ONE-SIZE-FITS-MORE FACE MASK

Abstract

A one-size-fits-more face mask is provided, which includes a frame, a viewing window assembly and a waterproof skirt having a connecting portion and a contact portion. The connecting portion, the frame and the viewing window assembly are watertightly embedded together. The contact portion has an upper portion and two side portions, each having a U-shaped cross section. The U-shaped cross section is continuously formed with an outer curved portion, a mid curved portion and an inner curved portion. The inner curved portion is opposite to the outer curved portion and has an inner curvature radius ranging from 8 mm to 15 mm. the mid curved portion forms a longitudinal span from a tip end of the mid curved portion to a free end of the inner curved portion, and the longitudinal span ranges from 15 mm to 25 mm.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 63/741,507 filed on January 3, 2025, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mask that covers at least the eyes of a user and is used as equipment for activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, or other water activities (including both surface and underwater activities).

Description of the Related Art

Currently, for all water activities, whether it is swimming, snorkeling, diving (including freediving, scuba diving, etc.), or surfing (including bodyboarding, kneeling surfing, etc.), there is a need to wear a mask whenever it is desired to watertightly cover the user's face (such as eyes, both eyes and nose, or all of eyes, nose and mouth).

Although manufacturers are constantly innovating in the design and comfort of masks, due to huge differences in gender, race, age, etc., a single style of mask must be made in several sizes to meet these differences. Furthermore, in order to save costs, for a certain style of mask, only 3 or 4 sizes are usually made (for example, for S/M/L/XL; or for adults/children or for men/ women).

Since each size can only roughly fit some users, the others still cannot buy a mask with the exact size that fits them, which affects the watertightness when wearing. In this situation, users can usually only rely on the head strap to adjust the degree of tightness when wearing. However, if the head strap is too tight, it will affect the comfort and make it difficult to wear for a long time. If it is too loose, it will affect the watertightness. These issues may cause inconvenience and even make users want to return or exchange the product.

In fact, for manufacturers, regardless of how many sizes of a particular style of mask are available for sale, the manufacturing cost cannot be reduced. This will increase stock keeping units (SKUs) for masks, significantly increasing the burden of product inventory and display.

In view of the above, the structure of the mask still needs further improvement, allowing a mask of one size to be capable of being worn by a wider range of users without sacrificing wearing comfort and watertightness. This would be a common goal that manufacturers are striving to achieve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a one-size-fits-more face mask, which is even suitable for all user face sizes. In the present invention, the contact portion of the waterproof skirt of the mask, which is proximal to the user's face, is designed to have a U-shaped cross-section with an opening, and is provided with specific parameters such as curvature, width, and/or material thickness. In particular, the curvature and contact area of a part of the contact portion of the mask that actually fits closely against the user’s face skin are specifically configured. This allows users with different face shapes and sizes to wear the same mask while still ensuring excellent watertightness and comfort during use.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention discloses a one-size-fits-more face mask, which includes a frame, a viewing window assembly and a waterproof skirt. The waterproof skirt has a connecting portion and a contact portion. The connecting portion, the frame and the viewing window assembly are watertightly embedded together. The contact portion has an upper portion and two side portions, and each of the upper portion and two side portions has a U-shaped cross section. The U-shaped cross section is continuously formed with an outer curved portion, a mid curved portion and an inner curved portion. The inner curved portion is opposite to the outer curved portion and has an inner curvature radius ranging from 8 mm to 15 mm. The mid curved portion forms a longitudinal span from a tip end of the mid curved portion to a free end of the inner curved portion, and the longitudinal span ranges from 15 mm to 25 mm.

In an example, the outer curved portion has an outer curvature radius ranging from 10 mm to 30 mm.

In an example or the above example, the mid curved portion may have a mid curvature radius ranging from 3 mm to 8 mm.

In an example or each above example, the connecting portion may have a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm. one of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion may have a second thickness not greater than the first thickness. The first thickness and the second thickness may have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

In an example or each above example, the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm. Each of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness. The first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

In an example or each above example, the inner curved portion and the outer curved portion are substantially face-to-face with respect to the tip end of the mid curved portion.

In an example or each above example, the connecting portion is integrally formed with the contact portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic rear perspective view of a mask according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It shall be appreciated that the following description of the embodiments is only to explain the contents of the present invention, but not to limit the invention as claimed. Elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from illustrations, and the dimensions as depicted for all elements in the drawings are just for easy understanding and do not intend to limit their actual scales. In addition, the "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," or the like adjectives defined in the descriptions are referred to by the direction of the user himself/herself and are for relative reference only. "First" and "second" are used to distinguish elements or parameters having the same nature. They are used for convenience of description and should not be construed as limitations on direction or order.

The present invention provides a one-size-fits-more face mask. The following embodiments are only examples of a mask used for snorkeling or diving, but are not limited to this type of mask. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, the head strap fastening the mask to the user or the snorkel are omitted, and the illustration focuses solely on the structure of the body of the mask.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mask 1 of the present invention is a one-size-fits-more face mask, which includes a frame 11, a viewing window assembly 13, and a waterproof skirt 15. The viewing window assembly 13 is composed of a left viewing window 13L and a right viewing window 13R that are separated from each other. The waterproof skirt 15 has a connecting portion 15a and a contact portion 15b. The contact portion 15b is the portion of the waterproof skirt 15 that primarily fits against the user's face (i.e., most of the rear portion) to provide watertightness. The connecting portion 15a is used to couple with the frame 11 and the viewing window assembly 13 so that the connecting portion 15a, the frame 11 and the viewing window assembly 13 are watertightly embedded together.

The contact portion 15b extends along the outer contour of the frame 11 to form an upper portion 51 and two side portions 53. The upper portion 51 and the two side portions 53 each have a U-shaped cross section UC. Preferably, the U-shaped cross section UC is continuously formed on the upper portion 51 and the two side portions 53, presenting a U-shaped groove.

The U-shaped cross section UC is continuously formed with an outer curved portion UC1, a mid curved portion UC2, and an inner curved portion UC3.

Specifically, the U-shaped cross section UC has an opening P between the free end FE of the inner curved portion UC3 and the outer curved portion UC1, which defines a lateral span W. The inner curved portion UC3 is opposite to the outer curved portion UC1 and has an inner curvature radius R3 ranging from 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably ranging from 10 mm to 13 mm. Furthermore, a longitudinal span L from a tip end TE of the mid curved portion UC2 to the free end FE of the inner curved portion UC3 ranging from 15 mm to 25 mm, preferably ranging from 18 mm to 22 mm. The lateral span W is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal span L. In the best case, the inner curved portion UC3 and the outer curved portion UC1 are substantially face-to-face with respect to the tip end TE of the mid curved portion UC2.

In an embodiment, the outer curved portion UC1 may have an outer curvature radius R1 ranging from 10 mm to 30 mm, preferably ranging from 15 mm to 22 mm.

In another embodiment, the mid curved portion UC2 may have a mid curvature radius R2 ranging from 3 mm to 8 mm, preferably ranging from 3 mm to 5 mm.

In another embodiment, the connecting portion 15a may have a first thickness T1 ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm, preferably ranging from 1.5 mm to 2 mm. In this embodiment, one, any two, or each of the outer curved portion UC1, the mid curved portion UC2, and the inner curved portion UC3 may have a second thickness T2, which is not greater than the first thickness T1. In FIG. 2, only the outer curved portion UC1 is shown with the second thickness T2 as an example. However, this is not intended to limit the outer curved portion UC1 to the second thickness T2, nor to imply that only the outer curved portion UC1 may have the second thickness T2. The first thickness T1 and the second thickness T2 may have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The thickness difference preferably ranges from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

Furthermore, the connecting portion 15a is integrally formed with the contact portion 15b, and the front portion of the mask 1, which is composed of the frame 11 and the viewing window assembly 13, is the heaviest area of the entire mask 1. Consequently, the connecting portion 15a has a larger first thickness T1 to ensure that the heavier frame 11 and viewing window assembly 13 can maintain a sufficiently strong connection with the soft waterproof skirt 15, and does not collapse downwards when worn. In addition, the thickness gradually decreases from the connecting portion 15a to the contact portion 15b, such that the outer curved portion UC1, the mid curved portion UC2 and the inner curved portion UC3 all have substantially the same second thickness T2. This configuration forms the optimal specific structure of the present invention.

The core technology of the present invention lies in the specific parameter settings of the longitudinal span L and the inner curvature radius R3 described above. Actuaal testing shows that this configuration meets the fundamental requirement of the present invention, whereby a single style of mask can be suitable for various user face sizes, or even all user face sizes. As for other dimensional parameter settings such as the outer curvature radius R1, the mid curvature radius R2, the first thickness T1, and the second thickness T2 are optional and may be configured arbitrarily, and thus are not to be construed as limitations.

Any modifications based on the above core technology of the present invention are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The foregoing embodiments are used only to illustrate the implementations of the present invention and to explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, in addition to the embodiments described above, any variations that do not depart from the technical concept of the present invention, such as applying the waterproof skirt with the above-mentioned specific parameters to swimming goggles that cover the eyes, snorkeling masks that cover the eyes and nose (which may be single-window or dual-window versions), or full-face masks that cover the eyes, nose, and mouth, or even applying it on other daily masks or chemical respirator, such as dust masks or gas masks, are also feasible embodiments.

Additionally, the embodiments described above are illustrated based on a mask in which the contact portion 15b of the waterproof skirt 15 is provided with a single, continuous upper portion 51. However, in other implementations, the contact portion of the present invention may also be designed to have discontinuous upper portions (not shown), for example, have two upper portions (which connect to the two side portions, respectively, to provide watertightness for the left half and the right half of the mask). Alternatively, the contact portion can be designed with plural separate upper portions to provide flexibility in fitting to the face, making the mask suitable for a wider range of user face sizes. In the implementations with two or more upper portions, the front portion of the waterproof skirt 15 may be provided with two additional independent fitting portions, which are closely fitted to the user's left and right eyes, respectively, to further provide a watertightness effect for each eye individually.

Furthermore, the frame and the waterproof skirt of the mask are not necessarily required to be two separate components; they may also be integrally formed from the same material through an injection molding. Such variations are also feasible embodiments and fall within the scope of the present invention for the mask. Accordingly, any modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily accomplished by those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be limited by the claims of the patent application.

Claims

1. A one-size-fits-more face mask, comprising:

a frame;

a viewing window assembly;

a waterproof skirt having a connecting portion and a contact portion, wherein the connecting portion, the frame and the viewing window assembly are watertightly embedded together;

characterized in that: the contact portion has an upper portion and two side portions, and each of the upper portion and two side portions has a U-shaped cross section; the U-shaped cross section is continuously formed with an outer curved portion, a mid curved portion and an inner curved portion; the inner curved portion is opposite to the outer curved portion and has an inner curvature radius ranging from 8 mm to 15 mm; and the mid curved portion forms a longitudinal span from a tip end of the mid curved portion to a free end of the inner curved portion, and the longitudinal span ranges from 15 mm to 25 mm.

2. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 1, wherein the outer curved portion has an outer curvature radius ranging from 10 mm to 30 mm.

3. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 2, wherein the mid curved portion has a mid curvature radius ranging from 3 mm to 8 mm.

4. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 2, wherein:

the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm;

one of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness; and

the first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

5. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 2, wherein:

the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm;

each of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness; and

the first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

6. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 1, wherein the mid curved portion has a mid curvature radius ranging from 3 mm to 8 mm.

7. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 6, wherein:

the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm;

one of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness; and

the first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

8. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 6, wherein:

the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm;

each of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness; and

the first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

9. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 1, wherein:

the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm;

one of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness; and

the first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

10. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 1, wherein:

the connecting portion has a first thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 3 mm;

each of the outer curved portion, the mid curved portion, and the inner curved portion has a second thickness not greater than the first thickness; and

the first thickness and the second thickness have a thickness difference ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

11. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 1, wherein the inner curved portion and the outer curved portion are substantially face-to-face with respect to the tip end of the mid curved portion.

12. The one-size-fits-more face mask of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is integrally formed with the contact portion.