NOSE FILTER

Abstract: A nose filter consisting of a porous, elastic body (1, 4, 6) is provided with partial, nearly complete lines of separation (2), such that a part or parts of the body, through a simple tearing action, can be removed without causing the body to lose its general shape, or such that slight compression of the body will cause it substantially to reassume its original shape. The lines of separation (2) extend parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body and are preferably circular and concentric, extending almost through the entire length of the body.

Description: NOSE FILTER The present invention relates to a nose filter, consisting of a porous, elastic body. A number of people today suffer from the effects of inhaling air containing irritating or polluting substances. Although these ills often arise in connection with the person' job or working environment, this is by no means the only cause and a number of such ills are not especially connected either to the working environment or to recreational activities. Thus, there are numerous circumstances in which a device for screening or protecting the respiratory organs would provide substantial alleviation of this problem. Naturally, any such screening or protective means must not obstruct oxygen intake. Without in any way restricting the area of use for such filters, one particularly useful application would be work environments where dust or odors are a problem, and where all of the employees involved are subjected in the same manner to an environmental problem. In addition, people with allergies or asthma will find such a filter helpful, both at work, as mentioned above, and also in the outdoors or during particular seasons of the year. There are a number of different respiratory aids on the market for alleviating the discomforts of the above ills, ranging from simple textile or paper face masks to more complicated masks. All of the above have the general drawback that they are relatively cumbersome to put on and inconvenient to use; for example, it is sometimes impossible to don the mask withou first removing one's head covering. The object of the present invention is to provide a nose filte which is easily and quickly donned, and which is easily adapt¬ able to the size of the person's nostrils, in which the filter is placed. The invention thus relates to a nose filter consisting of a porous, elastic body, and the filter is characterized by the provision in said body of partial, nearly complete lines of separation, such that a part or parts of the body can be removed by tearing them off without causing the body to lose its general shape, or optionally such that slight compression of the body will cause it substantially to reassume its original shape. The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a filter with a separation line and an opening intended for receiving an applicator means, Figure 2 shows the filter of Figure 1 in side view, Figure 3 shows a filter having three radial lines of separatio Figure 4 shows a filter of alternative shape, seen from above. The filter 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is provided with a concentric, circular line of separation 2 extending from the top of the filter almost all the way to its bottom surface. The filter 1 also has a cavity 3 for receiving an applicator means (not illustrated) for facilitating hygienic handling and insertion of the filter into the nostrils of the user. The line of separation 2 does not extend completely through the filter, because this increases the stability of the filter if the user wishes to use the entire filter (in its full circumference) . If the user wishes to make the filter smaller, the outer, peripheral section of the filter, up to the line of separation is folded back and pulled off. The attached portion at the bottom of the filter, which is integral with the inner section of the filter, is small enough to permit the outer section easily to be separated from the inner section, yet large enoug to ensure stability of the filter when utilized in full size. A plurality of concentric sections, similarly delineated by concentric lines of separation, could be provided to provide a wider range of sizes. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment, wherein the filter 4 is provided with segmental lines of separation 5, extending inwardly from the periphery toward the filter's axis. This filter, too, can be provided with an opening for receiving an insertion/applicator means. The lines of separation preferably are radial. Figure 3 shows three segmental lines 5'-, 5 1 ', 5''' which permit the filter 4 to be adjusted to three different sizes, according to the user. The lines of separation in this case, too, are only partially complete; that is, they extend almost, but not quite, to the center of the filter. For persons with elongate nostrils, the filter could be made in a shape other than circular, as seen in Figure 4. In the same way as indicated above, this filter can be pro¬ vided with several lines of separation. In this case, however, the lines of separation preferably trace a path that is parallel with the circumference of the filter. The invention provides a nose filter which easily and ITO E O P fry, WP hygienically can be placed in the user's nostrils, and with a simple manual operation, the size of the filter can be made smaller, for example for use by children. For general applications the filters are preferably neutral, but for use in environments where, for example, odors are a problem, the filter could be provided with a scented substance to counteract the unpleasant odor in the environment. Moreover, for persons with asthma, allergies or stuffed nasal passages, the filters could be provided with medicinal preparations for relieving the condition. Naturally, the filter itself must be made of a chemically inert and neutral material which will not produce allergic reactions. ijυR OM .Λ W1P

Claims: Patent Claims 1. A nose filter consisting of a porous, elastic body (1, 4, 6) , characterized by the provision of partial, nearly complete lines of separation (2; 5',5'',5'''; 7) in the body, extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body, such that a part or parts of the body can be removed by a simple tearing action without causing the body to lose its general shape, or optionally such that slight compression of the body will cause it substantially to reassume its original shape. 2. A nose filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the lines of separation (2) are circular, concentric, and extend almost through the entire length of the body. 3. A nose filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the lines of separation form radial segments extending from the periphery of the body almost to its longitudinal 4. A nose filter according to claims 1 and 2, character¬ ized by a plurality of successive, concentric, circular lines of separation extending almost all the way through the body. 5. A nose filter according to claims 1 - 3, characterized by a plurality of segmental lines of separation extending from the periphery of the body almost to its longitudinal axis. OMPI

Inventors: HEIMREID KEN, HEIMREID, KEN
Applicants: NORD INNOVASJON A S, NORD-INNOVASJON A/S
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A62B23
IPC codes: A62B23