Search

US-12616858-B2 - Nasal mask

US12616858B2US 12616858 B2US12616858 B2US 12616858B2US-12616858-B2

Abstract

Nasal masks and associated filters and structures are disclosed. One disclosed nasal mask includes a filter sheet comprising an inner side and an outer side, a pair of slits on the filter sheet, a first set of attachment means distributed on the inner side of the filter sheet, and a second set of attachment means distributed on the outer side of the filter sheet. The filter sheet is adapted to be bent along the pair of slits so that at least one attachment mean in the first set of attachment means is attached to at least one attachment means in the second set of attachment means.

Inventors

  • Carol Chia Yuan Lin

Assignees

  • Carol Chia Yuan Lin

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220317

Claims (17)

  1. 1 . A nasal mask comprising: a filter sheet comprising an inner side and an outer side; a pair of slits on the filter sheet; a first set of attachment means distributed on the inner side of the filter sheet; and a second set of attachment means distributed on the outer side of the filter sheet; wherein the first set of attachment means includes two attachment means located on a first side of the pair of slits with one configured to adhere to a first ala of a nose and one configured to adhere to a second ala of the nose; wherein the first set of attachment means includes at least one attachment means, located on a second side of the pair of slits opposite the first side, configured to adhere to the nose across a top of a nose tip of the nose; and wherein the filter sheet is adapted to be bent along the pair of slits so that at least one attachment means in the first set of attachment means is attached to at least one attachment means in the second set of attachment means.
  2. 2 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein: the first set of attachment means and the second set of attachment means are adhesives.
  3. 3 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein: the first set of attachment means includes at least: (i) an adhesive; and (ii) a hook and loop fastener; and the second set of attachment means includes at least a hook and look fastener that matches the hook and loop fastener of the first set of attachment means.
  4. 4 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , further comprising: an accommodating space on the inner side of the filter sheet; wherein the accommodating space is adapted to attach to an external attachment means.
  5. 5 . The nasal mask of claim 4 , wherein: the accommodating space is one of a tube or a pocket; and the external attachment means is a pin of a nasal septum clip.
  6. 6 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein: the filter sheet comprises an upper part and a lower part; and the nasal mask comprises at least one of: a bridge strip on the upper part, configured to adjust an upper edge of the nasal mask; and a lower strip on the lower part, configured to adjust a lower edge of the nasal mask.
  7. 7 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one transverse pleat; wherein the at least one transverse pleat is adapted to be opened to extend the filter sheet.
  8. 8 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein: each slit in the pair of slits has two opposite ends; and one of the two opposite ends is of a different shape than the slit.
  9. 9 . The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein: the pair of slits separates a top portion and a bottom portion of the filter sheet; the at least one attachment means in the first set of attachment means is on the bottom portion; and the at least one attachment means in the second set of attachment means is on the top portion.
  10. 10 . A nasal mask filter comprising: an inner side; an outer side; a pair of slits; at least two adhesives on the inner side; and a set of adhesion surfaces on the outer side; wherein the at least two adhesives include two side adhesives located on a first side of the pair of slits with one configured to adhere to a first ala of a nose and one configured to adhere to a second ala of the nose; wherein the at least two adhesives include at least one top adhesive, located on a second side of the pair of slits opposite the first side, configured to adhere to the nose across a top of a nose tip of the nose; and wherein the nasal mask filter is adapted to be bent along the pair of slits so that the outer side is adhered to the inner side.
  11. 11 . The nasal mask filter of claim 10 , further comprising: an accommodating space on the inner side; wherein the accommodating space is adapted to attach to an external attachment means.
  12. 12 . The nasal mask filter of claim 11 , wherein: the accommodating space is one of a tube or a pocket; and the external attachment means is a pin of a nasal septum clip.
  13. 13 . The nasal mask filter of claim 10 , further comprising: an upper part and a lower part; wherein the upper part further comprises a bridge strip configured to adjust an upper edge of the nasal mask filter.
  14. 14 . The nasal mask filter of claim 10 , further comprising: at least one transverse pleat; wherein the at least one transverse pleat is adapted to be opened to extend the nasal mask filter.
  15. 15 . The nasal mask filter of claim 10 , wherein: each slit in the pair of slits has two opposite ends; and one of the two opposite ends is of a different shape than the slit.
  16. 16 . The nasal mask filter of claim 10 , wherein: the pair of slits separates a top portion and a bottom portion of the nasal mask filter; and the at least one top adhesive is on the top portion.
  17. 17 . The nasal mask filter of claim 10 , wherein: the pair of slits separates a top portion and a bottom portion of the nasal mask filter; and the at least two side adhesives are on the bottom portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/166,742 filed Mar. 26, 2021 and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2021107862644.4 filed Jul. 12, 2021, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. BACKGROUND Masks are generally used to filter harmful substances. For example, to block pollutants, allergens, and even pathogens commonly present in the inhaled air. Generally, masks cover the user's mouth and nose at the same time, which represents a considerably extensive area of the face. As a result, the cost of materials and manufacturing can be significant. Furthermore, the masks easily touch the eyes of the wearer, which can be not only uncomfortable but also antihygienic. In addition to affecting the physical appearance of the wearers, these kinds of masks are not convenient for daily activities such as conversation, exercise, sleep, etc. Common activities such as dental care or eating may even require the complete removal of the mask, or cause discomfort if conducted while wearing the mask. Additionally, the existing masks (e.g., N95 masks) are usually tied around the user's head or ears pressing the mask against the user's face, which usually leaves indentations on the face of the wearer. Moreover, the mask is also easily affected by the contour of the face, which can vary from user to user and makes it difficult to wear a same type of mask. As a result, it is not easy to achieve good air tightness and unfiltered air can still be able to enter through the unsealed parts of the mask. In order to address the aforementioned problems, many nasal plugs containing filter materials have been developed to improve portability and aesthetics. However, although this kind of product can greatly reduce the volume of the overall filtering device, it is not easy to wear for a long time as it is highly invasive. Furthermore, their composition is complex and they can be easy to wear incorrectly due to their structure. These devices are generally configured to be fixed at the entrance of the user's nasal cavity in the form of a nasal obstruction, covering especially the front of the nose. In addition to easily affecting the smoothness of breathing, they can also be easy to fall off. In many cases, it can be even impossible to completely prevent the nasal cavity from contacting the air and harmful substances. SUMMARY This disclosure relates generally to nasal masks, and more specifically to foldable nasal masks. Specific embodiments of the invention disclose a foldable nasal mask of small size, being easy to carry, providing low interference (e.g., with other masks and/or daily activities), and presenting high fixation (e.g., to the nose of a user). In specific embodiments if the invention, the design of the foldable nasal mask is both discreet and functional. In this way, it can greatly increase the public's willingness to use the foldable nasal mask, which can increase the continuous use time. In specific embodiments if the invention, the foldable nasal mask can be easily replaced to improve hygiene and practicality. In specific embodiments of the invention, the reduced size of the foldable nasal mask allows the waste of filter materials to be reduced. The size and design also provide a mask that is easy to carry. The foldable nasal mask can be used by itself or in conjunction with other facial masks (e.g., face shields) if necessary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A illustrates an inner side view of a folding nasal mask, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 1B illustrates an outer side view of a folding nasal mask, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 2 illustrates a folded perspective view of a foldable nasal mask in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the use of the foldable nasal mask of FIG. 2, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 4A illustrates an inner side view of a foldable nasal mask in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 4B illustrates an outer side view of a foldable nasal mask in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 5 illustrates a folded perspective view of a foldable nasal mask, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the use of the foldable nasal mask of FIG. 5, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 7A illustrates an inner side view of a foldable nasal mask, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. FIG. 7B illustrates an outer side view of a foldable nasal mask, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein