Inhalation therapy decongestant with foraminous carrier

A vaporizable decongestant is supported and stabilized on a flexible foraminous carrier composed typically of open-cell plastic foam, cloth or other fibrous material such as nonwoven fabric. The term "foraminous" herein is intended to refer to a substance or medium containing minute openings or perforated by many minute apertures. The decongestant is placed on the surfaces within the interstices and minute apertures or on fibers from which the foraminous carrier is formed. Vaporization of the inhalable decongestant is facilitated by providing the potential for greatly increasing its exposed surface area. Distributing the decongestant composition over the large, expanded surface within the foraminous carrier is beneficial in enhancing both the volatilization and evaporation of the decongestant agent. It also prolongs the useful life of the product. Once vaporized, the aromatic decongestant is available for natural inhalation through the nose or mouth to help relieve one or more of the symptoms of cough, colds, nasal or chest congestion and related symptoms. The foraminous carrier is preferably provided in the form of a patch or sheet that is bonded to the skin to serve as a supporting base for the active decongestant agent. The patch defining the carrier is typically adhesively bonded to the upper part of the body, e.g. on the face, neck or chest, in a location where the decongestant is liberated into the air and can be inhaled through the mouth or nose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to inhalation therapy and more particularly to the 
inhalation of decongestants for the relief of nasal congestion, cough, 
colds or chest congestion. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
About $1.5 billion per year are estimated to be spent in over-the-counter 
cold medications in the United States. Inhalation therapy employed for the 
relief of bronchial spasms, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, the relief of 
cough, colds and nasal congestion as carried out at the present time 
requires a pressurized can for expelling a given quantity of an aerosol 
containing a therapeutic agent such as epinephrine. These containers are 
expensive, require the patient to follow instructions carefully, and must 
be administered according to a set schedule. Other vaporizers that are 
sometimes used are even more complex. Electric nebulizers and hot water 
vaporizers are examples. In addition to the expense, these products cannot 
be used out of doors or away from home. Consequently, they are unsuitable 
for use at the work place or while riding in a car. Because of these 
problems, decongestants such as camphor which are intended to be applied 
to the throat and chest are sometimes used to help relieve cough or cold 
symptoms. A decongestant of this type typically has a petrolatum base, 
giving it the consistency of petroleum jelly. One such product is sold 
under the trademark VICK'S VapoRub.RTM.. A similar topical aromatic 
composition is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,689 but without a high 
level of petrolatum. Instead, a carboxylic acid copolymer is used. This 
composition, however, has the consistency of a fluid like the VICK'S 
product and is also applied topically. These products have significant 
drawbacks. Petroleum-based fluids are greasy and tend to be spread onto 
areas that are not intended. In addition, the fingers of the user must be 
dipped into the fluid product and, consequently, the product gets onto 
hands, on clothing, and can even be spread to areas where it can cause 
irritation, such as the nasal mucosa or the eyes. When applied by a 
healthcare worker, the smell of the decongestant can be carried away on 
hands and clothing. Moreover, because of the fluidity of such these 
products, they soon rub off onto the user's clothing and bed linens. 
Another shortcoming of prior decongestants is the limitation on the rate of 
evaporation of the active aromatic substances. A large portion lies 
beneath the surface and is therefore not exposed to the air. The 
vaporization of this sub-surface material is therefore inhibited. One 
object of the present invention is to overcome this deficiency by finding 
a way to promote volatilization of active decongestant agents. 
In view of these and other deficiencies of the prior art, it is one object 
of the present invention to provide a decongestant for alleviating one or 
more of the symptoms of nasal congestion, cough, colds or bronchial 
congestion but which is also comfortable to use, non-greasy and can be 
easily and quickly removed from the skin when no longer needed. 
Another object is to provide an oral and nasal decongestant which readily 
evolves decongestant vapor that can be inhaled through the mouth or nose 
but will not spread out on the skin or be accidentally transferred to 
clothing. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved 
decongestant which readily diffuses into the air but still provides 
therapeutic effects that are long lasting. 
A further object is to provide an improved decongestant and carrier for 
inhalation therapy which if desired can be structured to also provide 
analgesic effects through the skin. 
These and other more detailed and specific objects of the present invention 
will be better understood by reference to the following figures and 
detailed description which illustrate by way of example of but a few of 
the various forms of the invention within the scope of the appended 
claims. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a decongestant, preferably an aromatic, 
vaporizable decongestant supported on a foraminous carrier composed 
typically of an open-cell plastic foam, perforated plastic film, cloth or 
other fibrous material such as nonwoven fabric. The term "foraminous" 
herein is intended to refer to a substance or medium containing minute 
openings or perforated by many minute apertures. To form such a product in 
accordance with the present invention, an inhalable decongestant is placed 
on surfaces within the interstices and minute apertures or on fibers of 
which the foraminous carrier is composed. In this way vaporization of the 
inhalable decongestant is facilitated by providing the potential for 
greatly increasing its exposed surface area. Thus, distributing the 
decongestant composition over the large, expanded surface within the 
foraminous carrier is beneficial in enhancing both the volatilization and 
evaporation of the decongestant agent. It also helps to prolong the useful 
life of the product. Once vaporized, the aromatic decongestant is 
available for natural inhalation through the nose or mouth to help relieve 
one or more of the symptoms of cough, colds, nasal or chest congestion and 
related symptoms. The foraminous carrier is preferably provided in the 
form of a patch or sheet that is bonded to the skin and acts as a 
supporting base for the active decongestant agent. 
The patch defining the carrier is placed on the upper part of the body, 
typically on the face, neck or chest, in a location where the decongestant 
is liberated into the air and can be inhaled through the mouth or nose. 
The patch which serves as a carrier for the decongestant is bonded to the 
skin either through the provision of an adhesive on the lower surface of 
the patch or by means of a separate piece of pressure-sensitive adhesive 
tape or adhesive coating, either surrounding the carrier or applied along 
the edges of the lower surface of the carrier. 
The decongestant can be applied to the foraminous carrier in various ways. 
For example, by spraying, roll-coating, dipping, knife-coating, or 
calendering. If desired, the decongestant agent can extend substantially 
through the entire thickness of the carrier sheet. It is preferred that 
the entire patch be non-occlusive, i.e. capable of allowing moisture from 
the skin to diffuse outwardly and escape through the upper surface of the 
patch. However, if desired, the foraminous carrier sheet can be provided 
as an upper layer of the patch which is bonded to a non-porous sheet 
material such as a sheet of plastic film having a separate layer of 
pressure-sensitive adhesive on its lower surface for bonding the patch to 
the skin. In this case, the patch as a whole is occlusive and as such will 
not allow moisture to escape from the skin. 
A variety of well known therapeutic agents that have a decongestant or 
analgesic action can be employed. Examples include oil of wintergreen, 
menthol, thymol, camphor, oil of peppermint, eucalyptus oil, phenylephrine 
hydrochloride, pheniramine maleate, benzalkonium chloride, methyl 
salicylate, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, oxymetazoline hydrochloride, 
xylometazoline hydrochloride, methazoline hydrochloride, epinephrine, 
spirits of turpentine, ephedra (ma huang), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara 
L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale), naphazoline hydrochloride, and other 
decongestants known in the art. We have found that the turpentine, because 
of its volatility, appears to help co-evaporate other active decongestant 
agents. To prepare the patch, the decongestant, i.e. the therapeutic 
agent, is preferably dispersed in a vehicle to form an ointment that can 
either be hydrophilic or hydrophobic in nature. A typical hydrophilic 
vehicle preferably includes a thickener comprising a water-dispersible or 
water-swellable natural or synthetic polymer. The thickener raises the 
viscosity to a level that resists spreading and can, if desired, cause the 
ointment to set-up as an elastic solid. A hydrophilic ointment also 
contains water and a humectant such as a polyhydric alcohol. Typical 
hydrophobic vehicles comprise mineral oil or petroleum jelly, or a 
combination thereof, in which decongestant agents are dispersed or 
dissolved. Another hydrophobic vehicle comprises a pressure-sensitive 
adhesive matrix such as a dispersion of natural or synthetic rubber, an 
oleaginous plasticizer such as mineral oil, and a tackifying resin such as 
a terpene resin. Other adhesives can be used, such as vinyl emulsion 
adhesives, acrylic polymeric adhesives, vinyl acetate copolymers or 
silicone adhesives. Other medical adhesives which can be used will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art. 
When the decongestant agents are mixed with the vehicle, an ointment is 
produced. The ointment is then stabilized by applying it to the greatly 
expanded surface area within the minute apertures and interstices between 
the fibrils, perforations and/or pores of the foraminous carrier. This, 
together with a thickening agent that can, if desired, be contained in the 
ointment, gives the ointment sufficient body, support and stability to 
hold it in place and prevent it from becoming smeared onto fingers, 
clothing, bed linens or onto other parts of the body where one or more of 
the decongestant agents could cause irritation, such as nasal mucosa or 
the eyes. In addition, the foraminous carrier supporting the decongestant 
enables all of the decongestant material to be easily and quickly removed 
when no longer needed with little or no residue left on the skin. In 
addition, by distributing the ointment over the extended surface of the 
foraminous carrier, more of the decongestant can be exposed to the air. 
The much greater exposed surface area facilitates evaporation of the 
decongestant, thus allowing more of the active agents it to be inhaled so 
as to improve the reduction of nasal or chest congestion and related cold 
and sinus symptoms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Refer now to the figures in which the same numbers refer to corresponding 
parts in the several views, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 5 which 
illustrate generally rectangular patch 10 that is applied to the upper 
chest area of a patient. The patch 10 includes an upper flexible 
foraminous decongestant-supporting carrier sheet 16 and is particularly 
advantageous for improving symptoms of chest congestion. The patch 10 
provides for the evaporation of decongestant indicated diagrammatically at 
12 which can then be inhaled by the patient through the nose or mouth. The 
warming of the patch 10 by the skin after the patch 10 has been applied 
helps to increase the rate of evaporation of the decongestant vapors 12. 
The patch 10 in this case is provided with an underlying layer of medical 
grade, non-irritating pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 of any suitable type 
known to those skilled in the art, for example as described in U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 5,536,263; 4,675,009; 2,498,338; 3,645,835; 4,427,737 and 4,867,150 
which are incorporated herein by reference for bonding the patch to the 
skin. The lower surface of adhesive 14 is protected during shipment and 
storage by a removable liner sheet 18 (FIG. 5) that can comprise any 
suitable commercially available release paper or plastic film. Before use, 
the liner sheet 18 is removed to expose the lower surface of the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive 14. The patch 10 is then applied to the skin 
and is held in place by the pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example, on 
the upper chest area of the patient as shown in FIG. 1. 
Overlying the pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 and bonded to it is the 
foraminous carrier 16 to which an ointment containing a decongestant is 
applied. If desired, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 can have the same 
composition as the ointment. In such a case, the pressure-sensitive 
adhesive 14 can also contain a therapeutic medicament comprising a 
decongestant and/or analgesic agent. It will then be possible for the 
decongestant or analgesic to be absorbed into the skin to provide a 
therapeutic effect by absorption into the underlying tissue to achieve 
localized relief for the symptoms of bronchial congestion. The invention 
is thus capable of providing a therapeutic effect in two ways 
simultaneously; namely, by dermal absorption into the skin as well as by 
inhalation of the decongestant vapors via the mouth or nose. In this way 
the invention can provide a dual therapeutic action. If the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 is of a different composition from the 
ointment, for example an ordinary, non-irritating medical grade 
rubber-based adhesive, then the patch 10 will have but a single mode of 
operation; namely, the evolution of the aromatic decongestant vapor 12 for 
providing inhalation therapy. The patch 10 for use on the chest is 
typically about 3 inches long by 2 inches wide and has rounded corners. 
The foraminous carrier sheet typically has a thickness of about 3-8 mils 
and contains about 0.012 ounces per square inch of the 
decongestant-containing ointment. The foraminous carrier 16 is typically a 
flexible sheet of open-cell polyurethane foam, open-cell polyethylene 
foam, nonwoven fabric or cloth. 
Refer now to FIG. 2 which illustrates slightly curved patch 11 applied to 
the nasolabial area of a user just below the nose. The patch 10 is 
particularly advantageous for improving symptoms of nasal congestion or 
cough by providing for the evaporation of decongestant indicated 
diagrammatically at 12 into the air, which can then be inhaled by the 
patient through the nose. The patch 11 has a foraminous upper carrier 
layer 16 to which the decongestant-containing ointment is applied. The 
patch 10 also includes an underlying layer of non-irritating medical grade 
pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 of any suitable type known to those skilled 
in the art, for example as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 
5. The adhesive 14 is protected during shipment and storage by a removable 
liner sheet (not shown) similar to 18 in FIG. 5 that can comprise any 
suitable commercially available release paper or plastic film. The 
pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 bonds the foraminous carrier 16 and the 
decongestant contained therein in place above the upper lip of the patient 
just below the nose as shown in FIG. 2. 
The patch 11 for use between the upper lip and nose is typically about 2 
inches long by 3/4 inches wide and has rounded corners. The foraminous 
carrier sheet typically has a thickness of about 3-8 mils and contains 
about 0.012 ounces per square inch of the decongestant-containing 
ointment. The foraminous carrier 16 can comprise a sheet of open-cell foam 
plastic, such as a flexible sheet open-cell polyurethane foam, open-cell 
polyethylene foam, nonwoven fabric or cloth. 
Refer now to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate generally rectangular patches 
10a and 10b applied to the neck and chin, respectively. The patches 10a 
and 10b, which have the same construction described in connection with 
FIGS. 1 and 5 but are smaller, are especially useful for improving 
symptoms of head congestion. Both provide for the evaporation of 
decongestant into the air as indicated diagrammatically at 12. The vapor 
can then be inhaled by the patient through the nose or mouth. The 
construction of the patches 10a and 10b is the same as described above. 
The neck patch 10a of FIG. 3, however, has the decongestant ointment 
exposed on its lower surface and the ointment contains an adhesive 
material. Thus, the ointment provides an analgesic effect through dermal 
absorption, which is useful in relieving the symptoms of cough and itchy 
throat. 
The patch 10a or 10b for use on the neck or chin is typically about 3 
inches long by 2 inches wide and has rounded corners. The overall 
thickness can be about 5-22 mils and contains about 0.012 ounces per 
square inch of the decongestant-containing ointment. The foraminous 
carrier 16 can comprise a sheet of polyurethane foam, cloth or nonwoven 
fabric. The chin patch is especially advantageous for providing 
decongestant vapor for oral inhalation. 
Refer now to FIGS. 6 and 6A which illustrate cross-sectional views of the 
invention as it appears when applied to the skin 15 of a patient after 
removal of the liner sheet 18. The foraminous decongestant carrier 16 
comprises an upper layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive 14 comprises 
a lower layer. The foraminous carrier 16 contains openings or foramina 17 
throughout which communicate between the upper and lower surfaces 19 and 
21 of the foraminous carrier 16. This allows moisture from the skin 15 to 
escape through the patch 10. Applied to the surfaces lining the apertures 
and interstices 17 within the foraminous carrier 16 is a quantity of an 
ointment 22 containing the active aromatic decongestant agent. Support by 
the carrier 16 makes possible a greatly extended exposed surface due to 
the multiplicity of minute foramina 17 within the carrier 16. The 
increased extended surface area of the ointment within the carrier 16 
makes possible much improved volatilization of the aromatic decongestant 
contained in the ointment, thereby enhancing the liberation of vapor into 
the air for inhalation therapy through the nose or mouth. 
In the patch 10 of FIGS. 6 and 6A, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 14 
has the same composition as the ointment 22 which contains both the active 
decongestant and a suitable adhesive and thickener such as a natural or 
synthetic polymeric adhesive or gum dispersed in the ointment 22. 
Refer now to FIGS. 7 and 7A which illustrate a modified form of the 
invention. In FIG. 7, a foraminous carrier sheet designated 24 comprises a 
fibrous sheet formed from nonwoven cotton fabric containing microscopic 
fibers 32 (FIG. 7A) which are bonded together at their points of contact. 
A typical foraminous carrier is a flexible sheet about 5 mils thick. 
Applied within the foramina 35 to the surfaces of the fibers 32 is a 
decongestant ointment 33. Bonded to the lower surface of the foraminous 
carrier 24 by the ointment is a barrier such as a sheet of plastic film, 
e.g. 2 mil. polyester film 26. Applied as a coating on the lower surface 
of the polyester film 26 is a layer of commercially available medical 
grade non-irritating pressure-sensitive adhesive 28 that bonds the patch 
25 to the skin 30. The foraminous carrier layer 24 comprises a fibrous 
mass of intersecting fibers 32 (FIG. 7A) to which the ointment 33 is 
applied. The microscopic fibers 32 provide an extremely high surface area. 
This can give the applied ointment 33 containing the active decongestant 
agent a greatly extended surface area which, as already noted, helps to 
volatilize the decongestant thus making it more available for inhalation 
therapy so as to provide greater effectiveness in the relief of the 
symptoms of cough, colds, nasal congestion or chest congestion. At the 
same time, the foraminous carrier 24 stabilizes the ointment by holding it 
in place and keeping the ointment it from spreading onto other parts of 
the body, the clothing, bed linens, etc. In this embodiment, the ointment 
33 contains a thickener that helps the ointment set or gel once applied to 
the foraminous carrier 24. For this purpose, we employ a high molecular 
weight natural or synthetic polymer and optionally a polymeric adhesive as 
a part of the ointment. Accordingly, the upper portion of the patch 25 can 
be thought of as a stabilized ointment containing a vaporizable 
decongestant that is spread over an extended surface of the solid but 
flexible foraminous carrier 24. 
The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A has an important 
advantage since the decongestant contained in the foraminous carrier 24 
does not contact the skin. This benefits some people, particularly those 
with sensitive skin and children, who sometimes complain about the 
tingling or burning sensation that is noticed when certain decongestants 
are placed in direct contact with the skin. 
Refer now to FIG. 8 which illustrates a decongestant patch 40 in accordance 
with the invention that is held in place on the skin by means of a sheet 
of medical grade adhesive tape 42 having an opening 44 cut in its center. 
The adhesive tape 42 is elongated and has rounded corners. The adhesive 
tape 42 can be any suitable commercially available medical adhesive tape 
having an adhesive layer 46 on its lower surface for bonding the patch 40 
to the skin and for bonding the adhesive tape 42 to the edge of a flexible 
foraminous carrier sheet 48 which typically comprises a sheet of plastic 
foam, fibrous material such as woven or nonwoven plastic or gauze 
saturated with an aromatic decongestant. The foraminous carrier 48 has 
side edges 50, 52 and end edges 54, 56 which are all bonded in place by 
the inner edge of the adhesive tape 42 adjacent the opening 44. It will be 
understood that the foraminous carrier sheet 48 itself has no adhesive and 
depends entirely upon the adhesive tape 42 to hold it in place on the 
skin. The patch 40 can be made in any suitable size and positioned 
conveniently on the skin wherever desired so that the decongestant vapors 
when given off can be inhaled through the mouth or nose during normal 
respiration. 
Refer now to FIG. 9 which illustrates the application of adhesive bands on 
opposed edges of the invention for securing the flexible foraminous 
carrier to the skin. In FIG. 9, the foraminous carrier 60 which comprises 
a strip of fabric passes from right to left in the figure beneath adhesive 
applicator rolls 62, 64 which rotate in a given feed direction to apply 
strips of adhesive 66, 68 along parallel opposed edges of the carrier 60. 
Pressure-sensitive adhesive (not shown) is applied continually to the 
rolls 62, 64 to keep the surface of the rolls 62, 64 coated with adhesive. 
The foraminous carrier sheet 60 is periodically cut transversely in any 
suitable manner along separation lines indicated at 70 by a cutter such as 
a reciprocating blade 72 which severs the carrier sheet 60 transversely at 
spaced apart locations indicated at 74 to provide finished patches 61 with 
pressure-sensitive adhesive strips 66, 68 along opposed edges. The carrier 
sheet 60 can be of any of the compositions described above. Prior to 
passing beneath rolls 62, 64, a vaporizable decongestant agent 80 of a 
suitable composition is applied as a spray by means of spray heads 82 to 
which the decongestant is pumped under pressure through a feed line 84 by 
means of pump 86 from supply tank 88. The spray of decongestant material 
80 impinges upon the carrier sheet 60 so as to coat the fibers that line 
the openings or foramina within the foraminous structure of the carrier 
60. If desired, heat can be applied to the sheet 60 to drive off excess 
moisture and to help thicken the decongestant 80 that has been applied by 
the spray heads 82. The decongestant is then supported and stabilized by 
the foraminous structure of the carrier 60 and, if desired, by a 
thickening agent contained in the decongestant as described above. The 
patches 61 are used in the same manner as described above and can be made 
in any convenient size. In this case the decongestant spray 80 itself 
contains no adhesive since the patches 61 will be adequately bonded to the 
skin by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strips 66, 68. 
For various applications, the patches can measure from about 2 inches by 3 
inches to about 4 inches by 5 inches, or larger, for application to the 
chin, neck or chest. When the patch is applied to the nasolabial area just 
beneath the nose, it can be about 23/4 inches long by 3/8 inches wide with 
a slight concave upper edge if desired. The patches can be made in other 
sizes and shapes to fit the portion of the body to which they are applied. 
The ointment is prepared by mixing together a vehicle preferably containing 
a polymeric thickener, either with water or non-polar solvent as the case 
may be, and a pre-mix containing the active decongestant agent. If the 
ointment is formed with an aqueous base, a preferred thickener comprises a 
hydrophilic polymer that is either soluble in water or will swell in 
contact with water. A humectant such as a polyhydric alcohol is also 
advantageously employed. The method used for mixing the ointment can be 
similar to the method used for preparing the medication-containing 
reservoir described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,263 which is incorporated 
herein by reference. 
One preferred form of ointment contains the following: about 0.1% to about 
10% camphor; about 0.5% to about 5% menthol; about 0.1% to about 5% 
eucalyptus oil; about 0.5% to about 10% spirits of turpentine; about 10% 
to about 60% of a humectant of which a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin 
or propylene glycol are examples; and a thickener comprising a natural or 
synthetic polymeric gum such as karaya or polyacrylamide is provided in 
the amount of about 5% to about 50%. The active decongestant is preferably 
prepared as a pre-mix by blending ingredients together in a suitable mixer 
and then admixing the pre-mix to the ingredients present in the vehicle. 
All quantities herein are presented as percent by weight unless otherwise 
specified. 
A variety of other natural or synthetic gel-forming polymers can be used as 
a thickener in place of karaya or polyacrylamide. These include gum 
acacia, locust bean gum, guar gum, modified guar gum, maltodextrin, 
carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxypropyl cellulose, and polyacrylic acid. 
Optionally, a water dispersible adhesive is provided, such as a carboxylic 
acid polymer, e.g. Carbotac.TM. 26222 or 26171 by the B. F. Goodrich 
Company of Cleveland, Ohio, in the amount of about 0.5% to about 30%. The 
adhesive, however, can be any suitable non-irritating medical grade 
adhesive including adhesives such as acrylate emulsion adhesive, acrylic 
ester copolymer adhesives, vinyl acetate resins, and copolymers of vinyl 
acetate and dioctyl maleate and the like. Other pressure-sensitive 
adhesives can be employed such as silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives 
prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,627,851; 3,772,247; 2,736,721 
and 2,814,601 each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still 
other pressure-sensitive adhesives that can be used are described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 2,857,356 which is also incorporated herein by reference. 
Additional adhesives which can be used are described as adhesives for 
transdermal delivery devices in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,951,657; 4,655,767 and 
5,232,702 which are all incorporated herein by reference. 
One preferred ointment comprises about 6% camphor; about 3% menthol; about 
1% eucalyptus oil; about 4% spirits of turpentine; about 44% glycerin; 
about 1% aloe vera; a thickener comprising about 34% karaya gum; and about 
7% of a water-borne latex adhesive such as a carboxylic acid polymeric 
adhesive, e.g. 2 parts Carbotac.TM. 26222 and 1 part Carbotac.TM. 26171. 
The ointment can be applied to the foraminous carrier either by 
roll-coating or by knife-coating without dilution or, if applied by 
spraying or dipping, it can be diluted with an equal amount of water. 
After being applied, the ointment is then preferably heated, e.g. to 
between about 120.degree. F. and 150.degree. F. to help drive off excess 
moisture and to assist in setting the structure of the ointment within the 
minute foramina of the carrier. This distribution of the decongestant 
promotes volatilization and evaporation of the active decongestant agent 
and helps to keep the ointment where it is placed. It also allows it to be 
cleanly removed from the skin when no longer needed. 
The invention has been well received by users because it prevents clothes 
and fingers from becoming smeared with ointment, while holding the 
ointment in place where the decongestant vapors will be readily available 
for inhalation. The invention is also capable of distributing the ointment 
over the relatively large extended surface of the foraminous carrier to 
aid in promoting the transfer of the decongestant from the solid state to 
the vapor state. The invention also enables the decongestant vapor to be 
reliably evolved over a relatively long period of time, e.g. up to eight 
or more hours, and was therefore adjudged long-lasting by the average 
user. In addition, the invention enables the decongestant to act in a dual 
capacity; namely, both as a vaporous inhalant and also as an analgesic 
through dermal absorption into the capillaries beneath the skin surface. 
The decongestant-containing patches have proved effective in the temporary 
relief of coughs due to colds, minor throat and bronchial irritation, and 
temporarily suppresses cough occurring with a cold. When used on the 
chest, the invention temporarily relieves cough due to colds, minor throat 
and bronchial irritation and temporarily suppresses cough occurring with a 
cold. On the chest it can also act as a topical analgesic to relieve minor 
aches and pains in the chest area via dermal absorption through the skin. 
The decongestant patches of the present invention are comfortable, 
non-greasy and easy to apply with little, if any, traces of greasy 
material being left after removal or transferred to the fingers, clothes 
or bed linens. The decongestant agents are readily vaporized, and the 
patch as a whole can be made non-occlusive so as to eliminate the 
possibility of perspiration becoming trapped beneath the patch. The 
patches can be made so as to keep the decongestant agent away from the 
skin to prevent possible irritation. The invention also helps people 
without cold symptoms to sleep better by making it possible for one to 
breathe easily through the nose throughout the entire night. The invention 
is therefore also a sleep aid. Finally, the inhalable decongestants do not 
appear to interact with other medications that may be taken by the 
patient. 
The finished patches are preferably packaged in envelopes or boxes with 
instructions to apply them to the upper part of the body; namely, the 
nasolabial area, the chest, the chin, and the throat. 
Many variations of the present invention within the scope of the appended 
claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art once the principles 
described herein are understood.