Improvements in Nasal Douche Cups.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1894
COMPLETE DIPUITION
Improvements in Nasal Douche Cups.
I, BENJAMIN STERN, of No. 7 West 53rd Street, City, County and State of
New York, United States of America, Importer and Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in nasal douche cups, and it consists in a
peculiar construction of the spout of the cup, whereby the air contained in the
nasal cavity and passages is permitted to escape as the liquid flows into the same;
and also to improvements in the interior construction of the cups, whereby a
deposit of medicated material placed within the cup, will be held properly in place
upon the bottom; and also I provide means, whereby the cup may be securely
closed to exclude dust and other foreign matter, which might foul the deposit of
medicated material within the cup.
In the drawings,
Figure 1, illustrates an elevation, partly in section, of one form of cup, showing
my invention.
Figure 2, illustrates a front view of the front end of the bulb on the end of the
nozzle.
Prior to my invention, it has been customary to make nasal cups with a nozzle
or spout having a bulb on its end, adapted to fit against the nostril opening, and
which in use snugly fitted the same so as to close the nostril practically air tight.
In the use of these instruments, the medicated liquid is put into the cup, then the
bulb is applied to the nose, and, the head being tipped back, the liquid flows into
the cavity of the nostril and the nasal passages beyond. During the inflowing of
the liquid, the air in the nasal cavity and passages, being displaced by the liquid
has, in the old forms of cup, been frequently put under pressure, so as to occasion
pain and possible injury to the nasal organ or passages; because, the nostril being
closed by the bulb on the spout of the cup, which snugly fitted the nostril opening,
the escape of air was prevented. Furthermore, it has not been possible to more
than partially fill the nasal cavity and passages with the medicated liquid, because
of the presence of the air therein; thus the efficacy of the douche has been
diminished.
By the first part of my improvements, I overcome the foregoing objections.
A represents the body of the cup. B the spout. B₁ the bulb on the end of
the spout. C the handle. D, D are two grooves made in the sides of the bulb.
I make the bulb more round or full than heretofore, so that but little of it enters
the nostril; on the contrary the bulb simply rests against the walls of the nostril
just at the opening thereof, consequently the relatively hard skin at the opening of
the nostrils, being stretched somewhat tight by the pressure of the bulb, does not
sink into the grooves D, D but bridges over them, leaving free passages for the
escape of the air from the interior of the nose through them.
In my
It will be seen that there is no communication between the grooves on the bulb
and the passage way or hole through the spout and bulb, such constructions
would destroy the efficacy of my device, because the liquid would then flow out
through such openings and run down upon the upper lip of the user.
device the grooves do not in any sense act as conduits, to distribute the liquid, as
in some other surgical instruments, and physicians' appliances; on the contrary
they are simply blow holes, so to speak, through which the air imprisoned in the
nose and its cavities may escape on the incoming of the liquid, and thus avoid the

page_text: disagreeable and possibly harmful results of the compression of the air, and I also
secure more effective application of the medicated liquid.
Another part of my invention is as follows: E, E are corrugations or ribs in
the interior bottom of the cup. In Fig. 1, they are shown in the form of transverse
square sided ribs, extending across the bottom of the cup, there being also a
circumferential under-cnt recessed part F, which extends entirely around the bottom
of the cup. The shape of the ribs or corrugations E, is immaterial; they may be
undercut on one or both sides or the same effect may be secured by a perforated
plate made in the lower part of the cup. as a false bottom, which may be separate
from the cup, and held in place by any suitable means, or it may be made integral
with the cup.
I find, however, that the form shown by me serves the purpose
well, and being much more simple, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive, is
preferred by me.
The medicated material, in the form of a thin paste is put into the cup, which
will flow about the corrugations and beneath the under-cut part F and will become
dry therein and hard; it is shown at X. Thereafter, instead of having to mix
or prepare the material in liquid form and insert it in the cup at each time of use,
as is the practice with cups now in use, all that is necessary is to put into the cup,
from an ordinary faucet or otherwise, a small quantity of water, which will dissolve
in a moment or two, a small part of the dried cake or deposit of, medicated
material, and it being then used, the balance of the water will be thrown out.
It will be
In this way the instrument or cup is always charged, ready for use.
seen, however, that since the cake or deposit of dried material permanently remains
in the cup until it is used up, that it is desirable to protect it from dirt and other
foul agencies. Consequently my cups are preferably not open as heretofore, but
I carry up or form upon them, a neck G, similar to the short neck of a bottle, and
provide the same with a cork or other stopper H.
The medicated material differs in ingredients for different nasal treatments or
affections. Some kinds will not harden so thoroughly as others and some are
more apt to crumble than others. Consequently, the corrugations in the bottom
of the cups should be of the form best calculated to retain the medicated material.
When it has become largely used up, or whenever a fresh supply is desired, the
cup may be cleaned of the previous deposit by a somewhat extended soaking in
warm water with or without chemicals added to dissolve the deposits.
Some kinds of the medicated materials may be easily applied to the interior of
the cup by pouring them into it in the form of solutions, and then allowing them
to evaporate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First. A nasal cup having a bulbous nozzle with a longitudinal groove on the
exterior thereof, at or near its end, substantially as set forth.
Second. A nasal cup having a corrugated or roughened bottom; and a bulbous
nozzle having a groove at or near its end, substantially as set forth.
Third. A nasal cup, the base whereof has an under-cut or outwardly flaring
interior portion, whereby the medicated material, when in the form of a cake, will
be held in place in the bottom of the cup, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1893.
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BENJAMIN STERN.
H. B. Barlow & Gillett,
Agents for Applicant.