Abstract:
A flexible nose guard is provided for protecting the entire nose from sunlight, cold, and other outdoor elements. In a preferred embodiment, the nose guard has a pentagonal body that covers the bridge and sides of a user&#39;s nose, resembling an upside-down pentagon with rounded corners. The top portion of the nose guard is substantially flat and conforms to the bridge of the nose. The bottom portion of the nose guard is rounded and configured to rest on top of the bridge of the nose. The bottom portion has two perforated triangular extensions that connect to form a nostril covers that provide protection from the elements while allowing the user to breath. Alternatively, a nostril cover can be provided by a single piece of triangular fabric that is connected with the bottom of the nose guard. The nose guard offers numerous means of attachment to the user&#39;s face.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 12/806,348 entitled “Flexible Nose Cover” filed on Aug. 11, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention pertains to recreational nose guards designed to protect the nose from sunburn, frostbite, and other outdoor elements. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    Today&#39;s society is increasingly involved in outdoor sports and recreational activities yet concerns about avoiding skin cancer and other harmful effects of the sun are also greater than ever. In particular, there is a need among outdoor enthusiasts (e.g. mountaineers, cyclists, skiers) and workers to protect their nose from exposure to harmful Ultraviolet light and extreme cold, or other elements that can cause discomfort or skin damage. Importantly, there is a need for nose guards that are versatile and can be easily attached to the user&#39;s face and various types of eyewear, such as eyeglasses and goggles. Existing nose guards are limited in their attachment options, level of protection, level of user comfort, and/or adequate conformance to the user&#39;s nose. For example, many nose guards are pre-attached to goggles and require the wearer to use the whole apparatus. Moreover, existing nose guards are rigid, heavy, uncomfortable and/or difficult to use. Because existing nose guards are made of a non-breathable solid material such as vinyl or aluminum, the result is perspiration on the user&#39;s nose. Flexibility and comfort are often sacrificed for durability, and vice versa. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,875 to Weisberger (1967) discloses a nose and lip guard which detachably connects to each other and to a pair of eyeglasses. However, such a device is limited for use with eyeglasses and does not provide a comfortable fit or attractive appearance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,036 to Daprato (1992) discloses a nose protector configured to attach to eyeglasses, but consists of a guard and a complex system of cords for attaching the protective nose guard to the eyeglasses. Again, this device can only be used with eyeglasses and does not have an easy means of attachment. Similarly, the sun-protective nose guard disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,992 to Tilghman (1998) can only be attached to eyeglasses via a loop strap, and does not provide a conforming fit due to a lack of flexibility. Breathability is also an important factor for reducing sweat and providing comfort, and minimizing the fogging of eyewear. U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,847 to Lauttamus (1994) discloses a sun-protective nose guard that attaches to eyeglasses or goggles using a strap that is looped over the bridge of the eyewear. However, the Lauttamus nose guard is described as being of tear-able and crease-able material, which limits the device to non-breathable materials such as paper or plastic. Moreover, existing nose guards do not provide alternative attaching means that allow them to be worn with eyeglasses, goggles, or without eyewear. 
         [0007]    Thus, there is a need in the market for a breathable nose guard that attaches to the user&#39;s nose in various ways and is durable yet comfortably conforms to the face and provides protection from the elements during outdoor activities. The face mask disclosed herein addresses these needs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a flexible nose guard is provided for protecting the entire nose from sunlight, the cold, and other outdoor elements. The nose guard is configured to cover the bridge, sides, and nostrils of a user&#39;s nose. In a preferred embodiment, the nose guard has a pentagonal body, resembling an upside-down pentagon with rounded corners. The top portion of the nose guard is substantially flat and sized to conform around the bridge of the nose. The bottom portion of the nose guard is a rounded corner or hyperbolic-shape configured to rest on top of the bridge of the nose. The bottom of the nose guard has two perforated triangular extensions that connect to form a larger triangular area that covers the user&#39;s nostril to provide protection from the elements while allowing the user to breath. In a preferred embodiment, the nose guard is composed of an outer first layer of spandex having a sun protective factor, an intermediate second layer of open-cell foam, and a third, skin-facing layer of micro-suede material that contacts the skin. The nose guard offers different means of attachment to a user&#39;s face. On the surface of the nose guard&#39;s outer layer is a Velcro hook patch that facilitates attachment to a complimentary loop patch that can be affixed to the underside of the eyewear&#39;s nose bridge. For eyeglasses, a pair of small nose pad cuts in the upper center portion of the nose guard (on the left and right sides of the hook patch) are configured to receive the nose pads of the user&#39;s eyeglasses to further secure the face mask to the user&#39;s face. On the upper and lower perimeter of the hook patch is a fastening slit. The fastening slits are configured to provide added flexibility in the nose guard body and to receive a hook and loop fastening strap that is fastened around the bridge of the user&#39;s eyewear. The nose guard contains a thin, flexible reinforcing strip that can be bent or creased to keep the nose guard contoured to the shape of the user&#39;s nose. In a preferred embodiment the reinforcing strip is on the skin-facing layer of the nose guard and has an adhesive surface that provides for better attachment to the nose and keeps the nasal passages open for easier breathing by pulling outward on the nostrils. Alternatively, the adhesive can be provided on a separate adhesive strip on the skin-facing layer of the nose guard. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention, in accordance with preferred and exemplary embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, is more particularly described in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates the layers of the nose guard of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention having nostril extensions, a pair of nose pad cuts, hook patch, and loop patch for eyewear attachment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the nose guard with nostril extensions, nose pad cuts, surface embossments, and fastening slits and strap for eyewear attachment. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate side views of two embodiments of the nose guard of the present invention that each utilize a different means of eyewear attachment: the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  utilizes hook and loop patches, while the embodiment of  FIG. 3B  utilizes a fastening slit and strap. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention attaching to goggles via hook and loop patches. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention attaching to eyeglasses via hook and loop patches. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention attaching to eyeglasses via a fastening strap. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention attaching to eyeglasses via “C”-shaped nose pad cuts. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8A-B  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention having an adhesive reinforcing strip on the skin-facing layer. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention being worn by a user via the adhesive reinforcing strip and without attachment to eyewear. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10A-B  illustrate the nose guard of the present invention with “S”-shaped nose pad cuts with hook and loop patches for eyewear attachment. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11A-B  illustrate the nose guard of the present invention with “S”-shaped nose pad cuts with fastening slits and fastening strap for eyewear attachment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention having a reinforcing strip and separate adhesive strip on the skin-facing layer. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 13A-B  illustrate the nostril extensions before and after connecting to form the nostril cover. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention from a bottom view showing the nostril coverage provided by the nostril cover. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention with an alternative embodiment of the nostril cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the nose guard of the present invention is constructed of three flexible, light, and durable layers: an outer first layer of fabric having a sun protective factor, an intermediate second layer of open cell foam material, and a third layer of micro suede or brushed nylon material that contacts the skin. The outer first layer is such that it can be embossed, debossed, or sublimated with a desired image or print logo/design. The outer layer may be composed of spandex (e.g. polyurethane-polyurea copolymer). The intermediate layer can be breathable foam such as open-cell foam or perforated closed-cell foam (e.g. airprene). The third layer of micro-suede has a breathable, wicking effect that allows greater air exchange and acts against the discomfort and eyewear fogging caused by moisture buildup. The layers can be joined via a thermoforming process and preferably cut via laser cutting or comparable method to provide well-sealed edges that are resistant to de-lamination. As known in the art, thermoforming involves heating, sealing/fusing of layers by compression in a mold, and trimmed. The resulting nose guard material can be repeatedly used and washed. For example, the micro-suede layer can first be flame-bonded to the spandex layer, with the foam layer sandwiched in between, followed by thermoforming. The result is a light, flexible, durable and more breathable nose guard that is superior to those existing in the market (e.g. plastic, metal, or neoprene). However, the nose guard of the present invention could be comprised of only one, two, or any number of material layers while keeping with the teachings of the invention. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the nose guard could be comprised of a single layer of neoprene, vinyl webbing or silicone. 
         [0027]    Although, certain materials and manufacturing processes are disclosed herein, other comparable or suitable materials and methods may be employed, as known in the art, to carry out the invention. It should also be understood that the nose guard disclosed herein can be made in different sizes to suit various users, and the dimensions of the nose guard can be modified while keeping with the spirit of the invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates the layers of the nose guard of the present invention as described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the nose guard is preferably constructed of three flexible, light, and durable layers: an outer first layer  110  having a sun protective factor, an intermediate second layer  120  of open cell foam material, and a third layer  130  of micro suede or brushed nylon material that contacts the skin. The outer first layer  110  is such that it can be embossed, debossed, or sublimated with a desired image or print logo/design, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2B . The outer layer  110  may be composed of spandex (e.g. polyurethane-polyurea copolymer). The intermediate layer  120  can be breathable foam such as open-cell foam or perforated closed-cell foam (e.g. airprene). The third layer  130  can be a micro-suede with a breathable, wicking effect that allows for greater air exchange and acts against the discomfort caused by perspiration. The layers can be joined via a thermoforming process and preferably cut via laser cutting or comparable method to provide well-sealed edges that are resistant to de-lamination. For example, the micro-suede layer can first be flame-bonded to the spandex layer, with the foam layer sandwiched in between, followed by thermoforming. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate flat, front views of the nose guard of the present invention, which comprises a pair of nose pad cuts  210 , hook patch  220 , loop patch  230 , fastening slits  240 , and fastening strap  260 .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  each provide a different means of attaching the nose guard to the user&#39;s eyewear. Also shown are the triangular extensions from the bottom of the nose guard, i.e. nostril extensions  280  and  290  that connect with each other via the reversible connection of connector tab  255  and slit  275  to form a larger triangular surface, i.e. “nostril cover” that provides coverage for the user&#39;s nostrils (as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). Connector tab  255  enters slit  275  while flap  295  slides under nostril extension  290  to form a secure connection with adequate coverage. Thus, as used herein, the term “nostril cover” refers to the nose guard surface that covers both the user&#39;s nostrils. When the nose guard is bent along its vertical axis (to conform to shape of the user&#39;s nose as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 14 ) the nostril extensions are bent along dotted line  250 , and then brought into contact and connected as shown in  FIG. 13 . Once connected, the nose guard remains in a three-dimensional shape configured to receive the user&#39;s nose and provide complete nose protection (as shown in  FIG. 14 ). Thus, the bottom of the nose and nostrils are also protected from the elements such as sun/heat, wind and cold. The connection between the nostril extensions is reversible so that if the user wishes to return the nose guard to its flat configured as shown in  FIG. 2B , this can be quickly and easily done. The nostril extensions  280  and  290  have nostril holes  285  that allow the user to breathe through the nostril cover while protecting the nose from the elements. In particular, the nostril cover helps keep the user&#39;s nose warm in cold conditions by trapping and re-circulating the warm air from the user&#39;s nose. 
         [0030]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the nose pad cuts are “C”-shaped. However, the nose pad cuts may take other shapes to receive the nose pads of a user&#39;s eyeglasses, such as the “S”-shaped nose pad cuts shown in  FIG. 10  ( FIG. 10B  shows the nose guard being bent about the vertical axis, which opens the “S”-shaped nose pad cuts  1010  to receive eyeglass nose pads). The nose guard of  FIG. 2A  features a flat, plain surface while the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B  contain surface embossments  270 . The benefit of surface embossments and ridges is that the nose guard can be given more or less flexibility in certain directions to provide for a better fit to the user&#39;s nose. Also, the raised ridges provide padding for additional protection from outdoor elements as well as physical impact. Loop patch  230  contains an adhesive backing for attachment to various surfaces. Hook patch  220  is composed of “hook” fabric that is configured to attach with the “loop” fabric of loop patch  230 . The hook and loop strap  260  contains a portion of hook fabric at one end, with the remaining length of the strap being loop fabric. The hook and loop materials are preferably a low-profile, micro-Velcro fabric such as that produced by 3M. 
         [0031]    To further secure the nose guard to the user&#39;s face, three mechanisms allow the user to optionally secure the nose guard to their eyewear. First, if wearing ski-type goggles or eyeglasses, the user can affix loop patch  230  to the underside of the eyewear nose bridge and then bring hook patch  220  in contact with loop patch  230  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Alternatively, the goggle liner itself may be composed of essentially loop-like material such that it can attach to hook patch  220  without the need for applying loop patch  230 . Second, when wearing eyeglasses with nose pads, the user can insert the nose pads through the nose pad cuts  210  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 . Third, if wearing eyeglasses without nose pads, or as an alternative to using the nose pad cuts  210 , the fastening strap  260  can be put through the fastening slits  240  and around the bridge of the eyeglasses as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . Any of these three methods secures the nose guard to the user&#39;s eyewear.  FIG. 9 , discussed below, shows a preferred embodiment of the nose guard that also gives the user the option of wearing the nose guard without attachment to any eyewear. However, the two attachment methods of  FIG. 2A  (hook and loop patches) and  2 B (fastening strap) could be utilized in the same nose guard. In such as embodiment, the fastening slits would be place immediately above and below the hook patch such that the user could elect to use the hook patch or the fastening strap, depending on their preference and the type of eyewear being used. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate side views of two embodiments of the nose guard of the present invention that each utilize a different means of eyewear attachment. The nose guard of  FIG. 3A  utilizes hook and loop patches, to attached to a user&#39;s eyewear as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . The nose guard of  FIG. 3B  utilizes a fastening slit and strap to attach to a user&#39;s eyeglasses as shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown, fastening strip  260  (side view shown as  265 ) is inserted through the fastening slits. 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which features a thin reinforcing strip affixed to the third layer (skin-facing side) of the nose guard. The nose guard of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  each show exemplary shapes for the reinforcing strip  810  and  820 . While the reinforcing strip can take various shapes, it should run laterally (horizontally) from one side the nose guard to the other in order to provide structural support to the nose guard and allow the nose guard to be contoured to the user&#39;s nose. In an alternate embodiment, the reinforcing strip can be embedded within the nose guard and not visible to the user, i.e. between the first and second, or second and third, layers. The reinforcing strip is made of a flexible material that can be bent or creased to keep the nose guard portion of the mask contoured to the shape of the user&#39;s nose. The reinforcing strip is preferably made of a polymeric film such as polyester. Examples of suitable polyester films known in the art include Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate), DuraLar, and silicone. Alternatively, the reinforcing strip can be made of a thin strip of metal (e.g. aluminum). The reinforcing strip should be thin enough to be flexible, light, and have a low profile, but thick enough to provide some structure to the nose guard. For example, the thickness of the reinforcing strip can be approximately 0.005 inches. For additional comfort and insulation, the reinforcing strip can feature a fleece lining. Another benefit of the reinforcing strip is that it prevents warm air from the user&#39;s nose from bouncing off the nostril cover and traveling upwards between the nose guard and the user&#39;s nose where it could fog the user&#39;s eyewear and impair vision in cold conditions. Thus, the reinforcing strip can act as a fog barrier. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the reinforcing strip can be lined with an adhesive film that sticks to the user&#39;s nose. This allows the nose guard to be worn without attachment to eyewear as shown in  FIG. 9 . Moreover, the combination of the adhesive and the natural restoring force of the bent nose guard causes the user&#39;s nostrils to be pulled outward, which opens the nostril passage and allows the user to breathe easier. The improved breathing is particularly advantageous during physical activities such as running, hiking, biking, manual labor, or other strenuous outdoor activities. Alternatively, an adhesive strip that is separate from the reinforcing strip can be utilized as shown in  FIG. 12  (showing reinforcing strip  1205  and adhesive strip  1215 ). The advantage of using a separate adhesive strip is that the adhesive can take on any shape as opposed to being limited to the surface of the reinforcing strip. As described above, the adhesive strip would also act as a fog barrier in cold conditions. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the nose guard of the present invention with “S”-shaped nose pad cuts with hook and loop patches for eyewear attachment. The “S”-shaped cuts are alternatives to the “C”-shaped cuts shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , but operate in the same way. The “S”-cuts, like the “C”-cuts, are configured to fit around the eyewear nose pads and thereby secure the nose guard to the eyewear. Because the “S”-shaped cuts are not fully enclosed within the nose guard material, they may provide as quicker and easier means of attachment.  FIG. 10  shows the embodiment with hook and loop patch for eyewear attachment, while  FIG. 11  illustrates the fastening strap embodiment for eyewear attachment. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show the nostril extensions before and after connection with each other to form the nostril cover, respectively.  FIG. 14  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention from a bottom view showing the nostril coverage. As described above, the nostril cover helps keep the user&#39;s nose warm in cold conditions by trapping and re-circulating the warm air from the user&#39;s nose. For hot or sunny conditions in which sun protection is important, the nostril cover protects the nostrils from sun-burn and heat. This protection is particularly beneficial in situations where intense sunlight is being reflected upwards towards the user, such as when sun is reflected off snow during skiing or when sun is reflected off the water during fishing. 
         [0037]    Finally,  FIG. 15  illustrates the nose guard of the present invention with an alternative embodiment of the nose cover. In this embodiment, the nostril cover is one continuous piece as opposed to two reversibly interlocking pieces (i.e. interlocking nostril extensions). The nose guard of  FIG. 15A  has a reinforcing strip and has two nostril holes in the nostril cover, whereas the nose guard of  FIG. 15B  does not. As described above, the nostril holes allow the user to breathe through the nostril cover while protecting the nose from the elements. 
         [0038]    While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. It is therefore desired to be secured, in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.