Nose Plug with Serpentine Air Path for Odor Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals in healthcare and other odor-prone professions face discomfort due to bad smells, and existing solutions like nasal sprays often lead to overdosing and reduced effectiveness when used excessively or for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A nose plug with a flexible member and a rigid support member that guides air through a serpentine path using plates or a helical band, allowing for the delivery of releasable substances like fragrances or medicines while preventing bad odors from reaching the olfactory organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nasal spray is used to relieve blocked nose, then breathing ability is improved, but the substance is overdosed when used too much, too often or too long leading to reduced effect
Solution Approach 1:
The nose plug is inserted into the nostril before the harmful odor reaches the olfactory organs, creating a physical barrier in advance. The serpentine path structure is pre-configured to force air to travel a longer distance, and the releasable substance is pre-loaded into the flexible member, releasing gradually as air passes through the extended path without requiring repeated dosing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If nose plug fills the nostril opening, then bad odor is blocked from reaching olfactory organs, but breathing may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member is divided into multiple parallel plates or a helical band structure, creating multiple channels for air to pass through. The serpentine path is segmented into multiple segments between adjacent plates, allowing air to flow through a longer overall path while maintaining adequate cross-sectional area for breathing. The recesses in the plates create additional openings that facilitate air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow path is extended from a straight linear path to a serpentine or spiral three-dimensional path through the nose plug. By configuring the plates or helical band in a twisted arrangement, the air must travel through multiple levels and directions, significantly increasing the path length within the same physical space, thereby blocking odors more effectively while maintaining breathing capability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If releasable substance is carried by nose plug, then controlled delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework for the serpentine path, acts as the carrier for the releasable substance, and functions as the interface with inhaled air. The same parallel plates or helical band that create the extended air path also provide the surface area for substance dispersion and release, eliminating the need for separate delivery mechanisms.
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 nose plug effectively prevents bad odors from entering the nose, allows easy breathing, and provides a controlled, long-term delivery of substances, addressing the issues of odor discomfort and nasal spray overdosing.
Implementation Method 1
it is provided with means for guiding the flow of air entering the nostril in a serpentine or spiral like path by means of a plurality of plates or a band
Implementation Method 2
The flexible member may comprise a helically arranged band forming a spiral like structure around the support member
Implementation Method 3
the releasable substance may be taken up and delivered by the air, which is guided along an extended path
Data Source
AI summary
A nose plug (1) includes at least one flexible member (2) and one rigid, elongated support member (3). The flexible member is arranged to surround the support member, and the flexible member is adapted to be placed within a nostril to accurately fill the opening of the nostril, and is provided with elements for enabling air flowing in a tortuous structure.