Abstrict A non-fogging athletic goggle or mask assembly, comprising an athletic
goggle or mask in combination with a desiccant assembly, is disclosed.
According to one embodiment, an athletic mask or goggle is provided
with at least one desiccant chamber formed in a portion of the mask
or goggle so as not to obstruct vision. The desiccant chamber includes
a gate that can be deployed or retracted to close off or expose
the interior of desiccant chamber. The desiccant chamber is provided
with a tablet or pre-packaged desiccant, which is retained within
the desiccant chamber during use of the goggle or mask and can be
replaced upon saturation. When the mask is worn, water vapor in
the air trapped by the goggle or mask is absorbed by the desiccant,
thereby preventing fogging of the goggle or mask. The desiccant
capsule or the desiccant chamber may be further provided with a
water vapor permeable membrane that allows water vapor to pass but
excludes liquid water. The desiccant material may be combined with
an indicator substance that changes color as the desiccant becomes
saturated with water.
Claims I claim:
1. A non-fogging, athletic goggles assembly suitable for swimming,
diving, ski-ing or like athletic activities, said goggles assembly
comprising:
a) goggles provided with air-sealing means for capturing a reservoir
of air around a user's eyes; and
b) desiccant means provided with a desiccant material for removing
water vapor from the reservoir of air coupled to said goggles and
in operative contact with the reservoir of air when said goggles
assembly is in use, wherein water vapor present in the air reservoir
passes into said desiccant means and is absorbed by the desiccant
material, thereby preventing fogging of said goggles or mask assembly,
and wherein said desiccant means further comprises attachment means
for reversible coupling of said desiccant means to said goggles
assembly.
2. A non-fogging, athletic goggles assembly suitable for swimming,
diving, ski-ing or like athletic activities, said goggles assembly
comprising:
a) goggles provided with air-sealing means for capturing a reservoir
of air around a user's eyes; and
b) desiccant means coupled to said goggles for removing water vapor
from the reservoir of air, said desiccant means provided with a
desiccant material and water vapor-permeable separating the desiccant
material from the reservoir of air, wherein water vapor present
in the air reservoir passes through the water vapor-permeable means
into said desiccant means and is absorbed by the desiccant material,
thereby preventing fogging of said goggles assembly, and wherein
said desiccant means further comprises attachment means for reversible
coupling of said desiccant means to said goggles assembly.
3. A non-fogging, athletic goggles assembly suitable for swimming,
diving, ski-ing or like athletic activities, said goggles assembly
comprising:
a) a first eye-cup having a first limb, a first air-sealing means
coupled to the first limb for capturing a first reservoir of air
around a user's first eye, at least one desiccant chamber formed
on the first limb and a desiccant material captured within the desiccant
chamber;
b) a second eye-cup having a second limb, a second air-sealing
means coupled to the second limb for capturing a second reservoir
of air around a user's second eye, at least one desiccant chamber
formed on the second limb and a desiccant material captured within
the desiccant chamber;
c) a nose piece interconnecting the first eye-cup and the second
eye-cup, wherein water vapor present in the first and second air
reservoirs passes respectively into the first and second desiccant
chambers where the water vapor is absorbed by the desiccant material,
thereby preventing fogging of said goggles assembly; and
d) a first water vapor permeable means slidably mounted on the
first limb of said first eye-cup and reversibly slidable over the
first desiccant chamber; and a second water vapor permeable means
slidably mounted on the second limb of said second eye-cup and reversibly
slidable over the second desiccant chamber.
4. A non-fogging, athletic goggles assembly suitable for swimming,
diving, ski-ing or like athletic activities, said goggles assembly
comprising:
a) a first eye-cup having a first limb, a first air-sealing means
coupled to the first limb for capturing a first reservoir of air
around a user's first eye, and a first ring-shaped desiccant means
provided with a desiccant material and received within the first
limb;
b) a second eye-cup having a second limb, a second air-sealing
means coupled to the second limb for capturing a second reservoir
of air around a user's second eye, and second ring-shaped desiccant
means provided with a desiccant material and received within the
second limb; and
c) a nose piece interconnecting the first eye-cup and the second
eye-cup, wherein water vapor present in the first and second air
reservoirs passes respectively into the first and second desiccant
means and is absorbed by the desiccant material, thereby preventing
fogging.
5. The goggle assembly of claim 4 wherein said first and second
desiccant means further comprises attachment means for reversible
coupling of said first and second desiccant rings to goggle assembly.
6. The goggle assembly of claim 5 further comprising a first and
second water vapor permeable means received over the first and second
desiccant rings and separating the rings from direct contact with
the first and second air reservoirs.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to athletic goggles and masks used
for swimming, skiing and like sports, and more particularly to goggles
and masks incorporating desiccant assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Manufacture and sale of athletic goggles and masks is a multi-million
dollar industry world-wide. Ski masks, swim goggles and the like
are designed to protect a user's eyes from injury and uncomfortable
contact with water or air. This is achieved by providing the goggles
or mask with an air tight seal that conforms to the user's face
to create pockets of air around the user's eyes, and thereby separate
the eyes from the harsh external medium.
Notwithstanding the large number of different types of goggles
and masks offered to the public, all suffer from a recurrent and
bothersome problem: the deposition of minute water droplets, commonly
known as "fogging," on the interior surface of the eye
pieces. Fogging generally occurs because of a temperature differential
between the mask or goggles, which tend to attain the temperature
of the external medium, and the pockets of air trapped within the
goggles, which tend to remain at a temperature closer to the skin
temperature of the user. Water vapor in the trapped air pockets
cools upon contact with the cooler surfaces of the goggles and condenses
as water droplets on these surfaces. The problem is further exacerbated
by the fact that moisture from the skin, and more particularly the
ocular surface, of the user evaporates during athletic activity,
saturating the trapped air with more water vapor even as pre-existing
water vapor is lost as droplets through condensation.
Fogging is problematic because it results in a significant loss
of visibility, requiring the user to cease athletic activity frequently
in order to defog the goggles or mask manually. This is particularly
disadvantageous during an athletic competition where the loss of
even a few seconds can result in the loss of a race.
Although many solutions have been proposed to the fogging problem,
none is without significant drawbacks. For example, it is known
that coating the lens with a thin film of a hydrophobic material,
such as oil or soap residue, can alleviate problems with fogging.
However, such materials frequently impair visual acuity through
the lens and require frequent reapplication. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4972521
to Lison and 4414693 to Brody each describe eyewear comprising
lenses coated with more permanent anti-fogging material. Although
overcoming the reapplication problem, fogging is not completely
eliminated. Furthermore such manufactures are too difficult and
expensive to produce for applications that do not require a high
degree of optical precision, such as prescription eye glasses and
the like.
Others have approached the fogging problem by designing intricate
assemblies in an attempt to isolate fog-prone lens surfaces from
the conditions that promote fogging, such as extreme temperature
differentials between the interior and exterior of masks and goggles.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3591864 to Allsop and 5018223 to Dawson et al.,
which teach the use of spaced apart lenses, are illustrative of
this approach. Such constructions are extremely costly to produce
and too delicate to employ in active wear such as athletic goggles
and masks.
In view of long the long felt need within the industry to solve
the fogging problem and the short-comings inherent in the prior
art, there is clearly a need for a safe, effective, and affordable
means of eliminating fogging in athletic goggles and masks. Such
a solution should not only be effective, but it must be efficient
to manufacture, cost-effective to produce, and carefree to use.
It must also be easy to adapt for use in retrofitting the many millions
of existing goggles and masks currently in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide means for
eliminating fogging of interior lens surfaces of goggles and athletic
masks during use.
It is another object of the invention to provide a means for eliminating
fogging that does not require the application of hydrophobic films,
such as oil or soap residue.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for
eliminating fogging that is structurally effective and efficient
to manufacture.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means for eliminating
fogging that is convenient to use and that does not require substantial
maintenance on the part of the goggle or mask user.
A further object of the invention is to provide a means for eliminating
fogging that can be effectively added to existing goggles and masks
that lack such a means.
The invention meets these objects by providing a goggle or mask
assembly that includes an effective desiccant means. The desiccant
means of the invention comprises a desiccant, such as SiO.sub.2
or the like, captured within a desiccant housing or a desiccant
chamber. The desiccant may be preferentially provided with an indicator
substance that noticeably changes color as the desiccant becomes
saturated with water. The desiccant housing may further be provided
with a semi-permeable membrane that permits the passage of water
vapor, but prevents passage of liquid water, through the desiccant
housing. The desiccant means is positioned at a desired point along
an interior surface of the goggles or mask, or within a portion
of the goggles or mask, such that the semi-permeable membrane of
the desiccant housing is in gaseous communication with the air reservoirs
captured by the goggles or mask when worn by a user.
In operation, the assembly of the invention is positioned over
the face of the user to provide an air tight seal, thereby capturing
a reservoir of air around each of the user's eyes. During use, water
vapor present in the captured air reservoirs passes into the desiccant
means where it is absorbed by the desiccant. Until such time as
the desiccant reaches saturation, the rate of absorbance exceeds
the evaporation rate from the skin and eyes into the captured air
reservoirs. As a result, relative humidity within the captured air
reservoirs remains low, preventing the formation of fog on the interior
surfaces of the assembly.
In another embodiment, the desiccant means is provided with closure
means, such as a sliding or rotating door, that isolates the desiccant
from the external environment. This is advantageous in that continuing
operation of the desiccant can be halted when the assembly is not
in use, thereby greatly prolonging the lifespan of the desiccant.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the goggles or masks
are provided with chambers into which desiccant or disposable desiccant
packets can be placed. The chambers are provided with lids that
can be popped open for desiccant insertion. The chambers are further
provided with openings to the interior captured air pockets, which
may be provided with water vapor permeable membranes if desired.
When the desiccant is added in packet form, the packets are provided
with water vapor permeable membranes, thereby obviating the need
to provide similar membranes in the desiccant chambers.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the desiccant
means can be configured as a retrofit for pre-existing goggles and
masks. The retrofit comprises a desiccant chamber and an attachment
means. The attachment means is affixable to a suitable interior
surface of a mask or pair of goggles, and is configured to receive
and/or release the desiccant chamber. The desiccant chainbet may
contain a non-encapsulated form of a suitable desiccant or the desiccant
may be captured within a desiccant housing having a water vapor-permeable
membrane, with the desiccant housing retained within the desiccant
chamber.
The invention is significantly advantageous over the prior art
in that it provides for the first time a mechanically efficient,
functionally effective and affordable means for preventing the fogging
of interior ocular surfaces, a common and annoying problem encountered
by the users of air-tight protective goggles and masks. The construction
of the invention translates not only into significant production
cost savings, thereby lowering cost to the consumer, but also makes
possible the rapid retrofit of pre-existing goggles and masks currently
in use. The invention is further advantageous in that the user need
provide no maintenance other than periodic replacement of the desiccant.
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent
upon consideration of the figures and the detailed description of
the invention set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the assembly
of the invention. FIG. 1B is a top view of an eye-cup of the assembly
shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a side view of an eye-cup of the assembly
shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a front view of the desiccant capsule
of the assembly shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1E is a lateral view of the
desiccant capsule of the assembly shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1F is a
top view of the desiccant capsule of the assembly shown in FIG.
1A. FIG. 1G is a partial cross-section of the eye-cup shown in FIG.
1B and 1C showing the desiccant chamber empty. FIG. 1H is the same
view as shown in FIG. 1G showing the desiccant capsule positioned
in non-operative position within the desiccant chamber. FIG. 1I
is the same view as shown in FIG. 1H showing the desiccant capsule
operative position within the desiccant chamber.
FIG. 2A is a view in perspective of a second embodiment of the
assembly of the invention. FIGS. 2B and 2C are top and side views
respectively of an eye-cup of the assembly shown in FIG. 2A. FIG.
2D is a partial cross-section of the eye-cup of FIGS. 2B and 2C
showing the insertion chamber for the desiccant chamber. FIG. 2E
is a view in perspective of the desiccant capsule with the housing
of the desiccant capsule partially cut away to expose the desiccant.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are views in perspective and from above of a third
embodiment of the assembly of the invention. FIGS. 3C and 3D are
views in perspective and from above of a fourth embodiment of the
assembly of the invention. FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G are a partial cut-away
view in perspective, a front view and a side view respectively of
second embodiment of the desiccant capsule of the invention.
FIG. 4A is a top view of a fifth embodiment of the assembly of
the invention. FIGS. 4B and 4C are cross sectional front views of
the desiccant chamber of the assembly of FIG. 4A in operative and
non-operative configuration respectively. FIG. 4D is a side view
of the desiccant chamber of the assembly in FIG. 4A in both open
and closed configuration for receipt of a desiccant capsule. FIG.
4E is a side view of the desiccant chamber of the assembly in FIG.
4A in both operative and nonoperative configurations.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are a side and top view in partial cross section
and a front view respectively of an eye-cup of a fifth embodiment
of the assembly of the invention. FIGS. 5C and 5D are top and side
views respectively of the desiccant capsule of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6A and 6B are front and top views of an eye-piece of a sixth
embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 6C, 6D and 6E are a top, side
and front view of the desiccant capsule of the embodiment.
FIGS. 6F, 6G, and 6H are front, side and rear views respectively
of the desiccant capsule of the embodiment.
FIG. 7A and 7B are side and top views respectively of an eye-piece
a seventh embodiment of the assembly of the invention, FIGS. 7C,
7D and 7E are top, side and front views respectively of the desiccant
capsule of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of an air-tight carrying case for
the goggles assembly of the invention.
FIG. 9A is a front view of a eighth embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 9B and 9C are side and top views respectively of the eye-cup
shown in FIG. 9A. FIGS. 9D and 9E are top and side views of the
desiccant capsule of embodiment. FIGS. 9F and 9G are top and side
views of the desiccant capsule overlay of the embodiment. FIG. 9H
and I are top and side views respectively of the desiccant capsule
and desiccant capsule overlay in assembled operative configuration.
FIG. 9J and 9K are top and side views respectively of the desiccant
capsule and desiccant capsule overlay in assembled non-operative
configuration.
FIG. 10A is a frontal view of an ninth embodiment of the assembly
of the-invention. FIGS. 10B and 10C are side and top views respectively
of the eye-cup of embodiment. FIGS. 10D and 10E are top and side
views respectively of the desiccant capsule of the embodiment. FIGS.
10F and 10G are top and side views respectively of the desiccant
capsule overlay of the embodiment. FIGS. 10H and 10I are top and
side views respectively of the desiccant capsule. FIGS. 10J and
10K are top and side views respectively of the desiccant capsule
overlay.
FIG. 11A is a frontal view of a tenth embodiment of the assembly
of the invention. FIGS. 11B and 11C are side and top views respectively
of the eye-cup of the embodiment. FIGS. 11D and 11E are top and
side views respectively of a first desiccant overlay of the embodiment.
FIGS. 11F and 11G are top and side views respectively of a second
desiccant overlay of the embodiment. FIGS. 11H and 11I are top and
side views respectively of the desiccant capsule of the embodiment.
FIGS. 11J and 11K are top and side views of the desiccant assembly
of the embodiment in operative condition. FIGS. 11L and 11M are
top and side views respectively of the desiccant assembly of the
embodiment in non-operative condition.
FIG. 12A is a frontal view of a eleventh embodiment of the assembly
of the invention. FIGS. 12B and 12C are side and top views respectively
of the eye-cup of the embodiment. FIGS. 12D and 12E are top and
side views respectively of the eye-cup shown in FIG. 12B. FIG. 12F
is a view of the desiccant capsule inserted in operative configuration
in the desiccant chamber of the eye-cup shown in FIG. 12B. FIG.
12G is a view of the desiccant capsule inserted in non-operative
configuration in the desiccant chamber of the eye-cup shown in FIG.
12B.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are side and top views of an eye-cup of a twelth
embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 13C and 13D are top and side
views respectively of the desiccant capsule of the embodiment. FIGS.
13E and 13F are top and side views respectively of the desiccant
capsule overlay of the embodiment. FIGS. 13G and 13H are top and
side views respectively of the desiccant assembly in operative configuration.
FIG. 131 is a front view of a form-fitting storage case for the
assembly shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 13J is a view in perspective of
the case shown in FIG. 131 in an open configuration.
FIG. 14A is a view in perspective of a thirteenth embodiment of
the assembly of the invention. FIG. 14B is a top view of an eye-cup
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a side view of
the eye-cup shown in FIG. 14B. FIGS. 14D and 14E are top and side
views respectively of the gate of the desiccant chamber in an open,
operative configuration. FIGS. 14F and 14G are top and side views
respectively of the gate of the desiccant chamber in a closed, non-operative
configuration. FIGS. 14H and 14I are the same view as shown in FIGS.
14D and 14E, except that the gate is further provided with a water
vapor permeable screen. FIGS. 14J and 14K are top and side views
of the water vapor permeable screen of FIGS. 14H and 14I. FIG. 14L
shows some tablet configurations of a naked desiccant. FIG. 14M
shows the desiccant encapsulated within a bag incorporating a water
vapor permeable membrane.
FIG. 15A is a view in perspective of a fourteenth embodiment of
the invention. FIG. 15B is a top view of an eye-cup of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15C is a front view of the eye-cup of shown
in FIG. 15B. FIG. 15D is a partial cross sectional view of the eye
cup of FIG. 15C showing the desiccant assemblies in non-operative
configuration. FIG. 15E is a top view of the gate of one of the
desiccant assemblies of FIG. 15D in non-operative configuration.
FIG. 15F is a partial cross sectional view of the eye cup of FIG.
15C showing the desiccant assemblies in operative configuration.
FIG. 15G is a top view of the gate of one of the desiccant assemblies
of FIG. 15F in operative configuration.
FIG. 16A is a view in perspective of goggles retrofitted with desiccant
capsules according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention. FIG.
16B is a close-up of the attachment means of the desiccant retrofit
of the invention. FIG. 16C is a close-up of the desiccant chamber
coupled with the attachment means shown in FIG. 16B. FIG. 16D is
a view in perspective of the desiccant capsule of the invention,
showing door means. FIGS. 16E and 16F are top and side views respectively
of the desiccant capsule of FIG. 16D.
FIG. 17A is a view in perspective of a diving mask incorporating
the desiccant retrofit of the invention according to a sixteenth
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17B is a close up of the attachment
means of the desiccant retrofit of the invention. FIG. 17C is a
close up of the desiccant chamber coupled with the attachment means
shown in FIG. 17B. FIG. 17D is a view in perspective of the desiccant
capsule of the invention, showing door means. FIGS. 17E and 17F
are top and side views respectively of the desiccant capsule of
FIG. 17D.
FIG. 18 is a further view of the mask shown in FIG. 17A equipped
with additional retrofit desiccant assemblies.
FIG. 19A is a view in perspective of a mask according to a seventeenth
embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 19B and 19C are top views of
the gate of the desiccant assembly in operative and non-operative
views respectively. FIG. 19D is the same view as shown in FIG. 19B
further including a water permeable screen. FIG. 19E is a top view
of the water permeable screen of FIG. 19D.
FIG. 20A is a view in perspective of a mask according to a eighteenth
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 20B is a top view of the mask
shown in FIG. 20B. FIGS. 20C and 20D are top views of the gate of
the desiccant assemblies shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B in operative
and non-operative condition respectively. FIG. 20E is a top view
of the gate shown in FIG. 20C further provided with a water vapor
permeable screen. FIG. 20F is a top view of the water vapor permeable
screen shown in FIG. 20E.
FIG. 21A is a view in perspective of a mask according to an nineteenth
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 21B is a top view of the mask
shown in FIG. 21A. FIGS. 21C and 21D are top views of the gate of
the desiccant assemblies shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B in operative
and non-operative condition respectively. FIG. 21E is a top view
of the gate shown in FIG. 21C further provided with a water vapor
permeable screen. FIG. 21F is a top view of the water vapor permeable
screen shown in FIG. 21E.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Turning now to the figures, the assembly of the invention will
now be described. Although the assembly will generally be described
and illustrated with respect to swim goggles, it will be appreciated
that the invention pertains to any protective athletic mask or goggles
designed to form an air tight sealed around one or both eyes of
the user.
A first and second goggle assembly embodiments are shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. The goggle assembly 10 comprises a left eye-cup 12 a right
eye-cup 14 a nose piece 16 and a strap 18. Each of eye-cups 12
and 14 is further characterized in comprising lenses 20 and 20'
and air tight seals 26 and 26' respectively. Each of lenses 20 and
20' is further characterized in having limbs 22 and 22' and panes
24 and 24' respectively.
In the first embodiment, shown, in FIG. 1 limbs 22 and 22' are
provided with a desiccant chamber 30 and a desiccant capsule 40
on their outer peripheries. Desiccant capsule 40 is generally cylindrical
in shape, and is configured to slide within the desiccant chamber
30. In the present embodiment, desiccant capsule 40 comprises a
housing 42 that captures a desired desiccant 44. The housing 42
is provided with a water vapor permeable membrane 46 that allows
the passage of water vapor into the housing, but prevents the passage
of liquid water, thereby preventing the desiccant from becoming
prematurely quenched. One such suitable water vapor permeable membrane,
termed GDT, is polyester/polypropylene and is generally commercially
available. Another suitable membrane is spun-bonded olefin, as set
forth and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3990872 to Cullen, the contents
of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Such spun-bonded
olefin membranes can be obtained commercially from the DuPont Company
under the brand name Tyvek.RTM..
Desiccant housing 42 is further provided with prongs 48 as shown
in FIGS. 16D through 16F. These prongs permit desiccant capsule
40 to be clipped into place within desiccant chamber 30. Desiccant
chamber 30 is configured for snug receipt of desiccant capsule 40
and is provided with prong tracks 32 for reversible receipt of prongs
48 of desiccant capsule 40. Desiccant chamber 30 is further provided
with a port 34. Port 34 is configured to align with water vapor
permeable membrane 46 of desiccant capsule 40 as shown in FIG. 1I.
In such configuration, continuous contact is maintained between
the desiccant 44 in the desiccant capsule 40 and the air trapped
between the goggle assembly 10 and the face when the goggle assembly
is in use. When not in use, desiccant capsule 40 can be snapped
into an alternate position whereby the wall of desiccant chamber
30 covers water vapor permeable membrane 46 as shown in FIG. 1F.
In such a position, contact between the atmosphere and desiccant
44 is blocked, thereby lengthening the effective life of the desiccant.
It will be noted that the desiccant chamber 30 of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 is formed exterior to limb 22 of left and right
eye-cups 12 and 14. Alternatively, desiccant chamber 30 can be formed
interior of limb 22 as shown in FIG. 2 but is similar in all other
respects to the embodiment just described.
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
4 desiccant 44 is placed within nose piece 16 or within a bridge
17 above nose piece 16. In each instance, nose piece 16 and bridge
17 are provided with a desiccant chamber 50 proximate to each of
eye-cups 12 and 14. As in the previous embodiment, desiccant 44
is encapsulated within a desiccant housing 62 to provide a desiccant
capsule 60 except in the present embodiment desiccant capsule 60
is roughly pylon-shaped. Desiccant housing 62 is further provided
with prongs 68 for reversible attachment of the desiccant capsule
60 along prong tracks (Not shown) within the desiccant chambers
50. Desiccant housing 62 is also provided with a water vapor permeable
membrane 46 at the end of the housing that remains exposed after
insertion of the housing into desiccant chamber 50 as shown in
FIGS. 3A, 3C, and 3E.
Because the configurations of the desiccant chamber 50 and desiccant
capsule 60 do not permit water permeable membrane 46 to be blocked
when desiccant capsule 60 is inserted desiccant chamber 50 nose
piece 16 and bridge 17 are provided with one or more doors 19 and
19'. Doors 19 and 19' are slidably mounted on limb 22 and 22' of
each of eye-cups 12 and 14 proximate to the opening of each desiccant
chamber 50 and 60. When goggles assembly 10 is in use, doors 19
and 19' are retracted from the openings of desiccant chambers 50
thereby exposing water vapor permeable membranes 46 of desiccant
capsules 60 to air trapped within goggles assembly 10. In such configuration,
water vapor from the trapped air enters desiccant capsules 50 and
is absorbed by desiccant 44. When the goggles are not in use, desiccant
44 is spared unwanted exposure to water vapor by moving doors 19
and 19' over the openings of desiccant chambers 50 thereby blocking
water vapor permeable membranes 46 and cutting off atmospheric contact
with desiccant 44.
Bridge 17 can also be provided with a through passage 21 for flip-top
loading of a solid mass of desiccant or desiccant capsule, as shown
in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, bridge 17 is provided with a desiccant
chamber 70 having a snapping flip-top 72. Desiccant 44 is loading
into desiccant chamber 70 and flip top 72 is snapped shut. Flip
top 72 is further provided with a gate 74 having a pull 75 and closure
panels 76 and 76', as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. When goggle assembly
10 is not in use, gate 74 is pushed downward, as shown in FIG. 4C,
so that panels 76 securely engage the walls of bridge 17 and form
an air-tight seal around desiccant 44 thereby cutting off atmospheric
contact and unnecessary exposure to water vapor. When worn, the
user pulls gate 74 up into the open position, as shown in FIG. 4B,
thereby establishing air contact between desiccant 44 and the reservoirs
of air captured between the eye-cups of the goggles and the face
of the user.
In another series of embodiments according to the invention, the
desiccant capsule can be configured as a ring to be snugly received
within limb 22 of the eye-cup. These embodiments are illustrated
in FIGS. 5-13. Desiccant 44 may be sequestered within the capsule
matrix, and continuously exposed to the air, such as is shown in
FIGS. 5-7 or may be part of a desiccant assembly, comprising not
only the desiccant capsule, but a ring shaped gate that is rotatable
above and is capable of closing off the desiccant capsule from unwanted
atmospheric contact when the goggles assembly is not in use. These
embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 9-12.
In the first series of embodiments, the desiccant capsule takes
the form of a desiccant ring 80 as shown in FIG. 5C. The ring is
a flattened disc with an upper side 81 and a lower side 82. The
upper side 81 of ring 80 is provided with a series of depressions
83 each capturing a solid mass of a desired desiccant 44. The edge
of ring 80 is provided with two or more projections 84. The limb
22 of the eye-cup is provided with a capture rim 90 which forms
the desiccant chamber, and is further provided with notches 92.
Capture rim 90 is positioned at a distance from pane 24 sufficient
to accommodate the thickness of ring 80 which is inserted into
the desiccant chamber by aligning the projections of desiccant ring
80 with the notches 92 of capture rim 90 and thereafter pushing
desiccant ring 80 into place.
Desiccant ring 80 can also be configured to provide an upward-projecting
flange 85 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Depending on the amount of
desiccant 44 desired, both desiccant ring 80 and flange 85 can be
provided with depressions 83 for holding desiccant 44 as shown
in FIG. 6 or flange 85 only may be so configured, as shown in FIG.
7. In both instances, the nearly continuous extent of capture rim
90 that defines the desiccant chamber in FIG. 5 is not possible
given the asymmetry provide by the flange. Rather, a pair of hinges
86 and 86' are provided to secure the ring-flange combination. Hinge
86 is positioned on the limb 22 at a sufficient distance from the
pane to accommodate the thickness of the ring proper. Hinge 86'
is positioned along limb 22 opposite the hinge 86 and at a distance
sufficient to accommodate the thickness added to desiccant ring
80 by flange 85 as shown cross sectionally in FIGS. 6A and 7A.
Although desiccant ring 80 is designed for permanent retention
of desiccant 44 flange 85 can be configured to provide a desiccant
chamber 87 into which a desiccant capsule 88 can be reversibly inserted,
utilizing prong 89. Alternatively, flange 85 can be configured for
permanent capture of the desiccant. Because none of the desiccant
capsules illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 can be sealed off from the atmosphere
within goggle assembly 10 goggle assemblies incorporating such
desiccant capsule embodiments include an air-tight case 94 such
as those shown in FIG. 8 in order to preserve desiccant 44 when
goggles assembly 10 is not being used.
As an alternative to a carrying case, flange 85 having a releasable
desiccant capsule can be configured to provide its own desiccant
sealing means, as shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the flange
is provide with a slidable door 91. When access to the desiccant
is desired, the door can be moved to the open position, as shown
in FIG. 12F. When the goggles are not in use and the user desires
to preserve the desiccant, the door can be slid into a closed position,
as shown in FIG. 12G.
FIG. 9 shows a sealable embodiment of the ring-shaped desiccant
capsules discussed above. This embodiment is identical in all respects
to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 and described in detail
above, except that a ring-shaped gate 100 is further included. The
gate is provided with at least one aperture 102 that are positioned
along the gate to match the positions of the desiccant in ring 80
as shown in the figures. Gate 100 is placed on the upper side 81
of ring 80 and the assembly thereafter inserted into place beneath
rim 92 along the limb 22 of each eye-cup. It should be noted that
gate 100 is freely rotatable beneath capture rim 90 allowing the
user to align the apertures of the gate with the desiccant 44 of
the ring in order to bring the desiccant in contact with air during
goggles use. On the other hand, gate 100 can be rotated slightly
to close off the desiccant 44 from the atmosphere when goggles assembly
10 is not being used.
FIG. 10 illustrates the same ring and gate assembly concept, except
now as applied to the ring/flange combination just described and
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. As can be seen and appreciated from
the figure, gate 100 is provided with a gate flange 103 similar
in extent and position to flange 85 provided to desiccant ring 80.
Gate flange 103 is positioned relative to the apertures 102 such
that when the apertures are aligned with the desiccant 44 in the
ring, gate flange 103 is displaced away from desiccant-containing
flange 85 of ring 80 as shown in FIG. 10H. Once again, the desiccant
of flange 85 can be configured for permanent retention, or may be
configured provided with prongs for reversible insertion into the
ring flange 85.
In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11 the desiccant
is formed as solid, ring-shaped plug 110. Plug 110 is configured
to fit within the eye-cup at its base against pane 24 along the
inner edge of rim 22. The desiccant assembly is further provided
with an inner ring gate 112 and an outer ring gate 114. Each of
ring gates 112 and 114 is provided with at least one aperture 116.
If more than one aperture is present, then they are aligned equidistant
from one another around the periphery of the ring gates. The ring
gates are further provided with projections 84 which are received
by notches 92 of capture rim 90 of limb 22 of the eye-cup.
In operation, desiccant plug 110 is first inserted into the eye-cup,
followed by the inner and outer ring gates 112 and 114. The sum
of the widths of the desiccant plug and two ring gates is configured
to be slightly less than the distance between capture rim 90 and
the inner surface of pane 24. Examination of FIGS. 11J-11M will
show that outer ring gate 114 can be rotated relative to inner ring
gate 112 so as to align the apertures 116 of each gate and thereby
expose desiccant plug 110. Alternatively, ring gates 112 and 114
can be rotated relative to one another in order to miss-align apertures
116 thereby sealing of desiccant plug 110 from contact with the
atmosphere.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 13
the desiccant can be formed as a solid, ring-shaped plug 110. The
plug 110 could be inserted directly beneath the capture rim 90 formed
along rim 22 of an eye-cup, or for added safety, could be partially
encapsulated and held in place by a plug sleeve 120. Plug sleeve
120 is configured to capture desiccant plug 110 along its inner
circumference and to cover the upper face of desiccant plug 110
such that the plug is secured within capture rim 90 and is not directly
exposed within the eye-cup. Plug sleeve 120 is further provided
with a circumferential water vapor permeable membrane 122. Water
vapor permeable membrane 122 permits the passage of air and water
vapor through plug sleeve 120 and into contact with desiccant plug
110 which absorbs the water vapor. as with several other embodiments,
the desiccant plug of the present embodiment cannot be sealed off
directly from the atmosphere. Rather this embodiment of the goggles
assembly should be enclosed within an air-tight carrying case 94
such as those illustrated in FIG. 8.
FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment utilizing disposable desiccant
tablets or desiccant packets, such as those described in U.S. Pat.
No. 3990872. In this embodiment, outward projecting desiccant
chambers 130 are formed at one or more desired positions along rim
22 of an eye-cup. Desiccant chambers 130 open out on the interior
surface of rim 22 through ports 132. Each of ports 132 is covered
by a gate assembly 134 comprised of an outer panel 136 and an inner
panel 138. The panels are each provided with at least one aperture
140 and are mounted one over the other so that the inner panel 138
can be slid relative to the outer panel 136 by pressing button 140.
When button 140 is depressed, apertures 140 of the two panels line
up to expose the desiccant to the air as in FIG. 14E. The apertures
140 of the two panels may also be mis-aligned to seal the dessicant
off from the air, as in FIG. 14G. The gate assembly 134 is slidably
mounted on gate tracks 144 formed along the inner surface of rim
22 making it possible to slide the gate assembly 134 back and expose
the interior of desiccant chamber 130 so that a desired desiccant
can be inserted and/or removed from the chamber.
It will be apparent from inspection of FIG. 14 that naked desiccant
tablets of various sizes and shapes can both be inserted into and
removed from desiccant chamber 130 when the gate assembly 134 is
retracted. It will further be understood that a desiccant bag or
capsule, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3990872 are
ideally suited for use in the desiccant chamber of the present embodiment.
In a further variation on this embodiment, gate assembly 134 may
be provided with a water vapor permeable means, such as a Tyvek.RTM.
screen or similar membrane. Such a screen would be particularly
preferable in instances where a naked desiccant tablet is desired
and contact with liquid water therefore needs to be avoided. Alternatively,
the gate assembly 134 can be omitted entirely, leaving only a slidable
screen of the water vapor permeable 122. Of course in the case of
an embodiment incorporating only a screen, such embodiment preferably
includes an air-tight case for storing the goggles or mask when
not in use. Mask-type embodiments analogous to the goggles embodiment
just described and illustrated in FIG. 14 are shown in FIGS. 19-21.
As shown in FIG. 15 yet another embodiment of the goggles assembly
10 of the invention is disclosed. This embodiment is identical in
most respects to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 except that the
outer panels 136 are connected by a continuous band 145 that interconnects
the ends of the outer panels to one another. It will be appreciated
from the figure that the gate assemblies 134 are positioned on gate
tracks 144 and thus will slide away from and back over the desiccant
chambers to permit desiccant loading and unloading of the chambers.
However, the opening and closing of the gate assemblies 134 is accomplished
by pressing bands 145. When bands 145 are pressed toward nose piece
16 the outer panels 136 slide across the inner panels 138 to align
the apertures of the panels and expose the desiccant. Gate assembly
134 is closed by pressing bands 145 away from the nose piece, thereby
miss-aligning the apertures of the panels and sealing off atmospheric
contact with the desiccant.
A retrofit for existing non-desiccant goggles is illustrated in
FIG. 16. The retrofit 150 comprises a desiccant capsule 152 and
an attachment means, such as a track 154. The track 154 is glued
or otherwise affixed at a desired position along rim 22 of each
eye-cup. The desiccant capsule 152 is then coupled to the track,
and the retrofit is complete. It should be noted that the desiccant
capsule 152 can take many forms, but will generally comprise at
least a housing 155 and a water vapor permeable membrane 156 within
said housing to permit water vapor to contact and be absorbed by
desiccant 44 within the housing. Further, the housing may be provided
with a slidable door 158 that can be slid over and seal off the
water vapor permeable membrane, in order to eliminate contact between
the desiccant and the atmosphere when the goggles assembly is not
in use.
In addition to swim and ski-goggles, diving and ski masks can be
configured to utilize the desiccant concept of the invention. Exemplary
diving and ski masks as shown in FIGS. 17-21 have a pane 200 a
rim air tight seal 202 and a strap 204 is illustrated in FIG. 17.
In this embodiment, the diving mask is provided with the retrofit
150 of the previous figure, affixed at a point along the rim seal
202 above, below or lateral to the line of site of the user. Other
dessicant embodiments, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5-16 are
also possible with this mask configuration and the mask configurations
illustrated in embodoments 18-21.
Turning now to the desiccants, dynamic and continuous drying agents
that are relatively biologically inert are preferred. Further, such
agents must have sufficient drying capacity to remove water vapor
from the reservoir of air captured by the goggles or mask around
the eyes and the skin of the face for at least several hours before
needing recharge or replacement. Such desiccants include activated
alumina (made from calcination of an alumina gel or aluminum oxide
trihydrate into crystallized phases of transition aluminas), silica
gel (made by dehydrating high-purity silica hydrosol) and molecular
sieves (also called zeolites, crystalline framework aluminosilicates
containing alkali metal cations) and clay desiccants. Further many
of these desiccants, and in particular silica gel, can be impregnated
with cobalt chloride that changes from blue to pink/red as the desiccant
becomes saturated with water. Desiccants that can be fabricated
as solids that are stable in the presence of liquid water may be
utilized directly in the invention without resort to encapsulation.
Powdered or granulated desiccants, or desiccants that tend to shatter
in the presence of liquid water, should be encapsulated within a
housing provided with a water vapor permeable membrane, such as
the ones described above.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated how the objects and
features of the invention are met. The invention is significantly
advantageous over the prior art in that it provides for the first
time a mechanically efficient and effective means for preventing
the fogging of interior ocular surfaces, a common and annoying problem
encountered by the users of swim goggles, ski masks and similar
athletic eye protector gear. The simple construction of the invention
translates not only into significant production cost savings, thereby
lowering cost to the consumer, but also makes possible the rapid
retrofit of pre-existing goggles and masks currently in use. The
invention is further advantageous in that the user need perform
no maintenance other than the periodic replacement of the desiccant.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular
embodiments, it will be appreciated that various modifications of
the apparatus and method are possible without departing from the
invention, which is defined by the claims set forth below. |