Abstract:
A cover and noseform is disclosed for protecting, dilating and maintaining dilution of the nose as well as aligning the nasal passages with the nares of the nose to increase the efficiency of breathing and prevent problems such as snoring. The noseform is applied to cover at least a portion of the nose and causes the end of apex of the nose to be lifted in a direction aligned with the nose and toward the forehead of the person to align the nares and nasal passages of the nose. The noseform includes a first portion adhered to the nose, a second portion adhered to the nose distal from the first portion and a means for moving the second portion toward the first portion to lift the end of the nose toward the glabella or forehead region as well as covering the nose of the wearer. The noseform also includes a rest to prevent a pair of glasses from slipping down the nose and constricting the nasal passages. Furthermore, the noseform of the present invention is designed to be decorated and altered to achieve differing aesthetic appearances including a passage therethrough for creating a sun-tattoo as well as extensions over the forehead.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/699,047, filed Aug. 21, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,173. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for altering the appearance and performance of the nose. The present invention further relates to a means of elevating the nose from apex to root and changing its shape thereby dilating the nasal passages. The noseform and nasal passage dilator apparatus of the present invention may be designed to provide a protection of the nose and glabella from sun damage. The noseform provides an aid in breathing, increased respiratory efficiency and enhanced performance of physical activities. In another embodiment the noseform acts as a rest support for eyeglasses to prevent slippage which leads to nasal passage construction from the glasses pressing the outside of the nose. 
     The noseform of the present invention allows styling opportunity—a wide variety of sizes and shapes can be imagined. The apparatus may also cover the glabella and other parts of the forehead for additional sun protection. The noseform may contain a cut-out to create a decorative “sun-tattoo”. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is well known that humans are most conscious of and constantly trying to improve their appearance. It is also well known that humans are also always trying to improve their health and performance. Many humans have significant problems with the nasal passages of their nose being constrictive thereby preventing easy ad efficient breathing. A brief explanation of the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the nose will help to better understand the causes of the above mention problems and the need for this invention. 
     The human nose, located on the anterior middle portion of the head in the middle of the face, is sometimes compared to a three-sided pyramid with its internal skeleton referred to as the nasal pyramid. The base of the nose faces downward and surrounds the nares, commonly referred to as the nostrils, which open into the nasal cavities. The two nasal cavities are narrow above, wider below, and are separated by the nasal septum. The lower portions of the nasal cavities are referred to as the vestibules and are lined with a mucous membrane and provided with hairs for filtering debris. 
     The sides of the nose (or pyramid) meet in the middle of the nose along the dorsum nasi which extends from the root of the nose, continuous with the forehead, to the apex or tip of the nose. The lower portion of the side of the nose, which is typically flared, is referred to as the ala or wing. See FIG. 1 for a detail of the nose. 
     The nose further includes lateral nasal (or upper) cartilages which are unitary and continuous with each other and a septal cartilage, which extends backward and downward from the lateral nasal cartilages to articulate with the septum, and downward toward the apex of the nose. Greater alar (or lower) cartilages are located below the lateral nasal cartilages and laterally from the septal cartilage. The greater alar cartilages support their respective ala and form a lower part of the nasal structure. The middle and upper regions of the skin over the dorsum nasi including the lateral nasal cartilage and the septal cartilage is movable thus allowing the tip or apex of the nose to be lifted because the skill will not move over the apex of the nose. 
     Since the skin is movable over some regions of the nose, there are associated therewith known lines of tension of the skin. The known lines of tension of the skin are commonly referred to as Langer&#39;s lines, see FIG.  2 . The lines of tension typically run in directions transverse to the direction in which the skin moves. With age the skin hypertrophies resulting in additional skin causing the nasal passages to become constricted or closed. 
     With the above information regarding the anatomy of the nose, some of the problems associated with the nose become more understandable. The most common problem associated with the nose is snoring. Other problems include a deviated septum and nasal polyps. Additionally, diseases such as Rhinophyma, benign lesions, collagen diseases, etc. alter nose anatomy and cause impingement upon the nasal passages. Altering the shape of the nose is known to affect these conditions. Furthermore, it is very well known that some people do not like the shape or size of their nose and spend large sums on expensive surgeries to alter the appearance of their no se. 
     Prior to the present invention attempts to use devices to dilate or more fully open nasal passages in humans and in animals have been described. Such devices claim to provide easier breathing and to help eliminate snoring. Occasionally, such devices are also used by athletes to help increase the amount of air intake and thereby increase the amount of air in the bloodstream to augment their physical performance and endurance. 
     An example of one type of prior art device is the insert device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,977, to Rezakhany, which discloses a nasal dilator adapted to be inserted into the nostril of the human nose to prevent the tissues of the ostium internum of the nose from contracting during breathing. Many devices similar to the Razakhany reference disclose variations which prevent the nose from sagging and drooping or also dilate the nostrils to allow an increased flow of air through the nostrils. A representative group of these patents includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,335,936, to Hanlon; U.S. Pat. No. 2,515,756, to Bove; U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,799, to Caballero; U.S. Pat. No. 1,232,956, to Mooney; U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,365, to Askinazy; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,168, to Jalowayski. 
     However, these types of insert devices are uncomfortable, cumbersome, expensive and potentially very dangerous. This is particularly true for an athlete engaged in a competition which is very fast paced, trauma prone or physical as are many sports today such as soccer, lacrosse, football, basketball and in particular ice hockey (especially when) struck in the nose. 
     Another class of devices for dilating a nasal passage is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,950,839, to Chirila, which discloses a pair of suction members which are applied to the outer skin surface of the nose over the septal cartilage between the dorsum nasi and the alae. The suction members stick to the skin of the nose and are biased outward to dilate the nasal passage to facilitate breathing. Similar to the Chirila device are U.S. Pat. No. 1,034,123, to Knowlson; U.S. Pat. No. 1,232,956, to Mooney; U.S. Pat. No. 1,043,924, to Gottlieb; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,217, to Slater, which all expand upon the idea of pulling or pushing the sides of the nose outward as a way of dilating the nasal passages. 
     However, the Chirila device and the others like it are also very bulky, cumbersome, ugly and potentially very dangerous when a blow to the nose occurs. Furthermore, the prior art proposed solutions have not conceived of possible uses and combinations which can be made with such devices. 
     Accordingly, in the prior art, dilation of the nasal passages of a human nose by stretching or pulling the outer sides of the nasal passage has been proposed. Also, the prior art requires large, unsightly devices for dilating the nasal passage and lacks a structure which is compact, ornamental and safe to use. 
     Despite the many attempts in the prior art, there is a failure of the known devices for nasal dilation to provide a structure which will prevent damage to the skin of the nose from environmental factors. Further, none of the known devices have a decorative appearance which may be selected by a user while improving ventilation and respiration by dilating the nostrils. In addition to the above, there is still a need to provide a noseform having a support and rest to prevent a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses from slipping or sliding down the nose and constricting the air passages of the nose. 
     The elimination of problems associated with nasal passage constrictions such as snoring is a particular additional benefit of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is novel in providing a decorative cover for the nose to prevent damage to the skin of the nose from environmental conditions such as the sun&#39;s rays, wind and airborne contaminants. Furthermore, the present invention is novel in providing a device and method for dilating the nares of the nose to prevent structures of the nose from collapsing, sagging and drooping during breathing. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for achieving and maintaining dilation of the nasal passages of a human to increase breathing efficiency and prevent snoring. The apparatus is preferably designed to fix the end of the nose, following movement in a direction toward the glabella, to more accurately align the openings of the nares with the nasal passages and to prevent the septal cartilage and alae from moving inward while inhaling. 
     The present invention includes a first portion attached to the nose just below the glabella, a second portion attached below the bridge of the nose, and a mechanism, interconnecting the first and second portions, for moving the second portion toward the first portion such that the tip of the nose remains fixed toward the glabella with the nasal passages dilated. 
     The present invention includes a method for dilating the nasal passages of the nose by moving the end of the nose toward the glabella to dilate the nasal passages and fixing the position of the end of the nose moved toward the glabella by using the device of the present invention. The method of the present invention includes first moving the nose toward the glabella and then fixing of a first portion of the device and then fixing of a second portion of the device. Alternatively, the method of the present invention includes first the fixing or attaching of the first portion of the device of the present invention to a point just below the glabella, next, the moving of the end of the nose toward the glabella, and then the fixing or attaching of the second portion of the device to the nose at a point below the bridge of the nose to fix the movement of the end of the nose and thereby dilate the nasal passages to improve breathing efficiency. 
     Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for improving the breathing through the nasal passages of a human by moving the apex of the nose in a direction toward the glabella thereby changing the size and shape of the nose and dilating the nares. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for covering the nose of a human using a decorative object adherent to the skin of the nose. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which prevents the soft tissue and cartilage of the nose from closing the aperture while a person inhales. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which while preventing the soft tissue and cartilage of the nose from being constricted when a person inhales can also function as a support and rest for a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses to prevent them from slipping down the person&#39;s nose and constricting the nasal passages which reduces breathing efficiency. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which prevents the soft tissue and cartilage of the nose from being drawn in while a person inhales which is easy to use, less expensive and more safe than known prior art designs. 
    
    
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the invention with reference being made to the drawings. First, a brief description of the drawings will follow. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a human face detailing the external composition and features of the human nose. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a human showing the skin over the human nose and detailing the Langer&#39;s lines of the face and nose. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view detailing the internal composition of the human nose. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a noseform device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the noseform device according to the embodiment of FIG. 4 showing the application of the noseform and elevation of the human nose. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the noseform device according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the application of the noseform to the human nose at a later step than FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the noseform device according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the application of the noseform to the human nose at a later step than FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a noseform device according to a second alternative embodiment including an eyeglass support according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a noseform device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of a noseform device having a forehead extension a human face as a third alternative embodiment according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of a decorative noseform on a human face of a fourth alternative embodiment according to the present invention including a sun-tattoo. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a noseform of a fifth alternative embodiment according to the present invention showing a squeeze clamp for maintaining the lift of the noseform. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With general reference to FIGS. 1 through 10, and particular reference to FIGS. 4 through 7, a noseform, generally designated by the numeral  10  in the drawings, (noseforms of alternative embodiments are shown in the figures with all similar items being numbered the same with a multiple of 100 added thereto), of the present invention is shown for covering and altering the nose region of a human. 
     FIG. 1 shows the external parts of the human nose including names of the detailed parts. A detailed explanation of the external nose is set forth above. The nose is covered by skin which is movable in certain directions. The skin falls along certain lines (historically referred to “Langer&#39;s” lines) which identify how the skin is movable. FIG. 2 shows the Langer&#39;s lines for the face of a human. It should be noted that the lines along the nose run approximately transverse to the aligned direction of the nose along approximately the center of the face. Thus, the skin of the nose is most easily moved essentially vertically along the direction of the nose (this is also along the aligned direction of the dorsum nasi). 
     FIG. 3 shows the internal features of the nose including the cartilages and bones of the nose. As discussed above, the skin is more easily movable over the bone and upper parts of the nose, whereas the skin is less movable over the lower region of the nose including the apex and lower alar cartilage. Thus, when the lower part of the nose, or the apex, is moved toward the upper part of the nose, or toward the forehead or glabella region, the nares of the nose are aligned with the nasal passages resulting in easier, more efficient breathing. 
     FIG. 4 shows the noseform  10  according to the present invention which is designed to cover the nose and hold the apex of the nose in a position moved toward the glabella. The noseform  10  of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 through 7 is shown as a unitary piece. However, as shown in the alternative embodiments, it is possible to assemble the pieces of the noseform  10  together to achieve the same outcome. 
     The noseform  10  of the preferred embodiment preferably includes a first portion  20  attached to the nose. It is preferable that the first portion  20  be attached along the dorsum nasi of the nose, however, it is possible to attach the first portion  20  along the side of the dorsum nasi near the bridge of the nose. 
     The noseform  10  of the preferred embodiment further includes a second portion  30  attached to the nose at a point between the first portion  20  and the apex of the nose. In the preferred embodiment, the second portion  30  is below the bridge of the nose and the first portion  20  is above the bridge of the nose. The noseform  10  further includes a flexible portion  40  interconnecting and biasing the first portion  20  toward the second portion  30  as more fully explained below. 
     The noseform  10  is preferably manufactured from a relatively thin flexible elastic material forming a substrate  10   a . Known suitable substrates include plastic and cloth. The substrate  10   a  preferably has an adhesive backing  22  for adhering to the skin of the nose. In particular, it is preferable that the noseform  10  be made of a material which is pliable and can conform to the contour of differently shaped noses as well as porous to allow skin to breath and swear to evaporate. An example of such a plastic or cloth is the type used to make adhesive strip bandages. 
     The noseform  10 , also includes an adhesive cover  50  for use in packaging and shipping the noseform  10 . In particular, the cover  50  is cut into a first cover portion  51  and a second cover portion  52  which can be easily peeled from the adhesive layer  22  when a user wishes to apply the noseform  10 . Thus, the cover  50  is similar to adhesive covers used on adhesive strip bandages. 
     Since the first portion  20  is preferably positioned along the dorsum nasi of the nose, if the first portion  20  has any appreciable width, it must bend transversely to the direction of the dorsum nasi in order to conform to the curvature of the nose. Furthermore, it is possible to have the first portion  20  cover only a small portion of the nose, such as the first portion  20  shown in FIG. 4, or to have a first portion  220  as shown in FIG. 9 which covers a more substantial portion of the nose, or to even have a first portion  320  which covers the entire nose and extends onto the forehead as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG.  10 . 
     The adhesive backing  22  of the first portion  20  (as well as the alternative embodiments) is preferably similar to the adhesive backing used on adhesive bandages so it will stick and hold to the skin of the human nose, but will not cause pain or problems when the noseform  10  is removed from the nose. The adhesive  22  is preferably hypo-allergenic and unabrasive. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the adhesive  22  is calculated to provide adequate adherence of the noseform  10  to the skin of the nose and withstand the biasing force of the flexible portion  40  forcing the second portion  30  toward the first portion  20  without causing either portion to become disconnected from the skin. 
     While the present invention has been shown as consisting of the substrate  10   a  to which the adhesive layer  22  is connected, it should be understood that it would be equivalent to put the adhesive on a member which is then attached to the substrate  10   a.    
     The noseform  10  of FIG. 4 is applied to the nose using a process intended to cover and dilate the nasal passages of the nose as shown in picture sequence form in FIGS. 5 through 7. The noseform  10  has its second cover portion  52  peeled off and the adhesive portion  22  is applied to the lower end of the nose as shown in FIG.  5 . Next, the wearer pushes the apex of the nose in a direction toward the wearer&#39;s forehead or glabella causing the nares to align with the nasal passages causing them to dilate as shown in FIG.  6 . The first cover portion  51  is peeled off of the first portion  20  at any time and the first portion  20  is then attached to the nose at a point around the bridge of the nose, or just below the glabella. Thus, the noseform  10  and in particular, the flexible portion  40 , causes the end of the nose to remain listed. 
     Since the substrate  10   a  is elastic and its ends have been stretched apart and attached to separate points along the dorsum nasi, the substrate  10   a  will contract and bias the ends toward one another, i.e. the flexible portion  40 , and the nose will remain lifted. This results in the nostrils of the nose being dilated and maintained in dilation as described above. Thus, the noseform  10  covers the nose and dilates the nostrils in a very simple and efficient manner according to the present invention. 
     In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, there is shown a two piece noseform  110  including a first portion  120  and a second portion  130 . In the present alternative embodiment, the first and second portions are preferably made of a material similar to that of the first embodiment of FIG.  4 . However, the first portion  120  now includes a raised portion  125  located on the first portion  120 . The raised portion  125  creates a rest or dwell  127  next thereto where the glasses stay once properly positioned. When a wearer has the noseform  110  properly positioned on the nose, the dwell is proximately located the bridge of the nose of the wearer and acts as a support for a pair of glasses to prevent the glasses from slipping down the wearer&#39;s nose and constricting the nasal alae. 
     To properly place the dwell  127  in the correct spot for the wearer, the noseform  110  preferably is applied to the nose by first attaching the first portion  120 , then lifting the nose and then stretching and attaching the second portion  130 . Thus, the flexible portion  140  creates a biasing force causing the end of the nose to continue to be lifted as in the case of the noseform  10 . 
     In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9, there is shown a noseform  210  including a first portion  220  a second portion  230  and a flexible portion  240 . However, in the present embodiment, the flexible portion  240  and the adhesive layer  222  are attached to the first and second portions which are now preferably made of a plastic material having a higher stiffness. The flexible portion  240  is designed to be attached to the first and second portions  220  and  230 , respectively, such that the portions overlap. The noseform  210  of the present invention further includes an indexing means for adjusting the distance between the first portion  220  and the second portion  230 . 
     The indexing means includes a first projection  242  extending from the first portion  220  and a series of stops  245  located on the inside of a second projection  246  on the second portion  230 . The first projection  242  is received within a slot  248  in the second portion  230 . The first projection  242  and the stops  245  interact to adjust the amount of overlap between the first portion  220  and the second portion  230 . 
     Thus, the wearer first applies the first portion  220  to the nose and then lifts the nose as previously discussed. Next, the wearer stretches the flexible portion  240  to create a biasing force therein and then attaches the second portion  230  to the nose distal from the first portion  220 . The wearer can precisely adjust the distance between the first and second portions by selecting a particular stop  245  for the first projection  242  to rest against. 
     In a third alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there is shown a noseform  310 , including a first portion  320 , a second portion  330  and a flexible portion  340  similar to the noseform  10  as previously discussed. The noseform  310  is intended to be very decorative and includes a pair of extensions  350  which extend over the glabella and forehead of the wearer. The extensions  350  also include the adhesive material on their skin side to adhere the extensions to the wearer&#39;s skin to provide added adhesion and a unique decorative effect. 
     In FIG. 11 there is shown a noseform  410  according to a further alternative of the present invention. As can be seen from the noseform  410  of the present invention it is possible to make the noseform  410  very decorative in addition to being functions. The noseform  410  of the present embodiment is similar to the noseform  10 , in that it is made of an elastic substrate and has a first portion  420 , a second portion  430  and a flexible portion  440  for biasing the first portion  420  relative to the second portion  430  and vice versa to lift and maintain lifted the end of the nose. Furthermore the noseform  410  is adhesively attached to the skin of the wearer. 
     The noseform  410  further includes a hole or passage  480  through the substrate in the first portion  420 . In the present embodiment, the hole  480  is spade-shaped, but it is possible to have any desired shape for the hole  480 . Furthermore, the hole  480  may be placed anywhere in the noseform  410 . Similarly, the noseform  410  can be shaped in different configurations to achieve a reverse sun-tattoo. Thus, the wearer has the noseform  410  positioned over the nose and is then exposed to sunlight or tanning rays. Since the noseform  410  is made of a nonlight-transistive material, the hole  480  allows the sunlight to tan the skin of the wearer through the hole  480 . Once the noseform  410  is removed the skin located in the hole  480  will be tan and the skin located under the noseform  410  will not be tan, thus creating a sun-tattoo. 
     In a fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 12, a two piece noseform  510  is disclosed including a squeeze clamp connector  590 . The noseform  510  is held to the skin of the wearer using an adhesive, as in the previous embodiments. The noseform  510  includes a first member, portion or substrate  520  and a second member, portion or substrate  530 , which may or may not be separate from the first substrate  520 . The first and second substrates are connected together using the connector  590 . The first and second substrates can be any member and made of any material appropriate for the present purpose, as described above, including all types of cloths, plastics, metals, alloys or even ceramics without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first and second substrates of then noseform  510  are preferably made from a lightweight, pliable plastic having an adhesive layer for connecting to the skin of the wearer, as described above. 
     The connector  590  includes a receptacle  592  attached to the first substrate  520  and a extended or projecting member  594  attached to the second substrate  530 . The extended member  594  includes a row of teeth  596  which interact and abut against a latch  598  located in the receptacle attached to the first substrate  520  to complete the connection. A release  599  is connected to the latch  598  for releasing the latch  598  from the row of teeth  596  of the extended member  594 . 
     Thus, the wearer first connects the first and second substrates  520  and  530 , respectively, at first position which will allow further sufficient movement therebetween. Next, the noseform  510  is applied to the skin of the nose in a direction aligned with the dorsum nasi and at a position allowing for the end of the nose to be lifted as previously described. Once the noseform  510  is applied, the wearer then pushes the second substrate  530  toward the first substrate  520  which causes the end of the nose to lift toward the glabella thereby dilating and aligning the nares with the nasal passages and improving breathing efficiency as well as preventing inefficient breathing problems such as snoring. 
     It should be understood that the row of teeth  596  of the extended member  594  are ramped in the insertion direction to allow easy insertion of the extended member  594  into the receptacle  592  and are not ramped in the opposite direction to prevent the extended member  594  from being removed from the receptacle  592  without using the release  599 . 
     While the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment with reference to several alternative embodiments, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that variants and substitutes to the elements of the above described invention can be adopted by one skilled in the art without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.