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Charlotte Valve and Snorkel Mask

Snorkels
2020
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Coronavirus pandemic, with high transmission rates and quick deterioration in health for many infected, put a vast strain on resources globally. As the health crisis worsened demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and treatment options quickly began to outstrip the supply.

In 2020 Isinnova, a research and innovation company based in Brescia, Italy, began the Easy COVID project in order to respond to the shortage of medical equipment. The team began by creating much sought-after venturi valves, and then expanded the project to make a universal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine which could be used globally. Isinnova created the Charlotte valve that could be fitted to a Decathlon off-the-shelf snorkelling mask. Once approved the designs for the valve were given to the Oldrati group to injection mould and increase production.

Isinnova works with designers, engineers, creatives and inventors to develop projects and business proposals, and to undertake 3D printing and ideas prototyping.

Decathlon is a French company and one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world. The company first started working with ISINNOVA on 16 March 2020 to help create and produce the valve to fit the ‘Easy Breath’ snorkelling mask. Decathlon took the initiative to block sales of the mask to support the fight against COVID-19. The mask itself was designed by the Subea Team, Decathlon Watersports Centre, France. Of the more than 120,000 ‘Easy Breath’ masks provided to hospitals free of charge, 2000 were sent to the NHS in the UK.

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleCharlotte Valve and Snorkel Mask
Materials and techniques
plastic injection-moulded valve, plastic mask
Brief description
Isinnova Charlotte valve, manufactured by Oldarati and paired with a repurposed Decathlon easy breath snorkelling mask. The object was created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 to address a shortage of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. 2020
Physical description
Yellow injection-moulded valve fixed at the top of a blue and white, full face snorkel mask.
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(2021)
17.05.2021
Repurposed snorkelling mask

This snorkelling mask is fitted with a Charlotte valve designed by Isinnova, a 3D-printing company based in Brescia, Italy. The valve converts the leisure item into a fully functioning CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask, needed to provide assisted breathing.

In March 2020, hospitals in northern Italy struggled to treat the vast influx of patients suffering from Covid-19 due to shortages of respiratory equipment. Retired doctor Renato Favero contacted Isinnova with the idea to repurpose a full-face snorkelling mask into a CPAP mask. Working in collaboration with a local hospital, the team rapidly developed a 3D-printed prototype. Once successfully tested, Isinnova printed the valve for immediate use. They also approached a local firm, Oldrati, who injection-moulded the valve to speed up supply.

Isinnova made the design files for the Charlotte valve freely available online. The design has been downloaded more than 2 million times and the repurposed masks have been deployed in countries including Brazil, Spain, Morocco, Australia and the Philippines.

Snorkelling mask fitted with Charlotte valve
2020
Designed by Isinnova, Italy
Manufactured by Oldrati, Italy
Injection moulded plastic
Given by Cristian Fracassi, Issinova
Museum no. CD.52-2021
Credit line
Given by Cristian Fracassi - Isinnova SRL
Summary
The Coronavirus pandemic, with high transmission rates and quick deterioration in health for many infected, put a vast strain on resources globally. As the health crisis worsened demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and treatment options quickly began to outstrip the supply.

In 2020 Isinnova, a research and innovation company based in Brescia, Italy, began the Easy COVID project in order to respond to the shortage of medical equipment. The team began by creating much sought-after venturi valves, and then expanded the project to make a universal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine which could be used globally. Isinnova created the Charlotte valve that could be fitted to a Decathlon off-the-shelf snorkelling mask. Once approved the designs for the valve were given to the Oldrati group to injection mould and increase production.

Isinnova works with designers, engineers, creatives and inventors to develop projects and business proposals, and to undertake 3D printing and ideas prototyping.

Decathlon is a French company and one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world. The company first started working with ISINNOVA on 16 March 2020 to help create and produce the valve to fit the ‘Easy Breath’ snorkelling mask. Decathlon took the initiative to block sales of the mask to support the fight against COVID-19. The mask itself was designed by the Subea Team, Decathlon Watersports Centre, France. Of the more than 120,000 ‘Easy Breath’ masks provided to hospitals free of charge, 2000 were sent to the NHS in the UK.
Collection
Accession number
CD.52-2021

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Record createdMay 21, 2021
Record URL
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