Nasal Filter Adhesive Ring Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory nasal filters are cumbersome, noticeable, and uncomfortable to wear, often causing discomfort and reluctance due to their design and material usage, which can lead to inadequate filtration and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A hypoallergenic, clear, oval-shaped nasal filter designed to adhere around a single nostril, using a woven fiber filtration layer with a thin, flexible adhesive ring that minimizes visibility and discomfort, allowing for effective filtration of pollutants without being inserted into the nasal passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter covers both nostrils with tabs for securement, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter becomes noticeable and uncomfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single filter into separate filters for each nostril. Each filter is a smaller, independent unit that can be applied individually, reducing overall visibility and discomfort while maintaining filtration effectiveness through combined coverage of both nostrils.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the problematic rectangular proximal tab from the design. Instead, it uses a thin flexible adhesive ring that contours to the nasal passage opening, extracting the securement function while eliminating the discomfort and noticeability caused by traditional tabs.
2Strength
If a rectangular proximal tab is used to connect the filter to the skin, then attachment security is improved, but removal becomes difficult and uncomfortable due to pulling on facial hair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid rectangular tab with a thin flexible adhesive ring that can conform to the contours of the nasal passage opening. This flexible design provides adequate attachment security while allowing comfortable removal without pulling on facial hair, as the thin film can be peeled away more easily.
3Strength
If an elastic strand is used to secure the filter, then attachment is improved, but the device becomes noticeable and less tolerable for long-term wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a clear or skin-toned adhesive ring that matches the surrounding skin, making the filter virtually invisible when worn. This aesthetic consideration maintains attachment security while significantly improving tolerance for long-term wear by eliminating the visual noticeability of elastic strands.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a supporting arrangement with ear support members is used, then structural stability is improved, but the filter becomes cumbersome, heavy, and noticeable externally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes the ear support members and external framework from the design. Instead, it relies on the adhesive properties of the thin flexible ring to provide sufficient stabilization, extracting the excessive structural elements that caused cumbersomeness and external noticeability while maintaining adequate structural stability for filtration.
5Reliability
If the filter is inserted into the nasal passage, then filtration is achieved, but nasal hairs are crushed and the insert becomes contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the filter inside the nasal passage, the patent inverts the approach by placing the filter outside the nostril opening. The thin flexible adhesive ring adheres to the peripheral edge of the nostril, creating a seal that filters air without inserting any component into the nasal passage, thereby preserving nasal hairs and preventing contamination of the filter itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and effective filtration system that reduces the inhalation of pollutants, is unnoticeable when worn, and maintains a secure seal with minimal skin contact, overcoming the limitations of prior art filters in terms of visibility, comfort, and filtration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The filter layer is made of a woven fiber for the filtration of air to help prohibit the inhalation of foreign pollutants, pollens, poisons, viruses and other airborne contaminates
Implementation Method 2
The clear adhesive layer comprises a corresponding clear ring with an adhesive applied to one side that encircles the filter layer. The adhesive functions to allow the filter layer to be adhered thereto. The adhesive also functions to adhere to the periphery of the person's nostril.
Data Source
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AI summary
A respiratory nasal filter including an outer ring having concentric outer periphery and inner periphery sized to the periphery of a user's nasal orifice, a filter layer having an outer periphery larger than the inner periphery of the outer ring, but smaller than the outer periphery of the outer ring and an adhesive applied to said outer ring for bonding the filter layer concentrically to the outer ring and for bonding the outer ring to the columella, a nasal sill, an alar sidewall and the facet of the user's nose.