Tinted Nasal Dilator Opacity for Discreet Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nasal dilators are not discreet when worn, as their colored components are designed to be visible, and users seek a solution to maintain visibility for selection purposes while being imperceptible when in use.

Innovation Solution

A nasal dilator with a transparent tinted portion that is visibly perceptible on packaging but becomes imperceptible when adhered to the nose, achieved through specific opacity levels and lamination of components, allowing the color to be visible during selection but not when worn.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If colored components are used in nasal dilators to make them visible for selection, then users can identify different types, but the dilators become noticeable and non-discreet when worn

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility for identificationVSAvoiddiscretion when worn

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color tinting to the transparent portion of the nasal dilator, allowing the color to be visible when the dilator is on packaging (for identification) but imperceptible when worn on the nose (for discretion). This resolves the contradiction by making the color property context-dependent based on the background it is viewed against.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the opacity parameter of the tinted portion to a specific range (0.1% to 20%) that creates different visual effects depending on the background. When viewed against white packaging, the color is visible; when viewed against skin tone, the color becomes imperceptible. This parameter adjustment resolves the visibility vs. discretion contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transparent tinted portions are used with specific opacity, then the color becomes imperceptible when worn on skin, but remains visible on packaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscretion when wornVSAvoidvisibility for identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color tinting combined with controlled opacity to create a visual effect where the same color property serves dual purposes: identification on packaging and discretion on skin. The color change principle resolves this contradiction by making the visibility of the color dependent on the background contrast rather than changing the color itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the opacity parameter to a specific range (0.1% to 20%) that creates differential visibility based on background. This parameter change enables the tinted portion to be visible against light packaging backgrounds while becoming imperceptible against darker skin backgrounds, resolving the contradiction between discretion and identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple layers are laminated together to achieve the optical effect, then the manufacturing complexity increases, but the desired visual imperceptibility is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual imperceptibility when wornVSAvoidnumber of laminated components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite construction by laminating multiple layers (cover layer, base layer, resilient layer) to achieve the desired optical properties. The composite structure allows the tinted transparent portion to have the specific opacity characteristics needed for visual imperceptibility on skin while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the nasal dilator into multiple functional layers (cover layer, base layer, resilient layer) that can be manufactured separately and then laminated together. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving the overall optical effect of visual imperceptibility when worn.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 nasal dilator provides a discreet appearance when worn while allowing users to identify the type during packaging, enhancing user preference for discretion and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The transparent tinted portion may have an opacity of between 0.1% and 20%. The opacity of the transparent tinted portion is selected such that the first color is visually perceptible through the transparent tinted portion when the nasal dilator is on non-transparent packaging but is visually imperceptible when the dilator is removed from the packaging and adhered across the bridge of the nose.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOpacity control: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20240016649A1Tinted Nasal Dilator

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 ASO LLC

AI summary

An external nasal dilator can be adhered across a bridge of a human nose and apply a recoil force to outer walls of nasal passages. The external nasal dilator has a transparent tinted portion that is tinted a first color. Packaging contacting the external nasal dilator is non-transparent and has a second color that contrasts with the first color. The first color is visually perceptible through the transparent tinted portion when the packaging is contacting the external nasal dilator and is visually imperceptible when the external nasal dilator is adhered to the nose.