Patent Publication Number: US-2012031784-A1

Title: Camphor container assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally to a camphor container assembly used to prevent or inhibit colds, and more particularly, to a camphor container assembly for providing the application of camphor to a nasal cavity. 
     Camphor is a waxy, white or transparent solid having a strong and aromatic odor. Camphor is readily absorbed through the skin and produces a feeling of cooling similar to that of menthol and acts as slight local anesthetic and antimicrobial substance. If camphor is inserted into a nasal cavity its antimicrobial properties tend to prevent or inhibit colds. For example, if an individual is in an enclosed area, such as an airplane, for an extended period of time there is a higher chance that the individual might catch a cold due to being in close contact or proximity with other individuals. However, if camphor is introduced into the nasal passages prior to or during a flight the camphor may be able to prevent or inhibit the catching of a cold. However, there is no product or container available for the easy and convenient application of camphor to a nasal cavity or passage. Therefore, there is a need to provide a device that may be employed to be able to provide the application of camphor into a nasal cavity. It would also be advantageous to be able to provide a device that will hold a quantity of camphor and will have provisions for removing a quantity of camphor for introduction into a nasal cavity. 
     The present disclosure is designed to provide a device or assembly which allows an individual to easy apply a quantity of camphor to a nasal cavity to prevent catching a cold or the flu. In particular, the present disclosure is a camphor container assembly that is designed and constructed to hold a quantity of camphor and have a device for delivering or placing a quantity of camphor into a nasal passage or cavity. Moreover, the camphor container assembly of the present disclosure may be easily transported, used, and stored. Further, the camphor container assembly of the present disclosure may have an advertisement or operating instructions printed on the camphor container assembly. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one form of the present disclosure, a camphor container assembly is disclosed which comprises a card having a front side, a container positioned on the front side of the card with the container having an opening and an interior portion, a quantity of camphor positioned within the interior portion of the container, and an insertion device for inserting the container into a nasal cavity. 
     In another form of the present disclosure, a camphor container assembly comprises a card having a front side, a number of containers positioned on the front side of the card with each of the containers having an opening and an interior portion, a quantity of camphor positioned within each of the interior portions of each of the containers, and an insertion device for inserting each of the containers into a nasal cavity. 
     In yet another form of the present disclosure, a camphor container assembly comprises a card having a front side, a container positioned on the front side of the card, the container having a top opening, a bottom opening and an interior portion, a quantity of camphor impregnated within the container, and an insertion device for removing the container from the card and for inserting the container into a nasal cavity. 
     In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that a principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly for dispensing camphor. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly which is of simple construction and design, is inexpensive, and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly that is easy to use and may be easily transported for intermittent use. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly that can be stored in a pocket or a purse. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly that may be used to display the camphor container assembly. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly that may be easily disposed of once the camphor container assembly is no longer needed. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a camphor container assembly that may be easily manufactured. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the camphor container assembly shown in  FIG. 3  inserted into a storage bag; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial view of a camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure being inserted into a nasal cavity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number  10  identifies an embodiment of a camphor container assembly constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to  FIG. 1 , the camphor container assembly  10  comprises a card  12  having a front side  14  and a container  16  attached to the front side  14  of the card  12 . The container  16  has an opening  18 , an interior portion  20 , and a quantity of camphor  22  positioned, impregnated, or contained in the interior portion  20 . An insertion device  24 , such as a tweezers, is used to hold the container  16  to insert the container  16  having the quantity of camphor  22  into a nasal cavity of an individual. Further, the insertion device  24  is also used to remove or retrieve the container  16  from a nasal cavity once the application of camphor  22  is no longer needed. Although not shown, the insertion device  24  may be clipped or held in place on the card  12  by any suitable means. The camphor  22 , which is impregnated in the container  16 , may be positioned in a nasal cavity to place the camphor  22  therein. Once in place, the camphor  22  becomes an antimicrobial substance to prevent or inhibit colds or other similar diseases. Further, the camphor  22  and the interior portion  20  may be used to filter air that passes through the container  16 . The interior portion  20  having camphor  22  therein and thereon acts as a filtering surface to capture particles. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the camphor container assembly  10 . The camphor container assembly  10  is shown having the card  12  being a flat and substantially rectangular in shape. The card  12  has a back side  26  upon which an advertisement or operating instructions (not shown) may be printed. The container  16  is attached or held in place to the front side  14  by any available means such as adhesive or by use of blister pack material. The container  16  may be constructed of any suitable material that may have the quantity of camphor  22  impregnated therein or thereon, such as a foam product. The container  16  is generally cylindrical in shape and cross section and may be of any height and radius. The container  16  is hollow and has an open top and bottom for allowing an individual to breath normally once the container  16  has been positioned within a nasal cavity or opening. Further, the container  16  may be sized and shaped to hold a single application of camphor  22 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of a camphor container assembly  50  is illustrated. The camphor container assembly  50  comprises a card  52  having a front side  54  and a number of containers  56  attached to the front side  54  of the card  52 . Each of the containers  56  has an opening  58 , an interior portion  60 , and a quantity of camphor  62  positioned, impregnated, inserted, or contained in the interior portion  60 . In this particular embodiment there is shown six such containers  56 . In essence, with the card  52 , there are at least six different applications of camphor  62  that can be dispensed or used. An insertion device  64 , such as a tweezers, is used to hold and insert the container  56  having the quantity of camphor  62  into a nasal cavity. Further, it is also possible and contemplated to provide more than one insertion device  64  with the assembly  50 . By way of example, the assembly  50  may include six insertion devices  64 , one for each of the containers  56 . The containers  56  may be attached to the front side  54  by any suitable means such as adhesive, friction, or by use of a blister pack. Each of the containers  56  may be constructed of any suitable material that will allow the camphor  62  to be impregnated therein or thereon, such as a foam product or material. The containers  56  may each be generally cylindrical in shape and cross section and may be of any height and radius. By way of example only, each container  56  may have a height of one-half inch and have a radius of one-half inch. Each of the containers  56  is hollow and has an open top and bottom for allowing an individual to breath through the container  56  once the container  56  is positioned or inserted into a nasal cavity. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the camphor container assembly  50  being placed within a travel bag or pouch  66 . For example, the travel bag  66  may be a plastic bag  68  having an integral closure device  70 . The closure device  70  allows the bag  66  to be resealed once the assembly  50  has been used. Although a plastic bag  68  has been shown, it is also possible to use any other suitable material such as a cloth bag or a paper bag. Although not shown, it is also possible to have stored in the bag  66  more insertion devices  64 . It is further contemplated that such devices  64  may be stored in their own bag or pouch. Also, it is further possible that the travel bag or pouch  66  may take the form of a case that may open and close and the assembly  50  may be stored therein. The bag  66  makes it easy and convenient to take the assembly  50  when traveling. As has been discussed, it is further contemplated that the camphor container assembly  50  may be a blister pack construction. 
     With particular reference now to  FIG. 5 , a top perspective view of another embodiment of a camphor container assembly  100  constructed according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The assembly  100  comprises a card  102  having a front side  104  and a pair of containers  106  and  108  attached to the front side  104  of the card  102 . The container  106  has an opening  110 , an interior portion  112 , and a quantity of camphor  114  positioned, impregnated, inserted, or contained in the interior portion  112 . The container  108  also has an opening  116 , an interior portion  118 , and a quantity of camphor  120  contained within the interior portion  118 . The containers  106  and  108  each have a generally oval shape. As can be appreciated, the camphor container assembly  100  can have containers of various shapes, sizes, and cross sections. The camphor container assembly  100  also comprises an insertion device  122 , such as a tweezers, which is used to remove the containers  106  and  108  to insert the containers  106  and  108  into a nasal cavity or opening. The camphor  114  and  120  from each of the containers  106  and  108  will be in a nasal cavity. Further, as has been previously suggested, it is also possible to provide more than one insertion device  122  with the assembly  100 . The containers  106  and  108  may be attached to the front side  104  by any suitable means such as adhesive or by use of a blister pack assembly. Each of the containers  106  and  108  may be constructed of any suitable material that will allow the camphor  114  and  120  to be impregnated in the containers  106  and  108 , such as a foam product or material. The containers  106  and  108  may each be generally oval in shape and cross section and may be of any height and radius. By way of example only, each container  106  and  108  may have a height of one-half inch and have a radius of one-half inch. Each of the containers  106  and  108  is hollow and has an open top and bottom for allowing an individual to breath through the container  106  and  108  once each of the container  106  and  108  is positioned or inserted into a nasal cavity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a camphor container assembly  150  is shown. The camphor container assembly  150  comprises a card  152  having a front side  154  and a back side  156 . A first container  158 , a second container  160 , and a third container  162  are attached to the front side  154  of the card  152 . A fourth container  164 , a fifth container  166 , and a sixth container  168  are attached to the back side  156  of the card  152 . The containers  154 ,  156 , and  158  positioned on the front side  154  of the card  152  and each have a top opening  170 , a bottom opening  172 , and an interior portion  174  in which a quantity of camphor  176  is impregnated or placed. The containers  164 ,  166 , and  168  also each have a top opening  178 , a bottom opening  180 , and an interior portion  182  in which a quantity of camphor  184  is impregnated or placed. A first insertion device  186  is positioned on the front side  154  of the card and a second insertion device  188  is positioned on the back side  156  of the card  152 . The insertion devices  186  and  188  may be clipped in place or slightly glued to the front side  154  and back side  156 , respectively. In essence, the camphor container assembly  150  has containers on both the front side  154  and the back side  156  of the card  152 . As can be appreciated, the containers  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  may take on any desired shape with the cylindrical shape being depicted in this particular figure. Each of the containers  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  may be constructed of any suitable material that will allow the camphor  176  and  184  to be impregnated therein or thereon, such as a foam product or material. By way of example only, each container  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  may have a height of one-half inch and have a radius of one-half inch. As can be appreciated, each of the containers  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  is hollow and the top openings  170  and  178  and the bottom openings  172  and  180  allowing an individual to breath through the container  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  once the containers  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  168  are positioned or inserted into a nasal cavity. Also, the assembly  150  may be placed in the travel pouch  66 , as has previously been described. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial view of the container  16  being inserted into a nasal cavity  200  of an individual  202 . The container  16  is inserted into the nasal cavity  200  so that when the individual  202  breathes in the air will pass by the camphor  22  impregnated into the container  16  and come into contact with the camphor  22 . Due to the hollow configuration of the container  16 , air is allowed to easily pass through the container  16  and the individual  202  can breath normally. Further, air that passes through the container  16  will be filtered by the container and the camphor  22 . In operation, the individual will use the insertion device  24  to grasp or hold the container  16  to guide the container into the nasal cavity  200 . The insertion device  24  may be used to deform or compress the container  16  to assist in inserting the container into the nasal cavity  200 . Once the container  16  is inserted and positioned in the nasal cavity  200 , the individual  202  breathes normally and air is filtered. When the individual  202  has completed use of the container  16 , for example when the plane has arrived at its destination, the insertion device  24  may be used to remove or retrieve the container  16  for disposal. 
     It should be recognized that the camphor container assemblies  10 ,  50 ,  100 , and  150  of the present disclosure could be constructed of various materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal. Preferably, the assemblies  10 ,  50 ,  100 , and  150  will be formed of relatively lightweight material so that the camphor container assemblies  10 ,  50 ,  100 , and  150  can be easily manufactured, assembled, displayed for purchase, transported, and stored. Further, the assemblies  10 ,  50 ,  100 , and  150  can be constructed of relatively inexpensive materials that will provide for the assemblies  10 ,  50 ,  100 , and  150  to be mass produced, disposable, and suitable for one time use. As has been discussed, it is also possible that the camphor container assemblies  10 ,  50 ,  100 , and  150  can be formed of various other shapes or configurations than the various shapes and configurations depicted herein. For example, the card  52  of the camphor container assembly  50  can be circular in shape rather than rectangular and the containers  56  can be positioned in a circular orientation around the card  52 . 
     From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a camphor container assembly which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject camphor container assembly are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are deemed to be covered by the present disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.