Nasal Air FIltration Apparatus

Abstract

The invention pertains to the field of wearable air purifiers; specifically, filtration focused on air breathed in via the nose. A nasal air filtration apparatus comprised layered compressible inner seal, filtration material, internal malleable skeleton to allow for custom shaping, optional outer gasket, and attachment device along midline. Apparatus is flat in profile with exception of attachment device until end user modification, and has one straight side with the other side being a long arch resulting in a roughly semicircular appearance. Apparatus attaches on midline of nose to a nasal dilation device, straight side oriented towards users' upper lip, arched side along edges of nostrils. Apparatus is then molded by user to form an airtight seal around users' nose, providing filtration of inspired air.

Claims

1. A device for filtering air moving through the nares as described in FIG. 1.

2. A device for filtering air moving through the nares, comprising: a gasket portion to prevent air leakage; a filtering material; a malleable internal structure within the gasket to allow individual users to fit/seal device to their anatomy; and a method to attach the apparatus to a nasal dilator (refer to U.S. provisional patent No. 62/890,961) characterized in that the device is symmetrical from side to side, the attachment method is on midline and the seal is immediately adjacent to wearers' face.

3. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 2, wherein the gasket portion is composed in part or entirely of silicone, neoprene, latex, or any other type of flexible material to allow for an airtight seal around the wearer's nares.

4. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 3, wherein the gasket portion also has a decorative aspect or function.

5. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 2, wherein the filtering material is composed of one or multiple layers of material including, but not limited to, carbon fiber, paper, foam, cotton, fiberglass, and polyester.

6. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 2, wherein the internal structure of the gasket portion is composed round or flat metal of varying malleability including, but not limited to, copper, stainless steel, zinc, or other composites/alloys.

7. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 2, wherein the method of attachment to (refer to provisional patent) is composed of, but not limited to, rigid plastic, metal, wood, or other composite material.

8. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 5, wherein the filtering material has additives including, but not limited to, essential oils, colloidal or particulate silver, antimicrobial medications, pain medications, or activated charcoal.

9. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 8, wherein the filtering material also has a decorative aspect or function.

10. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 7, wherein the method of attachment contains additional materials to aid in securing the apparatus such as, but not limited to, magnets, adhesive, or static based attractants.

11. A device for filtering air moving through the nares according to claim 7, wherein the method of attachment is in the form of a hook or clip structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the present invention as it would be seen while in use. The main, curved body of the gasket is shown prior to end user modification to seal to the individual's face. External gasket is stippled grey. Filtration material is denoted by vertical parallel lines. Center attachment clip in its preferred embodiment is visible on midline.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a back view of the present invention as it would be seen by the user. The main, curved body of the gasket is shown prior to end user modification to seal to the individual's face. The central attachment portion is shown here in its preferred embodiment as a clip, but is not limited to this form. Filtration material is denoted by vertical parallel lines. Internal gasket denoted by crosshatching.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side/profile view of the present invention. The main, curved body of the gasket is shown prior to end user modification to seal to the individual's face. The layered material (seal, filtration material, gasket) is shown in its preferred embodiment, however the invention is not limited to this combination. External gasket is stippled grey. Filtration material is denoted by vertical parallel lines. Internal gasket denoted by crosshatching. A human hand is shown for demonstrative purposes only to illustrate how the invention in its current embodiment may be grasped.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an oblique, frontal/top view of the present invention as it would be seen while in use. The main, curved body of the gasket is illustrated in this view to be modified to the end user to form a close seal around the face. External gasket is stippled grey. Filtration material is denoted by vertical parallel lines. Center attachment clip in its preferred embodiment is visible on midline.

[0021] FIG. 5 is an obliqued side view of the present invention. The central attachment portion is shown here in its preferred embodiment as a clip, but is not limited to this form. The layered material (seal, filtration material, gasket) is shown in its preferred embodiment, however the invention is not limited to this combination. External gasket is stippled grey. Filtration material is denoted by vertical parallel lines. Internal gasket denoted by crosshatching.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side or profile, exploded view, of the invention in its current embodiment as it would be while in use and properly adjusted by the end user. This allows the examiner to better visualize the invention in its current embodiment with layers and internal structures visible. The malleable internal skeleton which is in the current invention is shown in this view between the filtration layer and internal gasket. External gasket is stippled grey. Filtration material is denoted by vertical parallel lines. Internal gasket denoted by crosshatching. Device is shown in its current, preferred embodiment however it is not limited to this specific combination.

[0023] The foregoing are examples only and indicate the wide degree of variability available for manufacturing different sizes or shapes of the apparatus, fitting adjustments to the users' anatomy, and/or allowing the end user to make adjustments.

[0024] It should be appreciated that the nasal air filtration apparatus as described in this disclosure may be formed in various ways and of various materials by those skilled in the art. For example, the gasket structure may be a smooth arc, a flattened “M” shape, or have changes within the corner structures to better accommodate different nasal anatomy. The length to width ratio may vary slightly in order to account for differences in nasal protrusion among users. The apparatus may be constructed such that the materials are permanently fused at the edges, or alternately such that the filter material may be replaced with clean material after use.

[0025] Examples of materials which may be used to form the parts which form the apparatus include, but are not limited to, biosafe foams, biosafe silicone, or types of plastic for the sealing portion of the gasket; metals or other rigid but malleable material for the internal portion of the gasket; cotton, paper, polypropylene, meltblown plastic, or fiberglass for the filtration portion; and various types of stiff plastics or metals for the clip attachment. The device may be coated with an antimicrobial or static inducing material in order to improve filtration. Alternatively, various other treatments such as essential oils, repository/long acting medications, or decorative elements may be applied to the apparatus.

[0026] Various terms have been used within this enclosure to further the understanding of the structure, use, and function of the nasal air filter apparatus. Here, “nares” refers to nostrils, “inspiration” refers to the act of inhaling air, “filtration” refers to the act of removing unwanted particulates from the air, “malleable” refers to material which can be bent with a slight amount of pressure and then retains its' shape.