A nose clip

Abstract

A nose clip 199 with a scent emitting region and method of use comprising a resilient clip 1 that grips a part of a wearer’s nose, at least one resiliently deformable support 8 extending from the resi

Description

The present invention relates to a nose clip, in particular a nose clip for emitting a scent to mask an odour; more particularly but not exclusively a nose clip for holding a preferred scent in close proximity to a user’s airway. Background Dentists and / or dental hygienists often complain about foul odours associated with certain procedures. The source of the odour is generally acknowledged to be bacterial decay within the mouth due to high temperatures generated by the drilling of teeth. Increasing numbers of people in many societies across the world are also having tattoos across their body. This can be a time-consuming process and may often involve body parts that are prone to odour production such as feet. This can be problematic for the person working on the tattoo. The present invention provides a means to mask odours. Prior Art GB 191 025 804 (RICHARDS) discloses a nasal inhaler of the type comprising two medicament receptacles connected by an integral bridge piece and' arranged face to face and adapted to clip upon opposite sides of the septum so constructed as to leave a passage between the receptacle and the outer walls of the nostrils. US 6 015 425 (ALTADONNA) discloses an odour desensitizing intra-nasal clip for dental patients, comprising: a bendable arcuate band extending between distal ends, said ends having odour-emitting means affixed thereon, such as a pair of absorbent pads attached to the outer distal ends of the nasal clip, with pleasant smelling odorant absorbed there within, said band having an inner surface coextensive with said band, said inner surface for intra-nasal contacting the respective right and left sides of a user's nasal septum, when said distal ends are inserted into a user's right and left nostrils with said band wrapped around the distal end of the nasal septum. US 2021 0 001 159 (AL WANDY) discloses a system for eliminating odour, comprising: a nostril plug filter, the nostril plug filter for inserting in to nostril barring odour; a bottle, the bottle having a liquid, a top and an inside; and wherein the bottle being squeezed to release a mist of the liquid and wherein the mist from the liquid being sprayed upon the nostril plug filter; and wherein the nostril plug filter being inserted into a nostril of a person to eliminate smelling of the odour. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a nose clip with a scent emitting region comprising: a resilient clip adapted to grip to part of a wearer’s nose; at least one support extending from the resilient clip to support a compartment that receives scented material; wherein the compartment has a lid and a closure means. In this way the nose clip provides a means of emitting scent directly to a wearer’s nostrils. Advantageously this enables undesirable scents in the surrounding environment to be masked, for example unpleasant odours created or emitted during dentistry work (due to the dentistry work or due to halitosis), surgeons, doctors or carers, cabin crew, tattoo artists when working on feet or near armpits, construction workers or plumbers, land-fill or garbage disposal personnel. The nose clip may also be worn as a fashionable look as nose jewellery and / or to seek a pleasant aroma. The clip is discreet, practical and comfortable and enables bad odour to be replaced (masked) with pleasant feel good scents. It is appreciated that the scent used to provide the scented material may include but is not limited to perfume, fragrances, natural oils. It may be envisaged that the scented material may include a material that can hold or absorb a scent and may also include preprepared fragrance beads. It is appreciated that a wearer may be able to select from different scents such as fruit fragrances, for example strawberry, apple, mint or pear. Advantageously as the scented material is added to the compartment this allows a user to select their scent which may be a favourite perfume, or memorable fragrance. For example a user can select a scent that reminds them of a partner to reassure them when the partner is away. In a preferred embodiment the material for receiving a scent may be cotton wool to which liquid scent is applied. The device of the present invention there provides a resilient, self-supporting nose clip that can be worn by a person which holds scented material within one or more of their nostrils. In a preferred embodiment the clip is a substantially U-shaped sprung portion that is received onto a wearer’s septum or to the wall of a nostril. This is similar to fashion nose rings when there is no piercing. Distal ends of the U-shaped sprung portion engage with a wearer’s nose which enables the nose clip to stay in place without assistance. At least one support extends from the clip towards a nostril region when worn. Typically the support extends from a distal end of the clip. A distal end of the support has a compartment into which scented material is received. The compartment defines a volume in which scented material is received. The compartment has a lid to access the volume to allow scented material to be added and removed. A closure means is provided to secure the lid on the compartment to ensure scented material is securely held within the compartment during use. In some embodiments at least part of the compartment is perforated to allow scent to be emitted from the compartment. In a preferred embodiment the compartment is a perforated cage, such that airflow can pass around and / or through the compartment and / or contents thereof enabling scent to be readily emitted. In a preferred embodiment a lid is connected to the compartment by a hinge, such as a living hinge, to prevent separation of the lid from the compartment making it quick and easy to displace and replace the lid. In some embodiments a resiliently deformable closure means is provided to allow the lid to be repeatedly opened and closed and to provide a simple and easy to operate mechanism. For example, the resiliently deformable closure may be a resilient latch received to an aperture, or a catch that abuts a tab. In a preferred embodiment the lid is arranged to open downwards and thereby away from the nostril when in the in use orientation, thereby preventing risks of inhaling solid objects from the compartment if the lid was to erroneously open when worn. In some embodiments the clip has pads that engage with a wearer’s nose. The pads are typically enlarged in comparison to the cross section of the clip, so as to have a greater surface area to increase comfort against the nose which may include the wall of the nostril or the septum. Preferably each support extends at least in part laterally away from the clip towards a wearer’s nostril opening so as to space apart the compartment from the clip. Ideally the support is shaped and dimensioned so that it does not contact a wearer’s nose. For example the support may curves smoothly about the profile of a wearer’s inner nose to avoid any discomfort or irritation, for example reverse curvatures near distal ends of the clip, providing for separation from contact with the surface of the user's nasal septum. Preferably the nose clip and supports are shaped so that when worn the compartments are hidden within the nostril. It is appreciated that the compartments are small in relation to a typical nostril opening so that each compartment does not interfere with normal breathing through the nostrils of the nose. It may be envisaged that the nose clip may come in different colour options, so as to look like jewellery in some embodiments, such as silver, gold, black or white. Other embodiments may have a transparent and / or flesh tone for users using the nose clip anywhere there might have jewellery rules or restrictions such as dental practices, hospitals, cabin crew, or bank or office workers. According to a second aspect of the present invention there may be provided a storage container for carrying the nose clip when not worn. Such container may be envisaged to comprise a storage location for the nose clip(s) and scented material, such as cotton wool, fragrance or scented beads or a cartridge containing scent material that can be placed directly into the compartment. According to a third aspect of the invention a method of preparing and using the nose clip may include the steps of: opening the compartment by displaying the lid and adding a scent to scented material or inserting scented material, closing the lid on the compartment using the closure means, positioning the clip on to a wearer’s nose. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the nose clip with two compartments, with compartments opened; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the nose clip as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment of the nose clip as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the nose clip shown in Figure 1 with compartments closed; Figure 5 shows a front view of the embodiment of the nose clip as shown in Figure 4; Figures 6A and 6B shows isometric views of a second embodiment of the nose clip with one compartment with the compartments open; Figure 7 shows a front view of the embodiment of the nose clip as shown in Figures 6A and 6B; Figure 8 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of storage container with one nose clip as shown in Figures 1 to 5 and a second nose clip as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, with a tray partially opened; Figure 9 shows a reverse view of a storage container as shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of storage container with the tray fully displaced; Figure 11 shows a reverse view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 10; Figure 12A shows a side view of the storage container; Figure 12B shows a reverse isometric view of the storage container shown in Figure 8, opened and with the tray closed; Figure 13A and Figure 13B show isometric views of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention with two compartments, with compartments opened; Figure 13C and Figure 13D show isometric views of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention with one compartment, with compartment opened; Figure 14A and Figure 14C show isometric views of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention with two compartments, with compartments closed; and Figure 14B shows a front view of the third embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 14A. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there are two shown embodiments 99,199 of a nose clip comprising: a resilient clip 1, 21 adapted to grip to part of a wearer’s nose; at least one support 8, 22 extending from the resilient clip 1, 21 to support a compartment 2 that receives scented material; wherein the compartment 2 has a lid 11 and a closure means 3,5. The compartment 2 receives scented material (not shown) that may be loose perfumed materials. The clip 1, 2 is substantially U-shaped and at least part of the outer surfaces of the supports 8 (forming two opposing faces) engage with the wearer to hold the nose clip 99, 199 in place. The distal ends of the clip 1, 21 continue to provide the supports 8, 22, therefore the clip 1, 21 and supports 8, 22 may both contact a wearer. The pictured embodiments 99, 199 are typically formed from synthetic plastics that is fully or partially plated in metal. For example, at least the resilient clip may be metal plated. The clip can be flexed to fit around part of the wearer’s nose. The compartments 2 are substantially spherical formed from a base 10 and a lid 11. Preferably the compartments are around 6mm in diameter so as to not obstruct airflow through the nostril or hinder in any capacity the wearer’s breathing. The compartments 2 are perforated 7 to allow scent to be emitted from the scented material through the perforations 7 to eliminate or mask undesirable external odours. The compartments 2 each have a lid 11, that is hinged at a living hinge 6. The lid 11 has a catch 5 which in the pictured embodiments without limitation is distal the lid 11 from the hinge 6. The catch 5 is received in a tab 3 so that the catch 5 and tab 3 from the closure means 5,3. The compartments 2 have a single convex perforated outer face 4 so as to combine to substantially form a sphere. Perforations 7 in the outer face 4 as shown in the pictured embodiments comprise slot shaped perforations 7 to either side of the outer face 4. It may be envisaged that in some embodiments perforations may be provided on all sides of the compartment The perforations 7 allow airflow therethrough so that the compartment can be arranged within the nostril in use without restricting airflow for breathing. Each compartment 2 is connected by a support 8, 22 that extends from the distal end of the clip 1,21. The support 8,22 together with the clip 1, 21 grips around a wearer’s nose so that both part of the clip 1,21 and part of the support 8, 22, engages with the septum or the wall of the nostril. In the pictured embodiments, the clip 1, 21 is formed from a resiliently deformable material which allows the clip to be deformed to fit about the nose and the clip to reform when released so that part of the nose clip (the clip 1,21 and the support 8, 22) engage with the wearer’s nose to hold the nose clip 99, 199 in position. The join between the clip 1, 21 and the support 8, 22 is curved so that a smooth surface is presented for engagement with the wearer’s nose. The supports 8, 22 extend substantially laterally away from the clip 1,21 in an arcuate manner, to locate the compartments 2 away from the mounting location (septum or nostril wall) and prevent discomfort as the supports curve away from the point of engagement. The clip 1,21 extends from the nose in use, being substantially horseshoe or U-shaped in the first pictured embodiment or u-shaped and semi-circular in the second pictured embodiment, providing a decorative function, and rendering the embodiments suitable for wearing in an increased numbers of settings. With reference to the embodiment 199 shown in Figures 6A and 6B the clip 21 has one support 22 that extends from one side and at an opposed end of the clip 21 there is an end pad 20. The end pad 20 is a first grip region 88 and the support 22 acts with the end pad 20 to provide the grip regions 88 therebetween, to grip around the septum of the nostril wall. This replicates a traditional nose ring for a non-pierced nose. As can be seen in the Figures 6A and 6B the U-shaped clip 21 provides a distal end pad 20 that is spherical and which sits comfortably on the outside of the user’s nostril, and then curves arcuately down and back into the nostril in a C shape or three-quarter circle. The compartments 2 in both embodiments comprise a living hinge 6 to connect the lid 11 to the base 10. The lid 11 opens away from the clip 1, 21 and in a downward manner when worn, so as to prevent danger of inhalation of compartment contents. Advantageously the opening orientation of the lid 11 is a safety feature to prevent hazard from scented beads or optional cotton buds. The lid 11 has a catch 5 which in use is held by a tab 3. The tab 3 extends from an outer face of the support 8, 22. Flexure in the clip or support 8, 22 to allows the catch 5 to be positioned under and held under the tab 3 to keep the compartment 2 closed. The compartment lid 11 clips over a base 10. The compartment base 10 is directly attached to the support 8, 22 and extends orthogonal the direction of the clip 1, 21. The base 10 is substantially analogous to the compartment lid 11 in the pictured embodiments, being a substantially concave tray with an open face, and has a narrow extending lip 12 around the open face. The compartment lid 11 has a perimetric indent 13 around the inner surface of the open face, which clips onto and over this lip 12, so as to limit any sideways movement and encourage or consolidate the lid 11 closure means 3,5 by ensuring that the lid 11 is correctly seated onto the base 10. Figure 8 shows a storage container 1000 for nose clips 99, 199. The pictured storage container 1000 has holding regions for securely holding nose clips 99, 199 when not worn. The storage / transport container is of a convenient pocket-size and has a smooth external profile with no sharp corners or edges which makes it comfortable and discreet to carry in the user’s trouser or shirt pocket. The storage container 1000 is waterproof so in case of a rainy day when the user may have wet clothes, the nose clip(s) stored within it will remain dry and ready for use. Inside the pictured embodiment of the storage container 1000 there are brackets 67 that hold both the nose clips 99, 199 securely in place. A sliding tray 63 is provided for housing scented beads or cotton buds. The tray 63 has a textured underside 31 to allow a user’s finger or thumb to slide it open and closed smoothly and with ease. The tray 63 slides into an indented fillet 76 below the part of the container providing the brackets 67. The container 1000 comprises two parts 61,62 joined by a living hinge 66, and which parts 61,62 comprise a stud 64 and catch 65 closure means. With reference to the embodiments shown in Figures 13 and 14 the supports 42 comprise flared extension away from the arcuate form of the clips 1,41. The supports comprise an extension tangential to the arc of the clip holding the compartments on a substantially orthogonal deviation. The compartments are arranged to have the closure means 33,35 on one side of the support 42 and the hinge 6 substantially at distal circumferential location, such that the closure means works along an axis continuing the axis of the clip, whereby the two halves of the compartment are either side of this axis opening and closing to one side of the support with the hinge 6 distal the clip. The closure means comprises a triangular stud 35 which engages under a T shaped catch 33, whereby the shape of the stud and the curved With particular reference to the embodiment 299 shown in Figures 13A and 13B the embodiment 299 comprises two compartments 2 which thereby have a closure means that is at the bottom of the compartment in situ so they will not fall open. The compartments 2, that receive scented material in use, have a domed lid with a central spherical material receiving area, with circular central perforations 34 in the lid, circular side perforations 37 in the sides of the compartment - so as to allow for effective airflow in all directions around the material and a closure means comprising a spike 35 and hook 33. Two segment lips 32 help to close the compartments 2. With particular reference to the embodiment 399 shown in Figures 13C and 13D the clip 41 has one support 42 that extends from one side and at an opposed end of the clip 41 the clip provides an arcuate return, leaving a small segment of a circle open. The end pad 20 is a first grip region 88 and the support 22 acts with the end pad 20 to provide the grip regions 88 therebetween, to grip around the septum of the nostril wall. This replicates a traditional nose ring for a non-pierced nose. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A nose clip with a scent emitting region comprising: a resilient clip adapted to grip to part of a wearer’s nose; at least one support extending from the resilient clip to support a compartment that receives scented material; wherein the compartment has a lid and a closure means.

2. A nose clip according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the compartment is a perforated cage.

3. A nose clip according to any preceding claim wherein the compartment has a resiliently deformable closure means.

4. A nose clip according to any preceding claim wherein the clip is adapted to grip to a wall of a nostril.

5. A nose clip according to any preceding claim wherein the clip is adapted to grip to a septum.

6. A nose clip according to any preceding claim wherein the clip has end pads for engagement with the wearer’s nose.

7. A nose clip according to any preceding claim wherein the support is adapted to extend laterally away from the clip to space apart the compartment from the clip so that the compartment is arranged at a nostril opening.

8. A nose clip according to any preceding claim 7 wherein each support is shaped and dimensioned to place the compartment with the nostril so that the compartments are hidden in use.

9. A nose clip according to any preceding claim formed wholly in silicone.

10. A nose clip according to any of claims 1 to 8 formed wholly in plastic.

11. A nose clip according to any preceding claim 1 to 8 which is formed from metal or metal alloy.

12. A clip according to any preceding claim comprising a resiliently deformable support.

13. A clip according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein each support is connected to the clip at a hinge to enable selective positioning of each compartment in use.

14. A nose clip according to any preceding claim wherein at least compartment has displaceable perfume carrying material.

15. A storage container for storing the nose clip as described in any of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method of preparing and using the nose clip including the steps of; opening the compartment by displaying the lid and adding a scent to scented material or inserting scented material, closing the lid on the compartment using the closure means, positioning the clip on to a wearer’s nose.

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