermoplastic elastomers are generally devoid of problems in terms of the fogging inside the mask, a characteristic which clearly differentiates them from silicone rubber.

[0040] This way, the mask conceived combines manufacturing simplicity and savings with optimal characteristics of wearability and visibility.