CN220513293U

CN220513293U - Air cleaning device for nasal applications

Info

Publication number: CN220513293U
Application number: CN202320236419.1U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·L·奥林顿二世; J·奥林顿-迈尔斯; B·M·亨利
Original assignee: James Olympon Ii Professional Dental Co
Current assignee: James Olympon Ii Professional Dental Co
Priority date: 2022-02-16
Filing date: 2023-02-16
Publication date: 2024-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-16

Abstract

The present invention provides an air purification device for nasal applications for purifying and/or reducing unwanted substances of air intended to enter the nasal cavity. Air purification devices for nasal applications may include air purification devices, housing components, power components, fan components, filter components, germicidal irradiation components, fragrance components, olfactory delivery components, nasal plug components, monitoring components, and housings. The housing reversibly encloses the device and may provide power delivery.

Description

Air cleaning device for nasal applications

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.63/310,650, filed 2/16 at 2022. The present application also claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.29/849,707, filed 8/12 at 2022. The present application also claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/982,355, filed at 2022, 11, 7. The foregoing applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an air cleaning device for nasal applications. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to purifying and/or reducing undesirable substances of air intended to enter the nasal cavity.

Background

Carbon air filters are well known to effectively remove harmful gaseous chemicals and certain odors from the air. In contrast, HEPA (high efficiency particulate, high efficiency particulate absorption) air filters are mechanical in nature. HEPA filters are well known to remove undesirable particulate matter from air. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that carbon air filters and HEPA filters may be used together.

Ultraviolet (UV) light includes electromagnetic radiation that is shorter in wavelength compared to visible light, but longer compared to x-rays. It is well known that UV light exhibits antiviral and antibacterial properties. Short wavelength UV light (UV-C) is considered "germicidal UV". Nucleic acids that constitute viral and bacterial DNA may exhibit defects when exposed to UV-C light. These defects prevent efficient replication, thereby eliminating or greatly reducing the replication capacity of viruses and bacteria.

Olfaction plays an important role in the physiological effects of emotion, psychological stress and working capacity. The large number of olfactory receptors present in humans are genetically engineered to detect thousands of different fragrances. For many years, long term exposure to certain types of fragrances and the positive effects of fragrances on a person's psychophysiological activities have been recognized. See, for example, k.sowndhararajan and s.kim for "influence of fragrance on physiological activities of humans, in particular on electroencephalogram responses (Influence of Fragrances on Human Psychophysiologylogical Activity With Special Reference to Human Electroencephalographic Response), (84 (4)))", "pharmaceutical science (sci.pharm.), stage 724 (2016). Accordingly, there is a need to address the shortcomings of the prior art.

What is needed is an apparatus to remove contaminants, particulates, and/or other undesirable elements from the air prior to inhalation by a user. What is needed is an air purification device to reduce contact of undesirable elements with tissue that is in the nasal cavity or otherwise associated with the respiratory system. What is needed is a device to remove impurities from the air prior to entering the nasal cavity by performing filtering and/or sterilizing irradiation. What is needed is a portable device that can be comfortably inserted into the nostrils and perform an air purifying function. What is needed is a rechargeable air purification device that can detect conditions related to and at least partially purify intake air.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present disclosure advantageously provides a device to remove contaminants, particulates, and/or other undesirable elements from air prior to inhalation by a user. One aspect of the present disclosure advantageously provides an air purification device to reduce contact of undesirable elements with tissue that is in the nasal cavity or otherwise associated with the respiratory system. One aspect of the present disclosure advantageously provides a device to remove impurities from air prior to entering the nasal cavity by performing filtering and/or sterilizing irradiation. One aspect of the present disclosure advantageously provides a portable device to be comfortably inserted into the nostril and perform an air purifying function. An aspect of the present disclosure advantageously provides a rechargeable air purification device that can detect conditions related to intake air and at least partially purify the intake air.

Accordingly, the present disclosure may feature an air cleaning device for nasal applications that includes a housing, an air treatment component, a power component, and a housing. The housing may substantially enclose the interior space. An air treatment component may be located within the interior space to at least partially purge air for delivery to the nasal cavity. The air treatment component may include a filter component to remove impurities from the air and a fan component to actively pass the air through the filter component. The power component may be generally located within the interior space to provide electrical power to the air handling component. The housing may receive at least a portion of a shell that may be removably stored by the housing.

In another aspect, the power component may further include a battery, power delivery electronics, and battery charging electronics. The battery reversibly stores the electric power. The power delivery electronics may transfer electrical power from the battery to the air handling component. The battery charging electronics may receive external power from an external power source, condition the external power to charging power receivable by the battery, and store at least a portion of the charging power in the battery for use as electrical power by the air handling component.

In another aspect, the housing may include a top housing portion removably attached to the top housing portion, a bottom housing member, and a housing inlet on the bottom housing portion to allow air to flow into the interior space. The fan member may receive air from the housing inlet that will pass through the filter member. Air passing through the filter element may move to the nasal cavity.

In another aspect, the housing may include a lock interface including a lock interface top portion operatively attached to the top housing portion and a lock interface bottom portion operatively attached to the bottom housing portion. The locking member may be provided by the locking interface top portion to receive at least a portion of the locking lip of the locking interface bottom portion. A locking gap may be provided by the locking interface bottom portion, the locking gap having a sufficient width to receive the locking member. The locking interface is reversibly configured in the locked position by rotating a locking member passing through the locking gap in a first locking direction to receive the locking lip. The lock interface is reversibly configured in the unlocked position by rotating the lock member in a second locking direction to release the locking lip.

In another aspect, the air treatment component may include a germicidal irradiation component to emit ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation that at least partially disinfects pathogens from the air prior to entering the nasal cavity.

In another aspect, the air treatment component may include a fragrance component that includes a fragrance reservoir to reversibly retain a fragrance material having a fragrance that is detectable through the olfactory nerve. The fragrance may be at least partially transferred from the fragrance material into the air for delivery to the nasal cavity.

In another aspect, the filter component may comprise a High Efficiency Particulate Absorption (HEPA) filter. In another aspect, the filter component may comprise a carbon filter.

In another aspect, the device can include an olfactory material delivery component capable of administering a deliverable material.

In another aspect, the deliverable material can include a pharmacological material.

In another aspect, a housing may include a housing enclosure and a housing cover. The housing package may include a housing receiving slot to selectively receive the housing. The housing cover is removably mounted to the housing enclosure to configure the housing between a housing open state and a housing closed state. Electrical contacts may be located within the housing receiving slots to connect (interface) power components. The power component may also include a battery to reversibly store electrical power that is received from the housing for use by the air handling component. The housing is selectively insertable into the housing receiving slot or selectively removable from the housing receiving slot when the housing is configured in the housing open state. Such a housing received by the housing receiving slot is substantially enclosed by the housing when the housing is configured in the housing closed state.

In another aspect, a monitoring component can be provided that includes a sensor to detect a condition of air that is contained by an environmental space adjacent to the sensor. The condition is reportable via a communicatively connectable display device.

According to an alternative embodiment, the present disclosure may feature an air cleaning device for nasal applications that includes a housing, a nasal plug component, an air treatment component, a power component, and a shell. The housing may substantially enclose the interior space. The nasal plug member is operably attached to the housing for removable insertion into the nostril to form an at least partial seal with the nasal cavity. An air treatment component may be located within the interior space to at least partially purge air for delivery to the nasal cavity. The air treatment component may include a germicidal irradiation component to emit ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation that at least partially disinfects pathogens of the air prior to entering the nasal cavity. The power component may be generally located within the interior space to provide electrical power to the air handling component. The housing is selectively receivable by and selectively removable from the housing.

In another aspect, the air treatment component may include a filter component to remove impurities from the air and a fan component to actively pass the air through the filter component.

In another aspect, the housing may include a top housing portion removably attached to the top housing portion, a bottom housing member, and a housing inlet on the bottom housing portion to allow air to flow into the interior space.

In another aspect, the power component may include a battery, power delivery electronics, and battery charging electronics. The battery reversibly stores the electric power. The power delivery electronics may transfer electrical power from the battery to the air handling component. The battery charging electronics may receive external power from an external power source, condition the external power to charging power receivable by the battery, and store at least a portion of the charging power in the battery for use as electrical power by the air handling component.

In another aspect, the air treatment component can include a fragrance component having a fragrance reservoir to reversibly retain a fragrance material having a fragrance that at least partially diffuses into the air to be detectable by the olfactory nerve.

In another aspect, the filter component may include a High Efficiency Particulate Absorption (HEPA) filter and/or a carbon filter.

In another aspect, the housing may include a housing enclosure including a housing receiving slot to selectively receive the outer housing. The housing may additionally include a housing cover removably mounted to the housing enclosure to configure the housing between a housing open state and a housing closed state. Electrical contacts may be provided by the housing to connect (interface) power components. The power component may also include a battery to reversibly store electrical power that is received from the housing for use by the air handling component. The housing is selectively insertable into the housing receiving slot or selectively removable from the housing receiving slot when the housing is configured in the housing open state. Such a housing received by the housing receiving slot may be substantially enclosed by the housing when the housing is configured in the housing closed state.

In another aspect, an olfactory substance delivery component is provided for administering a deliverable substance to the nasal cavity.

In another aspect, a monitoring component is provided having a sensor to detect a condition of air contained by an environmental space adjacent to a housing. The condition may be reported via a communicatively connectable display device.

The terms and expressions used throughout this disclosure should be construed broadly. The terms are intended to be understood relative to the definitions provided by the present specification. Technical dictionaries and their ordinary meaning as understood in the applicable arts are intended to supplement these definitions. In the case where appropriate definitions are not determinable from the specification and technical dictionary, such terms should be understood in accordance with their ordinary and customary meaning. However, any definition provided by the specification will take precedence over all other sources.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages described by the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like parts.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary air cleaning device with a mounted housing, the exemplary air cleaning device being shown at an alternative angle, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary air cleaning apparatus shown in fig. 3, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary air cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary air purification apparatus included in a housing aspect according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplary air purification apparatus included in a housing aspect according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus, showing a bottom portion, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary air cleaning apparatus shown in fig. 13, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus, showing a replaceable filter, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 19 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 22 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of an exemplary air purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 23 is an exploded view of an alternative configuration to the embodiment shown in fig. 22, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of an exemplary use of an air purification apparatus enabled by the present disclosure, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of an exemplary air purification apparatus including a housing configured in a closed housing state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of an exemplary air purification apparatus including a housing configured in an open state of the housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 27 is an exploded view of the exemplary air cleaning device shown in fig. 25 including a housing having a housing cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following disclosure provides various embodiments to describe air purification apparatus for nasal applications. The skilled artisan will appreciate that additional embodiments and uses of the invention beyond the examples of the present disclosure. Any terms included in any claims should be construed so as to be defined in the present disclosure. The singular is to be understood that plural alternatives are contemplated and disclosed. Similarly, the plural is to be understood as contemplating and disclosing singular alternatives. Unless otherwise indicated, the conjunctions are to be construed as inclusive.

Expressions such as "at least one of A, B and C" are to be understood as allowing either of A, B or C, alone or in combination with the remaining elements. Further, such a group may include multiple instances of one or more elements of the group, which may be included along with other elements of the group. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, all numbers, measurements and values are given as approximations.

For purposes of clarity in describing the components and features discussed throughout this disclosure, some frequently used terms will be defined, but not limited thereto. The term HEPA filter (as it is used throughout this disclosure) is defined as a high efficiency particulate absorption filter that is, utilizes, or includes a filter that is typically designed to capture a majority of airborne particulates, e.g., 99.97% of the airborne particulates measured as 0.3 microns or more in diameter, from the air passing through the filter. The term Ultraviolet (UV) light, as used throughout this disclosure, is defined as light having a shorter wavelength compared to visible light and a longer wavelength compared to X-rays, including UV-C short wavelength ultraviolet light that can be used for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. The term nose (as it is used throughout this disclosure) is defined as depending on the nose and as a related feature. The term nostril (as it is used throughout this disclosure) is defined as an opening to the nasal cavity.

Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in detail, but are not limited thereto. In the following disclosure, an air purification apparatus for nasal applications will be discussed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate air cleaning devices for nasal applications as alternative designations for nasal filter devices, portable powered air cleaning devices, the present invention, or other similar designations. Similarly, those skilled in the art will appreciate air purification devices for nasal applications as alternative markers for air filtration operations, irradiation and/or filtration techniques, air quality monitoring and improvement methods, operations, the present invention, or other similar names. The skilled artisan should not consider any of the alternative labels included to be limiting in any way.

Referring now to fig. 1-27, an air purification apparatus for nasal applications will now be discussed in more detail. An air purification device for nasal applications may include a housing, a power component, a fan component, a filter component, a germicidal irradiation component, an aroma component, an olfactory substance delivery component, a nasal plug component, a monitoring component, a housing, and additional components that will be discussed in more detail below. An air purification device for nasal applications may interactively operate one or more of these components with other components for purifying and/or reducing unwanted substances of air intended to enter the nasal cavity.

In order to clearly present the invention, the following disclosure will be discussed collectively in the context of various exemplary embodiments. The skilled artisan will appreciate that features discussed in the context of one embodiment may be included in additional embodiments even if not explicitly recited when discussing such embodiments; and thus the teachings of the present disclosure should be viewed as whole and should not be viewed as a collection of different embodiments or as being otherwise limiting.

The air cleaning apparatus will now be discussed. Fig. 1 to 27 emphasize examples of the air cleaning apparatus in various embodiments. The air purification apparatus may include various components that collectively provide improved capability to advantageously remove pathogens, contaminants, particulates, and/or other undesirable elements from the air (before it may enter the user's respiratory system). In some embodiments, the air purification apparatus may include various components located within or attached to the housing. Such components may include, but are not limited to, air handling components, power components, nose plug components, and other components. The air treatment component may include various aspects to improve the quality of the air (prior to its receipt by the user), such aspects including, but not limited to, a filtering component, a fan component, a germicidal irradiation component, an aroma component, an olfactory substance delivery component, and/or other components that will be apparent to those skilled in the art after appreciating the present disclosure. Each of these components will be discussed in more detail throughout this disclosure in the context of various embodiments. The skilled artisan will appreciate that each aspect may be encompassed by alternative embodiments.

The housing will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 1 to 5, 7 to 10, 11 to 14, 16 to 24, and 26 to 27 emphasize examples of the housing, which are also shown in other figures. The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may be provided to generally enclose an interior space within an air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may provide an enclosure to at least partially enclose some of the functional components of the air purification apparatus within an interior space defined within the housing.

In an exemplary structural configuration, the housing 1210, the housing 2210, the housing 3210 may be at least partially composed of plastic, but is not limited thereto. The housing may have almost any diameter and height to preserve the operability of the air handling components. In one embodiment, the housing may have a generally cylindrical shape, such as a diameter between about 10 millimeters and about 30 millimeters, but is not so limited. The housing may have a height sufficient to enclose the air treatment component, such as between about 7 millimeters and about 14 millimeters, but is not so limited.

The cylindrical shape may advantageously correspond to a nostril of a user for improved comfort, fit and tightness when inserted into the nostril. Furthermore, the use of a cylindrical shape may advantageously assist in the removal of an air cleaning device implemented by the present disclosure when the use of such a device is no longer desirable. In additional embodiments, the housing may be provided in a non-cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, at least a portion of the housing may be provided by a rectangular shape, a tapered shape, a circular shape, and/or another shape that will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after appreciating the present disclosure. In the example of a rectangular shape, the housing may have a width of between about 10 millimeters and about 30 millimeters and a height of between about 7 millimeters and about 14 millimeters, but is not limited thereto.

The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may be constructed using various parts, such as a top housing portion 1220, a top housing portion 2220, a top housing portion 3220, a bottom housing portion 1222, a bottom housing portion 2222, a bottom housing portion 3222, and/or other parts that will be apparent upon an understanding of the present disclosure. The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may be sized to have sufficient interior space to receive, retain, and allow operation of additional components, including the power component 1310, 2310, 3310, air handling components, and/or other components that may be included within the interior space.

The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may include access points to allow interaction with components included within the interior space of the housing from the exterior of the housing. The access points may include a housing switch access point 1236, a housing switch access point 2236, a housing switch access point 3236 to allow access to the switches 1360, 2360, 3360, such as may be provided by the power components 1310, 2310, 3310. The access points may additionally include a housing charging port access point 2244, a housing charging port access point 3244 to provide interaction with a charging plug, and/or a housing electrical contact access point 1242 to facilitate interaction with contact pins, each of which may provide electrical charge to aspects of the power portion 1310, 2310, 3310, and/or additional components held within the interior space of the housing 1210, 2210, 3210.

In some embodiments, additional access points may be provided to allow additional functionality of the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. Such additional access points may include sensor access points, display access points, points to access additional interactive elements associated with the air handling component and/or the power component, and so forth.

The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may additionally include a housing inlet 1228, a housing inlet 2228, a housing inlet 3228 through which air may pass from an external position relative to the housing to an interior space substantially enclosed by the housing. For example, the housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may include a plurality of housing inlets 1228, 2228, 3228 in a bottom position relative to the housing, such as near a lower end of the bottom housing portion 1222, 2222, 3222. Such a configuration may be advantageous in that the interior space is organized such that air may pass through aspects of power component 1310, 2310, 3310 without substantial limitation and may be received by additional air handling components prior to presentation to the nasal cavity of the user.

In another embodiment, housing inlet 1228, housing inlet 2228, housing inlet 3228 may be provided near an upper position of bottom housing portion 1222, bottom housing portion 2222, bottom housing portion 3222. Such a configuration may be advantageous in which the interior space is organized such that the lower portions of bottom housing portion 1222, bottom housing portion 2222, bottom housing portion 3222 are substantially filled with power components 1310, 2310, 3310 such that air flow is maximized by entering the interior space of housing 1210, 2210, 3210 above the location where the power components are stored.

The housing inlets 1228, 2228, 3228 may be configured at a variety of angles that may affect the flow characteristics of air entering the interior space of the housing 1210, 2210, 3210 from an external location. For example, housing inlets 1228, 2228, 3228 may be configured in an angular orientation that may improve the flow characteristics of air circulating within the interior spaces of housing 1210, 2210, 3210, such as may be moved by fan component 1410, 3410. In other embodiments, housing inlet 1228, housing inlet 2228, housing inlet 3228 may be provided in a generally vertical orientation, which may advantageously provide flow characteristics to improve circulation for alternative fan configurations, which circulation will be apparent to those skilled in the art after apprised of the present disclosure. The skilled artisan will appreciate that additional configurations of housing inlet 1228, housing inlet 2228, housing inlet 3228 include, but are not limited to, orientations of horizontal, curved, angled, slotted, mixed, and otherwise configured.

In some embodiments, the bottom housing portion 1222 may be provided in multiple pieces (pieces). For example, bottom housing portion 1222 may be provided having a bottom housing portion first piece 1224 and a bottom housing portion second piece 1226. The bottom housing portion first piece 1224 may be received by and generally retained by the bottom housing portion second piece 1226. For example, the bottom housing portion first piece 1224 may include one or more housing male connecting members 1232 and the bottom housing second piece 1226 may include one or more housing female connecting members 1234. The housing male coupling member 1232 on the bottom housing portion second piece 1226 may be oriented to correspond to the housing female coupling member 1234 on the bottom housing portion second piece 1226. In this configuration, the housing male connecting member 1232 can be inserted into the housing female connecting member 1234 to generally hold the bottom housing portion first piece 1224 and the bottom housing portion second piece 1226 together while coupled.

In some embodiments, the housing 1210 may include rails to facilitate insertion of the housing 1210 into the shell 1810. The housing 1810 will be discussed in more detail below in this disclosure. The guide rails may advantageously assist in receiving the outer shell 1210 by the housing 1810 in a preferred orientation. For example, housing 1810 may be provided to include electrical contacts 1844, with electrical contacts 1844 being capable of providing power to an air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure in correspondence with electrical contacts 1370. In this example, the guide rails may assist in orienting the housing 1210 to align the housing 1810 and the device charging contacts to allow transfer of power. In additional embodiments, the guide rail may include features to help improve the secure receipt of the air cleaning apparatus implemented by the present disclosure within the housing 1810 when inserted.

In another embodiment, bottom housing portion 1222, bottom housing portion 2222, bottom housing portion 3222 may include housing switch access point 1236, housing switch access point 2236, housing switch access point 3236, and/or housing charging port access point 2244, housing charging port access point 3244 on a bottom surface thereof. In this embodiment, the switches 1360, 2360, 3360 and/or charging ports 2380, 3380 provided by the power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may be at least partially passed through the access point so that they may interact by a user. For example, where housing switch access point 1236, housing switch access point 2236, and housing switch access point 3236 are included, switch 1360, switch 2360, and switch 3360 provided by power component 1310, power component 2310, and power component 3310 may pass through housing switch access point 1236, housing switch access point 2236, and housing switch access point 3236 such that sufficient material of switch 1360, switch 2360, and switch 3360 is accessible to manipulation by a user. In another example, where housing charging port access point 2244, housing charging port access point 3244 are provided, charging port 2380, charging port 3380 may pass at least partially through housing charging port 2380, housing charging port 3380 access point such that it may receive a charging cable and/or other cables that may allow for both transfers of power and/or data.

The housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may additionally include interfaces to receive and/or retain the nasal plug component 1710, the nasal plug component 2710, the nasal plug component 3710, and the nasal plug component 1710, the nasal plug component 2710, the nasal plug component 3710 may be distal to a bottom surface of the housing. The nose plug assembly 1710, the nose plug assembly 2710, and the nose plug assembly 3710 will be discussed in more detail below in this disclosure. In this embodiment, the housing 1210, 2210, 3210 may include features to apply friction to the nasal plug component 1710, the nasal plug component 2710, the nasal plug component 3710, a textured aspect or protrusion to receive corresponding recesses on the interior surfaces of the nasal plug component 1710, the nasal plug component 2710, the nasal plug component 3710; or may be otherwise configured to operatively retain the nose plug assembly 1710, the nose plug assembly 2710, the nose plug assembly 3710 to the housing 1210, the housing 2210, the housing 3210 in a removable mounting configuration.

In some embodiments, the housing 2210 may include a locking interface 2250. In some examples of embodiments with a locking interface, the locking interface 2250 may be used as at least a portion of the housing 2210, such as included by the top housing portion 2220. In other examples of embodiments with a locking interface, the locking interface 2250 may be different and independent from the top housing portion 2220. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inclusion of these various examples is not limiting.

The lock interface 2250 may include a lock interface top portion 2252 and a lock interface bottom portion 2254. The lock interface top portion 2252 may include a lock member 2256, the lock member 2256 protruding downward to be received by the lock interface bottom portion 2254. The lock interface bottom portion 2254 may include a lock lip 2258, the lock lip 2258 running (run) at least partially around the circumference of the lock interface bottom portion 2254. The locking lip 2258 may include a locking gap 2260 having a sufficient width such that the locking member 2256 of the locking interface top portion 2252 may pass through the locking gap 2260.

The distance between the lower portions of the locking members 2256 may be configured such that once passing through the locking gap 2260, it may be rotated in a first locking direction to receive the locking lip 2258 and configure the locking interface 2250 in the locked position. Once configured in the locked position, the locking member 2256 may be generally limited to latitudinal movement (latitudinal movement) by its receipt of the locking lip 2258 and generally limit access to the interior space provided by the housing 2210.

Further, the locked position may be reversible by rotating the lock interface top portion 2252 in the second locking direction to release the lock lip 2258 from the lock member 2256 and configure the lock interface 2250 in the unlocked position. Once configured in the unlocked position, the locking member 2256 may be withdrawn through the locking gap 2260 to provide access to the interior space otherwise enclosed by the housing 2210.

In some embodiments, the lock interface top portion 2252 may include a ring of material that extends at least partially around the circumference of the lock interface top portion 2252. If included, the ring of material provided by the locking interface top portion 2252 may advantageously assist in inserting the locking member 2256 to a sufficient depth within the locking gap 2260 to correspond to the locking lip 2258.

The power components will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 1 to 5, 7 to 8, 12 to 14, 16 to 17, 22 to 23, and 27 emphasize examples of power components, which may also be shown in other figures. The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may be generally located within the interior space to provide electrical power to the air treatment components. The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may advantageously assist in the regulation, storage of electrical power, and provision of various components of the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. For example, power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may provide electrical power to various air treatment components that are maintained within the interior space provided by housing 1210, 2210, 3210. Power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include power delivery electronics 1330, battery 1340, battery 2340, battery 3340, battery charging electronics 1350, and other aspects to assist in the transmission and delivery of power.

Power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include a battery 1340, 2340, 3340. In some embodiments, the battery may be rechargeable. In other embodiments, the battery may be removable and replaceable from the interior space. Battery 1340, battery 2340, battery 3340 may be of almost any size that fits within housing 1210, housing 2210, housing 3210. For example, the battery may be generally cylindrical, but is not limited thereto. In one example configuration, the length of the battery may be between about 14 millimeters and about 20 millimeters, and the diameter may be between about 5 millimeters and about 8 millimeters, but is not limited thereto.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate various additional configurations of batteries that may be used with an air purification device, such as one implemented by the present disclosure. Exemplary batteries may include, but are not limited to, lithium ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, rechargeable batteries, replaceable batteries, and/or other battery types as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include battery charging electronics 1350. In one example, the battery charging electronics 1350 may receive external power from an external power source, condition the external power to battery 1340, battery 2340, charging power that battery 3340 may receive, and store at least a portion of the charging power in the battery for use as electrical power by the air handling components. The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may control the application of charging power to the battery 1340, 2340, 3340 to improve the state of charge of the battery while advantageously reducing the likelihood that the battery should be overcharged. Those skilled in the art will appreciate various configurations of battery charging electronics 1350 that are intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The skilled artisan will appreciate that power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include additional battery charging electronics and other features to monitor the state of charge of the battery, the number of charging cycles applied to the battery, the number of discharging cycles applied to the battery, the battery temperature, the battery voltage, abnormalities detected within or associated with the battery, and other features that may be provided by the battery charging electronics, but are not limited thereto.

The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may additionally include power delivery electronics 1330 to provide power from the battery 1340, 2340, 3340 to various components included within the interior space of the air cleaning device implemented by the present disclosure. The power delivery electronics 1330 may advantageously control the flow of electrical power to various processing components that operate by utilizing electrical power. For example, the power delivery electronics 1330 may control the power states of the fan component 1410, the fan component 3410, the operating speed of the fan comprised by the fan component, the operation of the UV light sources 3630 comprised by the germicidal irradiation component 3610, the duty cycle of such UV light sources 3630 (such as where provided as LEDs), and power-related operating variables as will be understood by those skilled in the art after apprised of the present disclosure.

Power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include electrical wires 1332, 3332, and electrical wires 1332, 3332 may facilitate transmission of electrical power from various aspects included by the power components. The skilled artisan will appreciate additional configurations in which electrical wires 1332, 3332 may be at least partially replaced by electrical contacts 1370, electrical traces provided on a circuit board, etc., but are not so limited.

The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include a switch 1360, 2360, 3360, the switch 1360, 2360, 3360 may be switched by a user to enable or disable power applications to various air treatment components included within the interior space of the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. Switch 1360, switch 2360, switch 3360 may be switched between various states that may include, but are not limited to, an open state and a closed state. In some embodiments, the switches 1360, 2360, 3360 may include additional states, such as to control selective engagement of various air handling components that rely on power delivered through the power components 1310, 2310, 3310. In additional embodiments, switches 1360, 2360, 3360 may be operable by sensors that detect touches. In other embodiments, the switch may be provided as a continuous choice for the power application, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In various embodiments, the switches 1360, 2360, 3360, and other power control mechanisms may be located in nearly any position relative to the housing 1210, 2210, 3210 provided such placement does not interfere with the operability of the air treatment components.

The power components 1310, 2310, 3310 may include interfaces to allow the battery charging electronics 1350 to receive external power from an external power source. In one example, such an interface may include electrical contacts 1370. In this example, electrical contact 1370 may be configured to be oriented with a corresponding electrical contact from an external power source, e.g., housing 1810 has housing electrical contact 1844. In this example, once aligned, electrical contacts 1370, 1844 may allow for the flow of external power from an external power source through electrical contacts 1370 and to battery charging electronics 1350 before being stored in battery 1340.

In another example, the interface allowing the battery charging electronics to receive external power may include a charging port 2380,3380. In some embodiments, the charging port 2380,3380 can be provided as a USB-based port. Examples of USB-based ports may include USB Type-a, USB Type-B, micro USB, USB Type-C, and other USB standards that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate additional plugs and corresponding ports capable of delivering power, which are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the charging port 2380, charging port 3380, and corresponding charging cable may be configured to allow data transmission as well as transmission of external power. In this embodiment, the functionality of the air cleaning device implemented by the present disclosure may be controlled, modified, updated, or otherwise affected based on data transmitted through the charging ports 2380, 3380. In another example, the monitoring component provided by the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure may transmit data from such air purification apparatus to an external computing device, such as to perform analysis of conditions sensed by sensors, operation logs, battery conditions, and/or other information that may be detected, stored, and provided by the monitoring component and/or other aspects of the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. The data transmission may establish a wired connection with a separate electronic device, such as a console, that is capable of analyzing information transmitted thereto, relating to the presence or absence of viruses within the user's body, using the air purification apparatus.

The air handling components will now be discussed in their entirety. The various components included by the air handling components will be discussed in more detail throughout this disclosure. The air handling component may interact with air flowing through an interior space of an air purification apparatus (such as one implemented by the present disclosure) to alter characteristics of such air. For example, as air passes through the interior space, the air treatment components may include a filter component 1510, a filter component 2510, a filter component 3510 to remove particulates, pathogens, and other undesirable elements from the air. In another example, the germicidal irradiation member 3610 can at least partially disinfect aspects of the air passing through the interior space. These and other components included by the air handling component will be discussed in more detail below.

The fan assembly will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 1, 7 to 8 and 20 to 23 emphasize examples of fan components, which examples may also be shown in other figures. Fan components 1410, 3410 may provide for movement of air through an interior space of an air purification apparatus (such as one implemented by the present disclosure) during operation. Fan assembly 1410, fan assembly 3410 may include a motor 1420, a fan 1440 having fan blades 1442, fan blades 3442, a fan 3440, and optionally a fan shroud 1444. The motor 1420 is operably attached to the power delivery electronics 1330 and/or battery 1340, battery 2340, battery 3340 to receive electrical power that can be used to drive the motor 1420. The speed at which the motor 1420 is operated may be controlled, at least in part, by power delivery electronics 1330, such as by controlling the voltage applied to the motor, by controlling the frequency of pulses delivered to the pulse width modulated motor; may be controlled in other ways as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Fan 1440, fan 3440 may be oriented to draw air from housing inlet 1228, housing inlet 2228, housing inlet 3228, for example. This drawn air may be moved at least partially by rotating fan blades 1442, 3442 provided by fans 1440, 3440, and through, over, through, or otherwise relative to other air handling components included in the interior space. The fan components 1410, 3410 may advantageously provide an effective pressure within the interior space to direct air through the filters provided by the filter components 1510, 2510, 3510, through the UV light sources 3630 provided by the germicidal irradiation components 3610, the fragrance materials provided by the fragrance components 2530, 3530, and/or other means provided by the air treatment components contained within the interior space of the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, fan blades 1442 may be at least partially enclosed by a fan shroud 1444. In this embodiment, fan shroud 1444 may assist in controlling the direction and movement of air passing through the fan blades. In some embodiments, a fan shroud 1444 may be included by at least a portion of the housing 1210. For example, fan shroud 1444 may be implemented in at least a portion of top housing portion 1220. In other embodiments, fan shroud 1444 may be provided as a distinct component that is included within an interior space defined within top housing portion 1220, top housing portion 2220, top housing portion 3220, and bottom housing portion 1222, bottom housing portion 2222, and bottom housing portion 3222. In some embodiments, fan shroud 1444 may include an inner diameter, such as corresponding to a filter provided by filter component 1510, filter component 2510, filter component 3510. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional advantageous applications of fan shroud 1444 should be included in such embodiments.

The filter element will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 7 to 8, 16 to 18 and 20 to 23 emphasize examples of filter elements, which may also be shown in other figures. The filter elements 1510, 2510, 3510 may include various filters and/or other elements to affect the composition of air passing through or around the filter elements. In one embodiment, filter element 1510, filter element 2510, filter element 3510 may comprise carbon filters 1524, 2524, 3524 to advantageously remove undesirable particulates and other materials from air passing through such carbon filters. In one example, without limitation, the carbon filter may provide a thickness of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters. Air may pass through carbon filter 1524, carbon filter 2524, carbon filter 3524 by the effective pressure applied by fan components 1410, 3410 discussed above. In some embodiments, the carbon filter may comprise activated carbon, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Carbon filters 1524, 2524, 3524 may reduce the presence of airborne pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, entering the respiratory system. Carbon filters 1524, 2524, 3524 may filter gaseous volatile organic compounds and other undesirable substances such as, but not limited to, cigarette smoke, dry paint, benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or other substances. Carbon filtration may additionally filter unpleasant odors from the air and may help reduce psychological stress and increase calm and happiness of such users. Carbon filter 1524, carbon filter 2524, carbon filter 3524 may comprise activated carbon.

In another embodiment, the filtration device may comprise a High Efficiency Particulate Absorption (HEPA) filter, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In one example, without limitation, a HEPA filter may be provided having a wafer configuration and a thickness of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters. The HEPA filters 1522, 2522, 3522 may reduce potential harmful agents and contaminants, such as airborne bacteria, dust, pollen, mold, and other types of airborne particulates. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, HEPA filtration may remove at least about 98% of airborne contaminants having a size of about 0.3 microns or greater.

In some embodiments, carbon filter 1524, carbon filter 2524, carbon filter 3524, or HEPA filter 1522, HEPA filter 2522, HEPA filter 3522 may be provided as the only filtration technique comprised by the filter element. In other embodiments, a two stage filtration process may be provided whereby air is moved with a fan through carbon filter 1524, carbon filter 2524, carbon filter 3524 for a first filtration and then through HEPA filter 1522, HEPA filter 2522, HEPA filter 3522 for additional filtration. In some embodiments, the filter may be flavored or otherwise include and/or provide a substance capable of interacting with the olfactory nerve, but is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate additional filter types that may be included that may also be arranged through the filter element to affect the removal of particulates, pathogens and other undesirable elements from the air that passes through the filter element 1510, the filter element 2510, the filter element 3510.

The fragrance means will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 17-19 and 24 emphasize examples of fragrance components, which examples may also be shown in other figures. The inclusion of fragrance components 2530, 3530 can advantageously enhance the user's sense of happiness and calm, thereby reducing the user's psychological stress. Without limitation, fragrance components may be located within the housing 2210, 3210, as contemplated herein. The fragrance component may be located after the filter component 2510, 3510, such as to receive air after it has passed through the filter component.

In one embodiment, fragrance components 2530, 3530 may be included, such as to improve the fragrance of air passing through the interior space. The fragrance may be detected by one or more olfactory nerves present in the nasal cavity and/or the associated olfactory sensory organs. Fragrance components 2530, 3530 can advantageously apply pleasant or other desired fragrances to air, thereby increasing the emotional and physiological health of a user operating an air purification device (such as one implemented by the present disclosure), e.g., as the fragrance interacts with one or more olfactory nerves. In another embodiment, fragrance components 2530, 3530 can provide essential oils, a blockage-relieving solution, and/or other substances that can be added to the air prior to delivery to the nasal cavity of the user.

Fragrance components 2530, 3530 can include a fragrance reservoir to hold a fragrance material capable of providing fragrance. Exemplary fragrance reservoirs may include porous materials, sponges, wafers, meshes, absorbent materials, liquid tubs, and other materials or containers as will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Without limitation, an exemplary fragrance reservoir constructed of a porous material may have a thickness of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters. The fragrance material can be a perfume, an essential oil, a fragrance solution, a natural ingredient, a synthetic ingredient, and/or another material that will be understood by those of skill in the art after appreciating the present disclosure.

The fragrance components 2530, 3530 can be configured such that upon application of positive pressure by the fan components 1410, 3410, air passes through the interior space of an air purification device (such as one implemented by the present disclosure) sufficiently to contact the fragrance reservoir, thereby transferring at least a portion of the fragrance provided by the fragrance material to the air. The aromatic air then passes through the nasal components and into the nasal cavities of the user, thereby attracting olfactory receptors and providing physiological and/or satisfactory responses to the user.

The olfactory material delivery component will now be discussed in more detail. The inclusion of an olfactory substance delivery component may advantageously facilitate the provision of a deliverable substance via operation of the air purification device and/or an included air treatment component. For the purposes of this disclosure, deliverable materials may include pharmacological materials, nutraceutical materials, general treatments, essential oils, aerosolized liquids, and/or other materials that will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after appreciating this disclosure. In some embodiments, the deliverable material may include nanoparticles, which may include ultrafine particles ranging in diameter between about 1 nm and 100 nm. These features may be provided to assist in delivering only a desired dose of the deliverable material. In one example, without limitation, a drug therapy for alzheimer's disease can be administered to a user via an olfactory substance delivery component.

Without limitation, the olfactory substance delivery component may be located within the housing 1210, the housing 2210, the housing 3210, as contemplated herein. The olfactory material delivery component may be located after the filter component 1510, the filter component 2510, the filter component 3510 and/or the fragrance component 2530, the fragrance component 3530, such as to receive air after it has passed through the filter component, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, an olfactory substance delivery component may be included, such as to provide a deliverable substance to the nasal cavity and/or associated nasal space. The olfactory material delivery component may include a deliverable material reservoir to hold a deliverable material capable of being administered to a user. Exemplary deliverable material reservoirs can include porous materials, sponges, wafers, meshes, absorbent materials, liquid tubs, and other materials or containers as will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Without limitation, an exemplary deliverable material reservoir constructed as a porous material can have a thickness of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters. The deliverable materials may be pharmaceuticals, medicines, health care products, preservative solutions, natural ingredients, synthetic ingredients, and/or another material that will be understood by those skilled in the art after appreciating the present disclosure.

The olfactory material delivery component may be configured such that upon application of positive pressure by fan component 1410, fan component 3410, air passes through the interior space of an air purification device (such as one implemented by the present disclosure) sufficiently to contact the deliverable material reservoir to transfer at least a portion of the deliverable material provided by the olfactory material delivery component to the air. The air bearing the deliverable material can then pass through the nasal component and into the nasal cavity of the user, thereby attracting olfactory receptors and/or other receptors to provide a medical, therapeutic, physiological, and/or other satisfactory response to the user.

The germicidal irradiation unit will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 21 to 23 emphasize examples of the sterilizing irradiation devices, which may also be shown in other figures. The germicidal irradiation member 3610 may emit ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation that at least partially disinfects pathogens, such as harmful microorganisms, bacteria and viruses, from the air prior to entering the nasal cavity.

The germicidal irradiation member 3610 may be configured to emit electromagnetic energy capable of at least partially sterilizing a material comprised by air passing through and contacting the electromagnetic energy. For simplicity of the present disclosure, electromagnetic energy will be discussed in the context of ultraviolet light, but is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate additional electromagnetic energy that may additionally provide disinfection and/or sterilization benefits, which are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The germicidal irradiation member 3610 may include a light source capable of emitting light having a frequency that facilitates disinfection of unwanted contaminants, pathogens and other elements in the air that passes through the germicidal irradiation member 3610. The light source may be an ultraviolet light source that may emit light in a frequency range within the ultraviolet spectrum, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light source may include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 3630, the light emitting diode 3630 emitting or otherwise providing light in the ultraviolet spectrum. In some embodiments, multiple ultraviolet light sources may be included on a substrate 3640, such as a circuit board on which ultraviolet light sources 3630 are mounted.

The ultraviolet light source 3630 (e.g., via the substrate 3640) can be at least partially powered by power delivery electronics 1330 of the power member 3310. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light source may be provided as a dimmable and/or other controllable configuration. For example, the brightness and power applied to the ultraviolet light source may be at least partially controlled by affecting the duty cycle at which the light source operates. The duty cycle may be controlled by power delivery electronics, other aspects included by germicidal irradiation member 3610, and/or power member 3310, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the germicidal irradiation member 3610 may include a plurality of substrates 3640, each of these substrates 3640 including a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 3630, the ultraviolet light sources 3630 being capable of emitting a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light, such as to substantially disinfect contaminants included with air passing through the germicidal irradiation member 3610. The intensity of the light emitted by the ultraviolet light sources 3630 can be controlled relative to the number of ultraviolet light sources included by the germicidal irradiation unit 3610. For example, the number of high intensity ultraviolet light sources may be provided by the germicidal irradiation unit 3610 to allow for a high degree of disinfection of the light emitted by the selected number of ultraviolet light sources. In another example, a greater number of ultraviolet light sources may provide sterilizing light at a lower intensity, but collectively provide a sufficient amount of sterilizing light over a greater application area of a greater number of ultraviolet light sources.

In some embodiments, the germicidal irradiation member 3610 may include additional light sources and/or other electromagnetic energy emission sources to further disinfect the air passing through the germicidal irradiation member 3610. Such light sources may include characteristics indicative of ultraviolet C (UV-C) light (otherwise referred to as short wave ultraviolet light), such as to destroy the replication ability of pathogens and other materials after exposure to emitted ultraviolet light. Those skilled in the art will appreciate additional germicidal light sources after appreciating this disclosure.

The nasal plug member will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 1 to 4, 6 to 13, 15 to 20, 22 to 24 and 26 to 27 emphasize examples of nose plug components, which examples may also be shown in other figures. The nose plug assembly 1710, nose plug portion 2710, nose plug portion 3710 are operably attached to the housing 1210, housing 2210, housing 3210 for removable insertion into the nostril, such as to form at least a partial seal with the nostril. The nose plug assembly 1710, the nose plug assembly 2710, and the nose plug assembly 3710 can be constructed of a durable material that is generally non-toxic to humans, such as silicon or graphene, to minimize potential damage when they are handled.

The nose plug assembly 1710, the nose plug assembly 2710, and the nose plug assembly 3710 are operably mounted to at least a portion of the housing 1210, the housing 2210, and the housing 3210, the housing 1210, the housing 2210, and the housing 3210 being provided by an air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. The nose plug components 1710, 2710, 3710 may include a nose plug 1720, 2720, 3720, with the nose plug 1720, 2720, 3720 having a nose plug base end 1722, 2722, 3722 and 1724, 2724, 3724. The nose plug 1720, the nose plug 2720, and the nose plug 3720 may have circumferences and diameters sized so that upon insertion into a nostril, the device may remain anchored in place in the nostril by frictional forces. In one embodiment, nose plug 1720, nose plug 2720, nose plug 3720 may have a diameter of between about 8 millimeters and about 14 millimeters, and a length of between about 15 millimeters and about 25 millimeters, but is not so limited.

The nasal prongs 1720, 2720, 3720 may include nasal prong nostril ends 1724, 2724, and nasal prong apertures 1726, 2726, 3726 near the nasal prong nostril ends 3724. Nose plug 1720, nose plug 2720, nose plug 3720 may additionally include a nose plug base end 1722, nose plug base end 2722, nose plug protruding lip 1728, nose plug protruding lip 2728, and nose plug protruding lip 3728 near nose plug base end 3722. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon review of the present disclosure, that additional features may be provided by a nasal plug.

In one embodiment, without limitation, the nose plug 1720, the nose plug 2720, the nose plug 3720 may be constructed with at least a portion of a flexible material (e.g., silicone) such that it may be inserted into a user's nostril with minimal or negligible irritation. Further, by utilizing a flexible material, the nasal plug may provide at least a partial seal within the nostril, such as to provide access to the nasal cavity of the user when in operation. The nose plug 1720, the nose plug 2720, the nose plug 3720 may be configured such that the nose plug may be at least partially inserted into the nostril, thereby providing a path from the interior space provided by the housing 1210, 2210, 3210 through the nose plug 1720, the nose plug 2720, the nose plug 3720, and into the nasal cavity. Thus, when in use, such nose plug components 1710, 2710, 3710 may extend to a depth of between about 15 millimeters and about 25 millimeters in the nostrils, as shown in fig. 24, but is not so limited.

The nose plug 1720, 2720, 3720 may include a nose plug aperture 1726, 2726, 3726 that runs (run) substantially throughout the interior of the nose plug. The nose plug aperture 1726, the nose plug aperture 2726, the nose plug aperture 3726 may generally extend from the nose plug base end 1722, the nose plug base end 2722, the nose plug base end 3722 through the nose plug 1720, the nose plug 2720, the nose plug 3720 to the nose plug nostril end 1724, the nose plug nostril end 2724, the nose plug nostril end 3724. Air may be actively moved through nose plug aperture 1726, nose plug aperture 2726, nose plug aperture 3726 by operation of fan component 1410, fan component 3410 discussed above, passively by the user's breath, and/or in other ways as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the nose plug aperture 1726, the nose plug aperture 2726, the nose plug aperture 3726 may include a mesh material that can act as an additional filter layer for any remaining undesirable particulate matter that is not yet filtered out as air moves through the air cleaning device implemented by the present disclosure.

The nose plug component 1710, the nose plug component 2710, and the nose plug component 3710 may include a nose plug protruding lip 1728, a nose plug protruding lip 2728, and a nose plug protruding lip 3728, the nose plug protruding lip 1728, the nose plug protruding lip 2728, and the nose plug protruding lip 3728 may advantageously prevent the nose plug from being undesirably deeply inserted into the user's nasal cavity. Nose plug protruding lip 1728, nose plug protruding lip 2728, nose plug protruding lip 3728 may be substantially continuous with nose plug 1720, nose plug 2720, nose plug 3720, and may be constructed using the same materials as the nose plug. The nose plug protruding lips 1728, 2728, 3728 may advantageously provide a stop mechanism, providing physical resistance to over-insertion of the nose plug 1720, 2720, 3720. In some embodiments, the nose plug protruding lip may have increased rigidity on the portion of the nose plug to be inserted into the nostril to increase its stopping power.

The housing will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 9 to 10 and 25 to 27 emphasize examples of the housing, which examples may also be shown in other figures. In some embodiments, housing 1810 may provide for receiving, storing, charging, and otherwise interacting with an air purification device (such as one implemented by the present disclosure). For example, the housing 1810 may be configured to receive an air purification device when not in use (such as when not inserted into a user's nasal cavity).

In one embodiment, the housing 1810 may include a housing enclosure 1820, and the housing enclosure 1820 may extend from a housing enclosure bottom end 1824 to a housing enclosure top end 1822. The housing enclosure 1820 may include a housing receiving slot 1830 at its housing enclosure top end 1822 to receive and/or substantially secure the housing 1210 of the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure. The housing package receiving slot 1830 may include a housing receiving slot aperture 1832 through which the outer shell 1210 may be inserted. The housing package receiving slot 1830 may include protruding rails that may interact with recessed rails included by the housing 1210 to assist in properly orienting the housing 1210 when inserted into the housing receiving slot 1830.

In some embodiments, the housing 1810 may include a housing cover 1850, the housing cover 1850 being operably attached to the housing enclosure 1820 to collectively form the housing 1810. The housing cover 1850 is operably attached to the housing enclosure 1820, such as to allow the housing 1810 to be maneuvered between a housing closed state and a housing open state. In one example, housing cover 1850 is operably attached to housing enclosure 1820 via housing hinge 1852. In this example, housing cover 1850 can include a first material portion that extends into a second recessed material portion provided by housing enclosure 1820, such as to align a path associated with housing hinge 1852, housing hinge 1852 being configured to receive housing hinge pin 1854, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. This example may advantageously facilitate changing housing 1810 between a housing closed state and a housing open state by pivoting housing cover 1850 about an axis aligned with housing hinge 1852 through which housing hinge pin 1854 is oriented.

In other embodiments, alternative configurations may be used to removably attach the housing cover 1850 to the housing package 1820. Example configurations include, but are not limited to, friction, snap-fit interfaces, magnetic force, threads, latches, and/or other configurations that will be appreciated by those of skill in the art after appreciating this disclosure.

The housing cover 1850 may include a housing inner cover 1856, and the housing inner cover 1856 may be at least partially inserted into an interior space provided by the housing cover 1850. The inclusion of the housing inner cover 1856 may advantageously assist in securing the housing 1210 when the housing 1810 is configured in the housing closed state, the housing 1210 being mounted into the housing 1810 via the housing receiving slot 1830. For example, when the housing cover 1850 is closed and the housing 1810 is configured in the housing closed state, the housing inner cover 1850 may include sufficient clearance, such as to correspond to the nose plug component 1710 attached to the housing 1210 in a manner that holds the housing 1210 in place. Further, with the housing 1810 configured in the housing open state, the housing inner cover 1856 can be positioned to provide minimal interference with the housing 1210 held by the housing 1810 to facilitate insertion of the housing into and removal of the housing from the housing receiving slot 1830.

The housing enclosure 1820 may include a housing base 1858, and the housing base 1858 may be at least partially mounted into an interior space provided by the housing enclosure 1820. The inclusion of housing base 1858 may advantageously assist in securing housing 1210 when housing 1810 is configured in the housing closed state, housing 1210 being installed into housing 1810 by providing housing receiving slot 1830 to removably receive housing 1210 and generally secure received housing 1210. For example, when the housing is inserted into the housing receiving slot 1830, the housing base 1858 may include sufficient space, such as to correspond to the housing 1210 in a manner that holds the housing 1210 in place. The housing 1210 may be held by a housing base 1858 in both a housing open state and a housing closed state, wherein the housing 1210 is insertable and removable when the housing 1810 is configured in the housing open state.

The housing 1810 may include housing power electronics 1840 to assist in charging or otherwise powering air purification devices implemented by the present disclosure when inserted into the housing 1810. For example, housing 1810 may include housing power electronics 1840, housing power electronics 1840 capable of receiving external power from an external power source via housing charging port 1842, housing power electronics 1840 may be accessible via charging port access point 1834. The housing power electronics 1840 may condition and/or otherwise affect the external power into charging power that can be received by the electrical contacts 1370, the electrical contacts 1370 being provided by the power component 1310 of the air cleaning device implemented by the present disclosure. For example, upon insertion of the outer housing 1210 of the air cleaning device into the housing receiving slot 1830, the electrical contacts 1370 provided by the air cleaning device may be in operative connection with the electrical contacts 1844 provided by the housing 1810, which electrical contacts 1844 may be accessible via the housing receiving slot 1830. Once the contacts are established, charging power may be provided through the housing 1810 to the battery 1340 of the air purification apparatus. In some embodiments, the electrical charging circuit of the air purification apparatus may interact with and may condition the power received by the housing 1810 so that it may be stored in the battery 1340 included by the power unit 1310. In other embodiments, power may be delivered through the housing 1810 such that it may be directly applied to the battery 1340, and thus may eliminate the need for a separate electrical charging circuit within the air purification apparatus itself.

The housing 1810 may include a housing charging port 1842, which housing charging port 1842 may be provided as a USB port and/or other port capable of carrying electrical power, such as discussed above in the context of the power component 1310. In some embodiments, the housing charging port 1842 may allow for the transmission of data received from an air cleaning device that is located within the housing receiving slot 1830. The housing 1810 is operable as a pass-through device to provide access between the housing charge port 1842 provided by the housing 1810 and components held within the interior space of the air purification apparatus. In other embodiments, active electronics may be included within housing 1810, and housing 1810 may at least partially regulate power, facilitate transmission of data, and/or otherwise facilitate operation of the air purification apparatus received by housing receiving slot 1830.

The housing 1810 may include a housing bottom panel 1826 at a housing package bottom end 1824. The housing bottom panel 1826 is removably mounted to the housing 1810, which may provide access to the interior volume of the housing when removed from the housing. One or more housing feet 1828 may optionally be provided to improve stability of the housing 1810 when positioned on a surface and/or to reduce the likelihood of damage to a surface on which the housing may be positioned.

In some embodiments, the housing 1810 may be configured to receive multiple shells, which may be facilitated by providing multiple housing receiving slots 1830. For example, the housing may be configured to receive, hold, and/or load six or eight air cleaning devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate additional embodiments of a housing that may be configured to hold a variety of numbers of enclosures and/or air cleaning devices, but is not limited thereto, such as configured to hold 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,16,18,20 or another number of enclosures and/or air cleaning devices.

The monitoring components will now be discussed in more detail. In one embodiment, a monitoring component may be provided that includes a sensor to detect a condition of air that is contained by an environmental space adjacent to the sensor. The condition may be reported via a communicatively connectable display device. The monitoring component can include one or more sensor components that can assist in monitoring aspects of user health, air quality, operating efficiency, and other metrics, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The monitoring component may additionally include a technique capable of detecting the presence or absence of potentially harmful viruses, bacteria, and/or other agents within the user's body.

The monitoring component includes a sensor that can detect one or more environmental conditions in the vicinity of a user of the device. Environmental conditions may include, but are not limited to, the presence or absence of airborne viruses, bacteria, carcinogens, and pollutants, as well as temperature, precipitation, and humidity. The sensor component is communicatively and operatively connected to a display component that is capable of displaying data regarding environmental conditions.

The monitoring component can operate with a computerized device that includes a processor capable of reading instructions stored in the memory from the memory and operating as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the monitoring component can facilitate analysis and presentation of information that is performed by an external computerized device associated with operation of the monitoring component, but is not limited thereto.

In operation, the air purification apparatus implemented by the present disclosure may be used to purify and/or reduce unwanted substances of air intended to enter the nasal cavity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the methods of use enabled by the foregoing disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon review of the present disclosure, additional methods within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure for performing the operations provided by the examples herein. Such additional methods are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

While various aspects have been described in the foregoing disclosure, the description of the present disclosure is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. The invention is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims rather than by the illustrations and examples provided in the foregoing disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate additional aspects of the invention that may be implemented in alternative embodiments after appreciating the above disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, embodiments, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An air purification apparatus for nasal applications, the air purification apparatus comprising:

a housing to substantially enclose an interior space;

an air treatment component located within the interior space to at least partially purify air for delivery to the nasal cavity, the air treatment component comprising:

a filter member to remove impurities from the air, an

A fan member to actively pass the air through the filter member;

a power component generally located within the interior space to provide electrical power to the air treatment component; and

A housing to receive at least a portion of the housing, the housing being removably stored by the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power component further comprises:

a battery to reversibly store the electric power;

power delivery electronics to transfer the electrical power from the battery to the air treatment component; and

battery charging electronics to receive external power from an external power source, regulate the external power to charging power receivable by the battery, and store at least a portion of the charging power in the battery for use as the electrical power by the air handling component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:

a top housing portion having a top portion,

a bottom housing portion removably attached to the top housing portion, an

A housing inlet on the bottom housing portion to allow the air to flow into the interior space;

wherein the fan component receives the air from the housing inlet, the air to be passed through the filter component; and

Wherein the air passing through the filter element moves to the nasal cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises:

a lock interface, the lock interface comprising:

a lock interface top portion operatively attached to the top housing portion,

a lock interface bottom portion operatively attached to the bottom housing portion,

a locking member provided by the lock interface top portion to receive at least a portion of the lock lip of the lock interface bottom portion, an

A locking gap provided by the locking interface bottom portion, the locking gap having a sufficient width to receive the locking member;

wherein the locking interface is reversibly configured in a locked position by rotating the locking member passing through the locking gap in a first locking direction to receive the locking lip; and

wherein the lock interface is reversibly configured in the unlocked position by rotating the lock member in a second locking direction to release the locking lip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air treatment component further comprises:

A germicidal irradiation member to emit ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation that at least partially disinfects pathogens of the air prior to entering the nasal cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air treatment component further comprises:

a fragrance component comprising a fragrance reservoir to reversibly hold a fragrance material having a fragrance, the fragrance being detectable through the olfactory nerve; and

wherein the fragrance is at least partially transferred from the fragrance material into the air for delivery to the nasal cavity.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter component comprises a high efficiency particulate absorption filter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an olfactory substance delivery member capable of administering a deliverable substance.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the deliverable substance comprises a pharmacological substance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a plurality of sensors,

the housing includes:

a housing enclosure including a housing receiving slot to selectively receive the housing,

A housing cover removably mounted to the housing enclosure to configure the housing between a housing open state and a housing closed state, an

An electrical contact within the housing receiving slot to connect the power component;

wherein the power component further comprises:

a battery to reversibly store the power received from the housing for use by the air treatment component;

wherein the housing is selectively inserted into the housing receiving slot or selectively removed from the housing receiving slot when the housing is configured in the housing open state; and

wherein such housing received by the housing receiving slot is substantially enclosed by the housing when the housing is configured in the housing closed state.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a monitoring component comprising a sensor to detect a condition of the air, the air being comprised by an ambient space adjacent to the sensor; and

wherein the condition is reportable via a communicatively connectable display device.

12. An air purification apparatus for nasal applications, the air purification apparatus comprising:

a housing to substantially enclose an interior space;

a nasal plug member operatively attached to the housing for removable insertion into a nostril to form an at least partial seal with the nasal cavity;

a germicidal irradiation member to emit ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation that at least partially disinfects pathogens of the air prior to entering the nasal cavity;

wherein the housing is selectively received by and selectively removed from the housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the air treatment component further comprises:

a filter member to remove impurities from the air; and

A fan member to actively pass the air through the filter member.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises:

a top housing portion;

a bottom housing portion removably attached to the top housing portion; and

a housing inlet located on the bottom housing portion to allow the air to flow into the interior space.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the power component further comprises:

a battery to reversibly store the electric power;

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the air treatment component further comprises:

A fragrance component, the fragrance component comprising:

a fragrance reservoir to reversibly retain a fragrance material having a fragrance that at least partially diffuses into the air to be detectable by olfactory nerves.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the filter component comprises a high efficiency particulate absorption filter and a carbon filter.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a plurality of sensors,

the housing further includes:

An electrical contact to connect the power component;

wherein the power component further comprises:

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

an olfactory substance delivery component capable of applying a deliverable substance to the nasal cavity.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

a monitoring component comprising a sensor to detect a condition of the air, the air being comprised by an ambient space adjacent the enclosure; and

21. An air purification apparatus for nasal applications, the air purification apparatus comprising:

a housing to substantially enclose an interior space;

a filter member to remove impurities from the air, an

A fragrance component comprising a fragrance reservoir to reversibly hold a fragrance material having a fragrance that is detectable through the olfactory nerve, wherein the fragrance is at least partially transferred from the fragrance material into the air for delivery to the nasal cavity.